Sandwiches. I know, I know. I've been talking about them a lot lately. But I have a good reason for it. A uniquely Alaska reason. Because like most Alaskans, I spend my summer trying to do the impossible: be in 10 different places at once. I want to be everywhere: camping in Hope, listening to live music downtown, reading a book under a backyard tree, visiting with friends around a fire pit. The only place I don't want to be during these short months? My kitchen.

Don't get me wrong, I love to cook. But for me, the best summertime meals can be wrapped in wax paper, eaten hot or cold, and can fit into a backpack. In other words: a sandwich. And a good sandwich is as good as a feast. Which brings me to Originale, the painstakingly authentic Italian eatery that recently relocated downtown. When this high-quality lunch spot disappeared from its Midtown location, I was prepared to go into mourning. So when I learned about its new digs on a street with high foot traffic, I was delighted to ditch the black lace veil.