The Best Thing I Ever Ate…In a Library
January 25, 2012 —When I hear the world “library” the first adjectives that come to mind are boring, quiet and stuffy—all three of which sound equally unappetizing. This explains my relatively abnormal level of astonishment when I discovered that one of my favorite places to eat on campus is Mandibles, a café in the lobby of Mann Library.
In addition to its unique location, there are so many other factors that make Mandible café like no other eating establishment I have ever been to. First off, Mandibles prides itself on being a sustainable café, featuring compostable utensils, compost and recycling bins, and a discount on all hot beverages provided that you use your own reusable thermos.
Of course the most important differentiating factor between Mandibles and any other place on campus, is its menu. It was not until I set foot in Mandibles that I actually began to appreciate Cornell’s location in the middle of (what I consider to be) absolutely nowhere. This is because Mandibles sells only food made from locally grown ingredients. Ithaca might not have the biggest shopping malls or the best methods of transportation, but it certainly beats anywhere I have ever been when it comes to agriculture.
As a food aficionado, there is nothing I love more than food that I know for a fact is fresh. Featuring locally grown organic vegetables, locally raised beef and poultry and dozens of other ingredients from right down the road, whether or not my food will be fresh is never something I have to worry about when I walk into Mandibles.
Though I consider myself an omnivore in every sense, I continue to be impressed by the variety of vegan options one can find at Mandibles. From vegan apple crisps and vegan muffins to vegan mac n’ cheese, Mandibles certainly makes a valiant effort to please those with even the most restrictive of eating preferences. Perhaps most impressive, is that Mandibles is actually able to make its vegan options look and taste just as appetizing as anything else on the menu. Who knew cheese-less mac n’ cheese could taste just as cheesy and delicious as real mac n’ cheese?
Though vegan food is never something I ever anticipated trying let alone enjoying, I have actually grown to love some of these vegan delicacies. In fact, the best thing I ever ate at Mandible Café is their vegan soup. Though the soups of the day are subject to change at least a few times a week (a testament to their freshness), there is always a vegetarian/vegan option along with a meat option. Among the best soups I have ever eaten at Mandibles are the Vegan Corn Chowder, the Vegan Tomato, and the Very Veggie Vegan made with cauliflower, carrots, potatoes and spinach.Generally speaking, I find that every time I order soup off of a menu at a restaurant it is tragically under-seasoned. On the contrary, I have never once had to reach for a salt shaker at Mandibles café.
In addition to delicious soups, the Mandibles menu also boasts a large selection of muffins and scones baked daily, homemade hummus, hearty salads, sandwiches, and a burrito bar—all of which are topics for another food blog.
Since my discovery of Mandibles, my previous opinion of libraries has gradually evolved from nauseating to digestible. In fact, I have found my GPA increasing as I employ Mandibles’ treats as motivation to study. Unfortunately for my parents however, my credit card bill has also begun to reflect this routine. Though the one down side of Mandible’s café is that big red bucks are not accepted, this is just a small price to pay for the plethora of fresh, innovative foods you will soon enjoy at this delicious, sustainable eatery.
