Poetry would be composed entirely of haikus and sonnets dedicated to cakes and pastries if poets didn't devour their idyllic subjects before having a chance to write. Say what meter and rhythm cannot with today's Groupon: for $10, you get $20 worth of fresh bakery goods, gourmet sandwiches, soups, coffee, and more at Calistoga Artisan Sandwiches, in either the Dutchman's Lane or East Chestnut Street locations.

Named for a small town in Napa Valley, Calistoga Artisan Sandwiches aims to recreate the atmosphere of that West Coast epicurean Elysium through its oven-warm baked goods and fresh café fare. Morning munchables are served until 11 a.m., and include breakfast sandwiches and gourmet omelets ($6.89–$7.99), which come sidekicked with potato-cheese casserole and a biscuit. Hunger-havers who prefer dining under a steadily reclining sun can lock their lips around artisan sandwiches, such as the pulled pork pressata ($7.99) or chicken pesto cordon bleu ($7.99), all of which can be wrappified for carb-loathers or anyone who fears breaking bread. Flora fanatics can feast upon salubrious salads, such as the Copper Canyon chicken Caesar ($7.99), while liquid-lovers can lap up piping hot soups from regular bowls, bread bowls ($1.59 extra), or Camilla Parker Bowles.

Throughout the day, patrons can pass the time with selections from the bakery, including fresh bagels ($1.29 each, $2.39 with spread) and assorted cookies, brownies, pastries, and croissants. Spend a frigid August afternoon cozying next to Calistoga's fireplace with a belly-warming espresso drink, or sweat through a blistering November's eve while enjoying a freshly blended smoothie ($4.39) on the fountain patio. With free WiFi rounding out the experience, Calistoga is the perfect place to linger over the Wikipedia entry for Great American Novel without necessarily having to write your own.

Reviews

The OurSerendip blog gives Calistoga nine stars out of 10. Six Yelpers give the bakery an average of 3.5 stars out of five, and 77% of Urbanspooners like it:

• We both think Calistoga is one of the better sandwich shops in town. – Doug Rivers, OurSerendip blog
• One of my favorite places for lunch – Annia Martinez, Urbanspoon
• We both agree they were tthe [sic] best sandwiches we have ever had. For the price the atmosphere is amazing. – John Roberts, Urbanspoon