Murphy's

Murphy's is a staple neighborhood spot in Virginia Highlands.  It has a wine counter, bakery counter, and a warm, inviting, dining space.  You can even stop by and grab a cookie for $1 from a jar just inside the front door.  It feels comfortable yet special all at once.  I like Murphy's for many reasons but there is one glaring problem - the lack of interesting vegetarian options.
The best time for a vegetarian to visit would be weekend brunch.  Unfortunately this is the same time that it is often insanely packed.  Instead I went there for lunch on a day when a percentage of sales were going to be donated to my child's school garden (another reason I appreciate Murphy's).  There really were only two options for a composed meal (not counting salads) - a fried green tomato sandwich or a grilled cheese and fried egg sandwich.  I really wanted soup but both soup options were made with chicken stock (is it so hard to make a flavorful veggie stock?).  I went with the grilled cheese since it was recommended by someone at my table. 
So it turned out that I had a pretty brunchy meal after all.  There was a lot of cheese happening on my plate.  Good thing I ordered the included pepperjack cheese sauce on the side instead of all over.  It would have been overkill.  The fried egg was nicely cooked and sat upon the sandwich along with a couple slices of tomato.  I would have preferred a 'salsa' type condiment instead of the tomato slices as I like a meal with a little spicy or bold flavor.  Also, fresh tomatoes shouldn't be part of a meal in the middle of winter.  They were fairly bland.  The mixed green salad added some color and fiber and came dressed in a champagne vinaigrette.  Overall it was satisfactory and filling but it didn't do too much to excite my taste buds.  It did give me an idea of what to make at home for breakfast sometime - minus some of the cheese of course.    

BAKESHOP

Bakeshop, in Midtown, is a self-described 'true boulangerie and patisserie.'  Upon entering, all of the pastries and desserts are immediately visible and the smell of butter is in the air.  There are several types of pastries that you can help yourself to and a dessert case with other cakes and tarts. 

The croissants looked great so I sampled an almond and almond-chocolate kind (butter and chocolate versions are also available).  The croissants were flaky and delicious topped with a sugary glaze.  I preferred the almond as the almond-chocolate was a bit too sweet.  The croissants are very rich and at $2.75, not cheap.  I was happy to share one and save the other for the next day.

I returned to Bakeshop one day around lunchtime and decided to try one of their sandwiches.  It was a choice between a grilled cheese or a vegetable panini (essentially a fancier grilled cheese).  I chose the panini which contained mozzarella, roasted red peppers and balsamic vinegar between slices of ciabatta ($7.50).  The bread was toasted nicely but the balsamic flavor was quite strong.  I found the sandwich to be nothing special and not worth repeating. 
I got a loaf of honey whole wheat bread and a pecan, apricot, white chocolate scone to go.  The bread was very chewy and flavorful.  The scone turned out to be a triangular cookie, not a traditional flaky scone, and definitely a waste of money. 
I'll probably go back to Bakeshop if I'm in the area but not for lunch.  The long tables inside are close together and can get crowded quickly.  In warmer weather there is also seating outside, next to a fountain, to enjoy a coffee and croissant.