Rybread Cafe

Losing your job usually means you'll end up downing drinks with sympathetic coworkers, setting your former office aflame, or the obvious: running to the authorities to describe Steven Seagal's unique physical symptoms when he becomes aroused. Taking a layoff as a sign to do something even greater, the minds at Rybread Cafe

Founded on an unemployed architect's idea for a resto and his father's dream of owning one, Rybread's a gourmet sandwich shop slapping down fresh-ingredient-loaded breakfasts and lunches in an interior with white stucco walls, bare wood fascias on the counters and columns, and a brown upholstered bench banquette with striped, damask, and patterned throws (unlike McNabb's, you can get your hands around these). Morning means a variety of bagels and scones plus breakfasty pig parts, while salads include the Italian (prosciutto, genoa, mozzarella, roasted red peppers), the Hampton (chicken, pesto, roasted roma tomatoes, and shaved parmesan), and the apple/Craisins/candied walnuts/gorgonzola House, which was just weird and not believable when it came topped with Kumar. Sandwiches and paninis're named for the cities that inspired them as the owner and his girlfriend toured the country, including a BLT with avocado called the Santa Monica, the Black Forest ham/apple/cheddar/honey mustard Alexandria panini, and the shrimp salad & greens mix called NOLA -- which's more substantial than the FEMA, a packet of saltines and a wetnap that arrives three weeks after you've died of hunger/stickiness

Incorrectly assuming you wouldn't want booze for breakfast or lunch, Rye's stocking a slew of Boylan's and Nantucket Nectars; they also boast fresh-baked desserts and offer a rotation of soups prepared by their cook, who couldn't possibly actually be a Navy SEAL with extensive combat experience who's only in the kitchen because he hit another officer. No, that would be ridiculous.