On a pretty, sunny Saturday afternoon a steady stream of customers wait in line for coffee drinks, croissants and sandwiches at the Beans and Bagels cafe at Leland and Rockwell. Heat up a chocolate croissant, and the soft, buttery bread and melt-in-your-mouth chocolate instantly satisfy hunger cravings. If you're more in the mood for a sandwich, a veggie sandwich is a knockout with toasted focaccia bread, melted Provolone cheese, sliced cucumbers, tomatoes and onions with plenty of mayo gluing it all together in a tasty, flavorsome combo.

Sandwich options also include those with tuna, various cheese types, turkey, spinach, roast beef, bacon, hummus and other toppings.

The cafe is clean and has two rooms. A few chairs offer window seating in the first room where you place your order, and the second room offers more tables and sitting space. As with the cafe's Lincoln Square location, baristas here are cheery and efficient enough without being annoyingly phony-friendly.

Average cost: <$10

Centerstage Reviewer: Mary Susan Littlepage