Review: Cotton Mill Deli

The Cotton Mill Deli, in a historic brick building in downtown Woodstock where horse-drawn wagons in the 1880s would drive up to receive loads of baled cotton, has been renovated to a lovely splendor for your dining pleasure.

The Cotton Mill Deli is the new restaurant kid on the block. The owner, Jake Marler, said that when people ask him where the restaurant is, he tells them it's in the "old neon-sign building." For a time, back in the day, it was the location of Woodstock City Hall. So now that you know where it is, let's go inside.

On the exposed-brick walls hang original art pieces. The floors are hardwood, and several areas beckon you to linger in plush chairs around a gas-fired stove. The space is large, warehouselike, and sports two wide-screen TVs. The building has a capacity to hold 103 people, and banquet facilities will be up and running in the near future, according to Marler. The overall space is casual and family-friendly.

Once inside, you place your order from the menu at the counter, and your meal is delivered to your table.

On my first visit, I ordered The Ryman, a grilled sandwich composed of pastrami, coleslaw and Thousand Island dressing on rye bread. It was delivered in one of those plastic baskets lined with paper. I did have a pickle slice on the side.

The sandwich as a whole was for a "nosher"—someone with a small appetite. If you have a heftier one, you are encouraged to order extra meat for $1.25. I accompanied the sandwich with a latte to ease the chill of the evening.

For my second visit, I tried the grilled corned beef and pastrami sandwich, The Mix. This creation comes with Swiss cheese and Russian dressing on rye bread. The portion size is identical to my first order—modest. The sandwiches (both grilled and cold) are $5.50 each; adding extra meat or cheese costs $1.25.

I enjoyed both meals. They were tasty but not remarkable.

A kids menu has the kinds of things youngsters are likely to want: PB&J, grilled cheese, bologna and American cheese, peanut butter and banana, each for $3.

Coffee drinks seem to be a focus of Cotton Mill Deli. It has a nice variety of specialty espresso-based drinks ranging in price from $2.95 to $4.15.

In the grand scheme of things, I love beginnings and new enterprises mainly because they hold so much promise.

Such is the way I feel about the Cotton Mill Deli: It holds quite a lot of promise. The missing elements in the menu, like soups and salads that are naturals with sandwiches, I am sure will be offered in time. Desserts, another must-have for the sweet-toothed customer looking for that perfect slice of cheesecake (or pie) to accompany an espresso, would be a welcomed addition. I am told that breakfast items will be given some attention in the near future, so please do permit them to wake up your taste buds in the early hours of operation.

In the "deli" world one comes to expect certain signature food offerings, for example, fresh baked breads, freshly made salads, quiches, cakes, pesto, sauces, or perhaps something different or exotic—an exciting alternative to supermarket fare. Over time, I am sure that the Cotton Mill Deli will delight us with many wonderful edibles.

Save my seat next to the window; I'll be back.