Queens Tribune

84-73 Parsons Blvd., Jamaica
(718) 526-0723
Cuisine: Vegetarian Café
Hours: Mon-Fri. 7 a.m. 9 p.m. except Wed. to 6 p.m.; Sunday and Saturday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Parking: Street
Credit Cards: None

Are you looking for a place where health rules, but is served with a tinge of naughtiness? Try Panorama of My Silence-Heart vegetarian cuisine. Now I know what it sounds like, but this hardcore carnivore enjoyed every morsel.

Barely noon on a Tuesday, my guests and I braved low-slung clouds and an ominous gray sky to have lunch. The staff of the café, which is barely two months old, welcomed us with smiles.

The atmosphere is calming, soft music-filled the small, but cozy place adding a simple background noise. There is no rigidity here, just soothing serenity. This is what a café should be.

If you are in the mood for breakfast, lunch, a snack, or even a light dinner, Panorama is the place for you. After seating ourselves by the window there was an endless train of food brought to us by the owner Ketan Goldman.

First there was the Napa Valley Salad, which seemed like a mountain of Romaine lettuce, dried cranberries, mandarin oranges, crumpled goat cheese and walnuts. Next was an array of specialty sandwiches. There was the chevrole, which consisted of goat cheese and tomato on an onion panini. The molto benne was quite a delight with mozzarella and tomato on an olive panini with a hint of pesto to add color and flavor.

Hands down, my two favorites were the Popeye panini, which consisted of vegetarian “ham,” cream cheese, “bacon” and spinach on a Portuguese roll, and the Scarlet pumpernickel, with chicken, gruyere, spinach, and a dollop of mustard on pumpernickel bread.

The menu also boasts lattes, frappes, coffee, organic tea and my favorite, hot chocolate.

Since I am a non-coffee drinker my companions took the liberty of sampling the lattes. The mocha caramel latte was given the thumbs-up.

The hot chocolate is worth every penny of its $1.95. A thick layer of foam and chocolate overtakes the tongue, giving the impression of chocolate silk.

Dessert was a chocolate cheesecake brownie and a large triple chocolate cookie, with soft mounds of gooey chocolate throughout.

Tea drinkers never fret, Panorama also has 10 specialty teas including blueberry and peppermint rooibos. The tea will go great with vegan scones in cranberry, raisin and chocolate chip flavors. How about a healthy slice of vegan triple chocolate mouse cake? Scrumptious. Maybe you would prefer an icy frappe. I recommend the cookie monster, a blend of cookies and sweet vanilla.

In my opinion, the weekend is the best time to visit the café. Breakfast can mean a healthy serving of waffles, fresh fruit, whipped cream and a drizzle of real maple syrup. Or stop in for brunch.

Free WiFi is also available to customers.

If you want quality service and food to match the Panorama of My Silence-Heart is the place to go. Enjoy, because I know I did.