Gala Café and Pizzeria: An Eclectic café
By Our Roving Restaurant Reporter
From the April 2006
Issue of Applaud Magazine

Manchester’s Gala Café and Pizzeria (967 Elm Street, 603-624-7979) combines the elements of an upscale sandwich shop, a coffee bar, and a martini bar. And it works! This eclectic café offers a wide variety of options that are sure to please all day long. The café is casual and comfortable. There’s plenty of room, even a little nook in the back for hanging out with friends. When we visited, the couch was occupied by someone knitting while she chatted with a friend. The décor is industrial, but whimsical. The owner’s sense of humor is evident in the small sign on the counter that states “Unattended children will be given an espresso and a free puppy”. There is seating for about 40 diners and while we enjoyed a late lunch, many people stopped in for coffee, while a handful of people were enjoying their food and drinks and just hanging out. The menu is presented on a huge chalkboard and offers something for all times of the day. For the morning crowd, there are breakfast sandwiches and wraps. Later in day you can enjoy panini, wraps, salads, pizza, and calzones. Coffee, specialty coffees, and martinis complete the chalkboard menu. Desserts are also offered and are displayed in a case at the counter to tempt you when you place your order. Service was quick and pleasant. There are so many delicious choices that it is hard to make a selection. The Gala Wrap is a winning combination of chicken breast meat, crisp bacon, avocado, romaine lettuce, and blue cheese dressing. It tasted light and fresh. The Italian Panini is a grownup version of the Italian subs that I enjoyed so much as a child. It has ham, salami, morta della, tomato, romaine, lettuce, pickles, and a drizzle of olive oil. The bread was delightfully crisp. The Gala Café is open Monday-Friday 7:30am-9pm, Saturday 8am-9pm and is handicap accessible. The café doesn’t take credit cards, but there is an ATM inside the café if you are short on cash. The Gala Café is someplace that you’ll want to visit at all times of the day. The menu offers choices that will keep you coming back. The comfortable atmosphere is perfect for meeting friends, or for relaxing over a cup of coffee and people watching. You can stop by for drinks after work and enjoy a delicious snack or dinner while you catch up.