For something of a different lunchtime dining experience, check out the Fresh Express and Market in the Sunset Gardens complex in Coral Gables.

The Fresh Express and Market in the Sunset Gardens complex in Coral Gables.

You’ll find Sunset Gardens at 1549 Sunset Dr., about a block before Sunset meets Red Road (SW 57th Avenue) and Coral Gables turns into South Miami. It’s hard to overlook the place, what with its dark brown exterior and green awnings, and it also houses the Beverly Hills Cafe and The Bakery & the Bagel in the rear. There’s a breezeway dining area that separates the Beverly Hills Cafe and the Fresh Express & Market, a perfect spot for an outdoor lunch.

The food at Fresh Express & Market is just as the name of the place implies, fresh and fast. It’s cafeteria-style dining, so you’ll have to grab a tray, stand in line and wait your turn to place an order. But, the service is quick, so the wait is usually a short one. There also is take-out service, delivery, catering and party trays available.

If you like salads, you’ll certainly enjoy this place. You can build your own salad here and the vegetables are fresh and juicy. The salad wraps are of particular interest.

Try the Tuna Greek, a delicious mix of tuna salad, feta cheese, black olives, cucumbers, red onions, romaine lettuce and plum tomatoes all stuffed inside a spinach tortilla and topped with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing. It’s as tasty as it sounds. The Turkey Gobbler and the Very Green Cheese Wrap are two more favorites.

As you move down the serving line, you’ll be confronted with a fairly broad range of selections. In addition to the salad bar and salad wrap sections, you’ll find a sandwich area where heaping sandwiches are made to order.

There’s also a pizza bar featuring a veritable plethora of toppings. There’s also a section for grilled chicken. The prices are right with a quarter chicken combo meal that included two side dishes costing just $3.69.

There’s a Beverage Bar inside the Fresh Express & Market where you can get a delicious cup of coffee. They also serve wine, beer and just about any soft drink beverage on today’s market. Diners will like the dessert offerings with the Tower of Fudge cake ideal for chocaholics. Other delights are the Candy Walnut Apple Pie and the Cappuccino Cheesecake.

The Fresh Express & Market opens at 7 a.m., so it is a good place to stop in for breakfast on the way to work. The muffins are baked fresh daily and if you take a few to the office, your co-workers will be saying nice things about you all day long. Closing time is 11 p.m.

For more information on the Fresh Express & Market, call 305-666-7901.