My latest off the map food discovery is Emma’s Café and Deli, located on the “terrace”—is there one?—level of the Executive Office Building on Washington Rd.

Through the years this space has been a Grand Central Station for eateries—in and out leaving barely a mark. Emma’s delights the breakfast or lunch palate with simple goodness. I like the space—slightly ’50s retro tables and chairs, light wood laminate floors and cozy, comfortable lighting.

It may be a deli but it invites lingering. The food is well done basics. Emma features a pick-two as good as “that other place.” Fresh Greek, Chef and House salads can be paired with Boars Head sandwiches. My favorites include perfectly dressed pasta salads—they know when to say when with the dressing.

Last week for me it was rotelli with banana peppers, zucchini, fresh basil and surprisingly tasty grape tomatoes and a half of a turkey sandwich on rye. The other pasta salad I adore is bow-tie with roasted red peppers, basil and shredded asiago cheese—again, perfectly dressed. And the soups—the clam chowder is incredibly good. I feel lucky to be there when it is available and I take several cartons home. They seem to have regular take-out customers and I noticed that several of them ordered the french fries. They are next on my list.

Emma’s is a comfortable quiet place. I take a book and linger over a delightful, simple lunch. I hope this Uptown café/deli takes root and flourishes.