Pictured: The Prime Rib sandwich at Focaccia. Photo courtesy of Focaccia.

We covered Focaccia in this space back in October when they expanded their hours and menu to begin offering breakfast. But the eatery first became known for its superb and satisfying sandwiches. At Focaccia, owner Nick Sammelman has made it his mission to serve delicious food that is also clean and wholesome. Everything is made in-house, starting with the focaccia bread the restaurant is named for which is baked fresh every morning.

The Prime Rib sandwich at Focaccia is probably the most emblematic of what the restaurant is trying to accomplish. First, a bone-in ribeye is marinated for 24 hours, then it’s roasted on a bouquet of vegetables and herbs including onion, carrot, celery, garlic and rosemary. Once the meat has rested, the bone is removed and placed in a pot with the roasted vegetables and some red wine to make a stock which will later be reduced further into a jus. The prime rib is sliced super thin, and it’s tender enough to melt in your mouth. Next, onions are caramelized in a skillet and covered with red wine. The mixture is slowly cooked down until the burgundy braised onions have a sticky, jam-like consistency. The prime rib and braised onions are joined on the sandwich by tangy white cheddar cheese and a housemade horseradish crema. Sammelman smokes the horseradish before folding it into the sauce to add another subtle layer of flavor. On paper, the dish has all the components of a traditional prime rib sandwich. But the approach makes it feel like something wholly unexpected.

During the holiday season, a lot of people get burned out on cooking after spending so much time in the kitchen baking cookies and preparing huge meals for the family. If you can relate to that, give yourself a break and try a hearty, homey sandwich from this local hotspot.

Focaccia Sandwich & Bakery, 2300 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, 941-924-2268, www.focacciasandwich.com.

Pictured: The Prime Rib sandwich at Focaccia. Photo courtesy of Focaccia.