Munch has many quirks. One of those is a severe addiction to coffee. There's the first morning cup, the cup for the way to work, the first cup at work and then the continuation of coffee throughout the day.

Munch once read in the Post-Gazette that coffee prevents some disease or is in someway healthy, but unfortunately, it was before the third cup of the day, so Munch was still too addled to take it in.

Dear One of Munch (DOOM) is much the same way. So much coffee is consumed at the House of Munch in the morning that the 10-cup pot has to be refilled before DOOM rises so there is enough to go around. It's a serious addiction.

Lately DOOM has been taking some pretty severe science classes and discovered that a good place to study is (where else?) coffee shops. Kiva Han in Oakland provided a real surprise for DOOM one evening as the hour was growing late, the snow was falling and DOOM still had about 6,000 organic chemistry problems to figure out. DOOM ordered a sandwich and it was as if the heavens opened and provided the poor stressed out chem student with a plate of goodness.

DOOM immediately called home and said, "you've got to munch this place, this turkey sandwich is to die for."

Munch, not wanting to risk the roads that night, decided not to die for it.

But, last week, Munch met DOOM between classes at the Kiva Han on the corner of Forbes Avenue and S. Craig Street. Coffee was, of course, the first thing ordered and was as good as Munch had remembered from previous visits. Munch ordered the medium, but they were out of medium cups and so provided a nearly full large coffee for the price of a medium. Sweet.

As Munch read the menu, the sandwiches all looked kind of weird, but DOOM swore they were good, just unusually done. For instance, the sandwich Munch ultimately ordered was described as a chicken breast on foccacia bread with brie and jam (for $5.25). Jam? There was no mention of what kind of jam. It was served with a side salad.

Munch ordered it and Munch's anxiety was calmed by DOOM who said "Every time I read the menu it sounds sort of odd, but it's always good."

The sandwich was good. It was grilled in a panini maker which melted the brie. The jam was a sort of citrus marmalade and was a nice accent to the cheese. Munch devoured every bite and then went through the side salad, which was a mix of baby greens topped with sliced almonds and dressed with a balsamic vinaigrette. Yum.

DOOM ordered a Greek wrap -- a pita that held two eggs, spinach, and a calamata olive tapenade spread ($5.99). Munch enjoyed a bite of that, too.

After a nice lunch, at a table DOOM had grabbed in the sun, Munch and DOOM finished the coffees they had ordered and discussed the plans for the weekend. It was only on the 61A back Downtown that Munch realized it had been a hideous mistake not to use the bathroom at Kiva Han after finishing the coffee. Munch, not having attended any NASA training, also did not have the foresight to wear the "urine collection system" employed by astronauts in a hurry.

But, nevertheless, Munch did make it to the office in time after the realization that Forbes is a really bumpy road. It was the only downside of an utterly surprising meal.

Kiva Han, 420 S. Craig St., Oakland. 412-687-6355.