Lunchbox Restaurant | Frederick, Washington, D.C.

Bryan Voltaggio, who put Frederick on the culinary map with his precise, multicourse meals at Volt, has gone to the opposite extreme with his new Frederick grab-and-go, Lunchbox.

The options connote an idyllic retro cafeteria, with no item costing more than $5. But if you care to create a coursed lunch, here are our suggestions:

Soup: Lightly frothy, the shiitake ($3) has deeply earthy tones balanced by the unexpected blend of roasted peanuts and an opal basil reduction.

Salad: Shredded iceberg hides crumbles of sharp blue cheese in the Wedge ($4), but the true treasure hunt yields smoky BBQ chicharrones in place of croutons.

Sandwich: They definitely didn't have this Pilgrim ($5) on the Mayflower. Warm, pressed seven-grain slices are glazed with cream cheese, then orange-cranberry compote. Thinly shaved sage-seasoned turkey completes the mini Thanksgiving.

Soda: The cooler is full of classic small-label pop options, but pull out a rooty McCutcheon's sarsaparilla ($2).

Dessert: A repurposed candy rack is piled with baked goods, including a large, not-too-sweet chocolate chip cookie ($2.50).

Takeaway: Finish with a free crisp green apple, sourced from a local orchard.

You've earned your course credits.

Lunchbox, 50 Carroll Creek Way, Frederick; 301-360-0580 or voltlunchbox.com