a good sandwich - fig and ham at cafe brusco
at cafe brusco's easygoing opening today in berkeley, we truly intended to go against our usual sandwich type for lunch – as a native east coaster, we are often attracted to italian flavor combinations and, where appropriate, bagels. but when we were gently steered in exactly those two directions by a kindly staffer, we thought...why fight fate? and opted for the italian ham and fig on a sesame bagel.
first, yes, these bagels are worthy new contenders for the bay area. so far the team's in-house bagel program includes plain, sesame, everything, and fennel and orange bagels – a flavor we hope is not sold out next visit – baked fresh down the street at their sister venue, rose pizzeria.
our toasty-brown sesame bagel had good chew and heft – important, given the impressive amount of fra'mani italian ham packed between its hemispheres. also present: just enough of the seasonal sandwich's dominant condiment, a sticky, sweet, delicious fresh fig jam. (pro tip: make ready several napkins.) whipped butter and dijon added balance, creaminess and tang.
details at new cafe brusco, now open in berkeley from the rose pizzeria team. photo credit berkeley eats.
next time we'll try: a coffee drink; a pastry; any bagel, plain, with a schmear on the side, to really taste for flavor; and anything with more of that fig jam.
cafe brusco is at 2000 university avenue in berkeley. open for breakfast and lunch; look for wine bar hours to come.
september 17, 2025
update: wine bar evening hours started september 25, 2025.