a good sandwich - porchetta on focaccia at fatto a mano
eh, ciao. [airy kiss.] forgive us, but everything about a visit to fatto a mano ('made by hand') at oakland's prescott market makes a person want to emote in italian.
already, the inviting west oakland prescott market food court and community space gives a chic vibe. add new fatto a mano's imported italian goods, fresh handmade pastas, sauces, breads and pastries, and a visit feels both rootedly of oakland and also transportive.
details at the fatto a mano counter space in oakland include an italian pastry case and pooled focaccia dough at rest. photo credit berkeley eats.
on this first visit to the italian counter kiosk, we went savory instead of sweet, despite the view onto the pastry case. (next time: tutt'i dolci, grazie.) it was lunchtime, a weekday, and we had heard plenty about chef elena fabbri's porchetta, the tuscan-style, slow-roasted pork belly and loin, flavorful, fatty (the crispy bits are especially delicious), and subtly infused with herbs.
porchetta on focaccia is an indulgent affair, but somehow fabbri and her team have managed to strike a very italian balance – despite appearances, the sandwich comes together lightly, is not too rich, not overly unctuous or salty, even with the glistening pork and thin spread of mayo, the dimpled focaccia touched up with olive oil.
the porchetta is sliced and dressed with a layer of caramelized onions and a light pile of arugula; the focaccia is deliciously fresh, warm and substantial yet soft. it's a nourishing meal and a treat that gives just what you want and nothing you don't need.
we look forward to future explorations through the ingredient-driven menu – every sandwich here looks worth a try (fresh ciabatta, mortadella, prosciutto, yes please), we refuse to resist the sfogliatelle and other pastries next visit, and we are particularly intrigued by the handmade pasta.
as with the other venues at prescott market, there are happy hour specials at fatto a mano, running every monday through thursday from 4-6pm, with a dedicated menu of arancini, pasta and wine deals, cheese and meat boards (with focaccia), and an $8 aperol spritz.
fatto a mano is at 1620 18th street in oakland.
february 14, 2026 (happy valentine's day everyone.)