
3

"At this new Berkeley bagel shop from the Rose Pizzeria team, the Brusco — a mortadella open-faced bagel — blew me away: on a sesame bagel, Calabrian chile cream cheese brings heat, fluffed pistachio-studded mortadella adds savor, a drizzle of honey cools and sweetens, and pickled pepper ties it all together into a tidy trifecta. The persimmon bagel (with a hit of sumac) didn’t lag either, and together they made a balanced, satisfying lunch I’m eager to repeat soon." - Paolo Bicchieri