If you’re looking for a hearty lunch that won’t break the bank, Bross Bagels’ new opening in Bruntsfield is the place to go. With stripped stone walls, yellow tiles and a distinctively funky look that reflects the local chain’s Leith roots, the crowd of office workers and locals are queuing out the door to try the neighbourhood’s latest foodie offering.
This particular lunchtime we’re hoping for the Christmas bagels, their newest concoction featuring turkey, brie and a sage and onion latke, amongst other fillings, or the vegan option stuffed with herb roasted butternut squash, spiced cranberry sauce and pickled red cabbage. Unfortunately the menu is launching on the 1st December so our November visit is a little early.
However, we aren’t disappointed when we unwrap our order, each sandwich cheekily topped off with a sticker saying ‘Fill your hole’. We went the traditional route and sampled the Mama Bross, a creamy chicken salad brightened with dill pickles and spring and red onion, the Mile End, filled with pastrami, swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Russian dressing, and the Montreal, a classic lox and cream cheese.
Both the Montreal and Mama Bross are big favourites, with tributes paid all around to the soft-yet-chewy bagels, the zing of the pickles and onions and how well the flavours are balanced. The Mile End, while the quality of the pastrami shines through, could possibly do with something to give it the same punch as the others – perhaps ask for the addition of some of the aforementioned pickles if you’re ordering it.
Nonetheless, if you’re looking for an unfussy, fun lunch with tons of flavour, Bross Bagels is sure to deliver.
165a Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh EH10 4DG
brossbagels.com
Caroline Whitham
