The Battle of the Bruschetta has been the summer’s culinary spotlight sport at trendy, new Postino (2100 Kettner Street) in Little Italy.
And now the championship match is set. August winner Philly Cheesesteak will go palate-to-palate with July victor French Onion.
Postino is a casual indoor-outdoor eatery offering reasonable prices on all kinds of snacks, sandwiches, soups and salads. Traditionally, bruschetta is a mixture of chopped tomatoes, balsamic, basil and garlic, spooned over olive-oil brushed slices of bread.
Four somewhat exotic Bruschetta recipes were involved in this bracket-style competition. Two faced off in July, and another two in August. The top vote-getters are now squaring off in the final, which ends on September 15. Winners are determined by voting by restaurant patrons.
The contest has been popular with diners, says Postino server/ bartender Camille Medrano. “People have been coming in and asking about it each month,” she says. “And it’s really easy to vote [via QR code].”
In July, French Onion (roasted garlic aioli, gruyere, braised white onions, melted brie) beat Berry Mascarpone (blackberry mascarpone, graham cracker streusel, macerated blueberry, lemon, powdered sugar) by a score of 4,873 to 2,619, according to the restaurant’s website.
August saw Philly Cheesesteak (roasted garlic aioli, chopped steak, caramelized onion and peppers, fondue, chili oil) top Buffalo Cauliflower (buffalo cauliflower, cambozola ranch yogurt, celery, chives) by a 2,653 to 1,626 margin.
Postino in Little Italy is still a rookie, having opened in April 2024, but this is the second Battle of the Bruschetta for the expansion-mode chain. Last year’s winner was Mexican Street Corn, which is now a permanent fixture on the menu.
Either French Onion or Philly Cheesesteak will get its name engraved on the daily menu on September 16. SDSun
