Bar Bruno introduced a new lunch menu this week, expanding its offerings with a lineup of salads and sandwiches, which I sat down to sample. These new additions are available Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. I chose a table on the charming patio overlooking Five Points, and on a sunny Friday afternoon, there was truly no better place to be. The space exudes a cozy, timeless feel, similar to what one would find on the streets of Rome or New York City.
I started off with an iced oat milk latte sweetened with orzata syrup — something I’d never tasted, or frankly, even heard of before. Also known as “orgeat syrup,” orzata is sweetened with sugar and has notes of almond and orange flower water. Sweet but not too sweet, this latte was the perfect start to the meal, waking up my palate and prepping my stomach for tasting.
Rate: 9/10
As an appetizer, I sampled both the deli and the arugula salad. The deli salad is essentially the heart of a classic Italian sub: iceberg lettuce, red onion, peppers, chickpeas, olives and mozzarella, all tossed in Italian dressing. The standout ingredient was the peppers. Simple yet flavorful, the papaccelle pepper variety — grown and imported from Campania, Italy — offered a crunchy consistency and an aromatic and sweet flavor. The dressing was well-balanced: just enough to tie the ingredients together without overshadowing the peppers and olives’ brightness.
The deli and arugula salads from Bar Bruno, located at 1664 S. Lumpkin St. in Athens, Georgia, are pictured. The Red & Black’s Eat & Drink team rated the salads a 9/10 and a 7/10. (Photo Credit/Alyssa Aghabeg)
Alyssa Aghabeg
Rate: 9/10
The arugula salad, on the other hand, left me wishing for a slightly heavier hand with the shallot and herb vinaigrette. The first few bites — layered with prosciutto, shaved parmesan and crunchy sunflower seeds — were delightful, but the bed of arugula on the bottom left me slightly disappointed. Had I known, I would have mixed the salad better.
Rate: 7/10
At $15 for the deli salad and $14 for the arugula salad, the portions fall short of a full entrée. However, you’re clearly paying for the quality of ingredients rather than quantity — worth it if you’re after flavor and freshness over fullness.
Now for the main event: the turkey sandwich. Veggies and a thick stack of turkey were layered between two pieces of crunchy, savory focaccia from ZZ & Simone’s, with aioli and bomba calabrese acting as the flavorful glue that held it all together. Paired with potato chips, this combo was filling, tasteful and overwhelmingly delightful. While the spicy calabrian pepper spread certainly balanced out the sandwich, I found myself wishing for a touch more heat or tang to cut through the meatiness.
Rate: 9.5/10
With such an extensive selection of spritzes, of course, I had to grab something to help wash everything down. I went for an off-the-menu drink: the Como 1907. Bubbly, refreshing and garnished with a dehydrated orange peel, it perfectly complemented the meal and added to the overall experience. Once again featuring orgeat syrup, it was a great non-alcoholic option.
Rate: 9/10
Overall, the experience felt like an escape to Tuscany. While the lunch menu leans a bit pricey for the portion sizes, the quality of the ingredients and the clear thoughtfulness behind each dish and its presentation make it well worth the visit. My suggestion: bring a friend, grab a seat on the patio on a sunny afternoon and enjoy people-watching over food that not only tastes good, but makes you feel good.
Dining and Cooking