The bagel possessed that authentic, light, crisp exterior with a slight pull to every bite. There was just enough salmon on the sandwich so as not to overwhelm the rest of the ingredients. Everything else on the sandwich was included in balance and all the flavors complemented the salmon. It was a little hard to eat and keep everything within the bagel’s boundaries, but it was well worth the effort. Sandwiches are served with a cup-sized portion of potato chips.
Menu highlights beyond what I tried: Toasts are served with a side salad of arugula, shaved Parmesan, radish and housemade olive oil dressing. The crispy prosciutto and beet toast made with housemade beet hummus, crispy prosciutto, goat cream cheese spread and pickled onions on rustic white bread sounded delicious, as did the wild mushroom toast made with balsamic wild mushrooms, housemade herbed ricotta, poached egg and olive oil drizzle on rustic white bread. Sandwich options include a roasted turkey and avocado sandwich, a smoked ham pesto breakfast sandwich and a ciabatta ham sandwich. Among the bowl choices is an overnight oats bowl, a granola bowl, a Turkish egg bowl, a smoothie power bowl and a spiced chickpea nourish bowl. Other options include baked eggs, chia pudding with housemade lemon curd and blueberries, and a fig jam and cheese board.
Atmosphere: Located in the end unit of a strip mall, the space has a unique layout with tall windows that wrap the front. The floor is sealed concrete and the ceiling is open to structural elements and painted black. Interior walls are painted soft ivory and pale pink with one accent wall of large floral print. The furniture is sophisticated and simple. Chairs are upholstered in dark brown with gold metal frames paired with white table tops. In the rear of the space, there are different seating options, which include a sofa for lingering. Tables are topped with fresh flowers. Halogen track lighting provides a fair amount of light in the back and a lot of natural light fills the front. Beautiful light fixtures add interest at a bar just to the side of the ordering counter. Overall, Presso has an industrial, sophisticated-chic character, which I thought felt more like a parlor, despite its roominess.
Other observations: Service was friendly and polite, the food and the coffee exceeded my expectations, and I loved the atmosphere. This is a place that I look forward to visiting again many times.
