food: Old Brooklyn Bagels & Deli

Ifirst wrote about Old Brooklyn Bagels & Deli replacing Cafe Zoe back in July, but haven't had a chance to check it out until more recently.

The cafe is named for the former town of Brooklyn, which is now part of Oakland. The town wasn't named for the city in New York, but for a ship which brought Mormon settlers to California in 1846. To emphasize the local meaning, there are historic photos on the walls, and an old map of Oakland and Brooklyn across the front of the counter.

As with the predecessor, the space is light and airy, with windows on both the College Avenue and Harwood Avenue sides. And as with Cafe Zoe, they have outdoor seating on the Harwood Avenue side, which seems particularly popular with dog owners.

The first time K and I went, I had a toasted sesame bagel with cream cheese which was OK, and very tasty salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, kalamata olives, and feta cheese. K had a tasty tuna salad sandwich. The second time I went, I had a toasted everything bagel with schmear, before heading off to compare to other bagels in Oakland. They don't have much space, so the bagels are made at sister restaurant Emery Bay Cafe in Emeryville. Other items are made fresh on site.

In short, I'd go back for coffee or lunch, but the bagels weren't anything special. They weren't bad, they just weren't anything special, especially given all the other bagel options that have started up in Oakland. Jweekly.com agrees, at least as far as the bagels are concerned.

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