Few people do comfort food like Mama Bross in Edinburgh, but the owner as well as founder of Bross Bagels in the capital, is about to make the business a hell of a lot more homely.
Larah Bross (Mama), moved to Edinburgh after growing up in Montreal and living in New York.
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She launched the bagel eatery chain in 2017 and has not looked back since. Their hole-some packed bagels have been a fixture with capital diners ever since the city got to taste that yummy Mama’s Rock Sauce.
But now food obsessed customers will be able to enjoy more traditional tastes and flavours that are connected to Mama’s upbringing and life experiences - all the while helping to shape their permanent menu.
The soft launch for ‘Bross Deli’ took place over Christmas, with the eatery situated in the St James’ Quarter.
The Deli will be set in an environment that looks to mirror the Jewish style delis that are found in Mama’s native Montreal.
The venue is open from 9am-4pm at the moment but as Covid restrictions dissipate they will look to welcome customers in the evening with alcoholic beverages understood to be available.
It signals a branching out by the business to expand their repertoire to include meals that would not normally be found in a Bagel house.
Bross will look to introduce Jew-ish dishes to diners that will encompass local ingredients with inspirations from throughout Mama’s life and her Jewish upbringing.
And Mama Bross is calling on all Edinburgh residents to help her design the menu. They have said that they will be trying out new specials over the coming days and weeks and that those after a bite to eat in the city centre are invited to try the dishes and give their feedback.
All feedback is considered and Bross says that the opinions of their clientele will go towards designing the finalised deli menu.
And in order to give you, our readers an insight into what to expect, we went to try out some of the new dishes that have been designed by Mama herself.
First up was the Matzha Ball Soup. It was described by Mama as: “Jewish penicillin. This soup is said to cure all ailments! It is made from chicken broth, poached chicken, veg, and of course Matzah Balls! These are like dumplings but round! Originally made of Matzo meal but we use our bagels!”
This was a Jew-ish inspired dish that reminded Mama of her childhood. It felt like a warm hug in a bowl that was absolutely perfect for a cold January afternoon after a chilly walk up Arthur Seat or Calton Hill.
Next up was the Holey Macaroni. This was described as: “...our weekly special that contained Mac & Cheese, salt beef, pickle bits, bagel crumb and sriracha hot sauce.”
Now I’m a self confessed mac’n’cheese hater, I find it is one of the most boring dinners you can eat, so they had their work cut out. That being said…it was unbelievable. From the perfect marriage of the pickle bits with the salt beef soaked in cheese to the sriracha sauce that let you know it was there just a few seconds after you’d chowed down a spoonful.
Last but not least was the Buffanono. This was described by Mama as: “containing deep fried cauliflower, buffalo sauce, melted jack cheese - which can be substituted for vegan cheese - montreal slaw and Mama Bross' ranch sauce.”
Again a bead of sweat flowed across my forehead as I thought “I don’t really like vegetarian meals.”. A lot of the time you get people substituting cauliflower for say chicken and it does not work out so I was extremely sceptical (sorry Mama).
Although true to form, it did not disappoint. The crunch of the cauliflower with the ranch sauce sent me into a Homer Simpson style slavering day dream. Get it and get the veggie option - after all you are saving the planet whilst devouring this Bross delicacy.
The formidable force in food, Mama Bross said: “Bross was born in Edinburgh, and we’ve been blown away by our close community of bagel lovers from across the city.
“Edinburgh, we need you to help us choose. Now is your chance to make like a Masterchef judge and tell us what you love or loathe. We’ll be launching new dishes weekly – it’s your chance to get them before they’re gone, until the final menu is unveiled later in the year.
“When our morning to evening dining menu then launches, it will be a genuine collection of Edinburgh’s favourite flavourhood deli dishes, served up morning to night.”
She added: “The menu we’ll be gradually introducing is inspired by my Jewish heritage. Those classic foods I grew up enjoying, given a modern and sometimes Scottish twist. These are foods to warm your soul and for me, there’s nothing more we all need right now as we embark on 2022. Think macaroni like your mama makes, nourish-your-soul Matzah Ball soup, loaded latkes that make hash browns, green with envy, and knishes that taste as good straight from the oven as they do cold from the fridge the next day with a hangover.”
Bross Deli will be open daily from 9am until 4pm every day in the St James’ Quarter, until the full launch later this year when an evening menu will also be introduced.
