And while the homegrown chain keeps a core selection of flavors on its menu, once a year, they shake things up. The third annual Battle of the Bruschetta returns this weekend.
Chefs from across the company create new flavor combinations, which are then narrowed down to a handful of options. Then, the bruschetta battle relies on customers to taste, vote and decide the winner. The winning flavor is then added to the menu for the following year.
This year, the company has expanded the number of contestants from four to six. The battle begins on Sunday, with the first two flavors available through the end of the month. Starting in July, the second two become available, with the final two put on the menu on July 15. The winner will be announced on Aug. 1. Here are this year's contenders.
Chicken Caesar Chop vs. Boquerones
June 15 - 30 This duo is the battle of the anchovies. A classic, cold Caesar salad with anchovy dressing goes head to head with Spanish-style boquerones bruschetta, topped with mascarpone, diced tomatoes, capers, lemon zest and chunks of chopped anchovies. Supreme vs. Everything Lox
July 1 - 14 Familiar flavors get a bruschetta makeover in the second battle. The Supreme is loaded up like your favorite pizza, with Italian sausage, pepperoni, bell peppers, olives, onions and more. The warm bite trades dough for bread, but tastes just like its pizza inspiration. Its opponent also swaps out the carbs on a traditional dish. Bagels are replaced by toasted bread in the Everything Lox, topped with cream cheese, smoked salmon, everything bagel seasoning, fried capers, pickled red onions and fresh dill. Hot Honey Sweet Potato vs. Cherry Cannoli
July 15 - 31 The final battle brings some sweetness to the table, however only one really counts as dessert. The Hot Honey Sweet Potato is a unique sweet and savory blend of ricotta, caramelized sweet potatoes, thyme, parmesan and a creamy hot honey sauce. It goes up against a true dessert bite, the Cherry Cannoli. This sweet bruschetta is topped with creamy cherry cannoli filling, dried cherries, waffle cone pieces and chocolate shavings. After six weeks of tasting and voting, Postino's customers will crown a winner. The bruschetta that takes the top spot will be announced on social media on August 1, and then be featured on the menu from Aug. 1 to 15, before finding a permanent spot on the updated fall menu.
This is the third year of Postino's Battle of the Bruschetta. Last year, fans loved the French Onion flavor the most. The winner will be available at Postino locations around the country.
