I had my first, Honest-to-God, not imitation, New York City bagel this morning

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

I’ve heard rumours. It’s the yeast it’s the water it’s how they make it. All I had were Einstein bagels, or (horrors) the frozen Lenders bagels.

I was explaining to a co-worker in our NY office why I might not make it to the company Christmas party. Ivylad was suffering a few very bad days with his back, and was unable to get out of bed. So I wasn’t sure if I was going.

Sweetie that she is, she offered to bring down some New York City bagels for him when they came down for the party. I told Ivylad that we were getting real NYC bagels, and he said “Oooooo-kay.” I asked him if he knew the significance of New York City bagels, and he said, “They’re just bagels, right?”

Heathen. Barbarian. I filled him in.

We got 14 bagels in a variety of flavors. The rest are sitting in my freezer, awaiting a toasting and some cream cheese. They’re lighter and bigger than the others I’ve had. Ivylad liked them too.

They came from Red Factory(?). Now we know.

2

I dunno. I had an NYC bagel this summer. It was pretty good, but it wasn’t brilliant. And when I went up to the counter, I apparently immediately revealed myself as the completely clueless country-boy hick that I apparently am by asking for my bagel “toasted, with cream cheese.” In a little main street cafe and bagel shop where I come from, that would get me a toasted bagel with rich, creamy (heh) cream cheese (or butter, if I so desire) smeared liberally on both sides - a little bit of baked and toasted heaven. In New York, this request got me a look like I had three heads. I was informed that cream cheese and such things were available in the cooler to my left. Hrm.

I don’t remember the name or exact location of this place, but apparently its popular. It’s somewhere around 7th or 8th avenue and 50th. In that vague, general vicinity, plus or minus a dozen or so blocks. Anyway, my question is, how are they popular? No cream cheese on order? I have to buy it in a little packet, or a little TUB!?

Hmmph. I’ll stick my New England main street hole-in-the-wall cafe.

Oh, the bagel was pretty tasty plain, though. So kudos on that score.

3

Montreal bagels, people.

You’re not doing it right unless it’s a Montreal bagel.

4

I don’t know WTF kinda place you went to, but if they don’t spatula a huge glob of cream cheese on the bagel upon request, it is not a New York bagel store.

5

I buttered mine before I put cream cheese on it. Am I going to hell? I also like peanut butter on bagels.

Since it’s unlikely I’ll be able to get NYC bagels as more than an occassional treat, what’s a good substiture? Einstein’s?