In which we discuss bagels
 

http://www.amny.com/entertainment/dining/

An exerpt from the article $22 for the city's priciest bagel, on the above site:

a) What is your favorite type of bagel?

I've never really been a big fan of cream cheese and salmon, to be honest, so mine is walnut raisin cream cheese. :)

b) What would you pay for a bagel?

Anything under $15, really.

c) What is your favorite New York bagel spot?

I haven't found a favorite - yet! ;)

Wonder if they include coffee for $22? :D

The article keeps referring to a topping :confused:
I've never heard of this expression associated with a bagel before. Ice cream yes. Bagels NO.

The article talks about where to find cheap bagels. Most New Yorkers don't care about the price of a bagel. We want to know if it's good. :D

My favorite is an 'everything' bagel.

As for the best bagel (and most $$$), I'd have to say H&H on Broadway and 81 street.

As a matter of fact, I'm headed out shortly to get a dozen bagels. Sunday morning bagel runs are a NY tradition.

dh

My family raised me on the belief that H&H was the best. When I was growing up in Iowa, we used to get them FedExed out there (with nova from Murray's Sturgeon Shop) for special occasions. But I've since come to the conclusion that H&H is actually quite overrated. While a fresh H&H bagel will put a not-so-fresh bagel from anywhere to shame, they're overpriced ($11 for a dozen?), too big, and too sweet.

The best bagels I've had are at Absolute Bagels on Broadway between 107th and 108th St. A couple of their varieties (like pumpernickle-raisin) throw off some bagel traditionalists. But it's tough to beat their sesame.

The NYT did a big story on bagel-making a couple years ago that mentioned Absolute:

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/31/di...rtner=USERLAND

Wow I really want a bagel right now....

I recently discovered Absolute and share your opinion.

I'm going to go with themicah on H&H being overrated--lived around the corner for five years and probably only went there twice or so. Unfortunately I think this type of bagel has become the mainstream.

Does Columbia Bagels (somewhere around 110 & Broadway) still exist? I remember their bagels as being quite good.

They tore down the building a couple years ago, and AFAIK it never reopened.

Very light plain hot from the oven.
All I care about is if the bagel is good. Authentic bagels are not overpriced. You'd pay $15 for a bagel? Wow, I need to go into the bagel business.

Depends on my mood.

Not in a very chatty mood, I see. :p

In NYC, when you put it on a bagel, it's called lox.

Call it "salmon", it's no wonder they charge you over $20...

I'm partial to the Montreal bagels ^

I've never strayed from Bell Bagel on Foster Avenue in Brooklyn. $3 for a dozen and they're warm and luscious. In a restaurant I've paid $20 for a platter that comes with three bagels, lox, sturgeon and salad and cream cheese. ohhhh I'm hungry now.

The building was re-developed and should re-open this spring/summer. Since I live around the corner, I really hope Columbia Bagels and West Side Market return!

In the meantime, I've been enjoying bagels from Absolute - definitely chewier and a more manageable size than H&H. Mmmm. There's also Nussbaum & Wu but their bagels are average.

Hmm, now I cant remember the name of the place. Last time there was a thread on bagels a lot of people recommended a place in Queens, on the LIE eastbound access road. My wife and I went there one Saturday morning and they were spectacular. Havent been back due to trying to keep down the carbs, but now Im going to have to go back soon. Maybe whoever suggested it last time (more than one person) can post the name. As for $15 for a bagel, I would put it in the category as the $25-$50 burgers at DB Bistro. They may taste really good, but they arent really the same food as the basic.

So where should I go to get a great bagel in NYC?