How to Find the Perfect Bagel in New York City

The taste of a perfect bagel should be able to stand alone, minus the schmears, spreads and names like Oregano Parmigiano-Reggiano Bagel. The perfect bagel is not meant to be too sweet; if you want Sugar Cinnamon Pumpkin, go for a muffin. The simplest bagels are usually the best, and it is not just their ingredients, but the way the bagels are prepared: before they are baked, they should be boiled first. When in New York, here are some suggestions of where to find the perfect bagel.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Finding the Perfect Bagel in New York City

1. Hit up H&H Bagel (two locations: 2239 Broadway, [phone]; 639 West 46th Street, [phone]). With a new batch prepared on the hour, you will be in bagel heaven. With a firm crust and chewy inside, H&H Bagels are never too dry or moist but happily in between. They have a variety of classic bagel flavors available like Salted , Poppyseed, Sesame, and Pumpernickel. Its originally location at 2239 Broadway has been around sense 1972, and the good news is that even if you are not in New York, they will overnight you their bagels anywhere in the USA and now, worldwide. Note that H&H isn't exactly a sit-down-friendly-eatery, especially its 46th street location, though you can buy blocks of cream-cheese and drinks. Check out their website under "Resources."

2. Check out Chelsea's famous Murray's Bagel (500 Ave of the Americas, 212-462-2830) if you want more than just a bagel (and the chance to sit down) or need catering services. In addition to a variety of doughy bagels (including organic ones), you can have a breakfast bagel sandwich or an omelet on a bagel. Go there for lunch for one of their specialty bagel sandwiches like the Red Hook Brooklyn (smoked turkey or homemade roast beef, swiss cheese, roasted pepper) or the Rivington Street (Nova Scotia salmon, plain cream cheese, tomato and onion). Or, make you own bagel sandwich and choose from a number of deli meats ranging from Turkey to Prosciutto Di Parma, or one of their smoked fish like Wild Sockeye Salmon. They also have a number of soups, salads, brownies, muffins, cookies and even carry slices of the famous Carnegie Deli Cheesecake. Visit their website under "Resources."

3. Try Ess-A-Bagel (two locations: 359 1st Avenue, [phone]; 831 3rd Avenue, [phone]) whose founder comes from an Austrian baking family and makes their bagels with a crunchy crust and delightfully spongy on the inside. First opened around the same time as H&H, Ess-A-Bagel promises delicious, certified Kosher bagels, as well as an assortment of numerous cream cheeses, meats, salads, pastries,muffins, cookies and a very good espresso as well as regular coffees. Like Murray's Bagels, they also cater events. Their Pickled Herring Fillet in Cream Sauce on a Bagel in particularly Ess-a-Bagel. Go to their website under "Resources" for more information.

4. Visit Daniel's Bagels (569 3rd Avenue, [phone]) in the morning when they're hot out of the oven and to avoid the crowds that surface in the early afternoon. With their bagels crispy on the outside, get their much-applauded chicken salad on a bagel of your choice, or the immaculate cream cheese, but take it to go as the few tables that are there aren't worth sitting down for.

Tips & Warnings

• *When in doubt, ask which bagels just came out of the oven so you'll get the freshest.

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Resources

• H&H Bagels
• Murray's Bagels
• Ess-a-Bagel