Tal Bagels

One of the things associated with New York City is bagels and there are several internet blogs discussing who has the best bagel. When I am visiting New York City, my vote goes to Tal Bagels located at 977 1st Avenue. This bakery has been a part of the Midtown East neighborhood for years and the bagels are consistently good.

Choices of bagels include whole wheat, plain, cinnamon raisin (my favorite), sesame, garlic, salt or onion. Every bagel I've had is always crisp on the outside with incredibly soft dough on the inside. Varieties of spreads are also available including cream cheese, butter and several fish spreads including lox, nova, baked salmon, sturgeon, whitefish or herring.

A bagel with cream cheese will run roughly U.S. $2.25 each.

Tal is the word for deli and lunches are also available. All sorts of sandwiches and cold cuts are on order for lunch.

When visiting Tal, if you are going for breakfast, Tal will now toast bagels for visitors. This was a big no-no to ask in the past (staff would get upset), but since they've recently renovated, a toaster is now available. Be sure to know the system when ordering at Tal. The line moves quickly (neighborhood locals are lined up for their bagels) and keep moving toward the register once an order has been placed.

I love a good bagel and if you are in New York City, I highly recommend Tal. I have relatives in the area and they go to Tal at least once or twice a week.