Rating: 💋 💋 💋
Sunday tanning in Battery Park requires a good meal to go with it, and this past weekend, we tested out a new bagel spot to supply our picnic.
Zucker's Bagels & Smoked Fish is a cute deli located between the Chambers Street subway station and the park, so it was perfect. When we arrived, it seemed a lot of other people thought it was the perfect option too, because the line extended out the door. Fortunately, they have a very efficient team there. Order, toast, smear, pay, repeat. They got customers in and out so the wait did not feel too bad. The problem for me was, they had the menu allllllll the way on the back wall. It was decently sized as far as items go, but it was too far away for your girl to see and properly dissect before reaching my turn. I did not want to drive the guy taking the orders crazy. I have been the person taking orders and I empathize, I'm not gonna turn around and be That Customer. Instead, I had to pull out my phone and scrutinize the menu online - fast! - before placing my order.
As the line moved along, I took in the coffee shop style tile walls and gold railings, stools, and cute fridge filled with standard beverages as well as some fun cream sodas and glass bottles of apple juice. Zucker's definitely has the old timey cafe look down pat. Once I decided I really did not need a coffee or chai or cream soda, I set back to my original dilemma: the bagel order. Again, I really wanted to taste a salt bagel, and again, I failed. This time, due to the fact that the spread that sounded best to me was maple walnut raisin. I mean, that could be a fun twist on a salt bagel, but I had never had a salt bagel nor had I ever had Zucker's, so I did not want to be so crazy. You have got to give people a fair shot in this world, at least try to set them up for success. So I ordered a toasted cinnamon raisin bagel with the maple spread. Happy first day of fall to me!
It was a good one, you guys. Look at that whipped, creamy spread. It was sweet but not too much and the bagel definitely had a good amount of chew with each bite, juicy raisins, and the appropriate dash of cinnamon. It was not mind blowing, but it was pretty tasty, seemed priced right, and I was a happy camper munching on it in the sun.
My two largest take-aways from the experience are that :
1) I really want to try a salt bagel of my own. (I took a bite of my friend's and the verdict is - 'pretzel', which is great cos I am from Philly and we love our pretzels) and
2) now I really want a bagel hot and toasted with a nice layer of cinnamon butter spread on top.
So if Zucker's isn't the place to go to for the absolute BEST bagel in New York, it is a great place to go for a tasty breakfast that will give you more food inspiration for later. Basically, it has not reached a Beyonce-level of star quality, but it is still pretty freaking talented, can hold its own on the stage, and promises good things. I'd be down to go again, if convenient.
I am not sure where my food journey will lead me expect, but I have faith it will take me somewhere yummy. I'll be sure to fill you in when it does (or - quelle horreur! - it fails to).
XX,
MK
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