lox and bagel

As I sit here about to eat a great lox and bagel (late lunch), I feel compelled to share my findings in the City for the best of each element: Lox, Bagel, Cream Cheese, and a bonus, Bialy. Just so you trust my credentials, I want to tell you that I am not from Boston, I just lived there. I am from New Jersey, so I know from good lox and bagel. (Sorry Boston, but you are just not a bagel town. Or a pizza town for that matter. You know it is true.)

The Best Bagel: Ess-a-Bagel, hands down. Hand rolled. Chewy on the inside, a little bit hard on the outside. Just go for the plain. You do not need to taint this great bagel with flavor options. so so sosososososo good!!! 2 locations. Go!

The Best Lox: ACME Smoked Fish in Greenpoint. This you will love me for. Kiss me even. They sell wholesale right out of their factory on Friday mornings! Bring lots of cash.

The Best Cream Cheese: I don't eat cream cheese anymore, b/c it will clog your arteries and kill you dead. But I do eat tofu cream cheese. The best brand is made right here in Brooklyn. When I talk of this topic of lox and bagel, I swell with pride for my new home, Brooklyn. The brand is found in mini markets, super markets, natural markets. Seek it out specially. It is that good. The brand is called "All Natural" and the flavors I love are "Spinach Tofu Spread" and "Salmon & Herbs Tofu Spread" and the price is somewhere in the $2.50 range (only!) for a small container. I can't find a link for this one, but I'll work on it.

The Best Bialy: Kossar's Bialy on the Lower East Side. Just go. It is a religious experience.