Store: Contemporary styling in the clean, B&W tile variety. Modern dance pop plays via internet radio. Good drink selection, salad bar, small pastry offerings. Nice lox and spread display but set off to the right of the ordering area and not immediately apparent without hunting. Efficient, bustling staff - perhaps a little too frantic, but the volume of orders necessitates action. As an establishment, it seems to hit all the marks it's aiming for. 4

Bagel: Medium-large bagel with an indented hole. Served fresh but not hot. Standard, high density garlic/sesame/poppy topping on both sides with salt at moderate ratio. A bit tougher chew as the bagel goes on but not to any detriment. Undoubtedly quality but no one element jumps off the page. 4/5 4

Cream Cheese: Served cool. A light whip, dairy neutral, evenly applied at good quantity. Large scallion chunk with noticeable texture presence. As seems to be the common thread, a flawless execution free of superlatives. 4