Store: A compact, square set-up, capturing the bagel smell in the air. Classic tiling for the walls and floors. There's a consistent, well-executed, old-timey branding for the signage, wrapping and bags - top hats, mustaches, and the like. Taking more than a second to think about it reveals the idea as bizarre, but it works to communicate intention. More importantly, the bagels are still coming out hot at 1:30 PM. That's enough to more than compensate for the rote drink and pastry selections. 4.25

Bagel: Hot enough to warm my hands on a cold day. Large Bagel. Toppings on both sides strongly applied. No salt crystals or salty presence. Wonderfully soft bites make up the meat of the bagel, with the bites along the outer shell crunchy and crispy. Best bagel below Houston this far, would be in the running for best city bagel if salt were in play. 4.5

Cream Cheese: Warmed from the bagel to icing levels. Messy but certainly worth the trouble. There's a sense that if it were served cooler it would be a victim of overcheese, but it works at this level of fluidity. Wanting the scallion to do just a bit more heavy lifting. 4.25