Store: A store that aims - and succeeds - to provide a top tier appetizing experience. Beautifully displayed lox, pickled fish and delectable spreads fill the deli cases. A wide selection of British crisps and candy - an NYC bagel store first in my experience. Temperature controlled store with clean, tiled walls - Richard Marx's "Right Here Waiting" plays softly on the radio to keep things nice and even. A limited pastry and cold drink selection (though interesting variety) are the only knocks. A destination store. 4.75

Bagel: Medium-large bagel, moderate-sized central hole. Double-sided toppings at good density and excellent salt ratio. A tougher chew relative to most bagels, which is within expectations for a bagel from an appetizing-focused store. What's notable is unlike many appetizing bagels, this one holds up without lox. Still, get the lox. 4.25

Cream Cheese: Served deli case cool. Good coverage and quantity. Scallion not asserting itself much. More dairy forward than I typically like in scoring but employing the experience well. No sacrifice of freshness that can often come with ripeness. 4