Store: You can smell the bagels ten steps from the entrance. Designed with peak ordering efficiency in mind, taking advantage of what seems like two storefronts. The left storefront is a narrow alley with drinks, lox, and cream cheese on one side and the deli cases in the other with salads, meats, etc. You can pick items as you wait for your turn to order and pay at the back wall. Upon ordering, you get a ticket and wait for your order in an open floor through a doorway to the right. While low volume during my visit, the genius was apparent. Great intention to the space, but its precision doesn't climb to the ranks of true, destination-worthy character. 4.25

Bagel: Fresh for the day but not hot. GPS toppings, very light on one side. More than a little salt relative to the total topping amount. In this instance, 20% more toppings would have been optimal. Wonderful shell in crunch and appearance. A good level of non-visible salt apparent on the bite. A hard chew but rewarding. 4.25

Cream Cheese: Served cold. Slightly less amount applied than desired. Exemplary use of scallion - thicker and bigger cut, adding some texture and not just a wilt like many other store offerings. Not a ton of tang present, mostly just silk and freshness. 4.5