First off: This is not a bagel. That's okay, though, because it was good for what it was, which is not a bagel.
I am an admitted snob regarding bagels as my father was a bonafide Brooklyn bagel baker (for those who like an alliteration). I literally was raised on bagels. I teethed on them. When I smell the unmistakable aroma of yeasty dough rising in a proofer, I feel like a little girl giddy at the prospect of flour hand prints and remnants of dough in my hair.
I passed by Bagelstein a year ago during a visit to Paris. I was instantly horrified at the image of the dried brown discs present in the glass window. "What the F*** is that sh**? That's not a bagel. They shouldn't call it a bagel." Followed by a stomping of feet and gnashing of teeth.
I have since moved to Paris, and continued my highly rational rants.
Last night, something changed. My (handsome, delightful, and talented) husband and I wandered to the Marais on our way to a birthday celebration at a restaurant where we would be able to eat very little of the food. Procrastinating, we peered into a window of Bagelstein, right at closing time. Even though we pre-gamed (note, pre-gaming in Paris = eating a meal prior to attending any function because there's never enough food served), my stomach rumbled at the sight of the various dried discs of gluten that are not bagels. Sure enough, a sweet lady offered us a few bagels before disposing of them after closing (see note below). We chose the chocolate chip (pepites), sesame, and lebanais (wtf is a lebanese bagel?).
We didn't actually eat them before dinner. Instead, we used our bag of bagels as a silent act of resistance against an unreasonable restaurant culture that poo-poos soda and even the option of non-pork charcuterie.
Anyhow, now for my actual review of the goods:
This morning, we toasted the chocolate chip "b*gels that aren't bagels" with butter and cold coffee. And it was pretty damn good. While lacking the chewy / dense taste of a real bagel, it had it's own "special sumthin'" and I am glad I ate it.
So let's be clear, these are pretty good "not b*gels". If you want a real bagel - you'll have to go to NYC or some reasonably similar type of place. But if you are in France and you want a pretty good bready disc that will fill your belly in a restaurant with decent ambiance and kind staff? Go to Bagelstein.
NOTE: I really hope they don't just throw the bagels out! That would be a terrible waste of food! read more