If you want to taste quintessential New York, in my opinion, it starts with the bagel. Personally, I like mine with cream cheese (just the right amount), lox, raw onion and a couple of dashes of fresh pepper.  Of course, the bagel is completely ubiquitous in this city, and if you’re looking for a standard bagel with cream cheese or butter you can walk into any deli, grocer or coffee shop and be pleased (more or less) with the quality of the taste. But, if you want to experience New York and one of its many delicious traditions, I would suggest a trip to the Lower East Side to visit one of the city’s institutions: Russ and Daughters. While Russ and Daughters might be better known for the quality of their smoked fish and caviar, I would argue you that their bagels are the real deal, too. Of course, many people think that H & H Bagels, located on the Upper West Side at 80^th and Broadway, are the best in the city. I suggest you try them both, take a position and join the many New Yorkers who love to debate this kind of thing. Anyone recall the Seinfeld episode, when Kramer tries to return to work at H & H Bagels after a 12-year strike?

-Kristin