I am an American and a serious bagel addict. As it's so difficult to find bagel shops, let alone good ones, anywhere in the UK, you can imagine my happiness to stumble upon this place on a recent trip to Brighton. However, upon visiting for breakfast the next morning I was highly disappointed. There were only about 7 flavours of bagels on offer, whereas a true American bagel place (which this place seems intent on copying based on the menus and style of sign etc), would have about 25 plus. There was also only ONE flavour of cream cheese, which is inexcusable. Any American bagel store would again have at least 25, also with quite a few low fat and vegan choices. Their one flavour of cream cheese tasted disgusting, as well, an opinion shared by 2 of my other friends who came along with me. I had the wholemeal bagel with oats, toasted and spread with cream cheese, and I almost didn't want to finish it it tasted so bad. We all agreed the cream cheese tasted horrible, was spread way too thinly, and left a bad flavour in your mouth. It clearly wasn't even as good quality as Philadelphia, which is absolutely not okay for a bagel establishment. It tasted rather like Asda's Own cream cheese style. The bagel was also flattened as though made in a panini maker - not how a toasted bagel with cream cheese should be. Then one of my friends wanted a cinnamon raisin bagel - an absolute staple in any American bagel store, and they of course didn't have any. I could have made a far more delicious bagel at home, by toasting it myself and thickly spreading it with any of the Philadelphia flavours available in the supermarkets. However - that's missing the point which is the whole enjoyable experience of having a bagel toasted and spread, fresh, in the store, from a wide array of choices. I would prefer travelling back to America to enjoy a bagel than going back here. Not to mention they don't take card payments, which is extremely dull and annoying in this day and age. I actually had to borrow money from a friend to buy my tasteless bagel, something I hate having to do.
If you want an authentic toasted bagel, then avoid this place. read more