Pastrami Nova at the Bagel Shop in Westchester is the “best” according to food writer
Pastrami Nova and bagels in Mamaroneck are the best thing Jeanne Muchnick ate this week
Who doesn’t love a bagel with spread? It’s the ultimate snack for a relaxed Sunday morning, an early morning coffee, or just a light (and filling!) breakfast or lunch.
Add some Pastrami Nova, a heaping helping of scallion cream cheese, red onion, tomatoes and capers and you have the best thing I’ve eaten this week. This sandwich, a version of the shop’s popular BK Classic (but with the addition of Pastrami Nova), is available at Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company in Mamaroneck.
The new shop, which opened June 18, offers 17 bagel varieties (from blueberry to cinnamon raisin, everything, multi-grain, onion, pumpernickel, egg and whole wheat) and 20 spreads, all made in house. Flavors include veggie, honey bacon sriracha, cucumber dill, pimento olive, strawberry, jalapeño asiago and cannoli. (I’m more of a scallion, veggie or cucumber dill kind of person, though.)
Best bars in the USA: This Westchester bar has been voted one of the best. Everything you need to know before you visit
But I digress, because I also really enjoyed the shop’s chicken schnitzel – called “Westchester”: bagel of your choice (I took it plain) with breaded chicken schnitzel, fresh mozzarella, sun-dried pepper, basil and balsamic vinegar.
And I was impressed by their plant-based menu – a first for the company – featuring “sausage, egg and cheese.”
And my goodness, those gorgeous, oversized, hand-rolled, kettle-cooked bagels that have the perfect balance of crispy-chewy outside and soft, fluffy inside. What also makes them so delicious: They’re rich in seeds and both sides are generously seasoned.
But back to the Pastrami Nova, another first-time offering from the company that some may know from its Manhattan locations (their flagship store is in Chelsea). I honestly wasn’t sure I’d like it since I don’t eat pastrami anymore, but its subtle smoky flavor took it to the next level of deliciousness, complementing the creaminess of the cream cheese with the crunch of the bagel.
According to founder and owner Pete Voyiatzis, what makes it special is the high-quality raw materials. The process, he said, begins with fresh salmon, which is dry-cured with salt and pastrami seasoning. It is then cold-smoked for 15 hours.
Eating in the Hudson Valley: These restaurants support and assist people with special needs
After smoking, additional spices are dry rubbed onto the surface for the finishing touch. It’s basically the same spices as pastrami, just made with salmon. Paired with my iced coffee and the shady patio out front, it was pastrami perfection.
When you go
Address: 690 Mamaroneck Ave., 914-835-1500, bkbagel.com.
Hours: Monday to Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (opening hours subject to change).
Good to know: The restaurant has its own app for delivery and pickup. Catering is also available. There are also two handicap accessible bathrooms and handicap seating. And best of all, there is parking at the Grand Street Lofts apartment in the back.
Let’s go, Rangers: Rangers fans should check out The Foxy, named after New York Rangers player Adam Fox with Nova, fried eggs, cream cheese and tomato on a sesame bagel. I’m still waiting for a bagel named after me (LOL). Maybe Muchnick’s Nibbles?
Newsletter reminder
Want more behind-the-scenes information about where I go and what I eat? My weekly newsletter is free; sign up at profile.lohud.com/newsletters/manage.
Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here to read her latest articles and follow her latest culinary adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter.
