Thursday's parting shot

Photo by Derek Berg 

Today's Pigeon Bird on a Bagel on 7th Street...

A pop-up no more, Apollo Bagels opening first outpost in the East Village on 10th Street

Photo yesterday by Steven

Pop-up hit Apollo Bagels will open its first outpost at 242 E. 10th St., just west of First Avenue. 

According to Grub Street's Chris Crowley, who first reported on the EV location, Joey Scalabrino and his business partner Mike Fadem first started making and selling bagels from their Williamsburg pizzeria, Leo, in 2020... before launching Apollo Bagels as a pop-up at Fanelli's in 2022. The two later hosted a series of bagel pop-ups in several cities, including Paris and Montreal. 

Here's more about the bagels and the new space via Grub Street:

The bagels are crispy and chewy on the outside, baked to a shade of deep brown, with little blackened patches. And, as one recent fan put it, they've got "a good fluff-to-crunch ration." Made of sourdough, they're less dense than they look, bubbly on the outside with an airy interior. 

The 800-square-foot storefront is divided by a long counter for ordering. Seating is outside only, and the menu will remain tight: Sandwiches included smoked salmon with capers, red onion, and dill; whitefish salad; and a summertime tomato with olive oil. (Bagels will also be sold by the half-dozen and dozen, straight from the oven, with the standard spreads like cream cheese available, as well.) 

Apollo had been teasing an East Village debut since late December...

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @apollobagels

Apollo will have some competition with Black Seed Bagels not too far away on First Avenue between 10th Street and 11th Street... and the two outposts of Tompkins Square Bagels are close enough.

No. 242 was most recently home to Pink's Cantina.

Incoming bagel shoppe on a roll with renovations

Photo by Steven

And on the opposite corner of Second Avenue and Seventh Street... seems like a long time ago (Aug. 7!) that we first mentioned this pending arrival. 

Work picked up last week on the NE corner, where an outpost of Olde Brooklyn Bagel Shoppe is coming soon.

This will be the second location for the business, which opened in Prospect Heights in 2010. From their website: "Our bagels are hand-rolled, kettle boiled, and baked on premises — made the Olde fashioned way."

No word on an opening date.

The prime space has been empty since Sanshi Noodle House closed last summer after a year-plus in service.

Bar Virage closed here in December 2018 after 20-plus years.

Olde Brooklyn Bagel Shoppe coming to this prime East Village corner space

Coming-soon signage is up for the next tenant on the NE corner of Seventh Street and Second Avenue — Olde Brooklyn Bagel Shoppe.

This will be the second location for the business, which opened in Prospect Heights in 2010. From their website: "Our bagels are hand-rolled, kettle boiled, and baked on premises — made the Olde fashioned way."

No word on an opening date.

The prime space has been empty since Sanshi Noodle House closed last summer after a year-plus in service.

Bar Virage closed here in December 2018 after 20-plus years.

Bagel Market replacing Bagel Boss on 14th Street

Signage (likely not the final product) is up now for a Bagel Market at 238 E. 14th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

This will be the fifth NYC outpost for the brand that started in the summer of 2020 ... please chime in the comments if you've tried their bagels.

The business takes over for Bagel Boss, the chainlet that opened a location here in July 2021. They closed several months later in October for, per management, "gas and electric problems" in the building. Bagel Boss never reopened here.  

Bagels for Broadway

The Grabstein's Bagels outpost opened yesterday at 651 Broadway between Bleecker Bond. 

This is the third outpost (joining the UES and Prospect Heights) for the brand, whose owners, we're told, are also behind Pick A Bagel on the UES and in Midtown West.

Openings: Toasted Deli on 9th Street

Toasted Deli is now open at 105 E. Ninth St. between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue. (As mentioned previously, like here and here.)

They're offering a pretty wide variety of sandwiches and wraps, and it looks like you can get out of there with two eggs on a roll ($2.99) and a coffee ($1.75) for less than $5. You can explore the menu options here.

TD is open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

And before Toasted Deli: Yuba, the 9-year-old Japanese restaurant, closed here last summer as business dwindled during the pandemic.

New deli to be the toast of 9th Street?

Signage progress here at 105 E. Ninth St.! 

As we've been noting, a bagel shop-deli is in the works here between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue dating back to November. The previous signage — three in total — led to some confusion. Was this Bagel Deli, Everything Bagel or Toasted Bagel?

Now we have clarity with a new sign and awning: Toasted Deli! (Exclamation point mine.) 

Anyway, haven't seen the place open just yet.

And before Toasted Deli: Yuba, the 9-year-old Japanese restaurant, closed here last summer as business dwindled during the pandemic.

Coming soon: bagels at 105 E. 9th St.

Updated: A good point in the comments... this all might be just to show up the potential for a tenant... and isn't necessarily going to be a new bagel place...

Noting the recent arrival of bagel signage over at 105 E. Ninth St. between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue. (First post on this in November.) 

Not sure at the moment what the business will be called... there are three signs in total: Bagel Deli, Everything Bagel and (gulp) Toasted Bagel. 

The sign with Toasted Bagel is also odd as it includes what looks like two slices of bread in the form of a sandwich, which isn't a toasted bagel. Anyway!

Yuba, the 9-year-old Japanese restaurant, closed here last summer as business dwindled during the pandemic.

Bagel Boss to preside in storefronts on 14th Street, East Houston

Bagel Boss is opening two new outposts in the neighborhood. 

There's now BB signage up on the gate at 238 E. 14th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue...

They take over from old-timer City Gourmet Cafe, which closed during the pandemic.  

Look for another Bagel Boss coming soon to 55 E. Houston St. at Mott Street... in the former Oddfellows space...

Bagel Boss, founded in 1975, will now have 15 locations in NYC (including First Avenue between 15th Street and 16th Street) and on Long Island. 

Behold the Russo's-Black Seed bagel bread bomb

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Russo’s Mozzarella and Pasta (@russosnyc) on Jan 6, 2020 at 6:39am PST

Russo’s Mozzarella and Pasta, the neighborhood institution (circa 1908) over on 11th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue, has teamed up with Black Seed Bagels for this combo sandwich — bagel bread stuffed with prosciutto and handmade mozzarella and served with a pesto dipping sauce.

The creation is available all month at any of the Black Seed locations, including the one at 176 First Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street.

Noted (bagel edition)

[Image via Black Seed Bagels]

Of possible interest to bagel fans... Black Seed Bagels and Violet, the grilled pizza place that recently opened on Fifth Street, have partnered to create the East Bay Bagel Sandwich available starting today for the month of April.

Via the EVG inbox...

Inspired by Violet’s Rhode Island roots, the sandwich is made with chorizo, fried egg, melted provolone cheese, grilled and sautéed kale, topped with sliced banana peppers and served on an everything bagel. ($13)

The sandwich is available at all four currently open Black Seed locations, including First Avenue between 10th Street and 11th Street.

Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company opens Tuesday on 8th Street

[Photo from Aug. 9]

Way back in April 2017 we spotted the signage over on Eighth Street just west of Broadway for an outpost of Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company... coming in the fall of 2017.

As we wrap up the summer of 2018, the shop is ready for bagel business. They announced on Instagram that they open next Tuesday (Sept. 4!) here at 63 E. Eighth St.

Despite the name, the 16-year-old company has three locations in Astoria, one in Chelsea and zero in Brooklyn. You can find their menu, which includes a variety of sandwiches, soups and salads, here.

In 2016, Gothamist named Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company the city's "Best Chain Bagels." Per Gothamist:

[They sell] spectacular hand-rolled doughy bagels, appropriately crispy-crusted and accompanied by what seems like thousands of spreads and proteins. They have a flavor-of-the-week cream cheese that has, at times, been cannoli cream, red velvet, spinach and white chocolate raspberry. Expect long lines in Astoria on weekday mornings, but your breakfast will be worth the wait.

A post shared by Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Co. (@bkbagelny) on Jun 24, 2018 at 9:29am PDT

Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company coming to 8th and Broadway

And over on Eighth Street just west of Broadway... there's signage announcing the new tenant — an outpost of Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company... coming this fall.

Despite the name, the 15-year-old company has three locations in Astoria, one in Chelsea and none in Brooklyn. You can find their menu, which includes a variety of sandwiches, soups and salads, here.

In 2016, Gothamist named Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company the city's "Best Chain Bagels." Per Gothamist:

[They sell] spectacular hand-rolled doughy bagels, appropriately crispy-crusted and accompanied by what seems like thousands of spreads and proteins. They have a flavor-of-the-week cream cheese that has, at times, been cannoli cream, red velvet, spinach and white chocolate raspberry. Expect long lines in Astoria on weekday mornings, but your breakfast will be worth the wait.

Thanks to EVG reader Brigitte for the photo and tip!

New 1st Avenue Ess-A-Bagel will have a TOASTER

[EVG photo from last week]

Ess-A-Bagel fans continue to wait for the new location to open at 324-326 First Ave. at East 19th Street in Stuy Town.

The opening date has ben pushed back several times, starting in February. The Ess-A-Bagel Facebook page shows a lot of progress, such as the arrival of tables and chairs as well as the deli case late last month. The opening date is "soon."

When this Ess-A-Bagel opens, there will be one noticeable difference... the presence of a TOASTER...


Uh-oh!

The shop, which never offered the toasted bagel option, shut down its home of nearly 40 years on First Avenue at East 21st Street in March 2015 … depending on who's telling the story, there was some sort of disagreement between the landlord and Ess-A-Bagel’s owners. At the time, the Ess-A-Folks vowed that they would open in a new storefront nearby.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Report: Landlord forcing Ess-a-Bagel from its longtime home (46 comments)

1 week left for Ess-A-Bagel at its current 1st Avenue location

[Updated] Ess-A-Bagel has closed for now on 1st Avenue

[Updated] Ess-A-Bagel announces its new location on 1st Avenue

Report: East Village restaurateurs creating limited-edition bagels for Black Seed

Black Seed at 176 First Ave. is working with chefs from Hearth, Porchetta, GG’s, Babu Ji and Bowery Meat Co., for a limited-edition series of bagels, according to The Wall Street Journal (subscription required).

Dianna Daoheung, Black Seed’s executive chef, said many of them got involved after stopping by to pick up orders. The East Village is "not like Nolita or SoHo, where it’s a super-touristy spot,” she said. “It’s definitely a community neighborhood."

Starting today here between East 10th Street and East 11th Street, you can try a bagel (through April 12) created by Sara Jenkins, who operates Porchetta and Porsena on East Seventh Street. Her creation is "a bagel with labne, a kind of strained yogurt, plus pickled turnip, shaved cucumber and radish and mint ($8.50)."

And from April 13 to 26, Bobby Hellen, executive chef at GG’s on East Fifth Street, is adapting his pizza in honor of the 1986 World Series-winning Mets: "a sopressata everything bagel that features the spicy salami with mozzarella, fennel agrodolce, pickled peppers and arugula ($11.75)."

Also! From April 27 to May 10, Hearth's Marco Canora will create a duck prosciutto, taleggio cheese and maitake mushroom bagel sandwich. Jessi Singh, chef and co-owner of Babu Ji has a toasted-fennel and burnt-garlic bagel with masala radish, raita and Indian-style scrambled eggs, with green chili, ginger, turmeric and scallion available May 11 to 24.

To date, no one has asked me to create a BP bagel in honor of the soon-to-close gas station on Lafayette and East Houston...



-----

Also on the bagel front... we hear that Bagel Belly opens this week at 114 Third Ave. near East 14th Street... there's a rack of fruit in the front window...

Ess-A-Bagel will be opening one of these days

On the topic of bagels... we happened to walk by the incoming Ess-A-Bagel at 324-326 First Ave. at East 19th Street on Saturday. No sign of bagel life here just yet on the east side of the Avenue in the Shoppes of Stuy Town. The coming soon sign arrived last Oct. 22.

Last we read, at the Town & Village Blog, the new location would be open last month. This, according to one of the owners, Muriel Frost, who said that things were proceeding at the new space, despite having to wait for some permits and other paperwork issues.

We also heard from a well-placed tipster that Ess-A-Bagel will be opening a location in the Wall Street area.

Lastly!

THIS is happening at the Third Avenue Ess-A-Bagel in Midtown East this week...

Hello All, St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner. For a limited time only, beginning March 14th-17th we are...

Posted by Ess-a-Bagel on Friday, March 11, 2016

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Report: Landlord forcing Ess-a-Bagel from its longtime home (46 comments)

1 week left for Ess-A-Bagel at its current 1st Avenue location

[Updated] Ess-A-Bagel has closed for now on 1st Avenue

[Updated] Ess-A-Bagel announces its new location on 1st Avenue

Incoming Bagel Belly now with Bagel Belly signage

Since the new storefront was unveiled at 114 Third Ave. near East 14th Street ... the Bagel Belly coming soon signage has arrived...

As you can see, the bagels here will be "hand rolled & kettle boiled" ...



No mention of toasted.

The proprietors here also own Namu Deli & Grocery at 252 Third Ave. between 20th Street and 21st Street.

And these two questions came up the last time we mentioned Bagel Belly.

1) Is Tompkins Square Bagels still opening an outpost on Second Avenue?

Yes. Renovations were slowed down by some DOB-mandated modifications. Read more here.

2) Is Black Seed Bagels still open on First Avenue?

Yes. They are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Updated: Bagel Belly coming to 3rd Avenue

You may have noticed some activity at 114 Third Ave. near East 14th Street, home until May of Delicacity (aka Robin Raj!).

Now there are posted signs about the new tenant...



... 114 Bagel & Grill Inc.



The applicants are on CB3's SLA committee meeting docket on Dec. 7 for a beer and wine license. There isn't any other information about the place online just yet.

The place is described as a restaurant ... Maybe they will grill — and not toast! — their bagels?

Updated 7 p.m.

The questionnaire (PDF!) from the applicants is now online at the CB3 website.

The deli/cafe will be called Bagel Belly. And the proposed hours are 6 a.m. to midnight seven days a week. The proprietors also own Namu Deli & Grocery at 252 Third Ave. between 20th Street and 21st Street.

Previously on EV Grieve:
More Robin Raj intel (and what about those cartoon hams?)

Oh no! Robin Raj is no longer Robin Raj!

Robin Raj finally makes the move, though there's no sign of the cartoon ham

Live above Robin Raj

Reader report: Rent hike KOs Delicacity (RIP Robin Raj) on 3rd Avenue

[Updated] Ess-A-Bagel has closed for now on 1st Avenue

Yesterday was last call for the nearly 40-year-old bagel shop on First Avenue at East 21st Street…

Here's a video that someone from the #SaveNYC group made from inside the shop after the doors closed...



To recap the recap on the situation here:

As the Town & Village Blog first reported on Jan. 16, Ess-a-Bagel was being forced out of its longtime home. However, according to a statement that the landlord's reps sent us, Ess-A-Bagel’s owners "repeatedly refused to meet us between their below-market rent and current market value."

However, they will be reopening nearby one of these days...

Ess-a-Bagel downtown will be opening again soon at a location nearby! Watch this space for details. #essabagel

— Ess-A-Bagel, Inc. (@EssABagel) March 17, 2015

As to where… owner David Wilpon told Town & Village "that there were a couple of possibilities, but declined to elaborate, citing confidentiality agreements." Last Monday, an Ess-A-Bagel worker "said even he didn’t know where the business was moving or when it would reopen."

According to Town & Village, Ess-A-Bagel has expressed interest in the now-closed laundromat space the next block up…



As for the now-closed Ess-A space at 359 First Ave. ... a Bank of America branch is in the works.

Meanwhile, because this always comes up on any First Avenue bagel posts… here are two other bagel shops on the west side of First Avenue between 14th Street and 21st …





For further reading: Jeremiah Moss stops by for a last bagel at this location.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Report: Landlord forcing Ess-a-Bagel from its longtime home (46 comments)

1 week left for Ess-A-Bagel at its current 1st Avenue location