Best Bagel and Nova Around?

Where is the best quick Bagel and Lox or Bagel and Nova around SOMA?

Though I'm sure you were looking for a one-stop solution, it's only a few extra minutes to grab bagels at Sonny's and a quarter-pound of your favorite salmon down the street at Ashley.

Do they hand-slice it as Ashleys?

Livingston Bagel is probably the best (closest) place for good bagels and Nova.

They do, and there are four or five different options.

Michael, Livingston was crowded and I thought the Nova was very sub-par, better nova at Bagels4U

for the whole "experience" you can try eppes-essen in Livingston. but be warned...its expensive.

Thanks, where is it? I'm most interested in a good everything bagel, cream cheese and sliced nova.... the closer and easier the better

Goldberg's (nee Bagel Chateau) in Millburn isn't the best, but it is close and not bad.

Don't know about nova, but Sonny's has the best bagels in the area, hands down.

Is Goldbergs more a bagel place or a deli, haven't been yet and it's a bit confusing from the outside

It's just Bagel Chateau with a bigger menu and nicer seating. They have already-sliced (by them) nova in a case in the back, and sometimes on weekends when there's a long line I get some bagels straight up and packages of nova and cream cheese and assemble at home.

By the way, I don't know the whole backstory of the Bagel Chateau split-up, but I find Goldberg's bagels far superior to the current Chateau bagels, which I no longer buy.

For my money the best is Super-Duper in Livingston but that's a long haul before breakfast.

I'm afraid you're going to need to go to midtown for that. The 34 minute train ride is worth it, in my opinion.

I wouldn't trust Eppes Essen to sell or serve anything authentically Jewish anymore, unless they have changed from my last visit 10 or so years ago (I don't live in SOMA anymore). My sister ordered a bagel and cream cheese (and probably Nova) and it arrived with the bagel toasted. Case proved.

yes....eppes has CLEARLY gone downhill - - in fact, we dont really have a terrific deli anymore (unless you schlep into the city to carnegie, second ave or katzs).....yes, harolds in woodbridge is a FUN place - - but for quality? - - zilcho ANYWHERE near us

i do agree with livingston bagel however.....much thicker than bagel chateau - - and "fineeeeee"

but we havent got any place thats outrageously phenomenal - - enough to brag about to others

MapleBri said:

yes....eppes has CLEARLY gone downhill - - in fact, we dont really have a terrific deli anymore (unless you schlep into the city to carnegie, second ave or katzs).....yes, harolds in woodbridge is a FUN place - - but for quality? - - zilcho ANYWHERE near us

i do agree with livingston bagel however.....much thicker than bagel chateau - - and "fineeeeee"

but we havent got any place thats outrageously phenomenal - - enough to brag about to others

This is incorrect - please recognize Operation Salami Drop


http://www.hobbysdeli.com/

@HoBoTransplant - what are your favorite Midtown places?

One of my gentile friends from here in St. Louis still gets a kick out of a sign she saw in Katz's when she accompanied me to NYC: "Send a salami to your boy in the army." They might even sell t-shirts or reproduction posters with that slogan.

Here's an interesting history of the Watson bagel (not updated to note the closing of the bakery formerly in the Millburn Mall):

http://www.oldnewark.com/memories/weequahic/bodianbagel.htm

I like the bagels at Bagels4U, and their Nova lox is excellent (expensive but worth it). Having said that, I've bought the pre-packaged Nova lox at Trader Joe's and it is very good and at a great price--$3.99 for a four ounce package (last bought it a couple of weeks ago).

ShopRite Milburn carries Acme Nova - it's the best.

http://www.acmesmokedfish.com/smoked-salmon/4-oz-nova

Sonnys for bagels - Costco for Nova, cheapest but best - though not too near.

Oh, I forgot about Acme nova, good call. And Shoprite also sells Acme smoked whitefish salad, which has become a staple.

Hot Bagels Abroad, in Clifton.

http://hotbagelsabroad.com/

I like the Trader Joe's Nova pieces as well as the Acme brand. And I believe the Acme brand has nitrates whereas I don't think the Trader Joe's Nova pieces has it. It doesn't compare in taste to fresh sliced at a good deli but you can't beat the convenience, cost and decent enough taste. And Sonny's for bagels although Bagels 4 U has its admirers and their frozen bagels are a better deal than Sonny's frozen (yes Sonny's has frozen again - you have to ask).

Which Shoprite sells the Acme nova and whitefish salad?

Not Millburn.

Goldberg's in Millburn sells whitefish salad (probably nova too.)

Acme products at the Millburn Shoprite on Willow Street are in the short aisle between the deli and produce that also has hummus, nice pickles and better cheese.

Wine Library also carries Acme, including a smoked fish spread that looks tasty.

Sonny's Bagels (everything if possible!), with Temptee whipped cream cheese and Acme Nova, from ShopRite (generally found in the deli/produce section depending on which store you go to).

But we buy the big package of Acme, not the 4 oz one mentioned above! The Trader Joe's stuff comes home only in a real pinch when we can't get to ShopRite.

Susan1014 - We get the big package also. (For our annual Mother's Day family get-together, two big packages of Acme Lox, sliced Bagels, whitefish salad and tuna salad from Goldberg's , sloppy joes from Millburn Deli. It's a big family - no one has ever complained.)

I'm officially drooling.