Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Shelsky's Smoked Fish 02-05-2012



Location: 251 Smith St. BK
Time: 12:30pm
People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: I must consume about 300 bagels a year. My nutritionist would yell at me, but I just need my morning coffee and "butta bagel." If it's the bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon you crave, most New Yorkers would head to Russ and Daughters in LES. But us BoCoCa residents do have an option that does not require a Metrocard. We now have Shelsky's Smoked Fish. I think my annual bagel count is about to rise.

A fantastic array of smoked fish, salads and cream cheese are on display as you enter this small, but quaint shop. It feels like old New York, but when you look closely, there are several interesting items that are unique to gentrified Brooklyn. "House cured clementine and ginger salmon" ($11.99), "David Burke pastrami salmon," ($11.99) and a sandwich like "The Tribute" ($13, horseradish cream cheese, smoked whitefish salad and wasabi tobiko) prove that this is quite a modern Brooklyn place with an inventive menu.

I usually despise cream cheese, but when I tried RB's bagel with "Ben's Cream Cheese," all my prejudice disappeared. It was light and airy, and I could not believe it was cream cheese. Tasting more like whipped creamy butter, this cream cheese created a sinful spread of schmear. The bagel from Kossar's was a perfection as well. The crispy outer layer with soft and chewy inside was everything a traditional Brooklyn bagel should be-- I would eat this every morning.

Forget Atkins, forget brunch. Just grab a bagel with scrumptious schmears and stroll around the neighborhood. They have pretty decent coffee as well!

2 comments:

Marcella Tam said...

Oh my goodness- I think I finally found my favorite food blog. A blog that focuses on NYC food in such a broad range: Manhattan, Brooklyn and even Queens. Because that's how I eat too! Even though I live in "Southern" Brooklyn, I'd would gladly trek out to Shelsky if they have such great bagels. Thanks so much for reviewing!

Yosh. O said...

Thank you so much for your comment! This made my day :)