Eat New York — Restaurant in Manchester

Let me start by saying that the crab bagel is divine.

Yes, the crab meat possibly comes from a can, but the proportion are superb and the dressing is lip smackingly good. It’s very moreish, if like me you can’t get enough of that sweet light taste of the crustacean.

Now on to other matters, the salt beef.

It scores well on the looks and does a reasonable job on the palate.

Still with me so far?

The beef and bagel combo is not a patch on the ones doled out in Brick Lane, London but then they don’t have the bar and hip vibe. EatNewYork models itself on the Noo Yawk bagel which kinda sets itself up for a fall. The bagels in Manhattan have evolved to the pinnacle of bagelhood. Competing on price, chew and sheer oomph of boiled and then baked leavened bread. Matched up with beef untouched by an pretension of being organic grain fed, the result is something bent on world domination.

These are not those bagels.

I really wanted to give it 5 stars.

But the straws were plastic.

Really, plastic straws in the North Quarter? I shudder to think of the ire this will draw in Chorlton.

For now though, I will be back to...

It’s a shame that the service was so poor. The bagels were nice but cold by the time we got them. There was one waitress who was working behind the bar, serving all tables and cleaning. We waited for about ten minutes before I asked if we could be served and after that was at least another five before anyone came to serve us after cleaning other tables. We also weren’t given any cutlery. Another couple sat near us left before they were served because they were left waiting so long. If you’re not in a rush then it’s fine and bagels were nice but I wouldn’t recommend on the basis of the service. Perhaps if they employed more staff it...

Unfortunately it turned out to be a bit of a disappointment. I'm not sure if I was expecting a little too much, but it was no New York! The pastrami was too rich and the combination of flavour just didn't work, I couldn't quite finish my pastrami burger and my wife couldn't finish the Reuben sandwich. It's pricey too - as is a pastrami sandwich/bagel shop in New York but it just wasn't worth it. On top of that the staff weren't that attentive, we had to get up to the bar for drinks whilst the two waitresses chatted to the chef and folded napkins. The guy behind the bar was brilliant though, very friendly and...