Nala’s Bagel and Brunch — Restaurant in New York

Crispy, not crackly, crust with soft-soft (of course denser than bread) chewy consistency is especially suited for ageing people with diminishing gum-teeth health. The jalapeno-cheddar bagel (toasted) was delicately flavored, well integrated in the dough. Went for half-half option on cream cheese; jalapeno cream cheese paired really well, but chipotle version, not so much (can't blame, I chose it). The coffee was regulation stuff. Do not have hot milk, and that is a downer (shout-out to NYCB&CH). Comparing within leaderboard, Nala's is the most pricey - at 8 bucks - for a relatively vanilla-sort (no sandwich) bagel option. Space is limited. Indoor seating is 3 tables of 2; plus 2 tables for three-each, on sidewalk. Can accommodate 2 on pub table by the storefront, with no chairs.

I'm intrigued that this place came on the scene just a year ago (2024) and has already raked 860+ reviews. Driven by bots? Or herd effect? Maybe it's friendly service, like that of Marlemy's (who took and filled our order) smiling, affectionately homestyle, approach. Something not seen Tribeca and South. After rounding 4.5 upwards, I just joined...

I saw a street sign on the corner of Reade Street for this place so I decided to stop by. When I go in, the posted prices were high but I decided to go ahead and give the place a try.

The sign said a bagel with tomato and basil cream cheese costs $5.99 so I decided chose to get that. When the cashier rang up the bagel, I end up being charged over $8.00!!

I asked why I was being charged more than the posted price and I was told that the prices went up and shown a ratty sign.

I wasn't happy about that, but fine. I assume I'm going to have a good bagel. I get back to my office and sit down to eat it and when I bite into it, the cream cheese is soft and rancid.

So that meant I had to pack it back up and go back to return this poor, disappointing product that I paid $8.00 for and couldn't eat. It's a shame, too because the bagel was good, from what I could tell.

I will credit their customer service that they did not argue with me but my entire lunch break was gone. I'll never get that time back. And I certainly won't be going back to a place that posts...

I ordered a bagel with cream cheese and a coffee. The bagel was fresh and fluffy, with a slightly chewy texture, and the cream cheese was smooth and creamy with a mild tanginess that complemented the bagel well. The coffee was rich and flavorful, with a pleasant aroma and a smooth finish. However, the service was lackluster due to the staff being overwhelmed with group and online orders, and I had to wait for about 10 minutes to be acknowledged. While the food was good, the poor service detracted from the overall experience. The ambiance of the place was not cozy, as it was located in a high-ceiling, relatively sterile type of shop. It's not terrible, but it's not cozy either. The long wait time and lack of attention from the staff negatively impacted the dining experience. Despite the good food, the poor service and long wait time prevent me from...