The New York Bagel Café was one of my favourite Edmonton restaurants at its old location on 104th Street, North of 82nd Avenue. After its destruction in the fire of 2003, I thought I’d never taste their delectable bagel platters again, but I was happily mistaken. They re-opened a few blocks away, and although the decor isn’t quite as quirky, their atmosphere is refreshing and the food is still delicious. It’s a little small but that just makes for an intimate dining experience. It appears to be doing decent business, even if sometimes it seems a little empty when I walk by in the evening.

Breakfast, however, is another story. My fiancée and I had brunch there for the first time this Sunday, and we just snagged the last remaining table. As for the food, it was just as good as I’d expected from their lunch menu. They have a great selection of breakfast dishes, including a half-dozen great Eggs Benedict specials. I had the heavenly eggs benedict with pancetta and asparagus, which came with hash browns and a fruit plate just like all their breakfast platters. With the house coffee (steamed milk on the side), my half of the brunch came to just under $20, a steal for the quality and quantity.

The New York Bagel Café: breakfast, lunch, or dinner, it’s an Edmonton dining treasure.