I've never liked Montreal bagels. I've always thought they tasted more like pretzels than bagels.
But, I was in Montreal, and my friend from the area, said this was the place to go. So, I trekked out here. In the rain. Pushing a stroller. With an overtired child in the seat.
First, I got here, and was disappointed there was no place to sit and enjoy the bagels I was going to buy. The shop itself was great. And watching the process was amazing. But the place was small. And not quite what I expected.
I bought a few bagels, took a bite out of one before leaving the store. I was woefully unimpressed.
Then a local cabbie comes in. He has left his cab double parked outside. He asks for "two of whatever is hot". Pays his money and is on his way.
I go back to the counter. And I now ask for "two of whatever is hot". And I have a bagel that changes my mind about what a bagel can be. Holy sh*t those were good bagels.
Cabbies. Say what you will about them... they know how to eat.
So screw the fancy flavors. Seriously. Get what just came out of the oven. Eat it on the spot. Then repeat. Until you can't shove any more white flour down your gullet.
Are they the better bagel? Honestly, I am still partial to the NY bagel on the whole. But Fairmont has encouraged me to keep an open mind.