Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

Having lived in Dallas for the last 11 years, I know bagels here only as big rolls. So, I'm starved for a good bagel. A good onion bagel, toasted, with a huge schmear of cream cheese. And some beef fry (what my mom called Hebrew National's kosher version of bacon). And baked salmon (what my dad called kippered salmon). What is a good Sunday New York brunch to me? Bagels, bialys, baked salmon, some really creamy herring, lots of cream cheese and some whitefish salad. Alas, whenever I'm in New York, I never have a brunch opportunity. Lunch is as close as it gets. That's why I'm so glad that 2nd Ave. is re-opening. If you aren't going for the "fleisheka" brunch (that would be the one with meat), give me a bowl of their matzoh ball soup (I hope the old waitress who says "I'll be the pourer, you'll be the richer" as the delivers the soup is still around), a corned beef sandwich and a square knish is just perfect. Bottom line, I don't get good deli food here in Texas. You'd be feeding a nice a Jewish boy a good Jewish appetizing meal by picking me. My mother would think you a "mensch."