Eatery - Russ & Daughters (NY)

179 East Houston Street New York, NY 10002 (Neighborhood: Lower East Side)
Pricing - $$ | Dining - To-Go | Cuisine - Specialty
http://www.russanddaughters.com/

If you go to New York, you have to get a bagel. You also have to get yourself some smoked salmon and even though Russ & Daughters may not have the best bagels in town, you can get cross the two requirements off your list by going there for a mindblowing smoked salmon bagel sandwich. Just bear in mind that it may be a little up there in price but well worth it. When my friend and I traveled to New York recently, this was the first bite in the city that we knew we had to get and no regrets were had. Love smoked salmon? Take your pick at Russ & Daughters.



There is actually more than one location of Russ & Daughters since there is a cafe associated with it as well (on Orchard). Our destinations for the day made the Houston shop location better in proximity so we didn't get the restaurant feel; however, you can get your sandwiches at both locations. This one was more of a grocery store where you could find your little gourmet accoutrements on the shelves and purchase the good stuff by weight. My eyes went wide at the selections of smoked salmon & lox available; how does one choose? There were also tubs of various cream cheeses that could tempt anyone - caviar cream cheese, shallot cream cheese, vegetable cream cheese, and so forth. Feeling like you want more caviar in your life? They've got plenty of options as well. Really though, it was that variety of smoked salmon displayed so beautifully that drew us in.


Though I really only got a single sandwich which might not warrant a full post on it, I got to taste several of the components that they have available and have to share the news. Best smoked salmon bagel I've ever had. The generous slabs of their Western Nova Smoked Salmon schmeared with Scallion Cream Cheese and topped with red onions and capers between halved of a plain bagel were divine. Silky yet light and oh so smokey, the salmon I picked out was a great choice by all accounts and especially when paired with the luscious savory cream cheese. I'd have to say that this is one of the best bites in New York that I've had. It also helped that the person helping me behind the counter was so jovial and easygoing that all parts of being at Russ & Daughters was a delight!

Photography by Minerva Thai.