Jeffery H.
Yelp
No change in rating for now.
In regards to Issue #3 - I visited the store and purchased bagels and was pleased to find that the bagels are now more properly baked; not so pale anymore.
With regards to Issue #2 - they have added a "Poppyseed-Onion" mixed bagel, both of those ingredients inside the dough. This is closer to providing the staples, but these are not separate Onion and separate Poppyseed bagels. Garlic is still completely missing.
One additional note, the base dough they are using is not very flavorful. It isn't bland, but could benefit (to improve the perception of artisanal - if that is what they are going for) by adding something to the base dough:
- perhaps a touch of molasses (not to make it sweet, just to enhance it; like salt on food, or a touch of sweetness in tea). This will bring out the flavor a little more. If they already have this ingredient, perhaps a touch more.
- alternatively, or in combination with the above, add a sourdough starter.
Speaking more to the Cedar Street Bagel bakers... if you wish to establish a proper baseline, consider going to the East coast and taste a plain bagel from a shop such as Brueggers bagels, in Boston or New York. (NOT the West coast variant, but authentic, East coast). Not for the purpose of replicating their product, but to understand the subtle detail of flavor.