Bagelicious

Only a couple of months old, the latest addition to the Bagelicious’ family already has regular customers keen to get their hands on some crispy, chewy Bagelicious creations.

Large baskets of different flavours await the fans at this Glenferrie Road eatery. We loved that each bagel we tried was well-made. Each boasting a wonderful rich glowing crust that was firm and crunchy, protecting its chewy, dense crumb inside.

An array of healthy fillings make Bagelicious a fantastic lunch option. And there are even great non-bagel options such as their healthy and flavoursome soups.

The drinks menu is not to be outshone, with a variety of cold drinks including smoothies and freshly squeezed juices. Their iced coffee is a stand-out. Made from skim milk and real coffee, it is  delicious way to get your caffeine hit for the day.

Haloumi cheese bagel served with pesto, beetroot dip, lettuce & onion (Add On: chicken)

The haloumi bagel was a delicious option. Served with charred haloumi, fresh pesto, slightly tart beetroot dip and our requested add on of chicken breast, the bagel tasted wholesome.

Chicken breast bagel served with avocado dip, lettuce, roasted capsicum, and alfalfa sprout

The breast bagel was just as good. The chicken was tender and went well with the well-roasted capsicum, luxurious avocado dip and crisp lettuce. It was a healthy bagel option which ticked all the boxes.

Blueberry bagel served with peanut butter, m&ms and twirls

We ended our visit on a decadent note with a dessert bagel which was made of… well, the stuff of dreams. An aromatic toasted blueberry bagel arrived filled with melting peanut butter, m&ms and chocolate twirls. It was very naughty but equally delicious.

Bagelicious offers bagels with just the right combination of crispy crust and chewy inside, and a brilliant selection of fillings to please just about anyone.  

Location: 643 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn,
Phone: 03 9818 0066
Link: http://www.bagelicious.com.au/

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Bagelicious.

5 & Dime Bagels

Location: Varies
Phone: 0433 339 367
Link: http://www.5dimebagel.com.au/ and facebook
Cuisine: Bakery

Zev Forman, owner and baker of 5 & Dime, has set out to bring fresh New York style bagels to Melbourne.

His bagels are hand rolled and boiled which sets them apart from the regular Melbourne bagels that have been made by a machine and steamed to increase production. 

The resulting bagels have a fuller flavour and wonderful texture. While the bagels are not necessarily authentic and traditional, they most certainly are the real deal. 

The bagel types include sesame, poppy and cinnamon raisin, with the everything bagel (garlic, onion, sesame, poppy, sea salt and nigella) being our favourite! 

So far, these lovely bagels are sold at farmers' markets and to a few cafes. 

To find 5 and Dime Bagel's next location, check their website or Twitter feed. Private orders of over 12 bagels can also be arranged with 48 hours notice.

The bagels were delivered to Gastrology Bloggers courtesy of Zev Forman.

Cafe Review: Manchester Press

Location: 8 Rankins Lane, Melbourne

Phone: 03 9600 4054

Link: http://www.8oz.com.au/

Cuisine: Coffee, Breakfast/Brunch, Bagels

Overall Impression: 7.5/10

In true Melbourne style, Manchester Press is located in a small alley and hidden in such a way that you could never accidentally stumble upon it. If you’re dining here, it’s because you’re in the know.

Unfortunately there are a lot of people "in the know" as there is always at least a 15 minute wait for a table.

Lovers of bagels will rejoice at the Manchester Press menu which has a clear bagel-focus, featuring a wide variety of both savoury and sweet bagels.

The coffee served is of a good, but not great, standard.

Fruit and nut bagels with mixed berry mascarpone, strawberries and pistachio dust

The sweet bagel was excellent. The flavours were expertly balanced and the toppings generous. The creamy mascarpone had the perfect level of sweetness and complemented the acidity from the berries beautifully.

The fruit and nut bagel itself was lovely – luxuriously dense, crusty on the outside and chewy on the inside with a delectable hint of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Whilst we like most things about Manchester Press, the large rectangular "warehouse like" interior space has not been divided or broken up at all, which doesn't do any favours for the ambience. It simply isn't a cosy place to be. Cafes such as St Ali have managed to create much more pleasant interior spaces in similar venues. Apart from this relatively minor gripe, Manchester Press ticks all the boxes for a fashionable Melbourne cafe.