It's rare that our reviewers single out a bagel bakery, but the specimens at Ess-a-Bagel are too "chewy, dense and delicious" to go unheralded. In fact, it's developed an international reputation, so don't be surprised to hear the countermen speaking Japanese to their customers. Although some feel the smoked fish doesn't hold up against that of other classic appetizing shops, one reviewer claims a sandwich of smoked salmon, sable, vegetable cream cheese and tomato on a toasted onion bagel is "as close to heaven as it gets." Insider's tip: "Ask them to scoop out the inside of the bagel so your sandwich is not so messy."