Bread Like a Hole

I try my best not to eat too many bagels these days. When we moved to Plainsboro, we fell into a major rut because there is a fantastic place about 1/3 of a mile from where we live. I am talking about the one and only Bagel Street Cafe.

When I lived in Birmingham, I was food shopping with a friend. We were in the frozen section and I opened one of the doors to get a bag of bagels. At least that's what I thought I was doing. He informed me that these were not "real bagels". He had previously lived in Buffalo, NY and was pretty well traveled. At that time in my life, I'd never really been out of the southeastern U.S. He explained to me that bagels aren't supposed to be too flat on the bottom. These hadn't been formed, boiled and baked. These I had in my hand was more like a rolls with a hole. I didn't really get what he was saying but he said I would understand one day.

A year after I met Chris, he took me to New Jersey to meet his family. We stayed for a little over a week and did all sorts of amazing things. One morning, he took me over to Red Bank and we had bagels for breakfast. Real bagels. I took one bite and realized my friend was right.

I understood.

The skin is shiny and a little hesitant to yield at first but the teeth eventually sink into a doughy abyss. And they are slightly rounded on the bottom. I couldn't get over what I was tasting. I've had the pleasure of experiencing a few different bagels shops in the area. I've grown accustomed to the classic flavors and I am always excited to see creative and new selections.

Bagel Street Cafe has just about every bagel base covered...and them some. They make right around twenty different types of bagels fresh every morning. Sweet selections such as chocolate chip, blueberry, strawberry and cinnamon raisin. Their savory choices are what truly sets them apart. Tasty flavors like pumpernickel, rye, sourdough, asiago, garden veggie and jalapeno cheddar can really get your morning started with a smile! My all time favorite is their everything bagel with egg and cheese. It never lets me down. They don't stop with breakfast. They also do burgers on bagels as well as pizza bagels. They do other sorts of breakfast and lunch fare such as pancakes and salads but you'd really be doing yourself a major disservice to go down that road. Not that the food is bad but why would you not get a bagel at a place that specializes in them?!

If you want to be the most popular person at your next morning gathering of either coworkers or friends, stop in and get a baker's dozen for only $9. If you really want to start a fight, make it a point to select one or two of their decadent french toast bagels...

They have a huge cold case full of almost every different drink imaginable. They also have the classic bagel accompaniments. The lines are often long but the crew is efficient and it goes by fast. If you're carrying out, call ahead and they'll have it waiting for you. Chris and I actually have their number programed into our cellphones!

Bagel Street Cafe

660 Plainsboro Rd. #18

Plainsboro, NJ 08536

609-936-1755

Breakfast Date

When you have a kid, it's difficult to step out with your spouse for some couple time without having to make prior arrangements. A simple night out turns into a huge deal once you throw in having to book and pay for a sitter. We try to make a little bit of time for each other every week and we find that the best way to do this is breakfast dates. They are cheaper and more casual plus we both love morning meals! It's a great way to start the day! I'm lucky enough that I don't have to be at work until ten and he can usually get away with taking a little extra time in the morning as well. After Molly gets on the bus, we get cleaned up and we head over to The Blue Rooster.

Cranbury is full of historical buildings and the restaurant is located in a beautiful old home. The outside is cozy and welcoming and that feeling doesn't stop once you step inside. There's a lovely sitting room that is followed by a hostess counter where you can either pick up some coffee and homemade baked goods to go or you can ask to be seated in their charming dining area. Also, they were just recently approved for outside seating. The place is owned by Karen and Bob Finigan. They just returned to their hometown of Cranbury after living in Ireland since 2000. Bob learned old European methods of baking at one of the top culinary schools and worked in two different restaurants in Dublin. His baked goods are a more than solid foundation for this fantastic cafe. It's the only place I know of where you can get a fresh baked pain au chocolat. Two dollars will buy you a little trip to Paris. Get there early because they are sold out about 40% of the time we go.

They have an excellent selection of loose leaf teas which is a huge bonus for me! To top it off, they offer a Chinese flower burst complete with glass pots for your viewing pleasure.

I never get tired of watching it bloom. It's my zen moment. I always order the same thing. The servers all know what I want event though they do ask just to make sure I haven't grown a wild hair.

This is the eggs timbale and they're some of the best scramble I've ever had. They're creamy and delicious. They are served with some of Bob's artisan bread which is the perfect vehicle for....

...sour cherry preserves. My absolute favorite. I don't know of any other place that serves them. I make them every summer and it is a labor of love. I really appreciated discovering that they feature them here. It's the perfect way to top off the eggs and tea.

Sometimes I come here alone if Chris is not available to join me just because it's so enjoyable. I feel very lucky to have it so close by. Walking down the streets of Cranbury before and after such a great meal gives me a sense of peace. The food is great, the people are friendly and the menu is very reasonably priced. My eggs with toast, jam and tea runs a little under $6.00 which is a real bargain considering the quality of the ingredients and the skill with which they are put together.

The Blue Rooster also has afternoon tea and will soon be opening for dinner. I'm sure our family will dine there from time to time. Who knows? We might even be able to have a dinner date!

The Blue Rooster Bakery and Cafe

17 North Main Street
Cranbury, NJ 08512
(609) 235-7539