Although austerity has been declared dead and apparently we are all benefitting from increased wages & lowest unemployment since 1975, I think we all want to spend less and get more. After sampling some gins, whiskeys and rums at London Cocktail Week’s Village at Truman Brewery, then squashing berries for Greenall’s berry gin it is easy to work up an appetite. 
Spending nearly all my time below the river, I don’t run those Shoreditch streets so I was happy to learn about Beigel Bake on Brick Lane. Change is inevitable, as we all know, but there is definitely beauty in holding onto traditions that have worked for generation after generation. Even if you don’t have Jewish ancestry there is something very nostalgic about this bakery; there are no bells and whistles, no Edison vintage LED bulbs, no exposed brick just two ladies behind the counter serving up good, simple food 24/7. 
When I saw the price for a salmon and cream cheese bagel was £2, I had to wonder if I was actually going to receive smoked salmon. What can you buy for £2 these days? And with the added entertainment of observing the banter between the staff and the resident beggar by the door demanding butter on her bread, salt and pepper in her soup whilst declaring that English people don’t eat dry bread, you definitely get more than your money’s worth. 
There’s lots of other treats to try from pastries to Challah, which we all know makes the best French Toast. Beware celiacs, I’m afraid there’s no gluten-free options here. Whether you know it as a bagel or a beigel, one thing is for sure, I hope nothing changes about this spot because you can go wrong with a delicious bagel with salmon and cream cheese, and memorable characters.
Live, Love, Eat!
April x
