I found Bagel World #2 a few months ago (it's been there for six). At the time they were still getting their bagels shipped from Bagel World #1, but told me the plan was to start baking their own around February. Sure enough, I walked over there yesterday and was greeted by a sandwich board indicating on-site daily bagel baking (there was also a sandwich board that said "try our cheesecake" to which Alyssa audibly replied "yes, okay").

We did not try the cheesecake, unfortunately. We didn't try much from the great looking selection of sweets, aside from a couple of

rugelachs

($13/lb). But they were excellent in chocolate and raisin, so I can infer that the other sweet stuff is quality. I had my eye on what looked like a massive chocolate chip cookie, shortbread I thought, though I couldn't be sure. There was definitely a lack of signage. We didn't know what any of the bagels were or how much they cost (and there are some hidden costs so the big price sign isn't necessarily accurate). So it was a bit confusing... (If, however, this is just a ploy to get customers to ask the staff questions, I have to applaud it. Because the staff is exceedingly pleasant and I think everyone should talk to them. They're so smiley and helpful.)

They offer a small but enticing selection of bagel categories: flat, regular and

Montreal style. I brought my choice to the counter and was told it was a poppy seed pumpernickel flat bagel. I had it toasted and plain cream cheesed for $4.49. Alyssa had salmon cream cheese (this is premium) on a toasted sesame bagel for $5.95. We also both had a coffee (which is bottomless!) for $1.80 each. I really enjoyed my bagel. It was dense, chewy and nicely salted on top, which made the cream cheese so good... I like it all even more in retrospect. Today I'm craving one like crazy. I also appreciate that we were offered cucumbers and tomatoes on the bagel for no extra charge (My other plain-bagel-and-plain-cream-cheese-loving friend found she couldn't say no, in spite of herself). I want to go back to that small and busy (and warm - there's a fireplace) bakery. The final cash tally was a bit steep, but they offer plenty of day-olds and there is, of course, bagel special day Tuesdays. You can also take home their cream cheeses. And should I ever have some extra dough to spend on fresh bagels (and this is my dream, for everyone) Bagel World #2 would be my top choice around the Annex.

Photography by Alyssa Bistonath .