Remember the beginning of the movie The Devil Wears Prada? A breathless Anne Hathaway runs through the streets of New York on her way to an interview with Miranda Priestley and, before getting on the subway, stops at a typical deli to grab a bagel on the go. Now, thanks to New York Bagel, the first shop in Milan entirely dedicated to the iconic bread with a hole, you can experience a moment of perfect New York life.
Photo: retrieved from
https://tomandlorenzo.com/
But what exactly is a bagel? To reduce it to a simple “bread with a hole” would be limiting. It is a unique baked product that has become one of the undisputed symbols of New York breakfast and lunch thanks to a special preparation that makes it unmistakable.
The shop was born from a bet between two friends, Matteo Guerrini and Luigi Fronterré, who met in New York. A strong friendship immediately developed between them, which grew stronger during their years overseas and continued in Italy after a return that was anything but planned.
Once back in Milan, the two began to wonder which path to take. It was at that moment that the idea took shape, fueled by a certain nostalgia for the Big Apple: why not bring a piece of New York to Milan?
They too, in full Anne Hathaway “New York mood,” were used to grabbing a hot bagel on the go every morning before going to work. From that daily memory came the decision to bring the authentic Manhattan breakfast to the heart of Milan.
But how do Matteo and Luigi prepare their bagels?
Photo: instagram/@newyorkbagelmilano Matteo and Luigi
For Matteo and Luigi, authenticity is not a detail, but a mission. To recreate the real bagel, specific ingredients are needed: high-protein flour and barley malt for boiling. Luigi, drawing on his family’s tradition of baking, led months of experimentation: “We tested hydration and rising times, constantly comparing notes with our friends in New York. We were looking for the perfect texture: a shiny crust, a crispy exterior, and a dense interior, “ Matteo tells Cibo Today, as reported.
Basically, a bagel is a type of bread that is boiled before baking, with honey and barley malt often added to the water to give it its distinctive shine. The inside is soft and compact due to the high-protein flour and relatively low hydration of the dough. And that’s how you get the perfect “sandwich with a hole.”
What you’ll find on the menu
Photo: instagram/@newyorkbagelmilano
The menu offers a choice of three doughs:
- the classic white,
- dough with a mix of seeds and spices
- avocado-based dough
The bagel recipes are inspired by New York neighborhoods:
- There’s Soho with salmon, cream cheese, capers, dill, and red onion.
- The West Village with hummus, baked zucchini, and sun-dried tomatoes.
- Brooklyn with egg muffins, American cheese, and bacon.
- And others that you will find on the menu
A simple and creative menu. The two young entrepreneurs assure us that everything is made in-house, from the dough to the fillings.
From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., you can order at the counter and eat on the shelves inside, on the street like in New York, in the park, or choose to take away. We are located at Via Meravigli, 16, a stone’s throw from Cordusio, Cadorna, and Duomo.