This is how a typical NYC style bagel looks, in my experience. Just not sesame seed, blech.
I prefer mine completely plain or as a nova bagel. Period.
I'm a bagel snob. I hate Panera Bread bagels and the ones in the grocery stores.
I got spoiled when I visited New York a few years ago very brielfy.
Zabar's bagel was horriffic... but Artie's... oh heavens, an Artie's Nova Bagel.
There is a place here, ironically enough called "Bagels-R-Us" that does straight up New York water bagels... I can only allow myself to go every once in awhile because bagels are not on my "diet", but
damn. They are delicious. The family is Vietnamese and lived in NYC for years and got a recipe from a Jewish baker.
Oh man, breakfast tomorrow.... If only I could find a real knisch, I'd be in heaven.