L.E.S. BAGELS: (Lower East Side) New York-inspired Bagels in Manila @ Tuscany, McKinley Hill

L.E.S (Lower East Side) Bagels is a quaint shop in Manila serving NY-style freshly baked bagels by Chef Cuit Kaufman of Borough and Nolita fame. 

We like their bagels — chewy but not too tough — that go well with the creative cream cheese combinations offered. The ambiance is hip and it’s nicely located near Bonifacio Global City, which is critical for a bagel shop to survive.

You’ve got to check out L.E.S. Bagels in Tuscany…

This is one of the hottest shops that opened in the Tuscany Lifestyle Area in Mckinley Hill. 

Parking is tough because you have to navigate through a narrow 2-way street to get to limited slots in front of the restos. You can also park on the other side along the streets.

During peak times, it’s best to avail of the valet service. 

You can create your own bagel combination, or choose from the available bagel sandwich or specialty sandwich combinations. 

L.E.S. Bagel Menu: Bagels & Cream Cheese |  Bagel Sandwiches, Open faced Bagel Sandwiches | Specialty Sandwiches | Specialty Sandwiches 2 | Make-Your-Own Sandwich | Salad, Snacks & Drinks | Brownie & Bars

Sandwiches range from P200-P400 and they’re big enough to be shared. 

Make sure to ask for recommendations from Chef Cuit Kaufman when he’s around.

You can choose from a variety of bagels — plain, wheat, or topped with sesame seeds.

The most popular cream cheese is LOX which is salmon with cream cheese (out of stock in the photo), next is the Bacon and Cheddar Cream Cheese, and then Garlic and Chive or Sundried Tomato and Olive. 

You can ask to taste each one. Although the cream cheese is admittedly very heavy and too rich.

Note: You can’t have two cream cheese flavors in one bagel sandwich, so choose wisely. 🙂

After ordering your sandwiches, check out the other freshly baked goodies.

For dessert, I recommend the brownies (for sharing).

Rugelach is like a heavy croissant that resembles a spanish bread. I didn’t like it.

We did not try the muffins because they looked dry (let me know if you tried it).

There are a few dining tables in the 2nd floor and al fresco outdoor area. The entire ground floor is setup like a takeout area.

We tried a little bit of the best sellers and here’s what I liked and didn’t like…

✮ The L.E.S. Addiction (P400). Pumpernickle Bagel with Scallion Cream Cheese, LOX, Fresh Tomato, Sliced Red Onion, Capers

The L.E.S. Addiction is their signature bagel, and it’s like an oversized salmon bagel cut into half so that you can share it or take out the other half.

The bagel was really good, a little bit of a crispy outer crust and a very chewy-but-not-tough inside. The ingredients of the sandwich are packed with generous servings. 

I love the combination of the cream cheese with salmon, capers, and the red onions! Must try. 🙂

 

N.Y. Egg Cream (P110)

This tasted like chocolate soda with egg (had a thought bubble that said “yuck!”). I didn’t like it but in fairness, my vegetarian partner RJ was raving about it. 🙂

Black Sesame Bagel (P40) with Bacon Cheddar Cream Cheese (P180)

I made my own bagel sandwich with black sesame and bacon cheddar. They put a thick layer of cream cheese — everything was good but a bit heavy. 

The All-American (P350). Ham, American Cheese, Shredded Lettuce, Tomato, S&P, Olive Oil, Vinegar, Homemade Mayo on Hoagie

We also tried the American sandwiches, and this in particular was good too because of the quality of the ingredients they used. It’s a bit expensive though and nothing unique. Best to stick with the bagels.

Fudge Brownie (P140), ✮ Expresso Hazelnut Brownie (P180)

We love the brownies’ intense flavor — not too sweet and not dry. Our favorite is the Expresso Hazelnut Brownie because the hazelnut counter-balances the umay factor.

It’s a big chunk of brownie and I had a hard time finishing it after eating my bagel sandwich.

All in all, we love the bagels, cream cheese, and the brownies! I would recommend the L.E.S. Addiction or L.O.X., and the Expresso Hazelnut Brownie. 

If you are with a group, best to order separate bagels and different cream cheese flavors so that you can share them. Although it feels like carbo-loading when you eat here. 

Budget is about P250 for the Bagel Sandwich. 

The breakfast bagels look really good too and would love to try them next time. I wonder if you can call-in ahead, order your bagel, and pick it up as you drive by?

Let me know what your own favorites and recommendations are at L.E.S. Bagels. Congrats, Chef Cuit Kaufman!

L.E.S. BAGELS
Tuscany Residences, Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio
Telephone: +632-804-0423
Operating Hours:
Wednesday-Saturday 7.00am to 11.00pm,
Sunday to Tuesday 7.00am to 10.00pm 

✮ – Our Favorites!

The Best of ALL-DAY BREAKFAST Craze:

• BREAKFAST at ANTONIO’S: Welcoming 2013 with a Yummy Bang along the Ridge!
  
• MAPLE: All Day Breakfast @ San Antonio Plaza, Forbes Park Makati
• EARLY BIRD Breakfast Club: Starting the All-Day Breakfast Era in Manila?
• IHOP Philippines: Manila Goes Crazy Over IHOP?
• L.E.S. BAGLES: (Lower East Side) New York-inspired Bagels in Manila @ Tuscany, McKinley 
• HATCH22 Rockwell Power Breakfast! @hatch22ph

Live an Awesome Life,

Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com 

P.S. We’re planning a Tuscany tour with the Megaworld people so that you can try the different Tuscany shops’ offerings, degustation-food trip style. Will let you know once it is finalized. 🙂