Valencian Gold
Everything Bagel
Plain Bagel
Sesame Bagel
Egg Bagel
Bialy
Knish with Stone ground Mustard
Whipped Cream Cheese
Scallion Cream Cheese
Opting to perform some upgrades even before state pandemic mandates shuttered all on-site dining, Chefs Jeffrey Weiss and Paras Shah are back at Valencian Gold with new ideas in the works, first up a collection of New York Bagels, Bialys and Knish for a city where such things are infrequently found.
A project rooted in Jeffrey’s past, and thus far well-received by Chefs as well as diners, Valencian Gold can be found in the Southwest Marketplace off Rainbow Boulevard, and although the “Spanish fast-casual” menu is currently not offered those looking for some top-quality Carbs are in luck.
Open at 9:00am on weekdays since April 2nd, though prep-work starts several hours earlier in the former Kulinarya Express Filipino Kitchen, it is via time-honored process that Bagels are mixed, formed, proofed, boiled and baked, the “Plain” anything but from its chewy-but-not-overly-dense crumb to a generous golden skin.
Sold for $2.50 each, slightly more expensive than Bagel Café or New York Bagel N Bakery but vastly superior in terms of texture, those seeking added flavor should consider Valencian Gold’s Sesame or Everything, the former packing more seeds per centimeter than would seem possible while “Everything” entails a whole lot of Garlic, Salt and Pepper, plus plenty of Poppy Seeds.
Hand-whipping two styles of Cream Cheese plus Tofu, in addition to other select Jams and Spreads, those who like the taste of Scallions should not hesitate to order a double-helping of Chef Shah’s creamy concoction, though in the case of a $3.50 Bialy further Toppings are unnecessary thanks to Caramelized Onions at the center of a Focaccia-soft round.
Adding Lox by popular demand, nine straight Sold-Out days leading up to Easter Sunday (even with many believers celebrating Passover,) Chef Weiss plans to start serving Breakfast Sandwiches “soon,” but for those seeking something a little more substantial in the meantime the Knish rivals Katz’s or Canter’s in terms of flavor, consistency and heft at about 2/3 the price.
N/A: Making it blog policy to not ‘rate’ places based on catering or takeout alone, Chefs Shah and Weiss created something unique and delicious with Valencian Gold, and continue to push forward during tough times with a New York Deli Menu that has thus far proven better than longstanding options around town.
RECOMMENDED: Bialy, Sesame Bagel, Knish, Scallion Cream Cheese.
AVOID: Not really something to “avoid,” but as tasted on day #1 of the project Valencian Gold’s Egg Bagel was indistinguishable from “Plain.”
TIP: Open 9a-2p Monday through Friday, or until sold out, and currently supporting healthcare workers by donating and delivering a dozen bagels with spreads for every purchase of a dozen.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.
www.valenciangold.com
