Photo courtesy of Mark Tuchman

A number of you may have very likely transplanted to the 941 from your native northern territory. Much like Mark Tuchman, owner of 99 Bottles Taproom & Bottleshop did from New York City. Now bringing "real deal NY bagels" to the suncoast of Florida, 99 Bottles has quickly become a sought-after AM stop for breakfast-loving locals craving a fresh-baked ring of dough. The densely delicious bagels come shipped weekly—par-baked then flash-frozen from a discreet distributor in the Bronx. Once the delivery makes it to downtown Sarasota, they are baked to life in the oven every Friday through Monday morning to a Sinatra playlist filling the craft brew shop with classic city vibes.

Bagel flavors include Everything, Sesame, Cinnamon Raisin, and the tried and true Plain (while supplies last of course, as the hungry buzz broadens, bagels tend to sell out by late afternoon). You are able to order any number of "just the bagel," sliced and bagged to be taken home and doctored up to your liking, or you can order one of the pre-fixed bagel sandwiches offered. Sandwiches come wrapped in white butcher paper, "just like you got it from the corner bodega," says Tuchman. Go full Long Island style with the salmon lox one—established first and foremost with a generous shmear of house cream cheese (option to upgrade to the scallion flavored cream cheese), then topped with Atlantic-smoked salmon, red onion, tomato, cucumber slices for added crunch and capers for added brine. For the sweet toothers, a cinnamon sugar cream cheese sandwich comes gloriously stacked with sliced Granny Smith apples and crushed walnuts.

To wash down the guiltless carbs, pair any bagel to-go order with local beverages such as an O&A cold brew, a bottle of Boombacha kombucha, a crowler/growler fill of one of the many Florida craft brews on draft, or even a mimosa kit to dazzle up at home. 

While you may have left the Empire State behind for more sunshine beach days, we're sure you haven't stopped missing the round, doughy breakfast delights that only New Yorkers get right. Sure, you can find a decent bagel in other states sometimes, but most are trying to live up to the New York standard. Luckily for us, 99 Bottles brought NYC to the SRQ. 

Photo courtesy of Mark Tuchman

To order Bagel Brunch online