It was a long, cold, bitter winter –made harsher still by the absence of the city's favorite (and only) bagel stand, Tavalin Bagels. The popular Sanlitun hole-in-the-wall unceremoniously ceased operations in December last year, leaving a bagel-sized hole (or should that be ring?) in our stomachs.
The store had enjoyed significant success, before a succession of rent increases led original owner and founder Julian Tavalin to call time on the business. Not everone was so ready to let go, however. Long-time Tavalin employees Han Bing and Gu Gin vowed to continue, and after several months searching for a new (cheaper) location, the duo have returned triumphantly - a mere stone's throw from their original store-front.
No-one was more surprised by the phoenix-like resurrection than Julian Tavalin himself, who remains at the helm of the company, albeit in an advisory capacity: "I thought it was over," he tells us. "But Han and Gu refused to let it die. It's amazing to see it live on. Though I'm glad I don't have the stress of running it anymore."
Tucked away in a small but spacious courtyard, the new premises are something of an upgrade - with outdoor seating for around 12. The menu, meanwhile, remains relatively untouched (as do the prices RMB25-35), with nine types of delicious and authentic hand-rolled US-style bagels (plain, onion, sesame, everything, salt, sun-dried tomato, garlic, rosemary and cinnamon raisin) and six cream cheese fillings (plain, veg, sun-dried tomato, salmon, garlic and chive), as well as standard offerings, such as smoked salmon and salad. Experiments in more adventurous combinations, such as ham and cheese, and the popular breakfast sausage are ongoing.
There are, of course, a few caveats. As with its previous incarnation, Tavalin is not built for bad weather - and while it's likely to be a great and popular spot come the summer, the open air patio is not somewhere you want to get caught during a spring sand storm.
Price
RMB25-35 for meal, RMB25-45 for beer
Who’s Going
Sunshine daydreamers
Good For
Chillin' like villains in the open air, with a bagel, natch
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