Sweet sensory overload

Morning or afternoon, Einstein Bros. Bagels has the fragrance of a classic bakery: Warm like rising dough, piquant like cinnamon, sweet like hot chocolate. Throughout the day, Einstein bakes, constantly replenishing its displays with hot-from-the-oven options - and, like a classic bakery, all the favorites are there: cinnamon raisin bagels, pumpernickel bagels, chocolate chip bagels and dozens more.

But don't let all those traditional-sounding treats fool you. Einstein Bros. Bagels' menu is one-of-a-kind.

In addition to bagels, muffins and pastries, Einstein features a lengthy list of hot and cold bagel sandwiches. Two of its best-selling cold sandwiches are the nova lox and the "tasty turkey."

Chocolate chip coffee cake at Einstein Bagel Bros. (Photo by Mark Gilliland)

The nova lox, said assistant manager Amber Randall, is "a New York City favorite." Thanks to Einstein, the dish has now become a Scenic City favorite, too. Made with smoked salmon, plain "shmear," capers, tomatoes and red onions, and served on a plain bagel, it is a lip-smacking savory dish.

Meanwhile, the tasty turkey offers flavors that are more conventional but no less robust. It is served with onion and chives "shmear," lettuce, tomato, cucumber, spinach, and a thick stack of moist turkey, all served on a crisp, cheesy Asiago bagel.

In addition to hot bagels and bagel sandwiches, Einstein also offers a bevvy of espresso blends and signature coffee drinks - any one of which may be served hot, iced or frozen. Every day, beginning at 3 p.m., Einstein offers all its "barista" drinks for half price. It also offers baker's dozens of its bagels for half price.

That gives you plenty of opportunities to try several varieties of Einstein's famous bagels, including cinnamon raisin, pumpernickel, chocolate chip, blueberry, cranberry, honey whole wheat and many more - a list as long as a classic bakery is aromatic.