The New York Times loudly proclaims California as the capital of America’s Bagel

The New York Times was never afraid to show up in Los Angeles just to offer a scathing meal – but at least it comes from Tejal Rao, the Times Californian critic who has lived here for more than two years. By Rao, it is California (not New York) that currently claims a superior bagel culture, thanks in part to Los Angeles bastions like Pop’s Bagels, Yeastie Boys, Maury’s and more. The particular focus is Courage Bagels, the newcomer from Virgil Village who has drawn huge lines since the first opening in October 2020. “Go all burnt if you love to lick your fingers and get the most crisp and golden pieces of onion and garlic that inevitably shakes a bagel on the move, ”says Rao of Courage’s bagels in the story.

Naturally, such a forceful thesis does not go well with some people online, who described the post as nothing more than “trolling specialist. “Or maybe, just maybe … it’s true.

In other news:

• The Goop folks launched a ghost restaurant call, appropriately, Goop Kitchen, with early availability only for those on the Westside. Representatives tell Eater that the restaurant’s menu of soups, salads and more will slowly become available to more areas over time.
• Want to help support the world of venues still closed? Check out Sustain the Scene, a non-profit initiative that is partnering with several local venues like the Lodge Room, El Cid, the Comedy Store and more to sell merchandise, food, drinks and more to raise funds that will help maintain these places functioning during the pandemic.
• A new homemade meal kit called In Good Company is starting in Los Angeles with plans to bring restaurant food straight to your freezer. Dishes include guelaguetza black chicken, lasagna from Knead & Co. and dumplings by Hui Tou Xiang.

• Wolfgang Puck’s longtime chef Lee Hefter is leaving the company after 28 years of service, says co-owner Barbara Lazaroff.
• A rooftop bar called Bar Bohemien is arriving at the Citizen Public Market in Culver City this month.
• The plant-based Mexican pop-up Todo Verde has a new residence within Nativo in Highland Park. The limited execution will last at least until the end of this month. Meanwhile, the Hollywood residence in Broken Spanish in Neuehouse has been extended, and now runs until April. with seats on Wednesday night as well.
• The development of the Culver City platform is partnering with a number of independent restaurants and food pop-ups like Chainsaw and Caribbean Gourmet, performing multiple collaborations