Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
The Hunt For The $177 Bagel
By
Ben Muessig
Published Feb 11, 2010
Modified Feb 25, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Muessig
Published Feb 11, 2010
Modified Feb 25, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The charges lobbed against Councilman Larry Seabrook (D-Bronx) by federal investigators are pretty stunning, but one count stands out from the rest: The allegation that the third-term politician doctored a $7 receipt for a bagel and drink so he was reimbursed $177. Thankfully, the city's press corps has followed up to see whether a $177 bagel exists, and if so, what it tastes like.
Though it's unclear exactly which shop sold Seabrook the infamous bagel, insiders familiar with the Councilman's dining habits suggest it's Bits Bites & Baguettes on Park Place, where the most expensive bagel features sliced Nova lox, whitefish salad or baked salmon salad, cream cheese, lettuce, tomato and Bermuda onion for $8.95, according to the Times. Even at the city's most posh eateries, like the Loews Regency Hotel on Park Avenue and Norma's at Le Parker Meridien Hotel on West 56th Street, bagels top out at $28 (smoked salmon, tomato, red onion and cream cheese) and $23 (five ounces of smoked salmon and three kinds of caviar).
For $177, Chef Karine Bakhoum told the Post she'd serve a pumpernickel bagel with Scottish smoked salmon, an ounce of Osetra caviar, a spread of créme fraiche, a few slices of red onion and tomato, and a sprinkle of lemon or lime. "You want to be able to taste each of the luxurious ingredients, especially if you're spending that kind of money," said Bakhoum. Chef Ed Brown, of Eight One, suggested a bagel with pork belly and shaved French black truffles. "The only challenge would be to keep it under 177 bucks," he said.
Of course, Seabrook could have asked for a reimbursement of $1,000—or more!—for a bagel with Alba white truffle cream cheese and goji berry infused Riesling jelly with golden leaves, which was once served at the Westin Hotel.
Tagged
bagel
caviar
City Council
excess
fraud
indictment
larry seabrook
lox
receipt
salmon
scam
Ben Muessig
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Person found dead with stab wounds in Queens building, NYPD says
Police hadn't yet named and suspects or identified the victim Friday.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Nov 6, 2026 at 8:34 p.m. ET
Amtrak's Penn Station plan could funnel taxpayer money to new venue for James Dolan
The federal government's plan to rebuild Penn Station would require the purchase of a theater attached to the west side of Madison Square Garden.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
News
Amtrak's Penn Station plan could funnel taxpayer money to new venue for James Dolan
The federal government's plan to rebuild Penn Station would require the purchase of a theater attached to the west side of Madison Square Garden.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Intoxicated Queens driver killed baby after running stop sign, indictment says
By
Giulia Heyward
Man arrested in NYC on accusations of sexual assault, rape on Cape Cod, officials said
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Service upgrade coming to On The Way: An hour-long radio show on all things NYC transit
By
Stephen Nessen
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .