Are you a bread person? Do you like starting your day with some toast? As a child I always liked the plainsoft white sandwich bread for breakfast ~ spread heaps of strawberry jam or Nutella over it yum! But growing up, I’ve fallen in love with the artisan breads like sourdough, ciabatta and Panini bread hehe. Then there was the ‘bagel’, I didn’t particularly like it…I always found it too dry… dense and rubbery…but it ALL changed when I went to NYC in January this year.
Breakfast was included at the hotel and they had an unlimited supply of ‘bagels’, so I decided…I might as well give it a go since I was in NYC, gotta eat what the New Yorkers eat right? 
So one morning Mr Bao grabbed a bagel and’toasted it and brought it back to the table, I had no idea what to spread over it lol so I grabbed some Philadelphia cream cheese and took a bite…within seconds I had gone to heaven and back ~ sorry I know I can exagerate sometimes but hahaha it was so so so delicious with the unique bouncy texture!
Anyhow, coming back to Melbourne…I kind of forgot about bagels lol they’re simply not as common, but then last week on training my colleague Ms A kept buying bagels for breakfast ~ and that got me thinking of them…so coincedently on Friday morning, I dragged Mr Bao to Manchester Press where they only serve BAGELS 
It’s actually the second time I’ve visited Manchester Press, but somehow, I don’t remember them being the bagel expert hehe ~ the whole menu it was just full of bagels – baked eggs served with bagels, scrambled eggs on bagels, salmon on bagel, everything on bagels!
It made me very happy cuz I’ve been having bagel cravings ~ but I had a huge feast the night before, so I was feeling good… and decided to order the very healthy Bircher Muesli for breakfast that day
Homemade bircher muesli with yoghurt and mixed berries $10AUD
Even though many people think I’m very unhealthy as I practically live off desserts I actually have a thing for meusli and oats and think it’s actually quite hard to find good muesli or porridge. I didn’t mind this bircher muesli, however, found it to be a little bland but did like the coconut pieces they had through the muesli. I just think it would’ve been more flavoursome, if they had added some more dried fruit or fresh fruit and maybe some yoghurt on side would have been perfect too ~
Baked eggs with pesto and cherry tomatoes with Salmon $16AUD
Mr Bao ordered the baked eggs with salmon, I was so excited because I really wanted to try their bagels It was a bit of an unsual combination with the salmon, eggs and tomato but very tasty and the tomatoes really gave it a nice tangy flavour ~ the bagels didn’t disappoint me, it was toasted perfectly, put some butter on it then dip it into the runny egg yolks sooooooo YUM 
Magic Mocha
Manchester Press is also known for their coffee from 8 oz roasters ~ they’re relatively small and only sell at two cafes, here and Loco Coffee in Elwood. I ordered my usual mocha to start the day, it was quite weak and had stronger coffee notes than chocolate. I would love this coffee on a Sunday morning, but for my last day of training, I just needed something a little stronger hehe
Latte
Mr Bao ordered his favourite latte,
BLT with basil mayo and avocado $12 AUD
I was so impressed with the food and bagels here, I couldn’t help but take one away with me and have it as lunch later hehe ~ I had so much trouble choosing which bagel…smoked salmon bagel sounded sooooo good but then I decided to get the BLT bagel with basil mayo. Best choice of the day! I couldn’t help but take a bite out of it as soon as I got it, it was AMAZING! It had a generous slab of avocado, then a slice of bacon, tomato and aoili mayo, classic example of simple pleasures
Yup…I have officially jumped back on the bagel bandwagon ~ hopefully I’ll be able to make some of my own homemade bagels soon ~ I definitely recommend Manchester Press for breakfast or brunch :) They’re food is simple but tasty and using only bagels really give their cafe a NYC feel ~
hehe looks like you didn’t fall asleep!
Love love love MP’s coffee! When I was there I had a really cute pirate coffee art!
Hahhaa i actually wrote this up the night before and just had to edit the photos and stick them into this post
so that’s why hehe now i’ve gotta try and not fall asleep tonight when i try to write up another post hehe 
damnn i didn’t get any cute coffee art!!!
I’m a bagel-lover from way back, lol! This looks like a great place…I love the unique combo of the baked eggs with salmon dish! And mmm, that bagel blt looks fantastic.
Hello Faith
Hope you’ve been well! Sorry i haven’t had time to drop by your blog lately! I’m a newbie to bagels but I sure have fallen in love with them so quickly and deeply 
i can’t wait to go back for some more hehe
Daisy it’s always a pleasure reading your posts, you have such a positive way to go about life, it’s awesome!
I love bagels also, there’s a chain here call Einstein Brother’s, and we really enjoy their Asiago Cheese bagels (with eggs in the middle). Eating one late morning help me stay full until dinner time! I think New Yorkers make theirs differently, the bagels gets boiled then baked or something like that, it’s not something I will attempt to make anytime soon…
Thank you Jeno
your comments are always so sweet ~ I just try to be myself in my posts hhahaa i’m glad you find be positive and not crazy because I know a lot of my friends will describe me as being a bit ‘loony’ lol
I’m definitely new to bagels because I never knew until you use to told me that there are ‘normal’ bagels and then there are NYC bagels that are boiled and baked. I thought all bagels were boiled hehe i think it’s because they are boiled they get the unique chewy texture which i LOVE after it’s been toasted WOO HOO
can’t wait for the day when we finally meet and you can take me to this chain storeeeeee
The baked eggs with bagels actually sounds pretty good! This dish wasn’t there when I went…I was actually quite disappointed with the meal at Manchester Press, was expecting something a bit more wow from them. Dang….the baked eggs make me want to go back! Too bad you didn’t get cute faces on your coffees though, like they’re so famous for.
Oh no that’s a shame…but i agree agree that MP can be a hit and miss sometimes, this time i went it was amazing but the first time I went it wasn’t so flash >_< not sure if it's because I ordered the wrong types of food. But maybe go back and try the baked eggs and the BLT BAGEL
i highly recommend that! Yes kinda annoyed i didn't get the pretty coffee art sighhhh
I’ve never been much of a bread person, but there’s a company in Canberra that makes proper chewy NYC bagels and I spent my teenage years eating them toasted and buttered after school. So good!
I never knew until recently that NYC were chewy lol and the rest that aren’t chewy aren’t the real stuff hehe but i think i like bagels cuz of their texture
YUMMMM I wish we had more NYC bagel places here in Melbourne!!! Now you make me wanna come to Canberra!
I have never been a bagel kind of girl but I reckon you could convert me quite easily because all these dishes look wow
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I wasn’t either until i went to NYC and Manchester Press now I can’t get enough of them! You’ve gotta try Uru! Sorry I haven’t had time to drop by your blog lately will do it tonight promise xoxo
I go through phases with bread – i get bored quickly! I do however love bagels especially bagels with cream cheese in NY – yum!
You should try this place called brown bagels…
Really thanks will go sometime
I love the look of all this food. I would have had trouble deciding. I would like to have the bircher muesli followed by the baked eggs and perhaps the BLT ordered ‘to go’? And I think the food is very reasonably priced. xx
HAHAHA good choices Charlie
next time I’ll have the smoked salmon bagel for breaky and then take the BLT to go 
i’m still reminiscing over it!!! And definitely reasonably priced for good food and coffee!
I’ve been to M Press but w/o camera. always meant to come back for more of them bagels. I’m not sure whether they’re like the ones at New York, but I quite liked it!
I actually thought all bagels were the NY type hahhaa until i found out there are non NY ones ~ but definitely go back they’re so yummy and get the BLT hehe first time I went i wasn’t blogging so finally decided it was time to go back
We love the coffees and bagels at Manchester Press! We’ve also had the good fortune of having had some pretty awesome latte art here which have impressed the kids to no ends!
I’m definitely in love too now after such a wonderful experience but…WHAT HAPPENED LOL i missed out on the pretty coffee art! NO FAIR
think its a sign to get me to go back hehe ~
Hey Daisy! I went to manchester press a while back too and I found it to be overhyped – food is decent but pricey for what it is and honestly not worth the trouble. I do like the nice empty interior shot though – you must’ve gotten there early!
Oh that’s a shame that you didn’t like your experience at MP. But I know what you mean the first time I went, I didn’t really like it and thought it wasn’t that great >_< but it really blew me away this time, all the bagels were so fresh and lovely hehe
Maybe try going again early for breakfast that’s what i did and i think they’re better in the morning
Looooove bagels and bread. I still need to check out Manchester Press!
If you love bagels you’ve GOTTA go SHELLIE
And promise to get the BLT! Hope you get cute coffee arent!! BOO i didn’t get it!
A real boiled bagel is so tasty isn’t it? I remember when bagels used to be just round rolls with the middle cut out-nothing like a bagel!
Definitely tastier than the non boiled ones!!! They’re not as good for sure!!! That’s why I never use to like bagels cuz they weren’t boiled hehe
Yummm!! (: I love love love bagels! and so glad I get them delivered every week! I switch between the sesame and poppyseed one! hehe Love it with cream cheese and vegemite! or cream cheese and smoked salmon! mmmm! Gonna have one tmr for lunch! hehe x Gotta go Manchester Press soon!
Sooooo jealous I checked they don’t deliver to apartments SIGH so sad… But I m getting some at Costco! Ooo Vegemite!!! I haven’t had some in ages!!! Can’t wait to get some more blueberry ones hehe
Baked eggs and salmon plus the berry muesli looks great! lol yes, nYC is bagel and hot dog town as my brother can attest! xD
Hahaha I m addicted to bagels lately had another one today
I didn’t like the muesli as much lol but nice to be healthy ~
I had my first bagel while I was in the USA and well, I don’t think australia makes them anywhere near as good as they do. Won’t ever say no to a blueberry bagel with a generous slathering of cream cheese though
HAHHAAA i agree Tina
i guess the New Yorkers simply do it the best!!! But I think Manchester Press has done a reasonable job and hehe first time i’ve ever had a blueberry bagel was the other day when my bf bought me one hehe ~ Can’t WAIT for the chance to go back to NYC hehe
I am a total bread person and i always have bagels in the house. My favorite is the one with sesame seeds…hehe
Thanks for dropping by Cakewhiz
I’m a newbie to bagels but i think it’s gonna become a staple in the house YAY! So excited!
Glad to learn that NYC bagel made a bagel lover out of you. There is nothing like a real NYC bagel.
Manchester Press sounds like a neat dining place.
Thanks Norma
NYC definitely changed me into a bagel lover going to get some tomorrow! So excited hehe 
As I mentioned to you at dinner the other night, I’ve only ever had bagels at Maccas lol but I guess I should give them a proper try at a cafe like Manchester Press – it’s only 5 mins from my placement so I think I know where I’m going for lunch next Weds
You’ve gotta go back Amy
you’ll fall in love with bagels like i did hehe but reading other people’s comments maybe it’s better to go early when it’s not so busy so their food is more consistent hehe ~ Hope you like it!!!
Coming from Greece, I have never had bagels until after I visited the US. I tried them and I loved them ever since. Now I am making them at home whenever this is possible!
Yum bagels! I love Glicks (there is one on Flinders Lane) – give them a try if you can
Yum bagels! I love Glicks (there is one on Flinders Lane) – give them a try if you can
Love the idea behind Manchester Press and I love laneway hidden cafes
Now you totally make me want to try bagel with basil mayo you are talking about. I’ve been eating only 1/2 of bagel for diet reason (so sad…) but when I make the BLT with this basil mayo… I’m going to eat the WHOLE bagel for sure. Basil mayo… sounds so good. Hope mine will turn out like the one you had. What a nice place you found!
Oh no! Are you on a diet Nami? But you don’t need to be! You look lovely the way you are! But I know what you mean ~ bagels arent particularly good for the waist line I ve gotta stop too hehe
I’m planning my next Melbs trip & I think you’ve just helped me find my brunch spot on our 1st morning there! I LOVE bagels (my family is Jewish so we gotta love the bagels I tell ya).
Ohhhh yay you re coming to Melbourne woo hoo! I only just realized bagels are Jewish hehe I ve been eating so many of them!