There were few things better than a fresh out of the oven H & H bagel (original spot/ownership on the SW corner of 80th and Broadway) on a cold Winter's day. Utopia is deserving of best these days, imo. They also opened up a spot on 34th and Lexington, if you don't want to schlep to Queens. There used to be a really good, under the radar place called Bagel Mill around 88th and 1st, but they closed a few years ago. Tal is solid. Apollo was also really good. Absolut was great, though I've yet to try the new iteration. Haven't tried Essa in years. Used to really like them.