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A Passion for Bagels
by Michael Traveler

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Charlie Dassaro has a passion for bagels ...

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Each week, Charlie diligently guides his team of carefully-trained bakers through the process of painstakingly turning a thousand pounds of flour into six thousand made-from-scratch, piping hot, mouth-watering original stone baked bagels ...

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Bagels so good that they draw hungry construction workers, busy soccer moms, professional businessmen, families, and tourists exploring the farms, villages and vineyards of the North Fork to a quaint off-the-beaten-path cafe on the backroads of Long Island's East End.

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A cafe I found myself being drawn to, as well ... 

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It was early morning.  And I was standing in line (a fairly long one) with my wife and kids waiting to try what we'd been told was one of the best bagels on Long Island's East End.  

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A bustling crowd of bagel-lovers had gathered in front of a long display case that showcased an assortment of fresh-baked muffins, cupcakes, donuts, bagels and other treats to tantalize the taste-buds.  The crowd was talking amongst one another, chatting warmly, as they stood gazing eagerly through the display case (like kids in a candy store).

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I could feel my excitement rising as the line got shorter.  It wasn't long before I was greeted with a smile by one of Charlie's friendly wait-staff.   She (like everyone else on his crew) had the air of a small town diner waitress.  Warm.  Friendly.  Helpful.  *

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"How may I help you?" she asked.

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I studied the menu and baked goods displayed in the case.  A wide assortment of bagels called out to me offering a choice of homemade cream cheese, lox spread, or butter.  I chose an Egg Everything with cream cheese.  My wife ordered a slice of carrot cake.  And the kids ordered an assortment of different  bagels.

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As we headed (baked goods in hand) towards the dining area, a collection of tables and booths nestled cozily around an inviting fireplace (everything awash in warm tuscan sun-drenched earth-tone colors), we noticed other families and couples visiting with one another. 

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As we were taking our seats, an elderly couple spotted our baby.  "Ahhhh ... " the woman cooed, "... isn't he simply adorable!   How old is he?"  A friendly conversation ensued about our toddler and the rest of our kids.  While we were chatting, one of the wait-staff brought us our drinks and extra napkins and politely asked if there was anything else she could do for us.

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 Now, although my wife and kids are from Long Island, I am from the midwest and had only recently experienced the culinary wonders that are common to most Long Islanders.  

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The wife and I had been exploring and taste-testing a number of diners, cafes and restaurants on the North Fork over the past few months.  Honestly, the food is amazing at most of these establishments.  The quality, the kaleidoscope of flavors and aromas.  The attention to detail.  Unparalleled.  My wife often teases me about how I go on and on about it.  She tells others:  "It's like he's never tasted food before ... "

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So, when I bit into my bagel and when my wife tried the carrot cake, our eyes met and we smiled.  She knew what I was thinking, so she said it for me:  "Amazing ... " drawing the word out ever so slightly like I often do.  

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She was right.   It was heavenly.

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She offered me a forkful of carrot cake.  "You've gotta try this, honey ... "

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We've returned many times since then.  Tried a variety of different specialty sandwiches (including an Italian, a roast beef, a grilled chicken and a shrimp salad sandwich). 

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The Bean & Bagel Cafe, owned by Charlie Dassaro, located at 4426 Middle Country Road in Calverton (just outside of Riverhead on the way to Wading River), is definitely one of Long Island's hidden treasures.

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What's his secret?  How does he do it?

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Charlie will tell you himself ...

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"We bake everything from scratch," he explained to me,  " ... cupcakes, donuts, bagels ... it's all made in-house ... "

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But the real secret is:  it's his passion.

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For more information on
The Bean & Bagel Cafe
visit their website by clicking here

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Or ...

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go2 their Roadside Cafe Profile Page >

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Or ...

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Call or Stop by
4426 Middle Country Road
Calverton, NY
Phone:  (631) 238-5858

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