Restaurant Spotlight of the Week:

Sometimes there is more to something than a name suggests. A koala bear is not a bear, the hundred year war lasted 116 years, and the Yorktowne Bagel Bakery is much more than just bagels.

That’s not to say that Bagels are not available in abundance at the bakery. The 16 varieties which include the favorites, cinnamon raisin and blueberry, as well as exciting variations like cranberry twist and jalapeno cheese, are fresh, warm and the perfect thing to wake you up on an early weekday morning.

While many bagels are heavy, cumbersome jaw-numbing meals, Yorktown bagels are lighter fare, the fluffy bread satisfies the appetite without leaving the I-just-ate-an-anvil feeling so common after eating other bagels.

And of course with the bagels are a variety of cream cheeses that run the gamut from strawberry to olive garlic herb.

But, as said previously, it would be a disservice to think of the Yorktowne Bagel Bakery only in terms of bagels. The menu also parades a variety of sandwich options, on a variety of breads including croissants, rolls, subs, deli breads, pita, wraps, and of course bagels.

To start off the day are the breakfast and egg sandwiches. Topping the list of choices is the western eggwich omelet. Between any flavor of bagel, the onions, peppers, ham, and cheese, cooked into the savory egg, is an eye-opener for a weary commuter.

For mid-morning munchies the vegetarian sandwich bursts with the flavors of the garden. Fresh lettuce, tomato, onions, and alfalfa sprouts come together to create a healthy snack to stymie those 11:00 munchies.

Big John’s Grille, chicken breast with lettuce tomatoes and melted cheese, is a hearty lunch choice. The chicken is cooked to perfection, moist and tender, guaranteed to satisfy big appetites.

For a late afternoon snack the roast beef sandwich is a choice that won’t weigh down an afternoon of work. On a Kaiser roll, the sandwich combines thinly sliced beef with tomato and lettuce and is a perfect choice for a light afternoon meal.

A must try, along with the sandwiches, are the pickles. Crisp and impossibly succulent, they capture the fresh dill flavor without the bitter aftertaste.

Capping off the experience is the ice cream. The Bakery serves Great Falls Ice Cream on cones, as sundaes, and even available in hand-packed cartons for take-out. Other cool treats include smoothies, milkshakes, and coffee drinks.

The atmosphere of the store is as pleasant as the food itself. Murals painted on the walls and areas of exposed brick combine the look of neighborhood deli with New York loft. The large well lit counter provides plenty of space for waiting patrons and the tables are arranged such that visitors feel eager to stay awhile and enjoy their meal.

But the flavors of the Bakery are not confined to the store. Bagels are sold by the dozen (in a bakery that means 13) cream cheese is available in 8 oz. packs, and they specialize in catering.

While the bagels at the Yorktowne Bagel Bakery have holes, the tastes are completely satisfying.