The Yum Kippered sandwich from Russ and Daughters. [Photo: Ben Fishner]

With Yom Kippur, the Jewish day of atonement, starting today at sundown, I found myself being called to Russ and Daughters for some smoked fish--after all, the traditional meal to break the Yom Kippur fast is a bagel brunch. At least it is in my family.

The Yum Kippered ($8.95) sandwich seemed appropriate enough this week. It's simple, with just a schmear of cream cheese and a generous portion of thickly sliced kippered salmon. Also known as baked salmon, kippered salmon is hot-smoked. This lends it a firm, dense texture similar to a cooked piece of fish. It's not very salty, almost sweet, with very little fishy flavor, and is right at home with its good friends, bagel and cream cheese.

Russ and Daughters

179 East Houston Street, New York NY 10002 (map)
212-475-4880
russanddaughters.com

About the author: Ben Fishner has been known to refer to Russ and Daughters as "the happiest place on earth." He blogs at Ben Cooks Everything. Follow him on Twitter at @fozziebayer, won't you?