Show up as early as you can get yourself to drag out of bed.

Wander around the industrial section of Greenpoint at dawn.

Sneak into the unmarked, graffiti-ed door, looking behind you as if you were trying to throw the mobster trailing you off your scent.

Buy pastrami lox and whitefish from the no-nonsense, lab-coat clad fishmonger – after much sampling, of course.

Rendezvous with the friend responsible for the bagels + cream cheese.

Plot your next Acme Smoked Fish heist between ravenous bites.

The following recipe is a variation of this recipe by Bobby Flay.

Whitefish Salad

• 3/4 cup good-quality mayonnaise (I used olive oil)
• 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 pounds smoked whitefish, skinned, boned and flaked
• 1 large stalk celery, finely diced
• 1/2 small red onion, finely diced
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Bagels, for serving (I used baked spaghetti squash)
• Pickled Red Onions, for serving, recipe below

Pickled Red Onions:

• 1 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon coriander seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 1 medium red onion, halved and thinly sliced

Whisk together the mayonnaise (or olive oil), lemon zest and juice until combined. Add the whitefish, celery and onions, and gently mix until combined; season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Pickled Red Onions:
Combine the vinegar, lime juice, sugar, salt, coriander seeds, mustard seeds and peppercorns in a small saucepan over high heat. Cook until the sugar and salt is dissolved. Remove from the heat and let cool for 5 minutes.

Put the onions in a medium bowl, pour the vinegar mixture over and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 48 hours before serving.