Results tagged “brunch”

     

Click on the images above for the scoop on 'Wichcraft's dinner, Harbour's lunch and "Mai Tai Tuesdays," brunch at Charles, speed lunch at La Fonda del Sol, and "Moules Frites Monday" at Bar Blanc Bistro.

We've covered New York City brunch here and there, perpetually getting those bloggy defibrillator paddles to ask time and again whether or not all those filled-past-capacity mimosa hours are ever actually worth it. While it's still not clear why brunch even exists, brunch springs eternal. Thankfully, the kind folks over at Time Out New York have put together some epic roundups on those magical, egg-poaching hours in this week's issue, breaking things down into nine categories such as no-wait spots and best biscuits. There's a section on deals, like Mercadito's massive $15 fresh fruit mimosa, rice, beans, and entree superplate. Another section measures the door-to-door travel time of one prospective brunchee waiting in line at the popular Clinton Street Baking Company with another trekking out to Forest Hills to a underdog spot called Just Like Mother’s. Perhaps most useful are details on four alternative brunch cocktails. That section, however, leaves out Clover Club's entire "Liquid Brunch" menu, probably the most innovative brunch talking point to emerge in a long time.

Finally: Village Voice gossip columnist Michael Musto tells us how he really feels about brunch. In an interview with the NY Times, Musto discusses his Sunday rountine, which includes checking the gossip ("I check my e-mail and I check all the gossip. I have to constantly update my blog, and try to be a kind of ringmaster to the circus freaks who find me, and who I love"), visiting his mother and relatives in Brooklyn, and maybe movie night with friends. But when asked if he does brunch, he lets loose: "I hate brunch. I hate hearing the word “brunch.” It was this trendy construct that people decided to buy into. And are still buying into. I manage with a bagel and coffee and can wait until lunch, not bogus three-egg omelets." Best not to ask him about linner.

Wow, this article in the Times about the decadent brunch party scene at places like Bagatelle and Merkato 55 really makes us want to go all Helter Skelter! Try this quote on for size: A guy partying at Bagatelle who works for a large investment management firm reveals why the recession hasn't stopped revelers from dropping thousands of dollars on boozy brunch, "If you’d asked me in October, I’d say it’d be a different situation, and I don’t think I’d be here. Then the government gave us $10 billion." There's also 38-year-old Matt Sullivan, at Bagatelle for a birthday party. He concedes that "it’s obscene," but you get the sense he thinks that's a good thing: "We heard it was a hip brunch. But this is gluttony at its finest." High-five! Another party bruncher at Merkato 55 is recently laid off editorial assistant Joey Broder, who opines, "It’s like, ‘What recession? Look around. Do you see a recession?" Uh, what about the one that got you fired? LALALALA, Broder can't hear us: "By 4 p.m., the place was wall-to-wall bodies, and people were taking hits from a rosé-filled bong in the shape of a flamingo."

River Barrel: This newcomer to the heart of Greenpoint's Franklin Street dining scene opened for brunch on New Year's Day, undeterred by a little spelling snafu on the awnings that mis-identified the place as "River Ballel." That's since been rectified, and the place was packed for brunch last weekend, benefiting from Brooklyn Label spillover and a still-shuttered Paloma. The extensive morning menu includes a fresh pastry basket, housemade granola, house cured salmon with potato and chive latkes, a "Brooklyn burrito" with scrambled eggs, a Roasted Root Vegetable Hash, and oh so much more. They're doing dinner, too, and though the Yelpers were quick to bitch about service kinks during opening weekend, the chandelier above bar looks so charming at night that resistance may well prove futile. 160 Franklin Street, Greenpoint, (718) 389-8881

Brunch is for assholes, as the poet on the T-shirt sings, because you usually end up paying through the nose for lackluster food, harried service, and interminable waits. (We're looking at you Dizzy's.) But it doesn't have to be that way; here are a few new (and a few old) solutions to getting through brunch without stabbing anyone. Of course this list is far from exhaustive—add your favorite spot in the comments, so we can get there five seconds ahead of you and snag the last open table.

Earlier this year, vintners Paul Wegimont and Greg Sandor opened Bridge Urban Winery, an offshoot of their North Fork vineyard. Nestled by the Williamsburg Bridge in a blossoming artisanal corridor that includes Marlow & Sons and Diner, their sleek yet cozy wine bar specializes in strictly New York State wine, as well as food pairings prepared with all locally-sourced ingredients.

In spite of recently winning a James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine Service and earning a 5-star review in the New York Daily News and a 3-star review from Bloomberg, the team at Eleven Madison Park is stopping their Saturday brunch service and shuttering on Sundays beginning July 19th. Maybe the only brunch dish they'll continue to serve are scrambled eggs with truffles, but only when Daniel Boulud is in the house. The new hours will be lunch: Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.; dinner: Monday-Thursday, 5:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 5:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.

Last Sunday morning, two prospective diners approached the entrance of Abigail, a new restaurant on the corner at Classon Avenue and St. Johns Place. One of them pointed to a sign taped to the front door that said “B.Y.O.B.” “That sucks,” one of them said, “isn’t this supposed to be a wine bar?” They went in for brunch anyhow; the place was busy.

It was a modern Father's Day for some of Kate Hudson's past and present beaus. Yesterday Hudson, her current boyfriend Lance Armstrong, his three children, Hudson's ex-husband Chris Robinson, and their son Ryder all attended a two-hour brunch in Brooklyn together in honor of Father's Day.

Maggie Brown, the Myrtle Avenue comfort-food spot on the border between Clinton Hill and Ft. Greene, has become a popular attraction for nearby Pratt students and locals who pack the summer garden to sip spiked frozen lemonade. While better known for their fried chicken and ribs, we braved Maggie Brown on a busy Sunday morning, hanging in there for a 45 minute wait which climaxed with our party of five crammed into a table meant for four. Coffee is strong and refilled frequently, albeit in chipped mugs that typify the hodgepodge ambiance evoked by Maggie Brown's heavily textured vintage wallpaper, chandeliers, taxidermy, flea market art, and fireplace.

Easter, as you may know, is the holiday that often seems to celebrate the wonders of brunch, although rumor has it there's some religious thing involved as well. Whatever the holiday means to you, here are some Easter brunch (and dinner) options that sound particularly delectable.

A few blocks south of the Lorimer L stop in Williamsburg there was once a beloved cafe, Hope and Union, which served divine pastries and stellar brunch in a cozy room with exposed brick walls and a tiny kitchen. A handful of name and management changes later, the space is occupied by Elote, a inexpensively priced breakfast-lunch-dinner-and-tequila drinking spot that retains all of the previous architectural elements but offers a Mexican menu. A full bar offers several dozen tequilas and the house's special cocktails, like the "dirty horchata," a variation of the milky rice-based drink often served in Latin America amped up with rum and vanilla liqueur.

We’re not going to hesitate to echo the praises surrounding The Smith, 3rd Avenue‘s (between 10th & 11th) latest go-to spot (formerly a very-out-of-place Pizzeria Uno). Whether you’re hankering for a good pork chop, a unique cocktail, or some cheddar grits, The Smith fits the bill. The interior is spacious, though dark in the back far away from the windows, and the walls are decorated with subway tile and vintage nude photographs. Despite its size, if you go for brunch like we did, we recommend a pre-noon arrival, since word has caught on and the room fills up fast.

On the hunt for a lunch/brunch spot whose griddle cook we don’t know by name, Gothamist headed to the newish Cheryl’s Global Soul, a cozy little eatery from Food Network personality Cheryl Smith (of Soul Kitchen).

THEATER: According to industry rag Variety, playwright Kristine Thatcher “has been deservedly attracting international attention. [Her] latest, Among Friends, is a whimsical and provocative deconstruction of hetero male bonding." The story goes like this: “Three old friends gather as often as possible to play poker. Matt is a struggling Sears appliance salesman; Will, a public school teacher; and Dan, a real-estate developer and award-winning humanitarian. But when Will discovers the lionized Dan cheating at cards, he decides to explore exactly how deeply the rot goes.” - John Del Signore

Aurora--with an open, airy dining room, exposed brick walls, wooden tables, and a large, plant-filled garden--is named after one of owner and Roman native Gaspare Villa's favorites places in Italy. "Rustic" is the best word to describe both the food and atmosphere--like an urban farmhouse where chef Riccardo Buitoni makes sure you are both cozy and well-fed. Pastas, breads, and desserts are all made on premises with a special emphasis on seasonal ingredients, reflected on the menu. Though on our visit, weak coffee proved a poor initiation, shortly afterwards baked eggs with salmon, avocado, and goat cheese arrived literally bubbling hot, eggs crisping in a trace of oil with a lightly buttered slice of toasted country bread on the side. Eggs Norwegian, served atop lusciously rich pan-toasted brioche, adds salmon and spinach to the traditional eggs benedict. Taste aside--which was excellent--presentation made the mouth water even before the first bite.

- Gary Shteyngart, Philip Gourevitch, and Tom Bissell to name a few.

Rain or shine, For merely a few dollars per plate you can explore many of the dishes offered by Chinatown's best restaurants. Taste local favorites like the pork fried dumplings from Fried Dumpling, summer rolls from Pho Viet Huong, Malaysian Curry Noodles from Jaya, and bubble tea from Ten Ren. And don't forget the fortune cookie writing contest. On Baxter, Bayard, Doyers, Mosco, Mott, Mulberry and Pell Sts. 1–6pm. Call 212-868-1368 or visit explorechinatown.com for more information.

String lights, plastic flower garlands, old maps, and taxidermy pepper the walls at Old Devil Moon, a home-cookin', vegetarian-friendly East Village joint. Heaping portions of portabella "ribs" and BBQ tofu please the veggies, while other comfort-food favorites like mac n' cheese, cornmeal frusted catfish, burgers, and po' boy sandwiches fill the carnivores. Brunch lines linger, sometimes absurdly long (and the waitresses are often forgetful, inattentive, and slow), but if you can stay as relaxed as the young, alternative crowd loitering outside, then warm biscuits & gravy, enormous banana and pecan pancakes, or a hungry-man breakfast complete with eggs, pancakes, and a hunkerin' slab of meat, will satiate any late night partier's weekend appetite. Few dishes stand out, but the menu is expansive, the plates are filling, and on weeknights, lines are rare. Wednesday nights offer Southern Mountain Music from 7:30 - 10 p.m. at no extra charge.

Day 1 was long, but we managed to get a few hours of sleep and gear up for the rest of week. Last Thursday we started off our day at the South By Stereogum party. Brisket on white bread was served, Fat Tire beers were distributed and Aziz Ansari was hosting the show, which had a solid lineup: Aloha, What Made Milwaukee Famous, Thunderbirds Are Now!, Rogue Wave and Ted Leo.

For those who can boldly face the waft of stinky cheeses at Artisanal, Gothamist reminds you that it is officially Fondue Month at the home of blue, brie, and gouda. With a different , fondues come to your table top meant for either 1-3 (petit, $24) or for 4-6 (grande, $40) along with a basket bread for dipping. Accoutrements such as sliced apples, fingerling potatoes, kielbasa, and dried beef are available to dip a la carte; and wine is available by both the bottle and the glass which is reassuring after confirmation last week that red wine does in fact go well with cheese. For dessert, in keeping with the fondue theme, a decadent chocolate fondue is available and arrives with a plate of mini madeleines, house-made marshmallows, ginger cookies, strawberries, and sliced bananas. At the end of the night, if you're still hankerin' for more cheese, shop the Artisanal cheese store, join the Cheese classes.

So, with Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz's dream of finding a perfect slogan for Brooklyn comes the reailty that there's no one slogan that's good enough for the borough. Instead, the borough will use a variety of civilian-suggested slogans for different campaigns. According to the Daily News, "the Brooklyn Tourism Partnership will use several slogans - which range from the classy ('Brooklyn: Bridge to the World') to the wacky ('Brooklyn: The Tenth Planet') and possibly risque ('Do It In Brooklyn') - for specific advertising campaigns." Hey, aren't there only eight planets?

In the chaos of Tuesday's first day of the transit strike, the offical opening of the elegant and surprisingly affordable Philippe went nearly unnoticed. But with that over, the reasons to try it outweigh the reasons to order in greasy noodles from around the corner another night (No OLLIES!) .

November 6: NYC Marathon Brunch at Central Park Boathouse

Now, you know us, we'll drink to anything- Tuesday, pandas, a subway ride without a man exposing himself to us- but recent events have really made us wonder if we shouldn't be doing more with those dollars.

Noho Star sits on the busy southwest corner of Lafayette and Bleecker Streets, offering a capacious dining space along with a gargantuan food selection reputed as American/Chinese fare. Nightly dinner specials range from vichyssoise to "Szechuan Classic: Ants climing trees!," and the gastronomic space between is filled with an assortment of noodles, omelettes, burgers, grilled fish, organic poultry dishes, and a range of sandwiches from paninis to BLT's. If skeptical of clashing flavors, fear not, Gothamist assures you Noho Star's chefs are cooking with organic eggs, highest quality meats & seafood, and in-season, market-fresh fruits and vegetables. Also a hit for brunch, Gothamist highly recommends the menu's Noho Brunch Classics, indulgent egg entrees best paired with a mimosa or steaming hot cup of coffee. This tops the list as one of Gothamist's favorite any-hours dining spots -- what are some of yours?

Perusing the brunch menu, we quickly noticed a lack of sweet stuff -- no pancakes or french toast -- but, aKa compensates with a smattering of Mexican-inspired egg, omelette dishes, sandwiches, and casseroles.

This Saturday, May 7th will mark the 131st Kentucky Derby at the venerable Churchill Downs in Louisville. But, this year Brooklynites will be happy to learn that they can partake of the festivities without leaving Atlantic Avenue.

Only in New York, kids: Hundreds of people turn out for a showdown between a chicken-penguin named Chegwin and a chicken-skunk, Chunk, for Chove, obviously a chicken-dove, on Lafayette Street this past Saturday. Jake captured the event, noting that "after about 15 minutes of mini-riot/art-theatre, the police broke it up." Gothamist fully supports hybrid animal performance art on city streets. Will Ligers versus...um, Zebears (think stripey bears!) be next?