How do we feel about PENELOPE?

I have a friend who waits tables there, so I've stopped in for a glass of wine, but haven't eaten there. Any thoughts? It seems like a sweet place, nice feeling to it, relaxed, LOVE the white tile and teal interior. Its nice that they make all those baked goods on-site. Anyone been there? Is the food as special as the place feels, or is this one more example of the trend of "down home" style restaurants cropping up everywhere?

how is the mac and cheese there.
sounds like i would enjoy!
thanks for the tip.

I'm honestly not a fan of it. Lacks salt/flavor.

I love it. Food isn't trying to be more than what it is, though the grilled chicken club is the best I've had in the city.

The fries are pretty good. I usually get a side of either their balsamic mayo or their pesto mayo to dip them into.

I'm also a big fan of their penny egg sandwich, the nutella french toast is pretty good and their omelette rounds out my brunch standards.

I also really enjoy their artichoke dip and even their burger is passable.

The place itself is great, even before their slight "facelift" toward the end of this past summer. I find myself there dining solo at the bar if the wife is working late, with in-laws for brunch, with friends from out of town or a midweek meal with the wife.

Link: http://www.bigapplediningguide.com

I had the chicken club on the board's recommendation the last time I was there and was sorely disappointed. It may have had something to do with the overpowering honey mustard they put on it....I couldn't taste anything but that.

I happen to really like the honey mustard - but I can see why that would detract for others.

I've gone with people who have ordered it without and replaced it with pesto mayo. A great alternative.

Okay. I'll have to try that next time, although some of the other menu items (i.e. pot pie, spinach pie...) also look really tempting! Thanks for the tip.

fyi...we didn't care for the spinach pie that much last time we had it. It was okay...but not great.

The food at Penelope is definitely more down home than special, but I like the place and its atmosphere. I've been for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Brunch is very good but crowded. I believe that the lunch and dinner menus are the same. The sandwiches are all good. I also like their veggie burger, and their spinach pie is pretty good.

i have yet to go to penelope for anything besides brunch, but their brunch is incredible. i've had their blueberry waffles, pumpkin waffles, penny egg sandwich and eggs with asparagus. i have loved them all. food is great, service is friendly, and it's not too expensive, and it's right around the corner from my apartment! can't go wrong with that, plus, i haven't taken advantage of it, but they have $12 brooklyn pitchers.

i have heard that their dinner is very good with a recommendation to try the bblt.

I agree- love Penelope's as well. I have mostly been for brunch and I love their eggs benedict with fontina and the fries there are to die for. I recently went in for lunch and had a really nice veggie burger salad with goat cheese. Service is on target also.

I second the penny egg sandwich. best breakfast sandwich going. you can add chicken apple sausage or bacon and the pesto is a nice touch.