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atwood Dec 18, 2005 04:27 PM

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?

  1. s
    sallypartdeux Dec 18, 2005 08:07 PM

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

    1 Reply
    1. re: sallypartdeux
      d
      dkstar1 Dec 18, 2005 09:16 PM

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

    2. d
      dkstar1 Dec 18, 2005 06:41 PM

      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

      4 Replies
      1. re: dkstar1
        n
        nychowgirl Dec 19, 2005 09:31 AM

        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.

        1. re: nychowgirl
          d
          dkstar1 Dec 19, 2005 10:18 AM

          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.

          1. re: dkstar1
            n
            nychowgirl Dec 19, 2005 10:56 AM

            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.

            1. re: nychowgirl
              d
              dkstar1 Dec 19, 2005 03:47 PM

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

      2. l
        Lucia Dec 18, 2005 06:11 PM

        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.

        1. j
          jon Dec 18, 2005 05:11 PM

          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.

          2 Replies
          1. re: jon
            f
            foodie for life Dec 18, 2005 05:51 PM

            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.

            1. re: foodie for life
              m
              max dugan Dec 19, 2005 10:08 AM

              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.

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