247699 Thu Oct 27 13:41:22 -0700 2005 11 19 Outer Boroughs 0 1316533 Normally I stick to brunch in my own Prospect Heights/Park Slope neighborhood but I'm meeting a friend for brunch on Smith Street and I realized that I have no idea who does a good brunch. Any recommendations? Excellent bloody marys, yummy eggs benedict variations are all pluses. Something that won't have a super-long wait for a party of 2 or 3 around 12:30. Thanks! Thu Oct 27 13:41:22 -0700 2005 0 JessicaSophia 1 1316538 My wife and I have tried most brunch spots on Smith Street and always seem to wind up at Bar Tabac. The eggs dishes are great, the burgers are juicy, and the coffee is strong. We have tried basically everything on the brunch menu with the French Toast, Eggs Benedict, and Burger being the perennial favorites. Meals are about $10 with coffee, just like everywhere else on Smith Street. I should emphasize that I find their coffee really, really good. Patois is also a good second choice and for $12 you get free refills of bloody marys, mimosas, and coffee. The food is pretty good too, though I recall the eggs benedict as hitting the spot that particular morning. Gravy is fun in a faux-1950's kind of way. The juicy lucy burger there is especially good. As for the quality of bloody marys, I am skipping that part of your question. Even as a former bartender who told customers I made the world's best bloody marys (doesn't every bartender say that?), I can't speak to their taste because I find them unappetizing. Sorry. In our experience Robin du Bois was extremely underwhelming, as was Banania Cafe. My experience suggests that service is spotty at best at the final three places I mention. Thu Oct 27 14:32:52 -0700 2005 1316533 0 AmityGuy 2 1316541 I disagree with Bar Tabac- the food is medoicre at best. For example the eggs were tasteless. Gravy also has pretty bad food. Patios is a good choice, as is LuluC. Thu Oct 27 14:59:05 -0700 2005 1316538 0 MattV 3 1316551 Try Caffe Carciofo on Court & Kane. I think their brunch is $10.95 and comes w/ java/tea, fruit, choice of the typical brunch style items and either a bloody or mermosa. We ate their recently with a party of eight, most of which were from out of town, and they were all were very satisfied with the food, service and ambiance. Thu Oct 27 17:19:13 -0700 2005 1316541 0 JLeone 1 1316540 Bar Tabac IS really yummy, but my favorite brunch place is actually on COURT street (1 block west of Smith Street)-- Le Petit Cafe. SOOO YUMMY and very reasonably priced. Plus, the atmosphere is great because you eat out back in their eclectic garden (don't worry, it's covered AND they have lots of heaters). I recommend any of the breakfast specials and their paninis are out of this world. Thu Oct 27 14:55:01 -0700 2005 1316533 0 sam 2 1316566 i agree with sam. bar tabac is a good spot for brunch. never had brunch at le petit but that was my fav place for java and i love their cheese danish. a few other brunch recs i have, although another poster did not like this place, is banania. i really enjoy their food, but am not thrilled about their $7 mimosas. i like the salad with tiger shrimp and avocados (don't remember the name verbatim but i think it's always on the menu). village 247 is a good place for brunch also, although it's limited to mostly egg selections, which is fine if that is what you want. they make great omelettes and i love their mini muffins they bring out...mmmm. they have an outdoor heated garden also. enjoy brunch. Thu Oct 27 20:54:47 -0700 2005 1316540 0 lotsanivanh 1 1316546 I have to also disagree with the "Robin du Bois" (aka "Sherwood Forest" aka the restaurant with the miniature Michelin Man out front) posting. While the food nothing hyper-creative, my friends and I have always found the brunches and accompanying drinks pretty reliable (and in the case of drinks, generous). Tabac is spotty and sometimes too loud & crowded for my tastes, although the Eggs Bar Tabac are good. Gravy should be avoided, despite the price. I love Robin du Bois and always find myself going back again and again. It's great for groups, too. We just went last weekend... Thu Oct 27 16:53:11 -0700 2005 1316533 0 Court St. Surly 1 1316562 While I am not big on brunch, I really enjoy the brunch at Chestnut. Link: http://www.chestnutonsmith.com/brunch/ Thu Oct 27 20:27:38 -0700 2005 1316533 0 Sugarcookie 1 1316567 If you're looking for something different, I'd go for Chestnut. Good drinks, and definitely not your typical brunch food. All of the options are unique and pretty tasty. For standard eggs benedict and the like, Tabac, Luluc and Banania are all solid choices-no huge difference between any of them. Thu Oct 27 21:33:06 -0700 2005 1316533 0 david 2 1316600 Second Chestnut. I find that Patois is better than any of the three other choices you mention though. Fri Oct 28 14:28:05 -0700 2005 1316567 0 Sir Gawain 1 1316582 I like Gravy, but I only ever order the biscuits. It was a better deal at $6, but $7.50 isn't terrible. For other choices, I've liked Village 247 best, so far. Link: http://twentyaday.com Fri Oct 28 11:33:26 -0700 2005 1316533 0 mikey utah 1 1316602 Thanks for weighing in, everyone! I guess I'm going to decide between Bar Tabac, Chestnut and Patois-- whomever's not too busy to accommodate us. I loved dinner at Chestnut, so maybe we'll try their brunch. But the Bloody Mary refills at Patois are tempting, especially considering my brunch companion! Fri Oct 28 14:34:50 -0700 2005 1316533 0 JessicaSophia