456906 Sat Nov 03 11:17:04 -0700 2007 22 18 Manhattan 0 3091975 Live on the Lower East Side and am looking for a new brunch place for tomorrow. Have tried all the usual suspects - Clinton St., Prune, etc. but am looking to try something new either in the LES or EV. Any recommendations? Thanks in advance. Sat Nov 03 11:17:04 -0700 2007 44066 faithdog 1 3092138 Not sure what else can be included under the "etc" you've already tried, but here's where I'd start beyond CSBC and Prune in the neighborhoods you've listed: 9th St. Market Freemans Westville East Jane (closer to Noho/WV, but walkable and worthwhile) Balthazar (in Soho, but you probably know that anyway) Stanton Social (better with a group) Cafe Brown (far LES) Tasting Room (a handful of enthusiastic recommendations on this board, but I've yet to try it) Sat Nov 03 12:41:07 -0700 2007 3091975 96954 CalJack 2 3092192 I really like the Tasting Room, Westville East, Jane (but only on Sundays, they have a larger menu then), 9th Street Market (but the waits can be long), Balthazar (make a reservation, waits can be long), and Stanton Social (make a reservation, it can get busy). Other spots in the EV, LES, and Noho areas (places is being slow so i only linked a few): 'inoteca Caffe Emilia (mostly egg stuff and panini, like Taralluci e Vino or 'ino/'inoteca, but done very well) Cafe Mogador (some middle eastern dishes) Cafe Orlin (cheap, tasty) Veselka La Palapa (inexpensive pre fixe) Grape and Grain (on my list to try) Stage Restaurant (old school diner style) B&H Dairy Vegetarian Restaurant (same) Tree (on my list to try) Schillers (not as good as Balthazar) Back Forty (just opened, on my list to try, haven't heard anything about brunch yet) Five Points is technically in Noho but the brunch is quite good and on par with Prune and Clinton Street, so that might be my first stop. I liked Stanton Social but the menu is extensive and not every dish is equally delicious (or equally sized). I can't wait until the new restaurant on 3rd ave and 10th (former Pizzeria Uno) by the owners of Jane and Neptune Room opens up. Sat Nov 03 13:10:42 -0700 2007 3092138 10936 kathryn 3 3093952 A few more more to try: Spitzer's Corner (saw a promising "pig benedict" on the menu today as well as a german apple pancake, hickory shortrib burger) Little Giant Rayuela ("freestyle latino" brunch apparently means pancakes with agave nectar, french toast with agave nectar, churros, huevos rancheros) Belcourt (spotted on the menu: english breakfast, vanilla bourbon french toast, salt cod hash, lamb burger, squash/apple raviolo) E.U. Sun Nov 04 11:29:16 -0800 2007 3092192 10936 kathryn 4 3094130 Menus for Spitzer's Corner, Rayuela, and Belcourt below. Sorry about the camera phone quality, and lack of rotation. Sun Nov 04 12:48:46 -0800 2007 3093952 10936 kathryn 1 3092185 May be Shopsins? I like the hearty brunch there! Sat Nov 03 13:08:49 -0700 2007 3091975 54254 kobetobiko 2 3092236 D'oh, knew I left off something on my list. Shopsin's is closed on Sundays, BTW. Which I always forget, and then I show up and Essex St Market is closed. Sat Nov 03 13:30:38 -0700 2007 3092185 10936 kathryn 3 3092262 Oh Kathryn, thanks for reminding. It is indeed closed on Sundays... Sat Nov 03 13:37:51 -0700 2007 3092236 54254 kobetobiko 1 3092359 I Coppi has a nice brunch and a lovely year round garden. Based on my experience service can be relaxed and a few recent reports indicated inconsistent service. That said, I've always enjoyed their brunch. Sat Nov 03 14:19:43 -0700 2007 3091975 73159 financialdistrictresident 1 3092975 Have you tried Mancora? It's often overlooked. Or, if you're into that kind of thing, try Organic Grill on 1st Ave. It's not entirely vegan, so you can get eggs - or go for the waffles or veggie burger. http://theorganicgrill.com/3.html Sat Nov 03 19:52:25 -0700 2007 3091975 10681 piccola 1 3093015 What about Jule's? They have live jazz. Is that still the EV? Mole. Barrio Chino. Those maragritas can get pricey. Especially the jalapeno grapefruit ones . . . Also like the Good World on Orchard (LES), primarily for their hot pepper vodka martinis. Last time I went food was not good, they adjusted the bill. Time before that it was. Like the ambience (and those martinis). They have a little patio too. Wish I could still suggest long defunct Cafe Lika (became: One91, Heirloom, Core91, now ?) on Orchard. They had a decent, affordable brunch and a nice garden. Sat Nov 03 20:13:20 -0700 2007 3091975 73159 financialdistrictresident 1 3093369 The Nolita House makes a killer brunch...best French toast can be found at The Flea Market Cafe Sun Nov 04 05:43:07 -0800 2007 3091975 110996 LeahBaila 2 3094105 Better than Blue Ribbon Bakery, Pastis, Neptune Room, Jane, Balthazar, Five Points, or 9th Street Market? :) Sun Nov 04 12:30:51 -0800 2007 3093369 10936 kathryn 3 3094159 Believe it or not, yes...I was just as suprised as you are. Sun Nov 04 13:01:27 -0800 2007 3094105 110996 LeahBaila 1 3093394 Try Walker's Sun Nov 04 05:57:20 -0800 2007 3091975 90959 CityFoodNY 2 3093619 That's in Tribeca, not EV/LES. Sun Nov 04 08:30:21 -0800 2007 3093394 10936 kathryn 1 3093439 Danal is a kitschy place on East 10th that has a lively brunch scene. Food is "pretty good," not great. Sun Nov 04 06:26:08 -0800 2007 3091975 52499 ChefJune 2 3093722 Danal made me think of the Pink Pony (LES). I've only been there for coffee so not sure how the brunch is. It's a quaint little place. Sun Nov 04 09:27:06 -0800 2007 3093439 73159 financialdistrictresident 3 3094034 Pink Pony is nothing remarkable when it comes to brunch - they do a passable but uninspired job with all the standards, but I wouldn't go out of my way to eat there again. Charmingly quaint atmosphere, and friendly enough with their service (they happily poached me a new set of eggs when the yolks in my first dish came out hard), but better for coffee and a book than brunch outright. The jazz at Jules tends to dominate the meal in my experience, which might be a good thing considering the food was really nothing special. Finding a place that elevates brunch fare above standard-issue adequacy really is quite challenging. Everyone has their standby favorites, but I feel like brunch preferences often have more to do with familiarity and the company you keep than with standout food quality. My hunch is that nothing in the EV/LES can truly match the type of innovation you'll find at Prune, the hearty home-style goodness of Clinton Street Baking Co, or the harried elegance of Balthazar. I will say the menu at Little Giant looks promising, but I've yet to swing that way for brunch. Sun Nov 04 12:03:15 -0800 2007 3093722 96954 CalJack 4 3094119 I agree with you. But I must say that Five Points (pancakes, french toast, lunch-type items, not eggy stuff) comes close, as does The Tasting Room (menu changes daily though, so it's hard to recommend stuff). Belcourt also seems promising given that the chef used to work at Prune. But, hey, a small number of GREAT brunch places is better than none, and the West Village is only a short cab ride away... For a while I had my money on Knife + Fork until they stopped brunch service (had fantastic white asparagus with prosciutto + poached egg, as well as great croque madame) alas. And Stanton Social seems like it can be very good if you're ordering carefully. And willing to swallow that price tag. Sun Nov 04 12:42:58 -0800 2007 3094034 10936 kathryn 5 3094584 Haven't tried Belcourt yet, but thanks for putting it on my radar. I'll agree that Five Points and Tasting Room are both great alternatives and sure to be mobbed before too long (Five Points at least has already become a bit overwhelmed at peak times, if I'm not mistaken). By the way, your response to a recent "Best brunch in NY" query ought to serve as the bible for all future Manhattan brunch posts. Truly comprehensive and thoughtful. Cheers. Sun Nov 04 16:22:18 -0800 2007 3094119 96954 CalJack 6 3095131 Thanks, CalJack! There's still so much more I need to try... Sun Nov 04 20:29:55 -0800 2007 3094584 10936 kathryn 4 3094302 CalJack, thanks for your thoughts on Pink Pony. I agree Jules is nothing special other than a reasonable brunch. Despite the fans and quality, I don't feel Clinton Street Bakery is worth waiting in line for an hour. My best brunch/breakfast experiences have not been in NYC and were good because of the sentiments you discuss above and luckily the food quality. Sun Nov 04 14:20:24 -0800 2007 3094034 73159 financialdistrictresident