Breakfast Near The Carlyle Hotel

[becca31]

My husband and I will be in NYC from December 28th through January 1st. We are looking for an inexpensive place to eat breakfast (eggs, toast, etc.) within walking distance of our hotel, The Carlyle, on the Upper East Side. We may splurge and have brunch one day, but I am just wondering about a basic, quick breakfast that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Any suggestions?

[Jane A.]

Updating: There's a new Soup Burg on Lexington between 77th & 78th with breakfast specials including: juice, one egg, toast, potato, and coffee for $3.45. The diner on the corner of 75th & Lex is the Starwich. The one the hospital people frequent is the Lennox Hill Grill. They're all within a couple of blocks of one another and all on the east side of Lexington. Hope this helps

[Gelaine]

There's also Viand on Madison (east side) just north of 78th Street. Probably similar to the 3 Guys. Viand is not cheap but good..... typical coffee shop stuff. If you're around for lunch, they are noted for their fresh turkey sandwiches. (BIg enough to split if you're not real chowhounds.)

[becca31]

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions! I have narrowed it down to a few good options where we can get breakfast for under $15 total. We are trying to keep breakfast and lunch costs low so we can have some really great dinners/drinks while we are in town.

[Jane A.]

If you go two blocks East to Lexington Avenue, you'll find a couple of basic NYC diners on the far side of Lexington up or down a block or so. The one that's called something like the Lennox Hill (it serves all the folks who work at the hospital, is actually pretty good. I think there's a 3-Star Diner or some name like that another block up. Nothing Chi-chi at any of these places, just basic diner. Madison Avenue tends to cost 2 or 3 times what Lexington costs.

[MMRuth]

I'd suggest walking down to 73rd Street and make a right to Via Quadronno - it's between 5th and Madison - some of the best coffee in Manhattan, I think. Though - no eggs and toast - rather pastries and breakfast panini.

[MMRuth]

There's also a Three Guys coffee shop across the street from the Carlyle, though I've not had breakfast there.

[gramercyfoodie]

I love Three Guys coffee shop. It is cheap for Madison Ave standards but 2 or 3x's the price of any coffee shop you've ever been to...but it's right across the street from the Hotel and very reliable and good.

[MMRuth]

There's also a Nectar up a bit on Madison too I think - maybe 79th Street?

[gramercyfoodie]

yes, I think 3 Guys is superior for food and people watching ;)

[RGR]

I can't help you with your cheap breakfast, but if you do decide to splurge and have brunch, I highly recommend Cafe Boulud, just across the street from the Carlyle, on 76th, b/t Madison & 5th. It's always been a favorite of ours for lunch and dinner. Recently, they started serving Sunday brunch, and we tried it a few weeks ago. Delicious! And, of course, the usual polished service and lovely, civilized atmospherics.

http://www.danielnyc.com/cafeboulud

[fliss]

There's a Dean and Deluca uptown on Madison and 85th where you can get great coffee and muffins/coffeecake/bagels etc.
I can also recommend Eli Zabar's EAT on Madison and 80th/81st - although it isn't exactly cheap - you can get great blintzes, a concoction called Tower of Bagel - and fabulous breads. The carrot cake is great too if you fancy a somewhat decadent breakfast!
Pick-a-Bagel is fine for a chain of bagel stores - I've had the cinnamon raisin bagel and it did the trick.

[becca31]

I may be answering my own question, but does anyone know anything about Pick A Bagel at Lexington and 77th Street? Breakfast platters are under $5/person. Any other suggestions?

[gramercyfoodie]

Pick A Bagel is great too. My favorite bagels. Keep in mind seating could be challenging and cold (2 doors - one on each side of the store), but a great place.