521337 Wed May 21 10:15:54 -0700 2008 9 18 Manhattan 0 3708469 Had breakfast at Norma's, and well, the best thing I can say about it is that the orange juice was delicious. But seriously, at $8, it should be buying me breakfast. What can I say about the food? Meh. I think the kitchen confuses quantity with quality. And, contrary to what Norma's thinks, there is such a thing as too sweet (honestly, the sweet blueberry pancakes are served with sweet blueberry compote and Devonshire cream, and then a side of maple syrup?). But my big issue with Norma's? As their website claims (http://normasnyc.com/eat1.php): Do we like kids? More than whipped cream. Thing is, they sure don't act like they like kids (but judging by the menu, they sure like whipped cream). My 20-month old was given a rickety high chair, a paper cup from which to drink her juice from, and kind of brusque, disinterested service from our waiter. Generally, we found that in other restaurants that claim to be kid-friendly - Blue Smoke, Landmarc - the staff tended to be, well, friendly towards the kid; at Norma's the service was indifferent at best, and the maitre d' was especially chilly (perhaps because I wasn't in a suit-and-tie, although I think it was because his tie was too tight). Anybody else feel Norma's is a little overrated (not to mentioned overpriced)? Wed May 21 10:15:56 -0700 2008 18130 2 cents 1 3708618 This is my post from several years ago. You will see people have mixed thoughts about Norma's. I haven't been back. http://www.chowhound.com/topics/213319 Wed May 21 10:51:23 -0700 2008 3708469 10726 TrishUntrapped 1 3709234 I love Norma's, but only when I'm in the mood to have a ridiculous, sweet, cavity-inducing breakfast (although I do like their foie gras french toast also). It's not gourmet food by any stretch, but I found the pricing pretty fair for what you get and the neighborhood, etc. I don't have kids, so I can't speak to the child-friendliness of the place, but knowing how crowded it can be I wouldn't think of it as an ideal place to bring a child that needs a high chair. As for the staff's indifference, well, I doubt that the management can dictate just how effusive their staff has to be when in the presence of children, and basic politeness is probably all that's "required." Not everyone likes kids (I SURE don't), and though I'm sure there are people that would have gone gaga over your little one, you may just have run into a few that are child-haters like me. Wed May 21 13:31:23 -0700 2008 3708469 56050 biondanonima 2 3711371 Well, I guess that's my point. The food itself is kind of irrelevant (as others have noted, some people love the food and some hate it); my issue is that Norma's passes itself off as "child-friendly", and to that end I don't think that "basic politeness" in the presence of children is sufficient. I certainly don't force me and my family into restaurants that would rather not have kids dine in their establishments (I totally understand that there are lots of places where bringing your kid[s] - at no matter what time - is inappropriate), but if you're going to say you're child-friendly, then you better act the part. And, frankly, isn't it part of management's job to ensure that their staff be friendly (and not just to kids)? Unless of course management doesn't care (which may be the case). In the end, I just felt that really, the restaurant isn't all that child-friendly, which is fine - they just shouldn't bill themselves as such, that's all. Thu May 22 08:07:47 -0700 2008 3709234 18130 2 cents 3 3711426 2 cents, you write here that "the food itself is kind of irrelevant". However, the reason why most of the responders discuss the food and whether or not they like Norma's (rather than the discussing the child issue) is that the actual question you posed was, "Anyone else feel Norma's is a little overrated (not to mentioned overpriced)?" Just FYI! Thu May 22 08:26:18 -0700 2008 3711371 102095 vvvindaloo 1 3709390 Agree that the $8 orange juice is the best thing there. Since it's free refills, I do pretty much have it pay for my breakfast. Even at your local diner, a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice will run you $5 for something half the size. But yes, everything else is your average brunch fare. Wed May 21 14:13:06 -0700 2008 3708469 13289 Porthos 2 3709516 Everything else is your average bruch fare? Not even close. There's nothing "average" about Norma's. I used to be a fan, but the novelty wore off pretty quickly so I don't go anymore. But I still would never call it "average." Wed May 21 14:49:55 -0700 2008 3709390 10820 Blumie 1 3710399 I eat regularly at Norma's and find it great. Yes, the OJ is good, but the Huevos Rancheros, Lemon Pancakes, Norma's Eggs Benedict, and many more dishes are not just large they presented beautifully and are delicious. Never had a bad meal there. Wed May 21 20:08:52 -0700 2008 3708469 105718 spmp 1 3710566 Sorry you had a bad experience there... took my wife and three boys (all under age 8 at the time) there last year for her birthday, and the staff was really good to the kids and the food was pretty much what I expected... a little over-the-top, but fun and yummy. Definitely wouldn't eat breakfast there every week -- I'd be fat as a house <laughs> But still lots of fun, and I would definitely go back sometime when I have a chance. Wed May 21 21:03:07 -0700 2008 3708469 194318 mortonhound 1 3710600 I don't think Norma's is overrated on these boards at all, due to the fact that there is both a lot of praise and a lot of criticism of them. Other outlets may narrow-mindedly tout Norma's as the be-all-end-all of upscale brunches in midtown, but I don't really think that they are wrong to tout them. I've enjoyed everything I've ever eaten there (been to brunch 3x in about as many years). The service leaves something to be desired- I have noticed indifference, and also simple harriedness. That place is jumping. One thing that would-be diners ought to know before going is that Norma's specializes in over-the-top: the toast is huge, the pancakes are decadent and the butter is generous. Their french toast, which I happen to love, is one of those dishes you should only order if you love sweet, heavy breakfasts and are prepared to go straight home afterwards, put your pjs back on, and take a nap. That said, the maitre d is always surly. There's no excuse for this, but I think the reason is that it seems to be the rule that just about everyone will wait beyond their reservation time, and I've seen a lot of (justifiably) annoyed diners get impatient with him and harass him every 5 minutes. Wed May 21 21:25:49 -0700 2008 3708469 102095 vvvindaloo