Brunch, Hell's Kitchen

[ebecker]

Cozy, affordable, delicious... and not insanely crowded on a Saturday morning? Asking too much?

[RGR]

While Marseille -- the attractive, bustling brasserie -- is not cozy, the food is very good.

http://www.marseillenyc.com

West Bank Cafe is more low-key with very pleasing ambiance and delicious food as well.

http://www.westbankcafe.com

[D...DF]

West Bank is certainly more comfortable. I find the ambience to be dated, but it is cozier than Marseille.

[RGR]

If by "dated" you mean tables which are well-spaced instead of jammed on top of one another, not all hard surfaces everywhere, and a noise level which doesn't reach a headache-producing insanely high level, then I'll take dated, thank you. :-)

[D...DF]

West Bank Cafe has all of those things, as well as an overwhelmingly '90s aesthetic. Don't get me wrong, I like it, and it offers the comfort the OP is looking for.

[carfreeinla]

I ate at West Bank tonight. Really enjoyed my meal- had the veggie platter- basically a filling portion of black forbidden rice that tasted like risotto in a baked pumpkin ( seemed like another squash instead) bed, on top of swiss chard- with nuts sprinked on top. Terrific service. Reservations- definitely.

[D...DF]

When I lived in HK I used to make opentable brunch reservations at Marseilles. No wait, delicious food, pretty ambience.

[goodhealthgourmet]

probably :)

seriously though, i don't know about the crowded factor, but check this thread for suggestions...

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/546706

there's also Thalia (8th ave at 50th

)

and i know Eatery and 44 & X are popular, but are usually very crowded.