601815 Sat Mar 07 07:13:00 -0800 2009 30 18 Manhattan 0 4482040 Looking for suggestions for my favorite meal of the week in the East Village. It seems everyone is offering brunch these days, but who in particular is worth trying? Especially interested in places that don't have a ridiculous wait (a lot to ask, I realize). Sat Mar 07 07:13:00 -0800 2009 272431 insatiable_one 1 4482091 Heya insatiable_one, I can't think of any great brunch places on my mind that don't have insane waits. Well wait, I can say 7A is good and so is Yuca Bar next door; they are excellent without an enormous wait. I accidentally missed the 'short wait' preference before I started writing, which these two following places don't adhere to (Westville East sometimes, but it can get busy). Nevertheless if you desire to turn to the dark side (long waits), here's some reviews: Clinton Street Bakery -- The longest wait for weekend brunch downtown, hands down. It is fantastic, however, if you choose to wait. Their pancakes are divine, their Cuban Sandwich is glorious, and their specials are delightful. Again, extremely busy on the weekends (2 hour waits are common). But if you reaaally want great brunch, this is a great start. It's technically in the Lower East Side, but right on the boarder of the East Village. Westville East -- this is a good neighborhood one, particularly if you like vegetables. This also can get busy, but not as long of waits as Clinton St. Their salads are solid, eggs with potato hash is good too. Great Turkey burger. I personally like going to lunch for one dish alone: their grilled lemon marinated chicken with 2 choices of veggies--does well for health points and taste. It generally has a fun, youthful atmosphere. For a neighborhood spot, it's solid. Sat Mar 07 07:33:09 -0800 2009 4482040 213669 silencespeak 2 4566578 We love Clinton Street too. But we had our longest wait this past weekend (1.5 hours), and I have to say it was NOT worth that wait. If you don't have to wait it's a very enjoyable place. But waiting that long for pancakes is absurd. They're very good but not THAT good. My girlfriend got the bacon and egg biscuit sandwich, as usual. It was as good as ever, but, again, not worthy of that sort of wait out in the cold. Fri Apr 03 22:01:23 -0700 2009 4482091 277411 Slob 1 4482527 The Smith is fine--a little greasy but big portions and fun atmosphere. Cafe Orlin is pretty solid and offers interesting brunch choices. There is usually a wait though but not too ridiculous. Sat Mar 07 11:07:23 -0800 2009 4482040 202510 starsee 1 4482791 Prune (long wait) Public (not EV but very close if you live by Houston/Bowery edge) The Smith (pretty good, but popular) Westville East (some what of a wait) Ciao for Now (more of a coffee shop, but super cute) Belcourt (though I think their chef just left) Caffe Emilia (mostly egg stuff and panini, like Taralluci e Vino or 'ino/'inoteca, but done very well) Cafe Mogador (some middle eastern dishes, too) Cafe Orlin (cheap, tasty, good home fries) Veselka (Ukranian, good, cheap, crowded) La Palapa (inexpensive pre fixe) Grape and Grain (on my list to try) Flea Market Cafe (have only been for dinner, seems serviceable but not extraordinary), Stage Restaurant (old school diner style) B&H Dairy Vegetarian Restaurant (same) Tree (on my list to try) Back Forty (on my list to try) Chinatown Brasserie (dim sum, technically Noho) Pinche Taqueria, Downtown Bakery, Puebla (breakfast tacos and burritos) Five Points (love this spot, technically Noho) Double Crown (great atmosphere, not too crowded) Momofuku Ssam Bar (egg dishes only) Pylos (and you can get some stuff off the regular menu, too, they have amazing pita bread) Sunburnt Cow (known for their bottomless drink specials) Newish: Simon Sips, JoeDoe, Arlo & Esme, Mercury Dime, Yerba Buena, Absinthe. Best brunches: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/598414 Sat Mar 07 13:22:01 -0800 2009 4482040 10936 kathryn 2 4561676 Also, Ciao for Now has moved from its previously wonderful space on E 12th to the back of a store selling organic products on Ave. A. Bummer. Thu Apr 02 12:34:49 -0700 2009 4482791 27787 sara333 3 4562931 Really? I thought the cafe inside that store was simply a 3rd location. Thu Apr 02 19:02:48 -0700 2009 4561676 10936 kathryn 4 4563784 The 12th st location is still there, and when I walked past it, it seems they are either expanding or moving to a shop right across the current place. Kathryn, Caffe Emilia is closed and gutted last time I walked past a couple days ago. http://orderinny.wordpress.com/2009/02/16/ciao-for-now/ Fri Apr 03 06:29:35 -0700 2009 4562931 17412 xigua 5 4565844 I live on the same block as Ciao For Now, and they moved from their location at 504 E 12th Street to a larger space at 523 (?) E. 12th Street, on the north side of the street. Don't worry, they're still there. Fri Apr 03 16:12:42 -0700 2009 4563784 150942 whitneybee 5 4566389 D'oh! Oh, well. A lot of places on that avenue aren't doing so hot. Fri Apr 03 20:09:29 -0700 2009 4563784 10936 kathryn 2 4567037 Belcourt,...The didn't leave in the end. Matt was made a partner and is staying on. Sat Apr 04 08:41:50 -0700 2009 4482791 117271 Stuffed Monkey 2 4575691 I went to Ssam bar on Sunday at 1pm and didn't have to wait, we were a party of 4. I was amazed. They had three egg dishes and a special as well. Tue Apr 07 12:08:24 -0700 2009 4482791 15968 lanadai 1 4561482 Chef at Belcourt still there. Thu Apr 02 11:36:17 -0700 2009 4482040 38520 sadiemulcadie 2 4562401 Prune is pretty good. They have a page in their menu dedicated to a variety of bloody mary's. It's also probably the only place in NYC where you can get a "real" monte christo. Phenomenal. Five Points is pretty good as well. Thu Apr 02 15:53:31 -0700 2009 4561482 141388 babaganoushface 2 4562924 Well, he said he was going to leave...and then he came back. So there you have it. Thu Apr 02 18:58:42 -0700 2009 4561482 10936 kathryn 1 4564252 Paprika is hands down my fav brunch place in the EV. It flies under the radar, so its never too crowded. Belcourt is also great, as well as Pylos Fri Apr 03 08:51:22 -0700 2009 4482040 212444 ExFlexitarian 2 4566558 I agree! There is never a wait at Paprika and brunch is very decent! Pylos is one of the greatest places in the East Village, I love the dinner and I am sure brunch is great although I've never tried it, I've also never had anything at dinner that wasn't wonderful. Belcourt's brunch is fantastic. Fri Apr 03 21:50:35 -0700 2009 4564252 138990 picklesister 1 4564798 I second Five Points - good food and ambiance and you can reserve in advance. Grape and Grain is also excellent, but more casual and homey. Prune is famous for brunch but the wait can be over an hour. Fri Apr 03 11:09:41 -0700 2009 4482040 29681 iluvtochow 1 4564814 To avoid a ridiculous wait go early. Get there when brunch starts - typically 11am. I've heard Belcourt Cafe is great but I went at 1:30pm and there was an hour wait (forget it). If you want to go a little lower - I suggest Inoteca in the LES. Great brunch spot and fabulous wine list (added bonus). Fri Apr 03 11:14:34 -0700 2009 4482040 200203 kissy28c 2 4565362 Agreed...If you go around 11, you'll have your pick of going pretty much anywhere. www.thelunchbelle.com Fri Apr 03 13:39:32 -0700 2009 4564814 110996 LeahBaila 3 4577857 Had brunch at Belcourt this weekend. Was fine. Just fine. Nothing amazing -- standard East Village brunch if that makes sense. We walked in at 12:10PM and it was empty. By 12:30 every table was full. Wed Apr 08 07:31:31 -0700 2009 4565362 15979 Sugar 4 4578076 Agreed, Belcourt is ok. A little rich, not fabulous. Wed Apr 08 08:25:29 -0700 2009 4577857 146162 maggiej 5 4580214 I love the salt cod hash there, I don't think that's very standard Wed Apr 08 20:46:45 -0700 2009 4578076 15968 lanadai 6 4580282 Agreed, the salt cod hash is awesome. Their grilled cheese w/tomato soup is also a lovely options for vegetarians. Wed Apr 08 21:30:56 -0700 2009 4580214 212444 ExFlexitarian 7 4580825 That is true. My sister got the grilled cheese with the tomato soup which was good. Nothing else really stood out in my mind. Thu Apr 09 07:24:04 -0700 2009 4580282 15979 Sugar 1 4575245 I've been wanting to try brunch at Yerba Buena. Here it's great and they have a really good drink deal. Go early though, bc around 2p or after they won't let you in... Tue Apr 07 10:30:38 -0700 2009 4482040 252331 eameyer 2 4578072 We had brunch at Yerba Buena and everyone's dish was good/fine except mine, which was so salty I could barely finish it. And I don't really mind salt. Wed Apr 08 08:25:02 -0700 2009 4575245 146162 maggiej 1 4577994 Anybody tried brunch at Apiary yet? Wed Apr 08 08:05:34 -0700 2009 4482040 10578 RCC 2 4580847 Brunch @ Five Points is one of my favorites in the area. I also really enjoy Essex on the Lower East side but can get crowded and reservations are definitely required. Freeman's also has a great brunch menu as well. Jule's Bistro and Cafe Mogador are also pretty good spots that don't really require reservations. Thu Apr 09 07:34:08 -0700 2009 4577994 281129 CMG920 3 4581257 Essex is great and a ressie is a must. Libation is a good option when Essex is full...similar brunch deal... Thu Apr 09 09:24:28 -0700 2009 4580847 252331 eameyer 2 4583094 Yeah--I did on opening weekend. I had eggs any style. They were scrambled and underseasoned--pretty boring, but I did order a boring dish. My friends had the salmon benedict. One of them found it too salty. I'm not rushing back, but it was opening weekend. Thu Apr 09 18:57:13 -0700 2009 4577994 10216 Lucia