603902 Sun Mar 15 07:10:16 -0700 2009 10 19 Outer Boroughs 0 4506332 Visiting Carroll Gardens today for brunch, and scanning the boards and blogs, it appears that the recommended brunch places in that area have closed in the last few months: Boerum Hill Food Co, Patois and Miriam have all closed since January. So, given the closures, does anybody have any recommendations for brunch in Carroll Gardens (or Cobble Hill, along Smith St., etc.)? I'm looking for something more traditional - I don't feel the need to be challenged on a Sunday morning - and would really love to find a place where I wouldn't have to wait 20 minutes for a table, but realize that this may be unrealistic. Thanks in advance, CHers! Sun Mar 15 07:10:16 -0700 2009 25168 cjd260 1 4512592 Most of Smith St restaurants do brunch, so do some of the bars. We've had great brunch at Char No 4. And a decent brunch at Clover Club. Chestnut is a little hit or miss. I think Lunetta does brunch though I've only had dinner. Coco Roco does a good brunch. Po does brunch though again, only have been for dinner. Tue Mar 17 08:06:59 -0700 2009 4506332 10971 Nehna 2 4512649 Thanks. We actually ended up at Chestnut, which was 'good', not excellent: the orange margarita was fantastic and I loved the oatmeal pancakes, but - as has been suggested previously on this board - nothing was really hot enough, and their spin on benedict, serving the eggs over prosciutto and a popover - was different without being better. Memo to the restaurant world: there's a reason that people have served eggs benedict on english muffins since the time of our ancestors (well, grandfathers). A popover just doesn't have the heft or the chewiness to hold up. Tue Mar 17 08:17:56 -0700 2009 4512592 25168 cjd260 3 4556534 Chestnut used to be wonderful for brunch...their pre meal assortment of muffins and scones used to be far more generous and include a homemade jam. I do kind of enjoy their spin on eggs benedict but agree its not really an improvement on the original and its not overly filling either nor are most of their brunch entrees lately. Tue Mar 31 23:15:00 -0700 2009 4512649 10971 Nehna 1 4513660 Frankie's 457 has a small brunch menu, I liked what I had (the vegetarian frittata option) and it was one of the few times there wasn't a wait to get in there. Buttermilk Channel is getting good buzz and a crowd, but I haven't tried it for brunch yet, Abilene is starting to serve brunch and BBQ (haven't tried that yet either), Cafe on Clinton is doing one on Sundays that looks similar to the Patois deal, and I haven't done that yet either. So there are a bunch around to try out anyway. Tue Mar 17 12:28:03 -0700 2009 4506332 197872 citysweettooth 2 4514432 Alchemy is not too far from Carroll Gardens and they have good brunch. Tue Mar 17 16:26:45 -0700 2009 4513660 159519 tabs 2 4524171 The brunch at Buttermilk Channel is excellent! Fri Mar 20 19:10:49 -0700 2009 4513660 67773 curly30 2 4537321 I thought Frankies discontinued brunch last year and now does only lunch & dinner? Wed Mar 25 11:43:52 -0700 2009 4513660 78949 tempehtempeh 1 4534662 The brunch at Char No. 4 is really good, though no promises on a <20min. wait. Haven't tried Buttermilk Channel brunch yet, but that's next on the list. Tue Mar 24 15:09:26 -0700 2009 4506332 154634 ScienceMike 1 4537479 Buttermilk Channel is great and affordable, you just have to get there before 11am and they only have Brunch on Sundays. Frankie's has the best French Toast anywhere around, definitely still serving Brunch. Cafe LuLuc is decent, amazing pancakes, good salads. The hollandaise sauce isn't good though, so avoid it. For something really simple, the Court Diner is good - basic diner breakfast. Robin Des Bois also has a good brunch that won't break the bank. Lots of options and variety. Wed Mar 25 12:22:35 -0700 2009 4506332 229854 Eat It Brooklyn 2 4538115 Second Robin as a reliable option- in fact all the french places are okay, I just prefer Robin. Lunetta's was really good the one time I tried it. I've heard great things about Char's but haven't tried it yet. Wanted to try Buttermilk Channel's last week, but but they only serve it on Sundays. Wed Mar 25 15:03:33 -0700 2009 4537479 20346 bhill