Down to 5 restaurants - need to pick 1
Doing brunch on Saturday as a first date. None of these restaurants take reservations though. Which is best to get to know someone (no pressure to eat and leave)? I prefer uptown but could make it downtown as well.
1. Good Enough To Eat (upper west side)
2. Clinton Street Baking Co (downtown, LES)
3. Little Owl (downtown, west village)
4. Blue Ribbon Bakery & Cafe (downtown)
5. Sarabeth's (upper east side OR upper west side)
By deena123
on Feb 18, 2010 05:06 PM
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Clinton Street and Little Owl are really great but you might run into issues of wait time, something I'm not sure you want to deal with on a first date. Sarabeth's is good (not the best of the bunch food-wise) and you might have a better time getting in. I have only been to the location at Central Park South which can feel a bit rushed, likely due to the tourists piling in.
I can't comment on Good Enough and Blue Ribbon as I haven't been to brunch at either.
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I've been to all five and with the exception of Little Owl, there's been a long list of people waiting and lots of eyes on you as you sit and eat. TONS of pressure to turn tables at GETE, Clinton Street, Blue Ribbon Bakery, and Sarabeth's UWS (haven't been to UES).
Not too bad at Little Owl, I think there might have actually been some (not a lot but some) empty seats whenever I've brunched there. Surprisingly quiet compared to dinner.
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would go with Blue Ribbon. big menu, good scene with solid food. love Little Owl but perhaps a bit too intimate for a first date, unless you're going for that.
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In my opinion, you will hurt the date by having such a long wait for a table. Jane on Houston Street honors reservations and does not make you wait. Brunch is terrific.
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Jane
100 West Houston Street, New York, NY 10012
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Unfortunately, for Saturday brunch, Jane serves more of a "lunch" menu with a handful of breakfast dishes. Their Sunday brunch menu is much more comprehensive. Also, if it's for this weekend, it may be fully booked already as they hold some of the tables for walk-ins.
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Go with Blue Ribbon Bakery & Cafe. If it's too long a wait, go directly across the street to the Blue Ribbon Downing Street Wine Bar which will not be crowded and now serves a great brunch.
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I found Good Enough To Eat not worth the wait whatsoever. and that wait would be a little excrutiating for a first date.
Sarabeth's will prob take rezzies. If u are looking for UWS, try Isabella's, Nice Matin, Ocean Grill, West branch. All take reservations and decent brunch
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West Branch is a very good brunch, agreed.
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Totally agree on West Branch.
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I've been to both Clinton Street and Sarabeth's. Both are great for brunch but again Clinton Street on a Saturday will be packed out. You can make a reservation for Sarabeth's on opentable if you like.
I haven't been to the others on your list, but I echo the recs for Jane. They have some great brunch dishes especially the French toast that is creme brulee battered and served with strawberry butter on request, terrific innovative egg dishes like lobster benny and crawfish benny.
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