Best Breakfast and Brunch in Manhattan, 2010 Version

[kathryn]

Best Breakfast and Brunch (Updated For 2010)

My favorites:

French toast: Pastis (brioche) or Jane (crème-brulee battered) or City Bakery (thick, custard-y, but priced by the pound since it is part of the salad bar). Balthazar (brioche) and Blue Ribbon Bakery (challah) are good, too, but the previous three I listed are slightly better, IMO. Five Points does a nice French toast but their menu changes regularly and it is often stuffed with something (banana with creme anglaise, pumpkin, etc.). Locanda Verde has a more unusual take on French toast for those who like nuts: hazelnut encrusted French toast with a fruit salad. Other hounds like the versions at Flea Market Cafe, The Smith, Westville East, Craftbar, Good, Extra Virgin, and Landmarc (Tribeca).

Donuts: I like the buttermilk beignets at Cookshop, and the churros at Five Points (get them with Mexican hot chocolate for dipping). The donuts and ricotta fritters at Stanton Social are also quite good but on the heavy side. (If you get only one, I'd say the donuts. They're small donut holes, IIRC.) Jane has excellent donuts as does Prune (on the menu as marveilles). Still haven't tried Five Points' donuts. Other hounds like them at Back Forty (a cast of rotating flavors).

Waffles: Balthazar has a nice version with sour cream and nuts. Good Enough to Eat also has bacon tidbits folded into their waffle butter, but I like their crispy bacon enough on its own more than the waffles. If you see them on the menu at Clinton St. though, skip their waffles, they are too dense and heavy. Amy Ruth's or Alias would be my pick for a fried chicken and waffles meal. This dish is also offered at Back Forty, but some hounds find it dry. Other hounds like the waffles at Petite Abeille or the Wafels and Dinges truck (note that the liege waffle is not made to order but the Brussels waffle is made to order).

Pancakes: Clinton Street Baking Company for classic, fresh, fluffy, light maples: the secret is the whipped egg whites folded in at the last second. I love their maple butter and fresh Maine blueberries. Some hounds find the amount of fruit skimpy, though, and the pancakes on the dry side. Prune does a good rendition of a giant, oven-baked moist Dutch pancake which is very good (Resto does something similar with their Dutch Baby which is less thick and more crepe-like). Five Points, Locanda Verde, and Sarabeth's do lemon ricotta pancakes, if your tastes swing that way. So does Shopsin's but I think it's off the menu and Kenny grumbles if you ask for it. But if you're at Shopsin's anyway, get one of their more creative pancakes: the slutty cakes (peanut butter-pumpkin-spices), mac and cheese pancakes with jam on top, or, my personal favorite, the bacon and egg pancakes, with scrambled eggs and bacon pressed into the batter. These are with maple syrup, butter, and hot sauce. Shopsin’s will also do combo orders of different flavors (see menu). The Breslin offers pumpkin pancakes with chili pecan butter that I thought were good but not spicy enough. And the silver dollar pancakes at Stanton Social are also quite good -- try one of the more unusual ones, like chocolate. Morandi does excellent crepes. Other hounds like pancakes at The Little Owl, Spotted Pig, Perry St., Alice's Tea Cup, Fairway Cafe. I’ve also heard good things about Maialino’s version.

Eggs benedict: For a new take on eggs benedict, go to Blue Ribbon Bakery for the Blue Benedict with Serrano ham, Jarlsberg cheese, and tomato. The Smith and Jane both do interesting twists on eggs benedict, swapping out the English muffin for potato waffles, corn cakes, etc. or adding in additional proteins like crab or lobster. Even more unusual is Public’s treatment of poached eggs: on Greek yogurt with kirmizi biber butter. Delicious and quite a bit decadent! Locanda Verde does an excellent poached egg dish with a tomato hollandaise sauce, sausage hash, and spinach, but no carb component. Minetta Tavern kicks it up a notch further with poached eggs on potato latkes. Pricey at $22, but the lightest and least greasy potato pancakes I’ve ever had.

Omelets: I have enjoyed the oyster omelet at Morandi. I'm not a huge omelet person but the cheddar/apple one at Good Enough to Eat is good, as is are the ones at Popover Cafe (partial to the cranberry, bacon, cheddar one which is seasonal).

Other egg dishes: For a classic NY breakfast: eggs scrambled with smoked salmon at Barney Greengrass! I’ve also enjoyed eggs in a puff pastry at Nice Matin or the Goldie Lox at Sarabeth's. For a good breakfast sandwich, try Clinton Street Baking Company: their famous buttermilk biscuits, scrambled eggs, melted cheese, crispy bacon, and excellent house-made tomato jam. And how about the truffled egg toast at 'ino? The skillet eggs at Cookshop are also quite good if you like your eggs sunny side up. I believe they are local NY state eggs. I'm not a huge fan of the baked egg dishes at Five Points but other hounds like the baked eggs at Elizabeth and Nolita House. I also really enjoy the baked eggs at Locanda Verde: served with white beans and kale in a hearty tomato sauce.

Breakfast bread & pastry baskets: Balthazar's Le Panier is $16 but delicious and comes with fruit foccacia with almonds, a pecan sticky bun, and slices of their Valhrona chocolate bread, among other offerings. Their sister restaurants Minetta Tavern and Pastis also offer this same breakfast basket. Blue Ribbon Bakery's is also quite good (they have some of the best challah in town) but you might have to request their famous bacon and onion flatbread as an add-on. On the UWS, try Nice Matin or Ouest (it was so good I wanted them to wrap it so I could take it home). Relatedly, Locanda Verde serves slices of burnt orange toast (toasted on the grill) with heavenly fresh ricotta cheese, drizzled with truffled honey. One of my favorite “bread” dishes ever. Momofuku Milk Bar (takeout) offers an assortment of interesting breakfast breads and pastries on a daily basis like kimchi croissants, green curry banana bread, and bagel bombs. (Unfortunately, they no longer offer biscuit breakfast sandwiches or pork and egg buns). Faustina offers stomboli during brunch dough rolled with prosciutto and smoked mozzarella (same as served at the chef’s other restaurant, Scarpetta). I still need to try the bread basket at Five Points.

Drinks: Norma's, while not one of my favorite breakfast places, actually has fantastic, freshly squeezed OJ and free refills, basically the only thing I liked there. They also typically offer a free sample of the day’s smoothie to guests. Jane has very good lemonade as does Little Owl. The Smith also offers specialty sodas. And there are some great custom juice blends out there: Five Points' Morning Refresher, Prune's Prune Juice, or Sarabeth's Five Flowers Juice.

Bloody Marys: I'm not a fan but my husband likes the spicy ones at Great Jones Café. Prune has an extensive blood mary menu list for your non-traditional Bloodys. A lot of people like the Chicago style one which comes with different pickled vegetables. Other hounds like Upstairs at Bouley, Odeon, Ditch Plains. Relatively, for a good brunch at a serious cocktail lounge, try out Rye House which offers a cocktail list geared more towards fans of mixology.

Bacon: Cookshop has amazing house-made, double-smoked, Berkshire pork bacon that's included with one of the entrees. This might be my favorite bacon in town. It's different from their regular bacon that they offer as a side. I also like Balthazar (thin-cut and juicy), Good Enough to Eat (thick cut and a little tough but good). Clinton St. Baking Company also has pretty good bacon, as does Morandi (it's boar bacon apparently). City Bakery has good bacon, too, but it’s pricey because they charge by the piece. I’ve also heard good things about Maialino’s bacon.

Big country breakfast (biscuits, gravy, eggs, etc.): I've had good ones at The Smith, Perilla, and Alias. Other hounds like Back Forty’s country breakfasts. Oh, and both the Breslin and Public offer British style fry ups.

Sandwiches: Prune make a mean deep-fried Monte Cristo sandwich. Blue Ribbon Bakery does a great duck club sandwich with homemade waffle chips. See also aforementioned breakfast sandwich at Clinton Street Baking Co., and have heard good things about breakfast sandwich at Frankie's Sputino 17 down the street as well as the breakfast sandwich at Joseph Leonard.

Other, quirky items: Shopsin's has basically everything on the menu available during their operating hours (Tuesday - Saturday from 9am to 3pm) so you can easily get soup, salads, sandwiches, other cooked dishes for brunch. If you go to Aquagrill, you can have any of the over two dozen varieties of oysters on their menu. Alias on the Lower East Side has goedda (or goetta) which everyone needs to try at least once in their life. At Prune, I like the coddled eggs and salad dish (very light breakfast), as well as the sausages and oysters platter. At Blue Ribbon Bakery, a lot of their lunch/appetizer items are available; we usually spring for the roasted bone marrow. I am also fond of the sliders or burger at Little Owl, the duck burger at Perilla, or the Spotted Pig burger. You can also order either of the famous hamburgers at Minetta Tavern during brunch service. The green sauce chilquiles at Hecho en Dumbo are fantastic and spicy. If you’re in the mood for breakfast pizza, try Motorino or Pulino’s, who put egg on their pies during weekend lunch service. For artisanal sausages, check out the menu at DBGB’s brunch. And if you find yourself at Rye House, don’t miss the grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwich or the Pittsburgh: grilled andouille sausage, provolone cheese, coleslaw, and French fries in the sandwich itself!

Weekday breakfast & brunch spots:
Early weekend breakfast & brunch spots:
‘ino: 9am daily
202: 8:30am weekdays
71 Irving (coffee shop with food): 7am weekdays, 8am weekends
Abraco (coffee shop with food): Tuesday thru Saturday 8am, Sunday 9am, closed Mondays
Amy's Bread (bakery): 7:30am on weekdays, weekend hours vary by location but are typically 8/9am
Arlo & Esme (coffee shop with food): 8:30am Tuesday through Friday, 10am on weekends, closed Mondays B&H Dairy: 7am daily, diner/lunch counter
Balthazar: 7:30am weekdays/8am weekends, brunch after 10am
Bar Breton: 7am weekdays
Birdbath (bakery): 8am Monday through Saturday, 9am Sunday, 3 locations
Blaue Gans: 9am daily
BLT Market: 7am daily
Bluebird Coffee (coffee shop with food): exact hrs unknown
Bubby’s (Tribeca): 8am weekdays, 9am weekends
Café Cluny: 8am weekdays, 9am weekends
Cafe Mogador: 9am daily
Cafe Orlin: 9am daily, 24 hr on Fri/Sat
Cafe Sabarsky: 9am daily but closed Tuesdays
Cafe Zaiya (Japanese bakery): 8am weekdays, East Village location
Caffe Falai: 7am daily
Ciao For Now (coffee shop with food): Monday through Saturday 7:30am, Sunday 8am but brunch starts at 9am, I think the East 12th location has the biggest menu
City Bakery (bakery with hot bar): 7:30am Mondays through Saturdays, 9am on Sundays
Clinton Street Baking Company: opens 8am on weekdays
Cookshop: 8am weekdays
Culture Espresso (coffee shop) 7am on weekdays, 8am on weekends
db bistro moderne: 7am on weekdays, 8am on weekends
Downtown Bakery (breakfast tacos and burritos): apparently 5am Monday through Saturday, 6am on Sunday
Fika Espresso Bar (coffee shop): 7am on weekdays
Grey Dog (coffee shop): 6:30am on weekdays, 7am on weekends, multiple locations
Hecho en Dumbo: 10:30am brunch daily, not just weekends
Insieme: 7am on weekdays, 8am on weekends
Landmarc Time Warner Center: 7am daily
Locanda Verde: 8am daily
Markt: 8am daily
Momofuku Milk Bar (bakery): 9am daily, both locations
Morandi: 8am on weekdays
Mudspot (coffee shop with food): 8am weekdays, 9am weekends
Nice Matin: 7am daily
North Spy Company: 7:30am on weekdays
Nougatine Room at Jean Georges: 7am on weekdays, 8am on weekends
Ost (coffee shop with food): 7:30am weekdays, 8:30am weekends
Panya (Japanese bakery): 7:30am weekdays, 8am weekends
Pastis: 8am on weekdays
Patisserie Claude (croissants and pastries): 7am daily
Penelope: 8am daily
Puebla (breakfast tacos and burritos): 6am weekdays, 7am Saturday, 10am Sunday
Russ & Daughters (takeout/counter services): 8am Monday through Friday, 9am on Saturday, 8am on Sunday
Sarabeth's: all but one of their locations open at 8am daily
Shopsin's: 9am Tuesday through Friday, 9:30am on Saturday, closed Sundays & Mondays, cranky service, insane menu, etc.
Stage (diner/counter): 7am Monday through Saturday, closed Sundays
Taralluci e Vino: 8am on weekdays, 9am on weekends
Tartine: 8am weekdays
The Breslin: 7am daily
The Smith: 8:30 on weekdays
Think Coffee (coffee shop with food): 7am weekdays, 8am weekends, all locations
Trestle on Tenth: 8:30am daily
'wichcraft (upscale takeout): hours vary by location but some open on weekdays as early as 6am

Hours subject to change, calling ahead is always advised.

Good for big groups (some only take reservations for larger groups):
‘inoteca: LES location has private room downstairs, Gramercy location only takes reservations for parties of 6 or more
Alice's Tea Cup: multiple locations
Blue Ribbon Bakery: they can seat bigger groups downstairs
Calle Ocho
Chinatown Brasserie: has banquet rooms and large tables but may be moving downstairs at some point, with the upstairs replaced by a different restaurant
Cookshops: booths and tables that can seat 6
Five Points: booths for larger groups but max at 8 or so
Freemans: private room
Jane: private room
Market Table
Markt
Morandi
Park Ave Spring: aka Park Avenue Summer aka Park Avenue Fall aka Park Avenue Winter as the seasons change
Pastis: communal table
Public: semi-private long table area
Schiller’s: I do think Balthazar and Pastis are better, though
Stanton Social: booths, upstairs bar/lounge area
Tia Pol: private room

Takes reservations/casual:
‘inoteca: both locations
Balthazar
Bar Boulud
Colicchio and Sons
Cookshop
DBGB
Double Crown
Essex
Faustina
Five Points
Hundred Acres
Jane: however, brunch menu is small on Saturdays, expanded on Sundays
Klee
Landmarc
Locanda Verde
Lure
Maialino
Minetta Tavern
Morandi
Nolita House
Pastis
Perilla
Stanton Social
The Smith
Yerba Buena Perry

Upscale brunch:
BLT Market
Cafe Boulud
Compass
David Burke & Donatella
db bistro moderne
Dovetail
Ouest
Perry Street
Telepan

International/non-traditional brunch:
The Stanton Social does this well: breakfast bruschetta, huevos rancheros, pierogi, french onion soup dumplings, sliders, fish tacos, pizzetas, and latkes.

See also:
Aquavit
Belcourt
Boqueria
Calle Ocho
Double Crown
Fatty Crab
Hecho en Dumbo
Ino
Momofuku Ssam Bar
Morandi
Prune
Public
Pylos
Tia Pol
Turkish Kitchen
Veselka
Yerba Buena/Yerba Buena Perry

Kid friendly brunch:
Balthazar
Bar Breton
Big Daddy's Diner
Bubby's
City Bakery
EJ's Luncheonette
Isabella's
Landmarc
Ouest
Penelope
Petite Abeille
Sarabeth's

As always, check hours before you go, and with NYC brunch, earlier is usually better if bringing children along.

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Patisserie Claude
187 W 4th St, New York, NY 10014

Perilla
9 Jones Street, New York, NY 10014

Turkish Kitchen
386 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10016

Jane
100 West Houston Street, New York, NY 10012

Markt
676 6th Ave, New York, NY 10010

Momofuku Ssam Bar
207 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

Amy Ruth's
113 W 116th St, New York, NY 10026

Shopsin's General Store
120 Essex St, New York, NY 10002

Frankies 17 Spuntino
17 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002

Spotted Pig
314 W 11th St, New York, NY 10014

Good Enough to Eat
483 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024

DB Bistro Moderne
55 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036

Minetta Tavern
113 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012

City Bakery
3 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011

Panya
8 Stuyvesant St, New York, NY 10003

Stanton Social
99 Stanton Street, New York, NY 10002

Freemans
Freeman Alley, New York, NY 10002

Cafe Mogador
101 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10003

Alias
76 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002

Resto
111 East 29th Street, New York, NY 10016

Pastis
9 9th Ave, New York, NY 10014

BLT Market
1430 6th Ave, New York, NY 10019

Insieme
777 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019

Cookshop
156 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

Telepan
72 W. 69th Street, New York, NY 10023

Little Owl
90 Bedford Street, New York, NY 10014

Tarallucci e Vino
163 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003

Cafe Sabarsky
1048 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028

Balthazar
80 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

Five Points
31 Great Jones St, New York, NY 10012

Tia Pol
205 10th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Cafe Orlin
41 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10003

Veselka
144 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

Perry Street
176 Perry Street, New York, NY 10014

Craftbar
900 Broadway, New York, NY 10003

Petite Abeille
44 W 17th St, New York, NY 10011

Market Table
54 Carmine Street, New York, NY 10014

Aquagrill
210 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

Lure Fishbar
142 Mercer St, New York, NY 10012

Ouest
2315 Broadway, New York, NY 10024

Morandi
211 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10014

Back Forty
190 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009

Belcourt
84 East 4th Street, New York, NY 10003

Blue Ribbon Bakery
33 Bedford St, New York, NY 10014

Park Avenue Cafe
100 E 63rd St, New York, NY 10021

Pylos
128 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009

Petite Abeille
401 E 20th St, New York, NY 10010

Petite Abeille
134 W Broadway, New York, NY 10013

Petite Abeille
466 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014

Bubby's Pie Co.
120 Hudson St, New York, NY 10013

Westville East
173 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009

Fika
41 W 58th St, New York, NY 10019

Extra Virgin
259 W 4th St, New York, NY 10014

'ino
21 Bedford St, New York, NY 10014

'inoteca
98 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002

Trestle on Tenth
242 Tenth Avenue, New York, NY 10001

Penelope
159 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016

Chinatown Brasserie
380 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012

Big Daddy's
239 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003

Ditch Plains
29 Bedford St, New York, NY 10014

Sarabeth's
423 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10024

Amy's Bread
672 9th Ave, New York, NY 10036

Stage Restaurant
128 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

B&H
127 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

Abraco
86 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003

Caffe Falai
265 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012

Nolita House
47 East Houston Street, New York, NY 10012

Nice Matin
201 West 79th Street, New York, NY 10024

Calle Ocho
45 W 81st St, New York, NY 10024

Landmarc
179 West Broadway, New York, NY 10013

Landmarc
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019

EJ's Luncheonette
447 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024

EJ's Luncheonette
1271 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10021

Isabella's
359 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024

Think Coffee
248 Mercer St, New York, NY 10012

Schiller's Liquor Bar
131 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002

Good
89 Greenwich Avenue, New York, NY 10014

Boqueria
53 W 19th St, New York, NY 10011

Odeon
145 W. Broadway, New York, NY 10013

Blaue Gans
139 Duane Street, New York, NY 10013

Cafe Cluny
284 West 12th Street, New York, NY 10014

MudSpot
307 E 9th St, New York, NY 10003

Alice's Tea Cup
102 W 73rd St, New York, NY 10023

Alice's Tea Cup
220 E 81st St, New York, NY 10028

Norma's
118 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019

Public
210 Elizabeth Street, New York, NY 10012

Popover Cafe
551 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024

Tartine
253 W 11th St, New York, NY 10014

Downtown Bakery
69 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003

Puebla Mexican Food
47 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003

Grey Dog Coffee
90 University Pl, New York, NY 10003

Prune
54 E 1st St, New York, NY 10003

Fatty Crab
643 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014

Cafe Zaiya
69 Cooper Sq, New York, NY 10003

Great Jones Cafe
54 Great Jones St, New York, NY 10012

The Smith
55 3rd Avenue, New York, NY 10003

Ciao for Now
523 E 12th St, New York, NY 10009

Dovetail
103 West 77th Street, New York, NY 10024

Bar Boulud
1900 Broadway, New York, NY 10023

Big Daddy's
1596 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10028

Flea Market Cafe
131 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009

71 Irving Place
71 Irving Pl, New York, NY 10003

Scarpetta
355 West 14th Street, New York, NY 10014

Hundred Acres
38 MacDougal St., New York, NY 10012

Arlo & Esme
42 E 1st St, New York, NY 10003

Yerba Buena
23 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009

Wafels & Dinges
New York, New York, NY 10001

Boqueria
171 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

La Quenelle
254 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10020

Fika
407 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10016

'inoteca
323 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10010

Ost Cafe
441 E 12th St, New York, NY 10009

Fatty Crab
2170 Broadway, New York, NY 10024

Think Coffee
1 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012

Essex
120 Essex Street, New York, NY 10002

Locanda Verde
377 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013

DBGB
299 Bowery, New York, NY 10003

Clinton Street Baking Co.
4 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002

Bouley
163 Duane St, New York, NY 10013

Birdbath
160 Prince St, New York, NY 10012

Nougatine
1 Central Park West, New York, NY 10023

Joseph Leonard
170 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10014

Yerba Buena Perry
1 Perry Street, New York, NY 10014

Culture Espresso Bar
72 W 38th St, New York, NY 10018

Northern Spy Food Co.
511 E 12th St, New York, NY 10009

Momofuku Milk Bar
251 E 13th St, New York, NY 10003

Think Coffee
123 4th Ave, New York, NY 10003

The Breslin
20 W 29th St, New York, NY 10001

Maialino
2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010

Rye House
11 W 17th St, New York, NY 10011

Bluebird Coffee Shop
72 E 1st St, New York, NY 10003

Grey Dog Coffee
242 W 16th St, New York, NY 10011

Colicchio & Sons
85 10th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Pulino's
282 Bowery, New York, NY 10012

Hecho en Dumbo
354 Bowery, New York, NY 10012

Momofuku Milk Bar
15 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019

Big Daddy's
2454 Broadway, New York, NY 10024

Fika
66 Pearl St, New York, NY 10004

Ditch Plains
100 W 82nd St, New York, NY 10024

Fairway Cafe
2127 Broadway, New York, NY 10023

[financialdistrictresident]

Hi Kathryn, is there a 2011 version?

Thanks so much for this list. I need some brunch suggestions and it is a huge help!

FDR

[kathryn]

No there isn't. Maybe start a new topic with what your parameters are?

[carpis12]

Kathryn you are AWESOME
We be having brunch April 22- party of 4 ...one from London, one from tucson and 2 upper west siders
Can get in Balthizar and Minetta Tavern..the availability to make reservations is important.
I am looking for ambiance, good food ..fun new York experience..I
(my first time to NYC)...any suggestions would be wonderful..
Ps we are staying UES but will go anywhere.

[kathryn]

You can or you can't get in?

Balthazar and Minetta Tavern are both good choices. I would add on Locanda Verde.

[kyra2224]

Hi Kathryn,

I am staying in the LES this time when I go to NYC. I want to try the pancakes at clinton street baking but will be there on the weekend. Can I put my name down and come back? or do you have to wait there? I am not sure how their policy works but I am staying on Clinton so figured I would give it a try this time.

[kathryn]

You can put your name down, go for a walk, and come back. I don't think they take phone numbers, though, so you need to watch the time yourself.

[crsin]

I know kathryn gave a couple of suggestions, but what are some other recs for best omelets out there? I'm not so much referring to what's you favorite specific omelet, moreso who makes some of the best you've experienced overall?

[t19103]

Did someone already say Aquavit? (No time to read the whole thread)

I hate going to a restaurant for brunch and eating food that I could make at home like pancakes or omelettes so somewhere like this is perfect for me.

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Aquavit
65 E 55th St, New York, NY 10022

[plf515]

What an outstanding report!

[glutton]

I'm looking at Minetta Tavern, Cookshop, and Locanda Verde for brunch. We will have a stroller in our four-person group. Which place best accommodates a stroller without creating congestion for everyone else in the restaurant?

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Minetta Tavern
113 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012

Locanda Verde
377 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013

[kathryn]

It will be pretty tough at Minetta Tavern and I've never seen a stroller in there. The tables are just way too close together.

Cookshop may be OK, dependent upon where you sit. Maybe one of the big booths.

I've seen a stroller at Locanda Verde before but the people using it got very lucky that the table next to theirs was empty. They left right before the restaurant filled up. Otherwise there's not really a great place to put one though it is a larger restaurant. I would call and ask.

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Minetta Tavern
113 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012

Cookshop
156 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

Locanda Verde
377 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013

[glutton]

Cookshop turned out to be perfect. The food was great, as you've said. We had a table in the back and there was tons of room for a stroller that did not get in anyone's way. The staff even played with my son. The noise level was fine, but it was not the excruciatingly loud volume that some reviewers elsewhere have complained about. Very nice place -- we hope to return. Thanks for your help.

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Cookshop
156 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

[pastrychica]

Hi! Coming to town this weekend with my 8 year old daughter. Staying near Rock Center -- need a breakfast/brunch place that is either near hotel or near Central Park Zoo (willing to treavel anywhere if the food is truly awesome) She loves bacon and pancakes (who doesn't) . Been to Sarabeths -- anything you think a "girly girl" would like -- but also has really great food for mom too? Thanks!

[michellex3]

this is awesome i shall take a look when am in the city.

[view2catalina]

I will be in NY next week & staying at the Hilton Towers (1335 Avenue of the Americas); are any of the restaurants that Kathryn listed above nearby? I'm looking for a place to grab a quick (affordable) bite (or something to go) before dutifully attending a conference at the Hilton. Any suggestions are appreciated!

[daffyduck]

Nougatine is near you. If you want takeout I'd go to Barney Greengrass but it's not that close to you.

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Barney Greengrass
541 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024

Nougatine
1 Central Park West, New York, NY 10023

[view2catalina]

Hi Daffyduck,
Thanks for writing; I love Barney Greengrass and plan to go for lunch next week.

I'm really looking for something *affordable* within a couple of blocks of 1335 Avenue of the Americas. Nougatine looks magnificent, but pricey and a bit far to squeeze in before a 9 am conference.... Any other suggestions?

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Barney Greengrass
541 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024

Nougatine
1 Central Park West, New York, NY 10023

[daffyduck]

maybe Bouchon Bakery

-----
Bouchon Bakery
10 Columbus Cir, New York, NY 10019

[kathryn]

Try Rockefeller Center: there's a 'wichcraft location on the concourse level near 49th Street closer to 5th Ave. Jacques Torres also just opened a branch in Rock Center -- you could probably pick up a chocolate croissant but they don't a lot of breakfast items. Not sure about the hours, though. Too bad the new Bouchon in Rockefeller Center isn't open yet!

http://www.rockefellercenter.com/plan-a-trip

There's also a Le Pain Quotidien on 53rd and 5th if you don't mind a chain.

Some CHers like Cafe Edison (West 47th near Broadway):
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/7332...

A little further away are Petrossian Boutique & Cafe, Momofuku Milk Bar in the Chambers Hotel, Sarabeth's on Central Park South, and the Eggs Travaganza Cart.

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Cafe Edison
228 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036

Petrossian Boutique
911 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019

Momofuku Milk Bar
15 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019

[view2catalina]

Thanks Kathryn - this is great!!

[Niki7686]

Nice picks, I've been to many of those spots and they're great. It would be really helpful if you could add a section for restaurants that have breakfast/brunch specials too (bottomless mimosas, meal specials, etc.). Just a suggestion =).

[peter j]

Any new brunch suggestions among the restaurants that opened last year? Thanks.

[kathryn]

Since I wrote this, I've been impressed by Minetta Tavern & Maialino.

-----
Minetta Tavern
113 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012

Maialino
2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010

[belma79]

Hi Kathryn. So now you've been impressed by Maialino, which would you pick for brunch, Maialino or Locanda Verde? Not just talking about food, but also ambience and atmosphere (which is more 'buzzy' for example?). Maialino looks lovely, but is perhaps lacking in atmosphere for brunch? Thanks!

-----
Locanda Verde
377 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013

Maialino
2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010

[kathryn]

Maialino was absolutely packed the last time I was there -- people were waiting for the front tables and I think the dining room was fully reserved. Both LV and Maialino are pretty popular though.

-----
Maialino
2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010

[belma79]

thanks kathryn, your input is always really appreciated. i'll give LV a try this time. i'm more of a sweet than a savoury person and their lemon curd pancakes sound very tempting!

[slicknik]

LV is amazing - ESPECIALLY if you like lemon ricotta pancakes. they're an absolute dream. i live in the neighborhood and try to go at least 2x a month just to have my fill - it's that good.

[belma79]

thanks for that! even though i made my choice, there's always that little bit of doubt... this really helps! can't wait, yum yum.

[xiolablue]

hey kathryn
AMAZING list
vistor from Toronto wondering what your pick for sunday morning, hell's kitchen, between 7-9am would be....any recos?

[lucyj]

I need to find a place for brunch for about 20 family members celebrating an 85th birthday in mid-December. Two grandparents, three generations; ages 16-85. I know there is a "good for groups category" but I'm wondering which are good for big groups (since some seem to be for about 6-8). Also need a place with sufficient non-meat options. Have a call into Locanda Verde and also considering Inoteca. Any suggestions?

-----
Locanda Verde
377 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013

[kathryn]

I would look into Blue Ribbon Bakery, Jane, Public, Maialino as well.

http://www.blueribbonrestaurants.com/rests_bakery_main.htm
http://www.ctrnyc.com/CTR/ctr_html/ctr_privateparties.html
http://public-nyc.com/private-events/brunch-daytime/
http://www.maialinonyc.com/#/private-...

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Blue Ribbon Bakery
33 Bedford St, New York, NY 10014

Maialino
2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010

[lucyj]

Great, thanks!

[stonelis]

Fantastic list Kathryn! I realy admire the work you must of put into it. I'll be printing it out and using it as a reference for whenever I'm going to be in Manhattan. Thanks :) I was wondering if you had any suggestions for a Saturday breakfast buffet? I looked and can only find 3 in all of Manhattan! The Marketplace Cafe at the Hilton. The Ambassador Grill at The Millennium Plaza and Murals on 54 at The Warwick. Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[kathryn]

Sorry, I'm not a huge fan of buffets in the US. I've heard good things about Aquavit's "smorgasboard," though. Sundays only I think?

[ramenbound]

Heading to Nougatine for a last minute, light breakfast in about 7 hours. Any recommendations?

-----
Nougatine
1 Central Park West, New York, NY 10023

[i_eat_a_lot_of_ice_cream]

Great list!!!

[rsvp7777]

I agree this is an awesome list, but I have one specific question.

Taking a young friend to NYC for his 19th b'day and would like to take him to a place for Sunday brunch that would knock him out not just for food but for ambience, service, (possible) view, etc.
Price no object. Buffets are an option.
What's your suggestion?

[kathryn]

I haven't had a great brunch (breakfast + lunch foods available) at a place with good ambience, service, AND view. I think most brunch buffets in NYC are skippable save for the Aquavit brunch one (they serve a Sunday a Scandinavian smorgasbord brunch in our dining room from noon to 2.30pm).

For great good plus great ambiance, I would choose Minetta Tavern. For great service, I'd choose Maialino, which is a Danny Meyer restaurant and they are known for their service. I haven't had brunch there yet, only lunch and dinner, but the food was good and I've heard positive reports on breakfast/brunch there.

-----
Minetta Tavern
113 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012

Maialino
2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010

[daffyduck]

brunch at maialino is amazing. and yes the service there is great.

[i_eat_a_lot_of_ice_cream]

My friends and I had a wonderful brunch at Maialino yesterday and I agree that the service is really top notch. Our waitress was the sweetest waitress I've ever had and had the most poetic (and accurate) descriptions of menu items I've ever heard. She spoke about everything on the menu so lovingly and she totally won us over.

The food was really great too, but just be aware that, while satisfying, the portions are not enormous. After we devoured the goodies from the pastry basket and some bomboloni, I had what the waitress described as "summer on a plate" (poached eggs over corn and zucchini) and she was spot on with the description. My friends enjoyed the frittata, yogurt, and pork/egg sandwich. It was not crowded at all and we lingered for quite a while. I would definitely return for the ricotta pancakes and raviolo (which they ran out of the second I ordered).

It's a pretty impressive place and does have a nice view of the nearby park.

-----
Maialino
2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010

[jaba]

Locanda Verde satisfies all your criteria except for view, but you can always walk around the waterfront by the World Financial Center afterwards.

-----
Locanda Verde
377 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013

[daffyduck]

just wanted to add this because there isnt much on maialino, i havent been there but it looks amazing.
http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2010/0...

[kathryn]

Apparently Serious Eats ordered all of the weekday breakfast menu, and the serve a brunch menu on weekends. But there's no weekend brunch menu on their site, which is confusing.

[sixteenbiticon]

I thought exactly the same thing and posted as much on SE:NY. They showed me this: http://www.maialinonyc.com/_pdf/brunc...

I have no idea how they got that link because it's nowhere to be seen on their website. I smell a conspiracy...

[Ffromsaopaulo]

Thanks for the comprehensive post!
Looking forward to going back to NYC ASAP.
By the way, comparing your 2009 brunch post with this one I saw you got married, so congratulations!

[kathryn]

Thank you!

[Jess321]

My first eggs benedict experience (I just never understood the love for poached eggs and always passed it up) was at Alice's Tea Cup on the UES (don't remember which location) which features their buttermilk scone topped with poached eggs and good smoked salmon. It's not R&D quality, but it's pretty solid smoked salmon. It comes with asparagus and grilled pears, I believe. It's such a cute breakfast/brunch place, and when I returned one day and it was past the breakfast hour they provided me the closest they could with smoked salmon atop their delicious buttermilk scone!

-----
Alice's Tea Cup
220 E 81st St, New York, NY 10028

[jakecola]

Kathryn - thanks, you've never led me astray!!

What's your take on Bar Boulud's brunch?? My brother is taking us out for brunch with a budget of between $30-40 pp, but we want to stay casually dressed (rules out Cafe Boulud, others...).

-----
Cafe Boulud
20 East 76th St., New York, NY 10021

Bar Boulud
1900 Broadway, New York, NY 10023

[kathryn]

I've only been once and this was last year but the breakfast dishes were only OK (waffles, eggs florentine, french toast, bacon) while the charcuterie, sausage, and soup dishes were great. From that I'd say lunch dishes were better than breakfast dishes overall.

I'd go back just for the big charcuterie board but it was $32 and we shared it amongst 4 alongside the brunch prix fixe. It ended up being a bit more expensive brunch overall.

[jakecola]

yeah, the charcuterie selection looks great, we might opt for that instead of the brunch prix fixe. i'll be sure to report!

[Hey19]

Thoughts on the Dell'Anima brunch, and, their move away from family style? This was a favorite of a lot of people, but it just doesnt seem the same a la carte.

-----
Dell'Anima
38 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10003

[rudysmom]

thank you thank you thank you.

[sourgirl]

This is amazing, thank you. Can you tell me where to get the best simply scrambled eggs?

[kelea]

My personal favorites are the eggs at Locande Verde. I like my eggs soft scrambled and light but flavorful. These were the BEST scrambled eggs i've ever had.

[kathryn]

My sister in law loved hers at Clinton Street Baking Company.

Shopsin's is also a contender. I have the cookbook and he has a VERY specific method of making really creamy scrambled eggs that involves butter, heavy cream, and barely agitating the eggs while they're cooking.

[slicknik]

Kathyrn this is amazingly thorough. as a HUGE fan of breakfast/brunch, i'm very very thankful!

[Island Girl]

Love the suggestions but had to laugh about Norma's. The first time we went we loved it - just because we'd never experienced it before but the best part was the orange juice. We thought we had died and gone to orange juice heaven - truly ice cold freshly squeezed juice. I think I had three glasses! Subsequent couple of visits we haven't enjoyed the food as much and the last time we went the orange juice wasn't ice cold. We didn't go on our last visit to NYC. Just thought it was funny you mentioned the same thing about their orange juice.

[kathryn]

It's true though, their OJ is great!

[steakrules85]

As always Kathryn comes through with the excellent BRUNCH ENCYCLOPEDIA AS I LIKE TO CALL IT!

[kathryn]

BTW, just noticed that Clinton Street Baking Co has NEW Sunday brunch hours - 9am to 7pm.

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Clinton Street Baking Co.
4 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002

[peppermint pate]

Yowza. I'm an out of towner but I make a point of keeping your fantastmagoric brunch list at the top of my NYC file. Thanks so much for this stunningly thorough list. One question that is always key for me when it comes to brunch - where can I enjoy a great americano with my chow? So many places, here in Toronto and elsewhere, serve terribly mediocre coffee alongside an otherwise tasty brunch - so sad. Any recs?

[kathryn]

If your focus is on the coffee, 'ino does a very nice espresso.

Maialino carries the SF's Four Barrel Coffee which I find quite good.

And if you're dining at the Breslin, all their coffee is from Stumptown.

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'ino
21 Bedford St, New York, NY 10014

Stumptown
18 W 29th Street, New York, NY 10001

The Breslin
20 W 29th St, New York, NY 10001

Maialino
2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010

[Westminstress]

Thank you, Kathryn! I'm going to Cookshop with a group on Sunday ... any recs other than beignets and bacon?

[kathryn]

I've had the scramble before, which was pretty good, but not as good as the skillet eggs with thick cut bacon. I wasn't impressed with their French toast in the past because they made it with semolina bread, not sure if that's still the case. A friend also liked her soup last time we went, but I didn't taste it.

[FiveDanFive]

Nice job, Kathryn.

I just tried the French toast at Blue Ribbon last Saturday and was underwhelmed. It was a bit too eggy for my tastes, and I also wished it had more crunch to it. Not bad, but I'm unlikely to drop $15 on it again.

The French toast sandwich with bacon and eggs at Shopsin's -- called "Moe II" on the menu -- is probably my favorite, but I've still got to try Pastis and City Bakery.

-----
City Bakery
3 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011

[kathryn]

Ooh, interesting. Whenever I go to Shopsin's, though, I always get sucked in by a pancake dish, though.

[coasts]

finally got a seat at Shopsin's this morning after a few failed attempts. i was not disappointed. the mac & cheese pancakes were good, although, i think i like the concept more than the dish. slutty cakes, however, were a game-changer.

[NAtiveNewYorker]

Excellent list. I love Jane on Sundays.

[curlylamb]

Thank you! Will definitely reference this list when wondering where to have breakfast/brunch.

[kelea]

THANKS KATHRYN!!! i loved ur list last year :)

[RGR]

Mega-kudos, Kathryn! As usual, stunningly encyclopedic!

Bar Breton eliminated weekday breakfast quite a while ago. They do serve brunch Saturdays and Sundays. Don't know the hours.

[Cpalms]

wow!

[kathryn]

Thanks! I think I'm after the "edit" window for the original post unfortunately.