brunch

Evelina

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Overview:

The team behind Emporio and Aurora have created the centrally located Fort Greene locale, Evelina. The bustling space is designed with deep blue banquettes, rustic wood, a sprawling bar and mosaic tiles. The Mediterranean-Italian menu focuses on seasonal ingredients in pastas and shareable plates, with a number of items prepared on a wood-fired grill. The pasta is notably tasty, like squid ink malloreddus with crab meat, sea urchin & chili or the strangozzi carbonara with porcini mushrooms & shaved Perigord trufflles. The restaurant is particularly great for a casual weeknight dinner or weekend brunch. 

Information:

Address:  211 Dekalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205

Phone: (929) 298-0209

Neighborhood: Fort Greene

https://www.evelinabk.com/

Price: $$-$$$

 

Nisi Estiatorio

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Overview:

This relaxed, intimate spot is a Greek gem in the West Village. The façade is done in fresh white and blue colors, leading to a raftered bar and front dining room complete with an enchanting outdoor patio with Edison bulbs.  The menu is filled with seafood, vegetables, olive oil, yogurt and much else that falls under the Mediterranean diet. You are brought an assorment of mezzes with toasty country bread like creamy taramosalata, spanakopita,  tzatziki and saganaki. To try a sampling, get the mixed grill for two option with lamb chops, sliders, kebabs and chicken grilled served with fries, tzattziki and toasted pita. 

Information:

Address: 302 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014

Phone:  (212) 727-7463

Neighborhood: West Village

Price: $$$

 

Selamat Pagi  

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Overview:

This Balinese spot comes from the owners of Van Leeuwen. The small casual space is lined with palm leaf wallpaper, natural wood & paper lantern lights. The menu here is vegetable-heavy and packed with unexpected and exciting flavors that are unlike anywhere you typically eat (unless you go to Bali often, which I don't). The menu starts with deviled eggs and prawn crackers with three sambals (papaya-chili-shallot-lime, tomato-chili-shallot, and shallot-kaffir-lemongrass-chili). Entrees range from the classic egg-topped fried rice (nasi goreng) and tasty, tender beef curry (rendang), to a market fish curry and tamarind-glazed tempeh. Weekend brunch is also super satisfying with additions like an ayam goreng fried chicken sandwich topped with pickled slaw & kaffir aioli.

Information:

Address: 152 Driggs Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222

Phone: (718) 701-4333

Neighborhood: Greenpoint  

Price: $$

 

The Flower Shop

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Overview:

You'll find The Flower Shop on Eldridge Street, wedged between bodywork parlors, dumpling shops and beauty salons. The venue is mostly known for it's downstairs bar which has turned into a scene on weekends but the upstairs also provides dining options and an additional bar. The 70's decor is fantastic, with a cool grandma's house/old time parlor vibe complete with wood paneled walls and vintage wallpaper. The crowd varies by time and day but it's a great place to grab a drink or have weekend brunch. 

Information:

Address: 107 Eldridge St, New York, NY 10002

Phone: (212) 257-4072

Neighborhood: Lower East Side

Price: $$$

 

Otway

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Overview:

The Clinton Hill space that once housed the short-lived Tilda All Day has reopened as Otway under new ownership but the same chef. The corner restaurant is bright & stylish, resembling a modern bistro. Here, chef/owner Claire Welle butchers whole animals and makes her own crème fraîche, butter, lardo, charcuterie, and bread.  The all-female kitchen produces a small, ever changing menu of American bistro dishes. You'll find offerings such as duck breast with toasted barley & truffle, dorade with oyster cream, and ricotta gnudi with ricotta with cauliflower and brown butter. Great cocktails, killer bread - which is really all one needs in life. 

Information:

Address: 930 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Phone:  (917) 909-1889

Neighborhood: Clinton Hill

Price: $$$

 

The Odeon

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Overview:

The Odeon is one of those tried & true Tribeca staples that has stood the test of time since being opened by Keith McNally in 1980. The space is a lively bistro with big chrome banquets, white table clothes and outdoor seating. It feels like old New York in the best way. The menu mainly consists of French bistro classics like oysters, steak frite, frisee salad and steak tartare. Breakfast and lunch are served daily with brasserie favorites like croque monsieur, moules frites and french onion soup. Great for a business lunch, group dinner or solo bar dining. 

Information:

Address: 145 W Broadway, New York, NY 10013

Phone:   (212) 233-0507

Neighborhood: Tribeca

Price: $$$

 

Vic's

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Overview:

Vic's is a go-to for all occasions in Noho from the Five Points team. The vibe is that of a comfortable neighborhood restaurant, just with exceptionally good looking people all around you. You'll find a spacious interior with several distinct dining areas, large tables, a skylight and semi-open kitchen. The menu is mainly Italian and chef Hillary Sterling does both farm-to-table cooking and pizza quite well. The antipasti and mercato sections have an excellent list of vegetables like delicata squash with walnut gremolata, puntarelle with anchovies, and crispy calamari with fennel and pine nuts. Choose from 5 Neapolitan pies or a long list of pastas like cacio e pepe and eggplant ravioli. It's really a restaurant good for many things - an intimate date, group brunch, or dinner with the parents. 

Information:

Address: 31 Great Jones St, New York, NY 10012

Phone: (212) 253-5700

Neighborhood: Noho

Price: $$$

 

Cookshop

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Overview:

Cookshop has been a neighborhood favorite for years and judging from the packed house for breakfast, lunch & dinner they show no signs of stopping. The restaurant comes from the team behind other hits like Rosie's, Vic's and the new Shuka (formerly Hundred Acres). The space is warm and homey while still being moderately upscale. The greenmarket-driven menu is mostly American and features grass-fed meat, locally caught fish, and sustainably raised poultry. You'll find crowd pleasers like seared scallops, Berkshire pork chops and tons of vegetables everywhere. Weekend brunch is especially popular with dishes like huevos rancheros and baked eggs. This place will surely be a beautiful neighborhood mainstay for years to come. 

Information:

Address: 156 10th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Phone: (212) 924-4440

Neighborhood: Chelsea

Price: $$$

 

Blank Slate Coffee + Kitchen

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Overview:

Blank Slate is tucked away in an inconspicuous pocket of Madison Ave but that doesn't seem to stop hoards of people from finding this all day coffee shop. Patrons can grab-n-go with juices and coffee or stay & relax in the space that has 7 tables and several communal seating areas.  The cafe menu is excellent, offering large portions of all day breakfast, sandwiches and salads. Small plates include fun snacks like truffle popcorn, goat cheese dip and deviled eggs. Worth checking out for a lively afternoon of work or breakfast/lunch on the go. They have recently opened a gourmet market next door offering grocery items and a fun list of build your own avocado toast & Black Seed bagels

Information:

Address:  121 Madison Ave #5, New York, NY 10016

Phone:  (212) 683-7800

Neighborhood: Midtown East

Price: $$

 

Epistrophy

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Overview:

Epistrophy Café is almost too cute to function. Located on a great Nolita block, it optimizes the laid back, unpretentious feel of this slice of neighborhood. The interior is homey and rustic with communal seating and an outdoor patio. The food won't change your life but it is good. They serve breakfast, lunch & dinner daily and have a wide selection of salads, sandwiches, and fresh made pastas. The menu is Italian, specifically from the region of Sardinia. I appreciate that so many healthy options are available, particularly the quinoa salad and grilled calamari.  It is a comfortable setting to work in the afternoon or have a low key date in the evening at their bar.

Information:

Address: 200 Mott St, New York, NY 10012

Phone: (212) 966-0904

Neighborhood: Nolita

Price: $$-$$$