My friend and I were seeking a reasonable brunch in the East Village, and were glad to find that almost all of the brunch dishes at Belcourt were under $10. Our favorite item was to be only $7: a plate of piping hot buttermilk biscuits, smothered in berry preserves and housemade ricotta, with an undercurrent of honey. My friend's cranberry granola was unsweetened yogurt was positively ascetic compared with this concoction.
The only other item on the menu that seemed as decadent was the vanilla bourbon French toast with ricotta and New York maple syrup, but I opted for the personal eggs. Mine came scrambled with a salad of mesclun greens coated with a lemony dressing, a small portion of paprika fried potatoes, and a regrettably dry piece of pork sausage (there was also maple-cured bacon and lamb ham). Although the eggs and potatoes were just fine, I think I would have been happier with a double portion of those wonderful buttermilk biscuits.
Belcourt: 84 East 4th St., (212) 979-2034.
Showing posts with label Brunch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brunch. Show all posts
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Brunch at Le Barricou
I wish I lived around the block from Le Barricou, or even better, inside it. The huge space features glass doors which open out onto the sidewalk, exposed-brick walls, a high mustard-stained wood-planked ceiling, a large back room with a piano, and a tiny outdoor patio. There's even an ATM machine back there! I'd have no reason to go outside.
I'd start out each morning with a free basket of freshly baked croissants and pain au chocolat, trucked in each morning from the owner's Bushwick bakery. At any rate, that's how I began my brunch today. A buttery croissant and an excellent Gimme Coffee cappuccino took the edge off my hunger while I decided to order the pissaladiere, then changed my mind and got the eggs Norwegian (at $7.50, a steal). Thickly cut herbed home fries and a romaine and baby spinach salad accompanied two English muffin halves topped with a nice portion of smoked salmon, Hollandaise and poached eggs. The couple next to me ordered the freshly ground grilled burger; the French fries looked tantalizing.
According to the owners, live music and wine-tasting events will soon be held in the newly renovated back room. It's going to be difficult to stay away from this place!
Le Barricou: 533 Grand St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn, (718) 782-7372. Weekend brunch till 4!
I'd start out each morning with a free basket of freshly baked croissants and pain au chocolat, trucked in each morning from the owner's Bushwick bakery. At any rate, that's how I began my brunch today. A buttery croissant and an excellent Gimme Coffee cappuccino took the edge off my hunger while I decided to order the pissaladiere, then changed my mind and got the eggs Norwegian (at $7.50, a steal). Thickly cut herbed home fries and a romaine and baby spinach salad accompanied two English muffin halves topped with a nice portion of smoked salmon, Hollandaise and poached eggs. The couple next to me ordered the freshly ground grilled burger; the French fries looked tantalizing.
According to the owners, live music and wine-tasting events will soon be held in the newly renovated back room. It's going to be difficult to stay away from this place!
Le Barricou: 533 Grand St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn, (718) 782-7372. Weekend brunch till 4!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Brunch at Cookshop
This past Sunday, I thought it might be nice to brunch with a friend at Cookshop. It turned out that half of Manhattan had the same idea. There was a wait even though we had a reservation; fortunately it wasn't too long, as my buttermilk beignets craving was unbearable! Cookshop serves the four hot, puffy, sugar-dusted doughnuts with a stroke of genius: cardamom-spiked pineapple compote. Like lemon squeezed over fried zucchini, it's a perfect combination.
After polishing these sweeties off, we decided against the cornmeal pancakes with caramel bananas. My friend ordered a thick slice of rye toast which had the dual function of supporting some braised chard and poached eggs, and sopping up a pool of velvety cheese fondue. I downed the "Cookshop Scramble" with smoked salmon - a halved biscuit holding a portion of eggs scrambled with caramelized onions, dill and salmon.
When we were finished, I briefly considered ordering more beignets, but one must occasionally show some kind of restraint.
Cookshop: 156 Tenth Ave., (212) 924-4440.
After polishing these sweeties off, we decided against the cornmeal pancakes with caramel bananas. My friend ordered a thick slice of rye toast which had the dual function of supporting some braised chard and poached eggs, and sopping up a pool of velvety cheese fondue. I downed the "Cookshop Scramble" with smoked salmon - a halved biscuit holding a portion of eggs scrambled with caramelized onions, dill and salmon.
When we were finished, I briefly considered ordering more beignets, but one must occasionally show some kind of restraint.
Cookshop: 156 Tenth Ave., (212) 924-4440.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
The House
I always wondered what this mid-19th-century carriage house was doing in the middle of East 17th Street. Was it an inn? A nautical museum? Today, I found out that it was an excellent place to have brunch.
An amiable host sat me at a white marble table and I looked over the menu. The brunch menu included a prosciutto, fig and gorgonzola panino, a lobster club with pancetta, a scrambled egg sandwich, and my choice, a cheery little frittata loaded with bright red and yellow cherry tomatoes, baby zucchini, mushrooms and red onions, served with pressed sourdough toast. I couldn't resist an order of the well-salted roasted fingerlings peppered with black truffles... these were among the best brunch potatoes I've eaten. (However, the advertised Mocha Joe's coffee was much weaker and more bitter than I remembered from my trip to Brattleboro.)
I had no room left for the Key lime pie, triple chocolate mousse cake or gelato, but I'll make sure to leave some when I head over for dinner. I'm thinking about going on a Friday, when the rotisserie special is organic Amish chicken with ginger lemongrass honey.
The House: 121 East 17th St., (212) 353-2121.
An amiable host sat me at a white marble table and I looked over the menu. The brunch menu included a prosciutto, fig and gorgonzola panino, a lobster club with pancetta, a scrambled egg sandwich, and my choice, a cheery little frittata loaded with bright red and yellow cherry tomatoes, baby zucchini, mushrooms and red onions, served with pressed sourdough toast. I couldn't resist an order of the well-salted roasted fingerlings peppered with black truffles... these were among the best brunch potatoes I've eaten. (However, the advertised Mocha Joe's coffee was much weaker and more bitter than I remembered from my trip to Brattleboro.)
I had no room left for the Key lime pie, triple chocolate mousse cake or gelato, but I'll make sure to leave some when I head over for dinner. I'm thinking about going on a Friday, when the rotisserie special is organic Amish chicken with ginger lemongrass honey.
The House: 121 East 17th St., (212) 353-2121.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Brunch at Ditch Plains
I am still thinking about the smoked mozzarella ricotta fritters at Ditch Plains. There were six of them. I picked one up and bit into the crisp and browned exterior, but was in no way prepared for the gooey deliciousness inside. A layer of light eggy batter contained an onslaught of hot melted cheese... the spicy tomato sauce on the side was a nice touch but not really necessary!
I think I scared the no-nonsense waitress with my giddiness. (I'm sure she's not reading this, but on the off chance that she is, and remembers a slightly wacky table of four this past Sunday, we really meant no harm. And we weren't drunk. We were just giddy over the prospect of the fritters.)
We also ordered clam chowder (two kinds, Manhattan and New England), fried eggs with satisfyingly greasy hash browns and a side of thickly cut bacon, and gargantuan spinach-goat cheese omelettes that were enough for two. But after all of this, I was still thinking about those smoked mozzarella ricotta fritters.
Ditch Plains: 29 Bedford St. (212) 633-0202
I think I scared the no-nonsense waitress with my giddiness. (I'm sure she's not reading this, but on the off chance that she is, and remembers a slightly wacky table of four this past Sunday, we really meant no harm. And we weren't drunk. We were just giddy over the prospect of the fritters.)
We also ordered clam chowder (two kinds, Manhattan and New England), fried eggs with satisfyingly greasy hash browns and a side of thickly cut bacon, and gargantuan spinach-goat cheese omelettes that were enough for two. But after all of this, I was still thinking about those smoked mozzarella ricotta fritters.
Ditch Plains: 29 Bedford St. (212) 633-0202
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Egg
Egg, a fabulous brunch spot, has a weekend routine of placing complimentary sugar-and-cinnamon-dusted doughnut holes on each table. I thought this was marvelous - so marvelous that I got up from my table, went to the back of the restaurant and raved about the practice. "Oh, we have a lot of extra today," a server remarked, and she packed me a whole paper bag full of them!
Not that I needed anything else! I'd just torn through a flaky buttermilk biscuit with raspberry jam, a velvety soft omelette with sharp, tangy cheddar mixing with the slightly runny interior and oozing out, a fried ball of potato, and broiled tomatoes with a faint kick to them. But that's the way it is at Egg. Even after you've finished your novel-thick French toast, your caramelized grapefruit with mint, your rasher of Dine's Farm bacon, or your Anson Mills cheese grits, you always have room for more. So don't be intimidated by the line out the door; the wait is worth it!
Egg: 135 North 5th St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn, (718) 302-5151.
Not that I needed anything else! I'd just torn through a flaky buttermilk biscuit with raspberry jam, a velvety soft omelette with sharp, tangy cheddar mixing with the slightly runny interior and oozing out, a fried ball of potato, and broiled tomatoes with a faint kick to them. But that's the way it is at Egg. Even after you've finished your novel-thick French toast, your caramelized grapefruit with mint, your rasher of Dine's Farm bacon, or your Anson Mills cheese grits, you always have room for more. So don't be intimidated by the line out the door; the wait is worth it!
Egg: 135 North 5th St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn, (718) 302-5151.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Brunch At Baci & Abbracci
Get me near a plate of complimentary biscotti, a brick oven, perfectly grilled seafood, and homemade torta della nonna, and I can't stay away. This weekend, a friend and I fell in love with a restaurant which fulfilled all of the above characteristics: Baci & Abbracci. (We also fell in love with Paolo.)
A wealth of possibilities lay before us as we sat down in the backyard patio this afternoon: sweet (omelette stuffed with Brie and apricot jam!), savory, brunch or lunch? We couldn't just choose one thing, so we started with butternut squash soup with two plump grilled shrimp and a salad with white beans, grilled scallops, calamari and shrimp with sweet red peppers. We also enjoyed slightly warmed walnut raisin rolls with apricot jam ("Great! Now I don't miss the apricot jam," said my friend, who had agonized over whether to try the aforementioned sweet omelette.)
We diverged in our entrees; I went with lunch: chewy, toothsome little beet gnocchi with sprigs of arugula in an intensely rich, creamy cheese sauce. My friend delighted in the asparagus frittata, served with large potato wedges and a small salad.
Now it was starting to grow chilly outside, so we retreated inside near the oven, where tiny chocolate coconut cookies were coming into existence. Naturally, we were compelled to order dessert. Paolo brought us over a plate of complimentary biscotti and cookies, but we also indulged in a healthy slice of custardy, pistachio-laden torta della nonna which was cross-hatched with chocolate cream. Yum!
Baci & Abbracci: 204 Grand St., Brooklyn, (718) 599-6599. Open for brunch on Saturday as well as Sunday.
A wealth of possibilities lay before us as we sat down in the backyard patio this afternoon: sweet (omelette stuffed with Brie and apricot jam!), savory, brunch or lunch? We couldn't just choose one thing, so we started with butternut squash soup with two plump grilled shrimp and a salad with white beans, grilled scallops, calamari and shrimp with sweet red peppers. We also enjoyed slightly warmed walnut raisin rolls with apricot jam ("Great! Now I don't miss the apricot jam," said my friend, who had agonized over whether to try the aforementioned sweet omelette.)
We diverged in our entrees; I went with lunch: chewy, toothsome little beet gnocchi with sprigs of arugula in an intensely rich, creamy cheese sauce. My friend delighted in the asparagus frittata, served with large potato wedges and a small salad.
Now it was starting to grow chilly outside, so we retreated inside near the oven, where tiny chocolate coconut cookies were coming into existence. Naturally, we were compelled to order dessert. Paolo brought us over a plate of complimentary biscotti and cookies, but we also indulged in a healthy slice of custardy, pistachio-laden torta della nonna which was cross-hatched with chocolate cream. Yum!
Baci & Abbracci: 204 Grand St., Brooklyn, (718) 599-6599. Open for brunch on Saturday as well as Sunday.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Brunch at Goblin Market (CLOSED as of September 2007)
With its strategically exposed brick wall and pounded-copper bar, Goblin Market feels like it's been around for much longer than four months. Today, I was on my way to Grandaisy Bakery to pick up some pizza patate when I decided to stop over at Goblin. I'm so glad I did!
As I sat drinking strong coffee, I watched the plates piling up on neighboring tables: a thick Angus burger, a foot-long rolled tomato, mozzarella basil omelette, lemon buttermilk pancakes. Fortunately, my dish (creme-fraiche-rich eggs scrambled with smoked salmon, topped with a small spray of domestic caviar and served with slightly browned, parsleyed potatoes) was not long in arriving.
The dinner menu looked great too... you can have your steak marinated in miso or Mediterranean-style.
Goblin Market: 199 Prince St., (212) 375-8275.
As I sat drinking strong coffee, I watched the plates piling up on neighboring tables: a thick Angus burger, a foot-long rolled tomato, mozzarella basil omelette, lemon buttermilk pancakes. Fortunately, my dish (creme-fraiche-rich eggs scrambled with smoked salmon, topped with a small spray of domestic caviar and served with slightly browned, parsleyed potatoes) was not long in arriving.
The dinner menu looked great too... you can have your steak marinated in miso or Mediterranean-style.
Goblin Market: 199 Prince St., (212) 375-8275.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
All's Well That Ends Well... Brunch at DuMont
My Williamsburg friend and I were discussing brunch options this morning. "How is Gribouille's menu?" I wondered. "They have a good prix fixe - it's three courses," said my friend.
"I don't know if I'm in the mood for three courses this morning," I said. "Then why don't we check out the new PT?" suggested my friend. "Someone told me it was fabulous."
We walked over to South 3rd and Bedford, and PT, a new Italian restaurant, was not open for brunch. "What about Bonita across the street?" asked my friend. "I thought that place was OK," I said, "but they skimped on my huevos rancheros." We continued walking and wondering what to do.
We decided to walk to Diner, that eminence grise of Williamsburg restaurants. There was a crowd waiting outside, and as we approached the door, we saw masses of people standing inside as well. I sighed, but perked up when my friend informed me that Diner's owners had opened Marlow and Sons, a little restaurant/gourmet market next door. Although the restaurant did not serve brunch, I was excited to find out that the market, which was somewhat reminiscent of the popular Bedford Cheese Shop, offered fresh-baked goods ("We bake everything except the croissants," said the counterperson). There were all kinds of goodies: apple scones, bacon gruyere scones, raisin-studded iced bear claws. I wondered if we might grow hungry during our search for brunch, so I ordered a deliciously crumbly apple scone and a huge tomato mozzarella basil sandwich. My friend laughed. "When are you going to eat that?"
We kept walking. "Dressler is hot," said my friend. "I wonder if they have brunch?" A lovely woman named Christina told us that Sunday brunch will be served starting October 1. She handed us an enticing new fall dinner menu - it included braised short ribs with parsnip puree, pea & Fontina raviolini, and pan-roasted quail with baked white polenta - and those were just the appetizers!
Now we were really hungry. "Do you think we might get into Colin Devlin's original spot, Dumont?" I asked. "There's probably a line," replied my friend dolefully. Still, we resolved to walk all the way over to Union Avenue. When we finally reached DuMont, we were welcomed by a smiling server and an empty table!
There were so many appetizing choices... eggs Florentine or Benedict on brioche toast, croque-monsieur, smoked trout salad with a poached egg. I ordered the special smoked salmon omelette and my friend chose the huevos rancheros with eggs over easy.
We were surprised by a complimentary plate of warm, sugar-sprinkled doughnut holes. (What a wonderful way to begin a brunch!) The entrees arrived without delay - according to my friend, many Williamsburg restaurants suffer from lackadaisical service - but not DuMont. The smoked salmon omelette was wonderfully fluffy with a filling of thick salmon slices and tangy puffs of dill-flecked goat cheese. Also served were a refreshing mixed green salad and some really amazing home fries. Large chunks of well-salted fried potato were perfectly crispy on the outside, light as air on the inside. The potatoes were mixed with onions and red peppers, and all vegetables kept their shape instead of being smooshed into an overcooked, unrecognizable mass. My friend liked his huevos rancheros with black beans (the avocado in his salad was a nice touch), but he preferred my entree. I tried to be generous with it.
The finishing touch was a warm, dense chocolate brownie with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream!
Dumont: 432 Union Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn, (718) 486-7717.
"I don't know if I'm in the mood for three courses this morning," I said. "Then why don't we check out the new PT?" suggested my friend. "Someone told me it was fabulous."
We walked over to South 3rd and Bedford, and PT, a new Italian restaurant, was not open for brunch. "What about Bonita across the street?" asked my friend. "I thought that place was OK," I said, "but they skimped on my huevos rancheros." We continued walking and wondering what to do.
We decided to walk to Diner, that eminence grise of Williamsburg restaurants. There was a crowd waiting outside, and as we approached the door, we saw masses of people standing inside as well. I sighed, but perked up when my friend informed me that Diner's owners had opened Marlow and Sons, a little restaurant/gourmet market next door. Although the restaurant did not serve brunch, I was excited to find out that the market, which was somewhat reminiscent of the popular Bedford Cheese Shop, offered fresh-baked goods ("We bake everything except the croissants," said the counterperson). There were all kinds of goodies: apple scones, bacon gruyere scones, raisin-studded iced bear claws. I wondered if we might grow hungry during our search for brunch, so I ordered a deliciously crumbly apple scone and a huge tomato mozzarella basil sandwich. My friend laughed. "When are you going to eat that?"
We kept walking. "Dressler is hot," said my friend. "I wonder if they have brunch?" A lovely woman named Christina told us that Sunday brunch will be served starting October 1. She handed us an enticing new fall dinner menu - it included braised short ribs with parsnip puree, pea & Fontina raviolini, and pan-roasted quail with baked white polenta - and those were just the appetizers!
Now we were really hungry. "Do you think we might get into Colin Devlin's original spot, Dumont?" I asked. "There's probably a line," replied my friend dolefully. Still, we resolved to walk all the way over to Union Avenue. When we finally reached DuMont, we were welcomed by a smiling server and an empty table!
There were so many appetizing choices... eggs Florentine or Benedict on brioche toast, croque-monsieur, smoked trout salad with a poached egg. I ordered the special smoked salmon omelette and my friend chose the huevos rancheros with eggs over easy.
We were surprised by a complimentary plate of warm, sugar-sprinkled doughnut holes. (What a wonderful way to begin a brunch!) The entrees arrived without delay - according to my friend, many Williamsburg restaurants suffer from lackadaisical service - but not DuMont. The smoked salmon omelette was wonderfully fluffy with a filling of thick salmon slices and tangy puffs of dill-flecked goat cheese. Also served were a refreshing mixed green salad and some really amazing home fries. Large chunks of well-salted fried potato were perfectly crispy on the outside, light as air on the inside. The potatoes were mixed with onions and red peppers, and all vegetables kept their shape instead of being smooshed into an overcooked, unrecognizable mass. My friend liked his huevos rancheros with black beans (the avocado in his salad was a nice touch), but he preferred my entree. I tried to be generous with it.
The finishing touch was a warm, dense chocolate brownie with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream!
Dumont: 432 Union Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn, (718) 486-7717.
Monday, July 10, 2006
Moto
It's amazing to me that this oh-so-European cafe was once a dreary, drop-ceilinged check cashing place with wall-to-wall carpeting. Although it's still situated right underneath elevated subway tracks, Moto has plenty of sepia-toned charm to spare - I'd like to sit there for hours with a cup of americano and a book.
This past weekend, I met a friend for brunch at Moto. After deliberating over the baked apple pancakes, ham-Swiss panini and Turkish breakfast, we ordered fresh-squeezed orange juice, a hearty breadless sandwich made up of layers of baked, browned eggs and ham, and two eggs in a tomato cream sauce. Both dishes were served with a green salad and well-buttered toast spears. Then we split a remarkable date cake which was surrounded by an ultra-rich, warm caramel sauce. (We fought over the whipped cream.)
Moto features a regular schedule of acoustic music!
Moto: 394 Broadway, Williamsburg, (718) 599-6895.
This past weekend, I met a friend for brunch at Moto. After deliberating over the baked apple pancakes, ham-Swiss panini and Turkish breakfast, we ordered fresh-squeezed orange juice, a hearty breadless sandwich made up of layers of baked, browned eggs and ham, and two eggs in a tomato cream sauce. Both dishes were served with a green salad and well-buttered toast spears. Then we split a remarkable date cake which was surrounded by an ultra-rich, warm caramel sauce. (We fought over the whipped cream.)
Moto features a regular schedule of acoustic music!
Moto: 394 Broadway, Williamsburg, (718) 599-6895.
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Brunch At Old Devil Moon
Long before Blue Smoke and Biscuit, there was Old Devil Moon - a small, Southern joint friendly to both meatophiles and vegetarians. For 14 years, Old Devil Moon has served one of the heartiest, reasonably-priced brunches in the city.
My companion and I took a friend with Southern roots there today - we thought he would appreciate the cheese grits. I agonized over my choice... would it be the huge Fisherman's breakfast (fried catfish, eggs, garlic greens, grits, a large fluffy biscuit with homemade wild blueberry and peach preserves), the McMoon egg, cheddar and meat (bacon, sausage or veggie sausage) sandwich with grits or homefries, or the truly formidable Hungry Man breakfast (3 eggs, a stack of corn or whole wheat pancakes, cheddar grits and choice of meat)?
My companion, in an attempt at healthful eating, ordered the greens, beans and grits - with no eggs! I finally decided on that huge, eggs-spilling-over-the-edges McMoon. Although this sandwich was quite tasty, the biscuit was burnt on top. However, the biscuit in our friend's Fisherman's Breakfast was just perfect.
Old Devil Moon is so (deservedly) popular that you must have your entire party present in order to be seated.
Old Devil Moon: 511 East 12th St., (212) 475-4357.
My companion and I took a friend with Southern roots there today - we thought he would appreciate the cheese grits. I agonized over my choice... would it be the huge Fisherman's breakfast (fried catfish, eggs, garlic greens, grits, a large fluffy biscuit with homemade wild blueberry and peach preserves), the McMoon egg, cheddar and meat (bacon, sausage or veggie sausage) sandwich with grits or homefries, or the truly formidable Hungry Man breakfast (3 eggs, a stack of corn or whole wheat pancakes, cheddar grits and choice of meat)?
My companion, in an attempt at healthful eating, ordered the greens, beans and grits - with no eggs! I finally decided on that huge, eggs-spilling-over-the-edges McMoon. Although this sandwich was quite tasty, the biscuit was burnt on top. However, the biscuit in our friend's Fisherman's Breakfast was just perfect.
Old Devil Moon is so (deservedly) popular that you must have your entire party present in order to be seated.
Old Devil Moon: 511 East 12th St., (212) 475-4357.
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Breakfast Envy at Thomas Beisl
Have you ever coveted your neighbor's plate? This morning at Thomas Beisl, I looked longingly at my friend's breakfast. Ironically, I had suggested that she order that particular selection: the brioche French toast. Three-inch-thick slices of eggy brioche were snowed under with confectioners sugar, thickly spread with homemade apricot jam and festooned with caramelized bananas. The whole glorious mess was accompanied by real maple syrup and creme fraiche.
(My friend didn't care much for the creme fraiche, but as she gleefully poured on the syrup, she regaled me with stories from her New England childhood. Apparently she used to tap maple trees and enjoy wintertime "maple snow." Her mother would heat up the maple syrup and pour it over a handful of freshly fallen backyard snow.)
I had ordered the intriguing-sounding souffled pancakes with fruit compote and raisins. But although I enjoyed the stewed plums in the compote, the pancakes were more like pieces of heavy fried dough with none of the airiness of a souffled preparation. Fortunately, my friend was generous with her French toast, and I believe I will order it the next time we meet for brunch. (I later consoled myself with a fresh-out-the-oven wild blueberry muffin at Blue Sky Bakery.)
Thomas Beisl: 25 Lafayette Ave., Brooklyn, (718) 222-5800.
(My friend didn't care much for the creme fraiche, but as she gleefully poured on the syrup, she regaled me with stories from her New England childhood. Apparently she used to tap maple trees and enjoy wintertime "maple snow." Her mother would heat up the maple syrup and pour it over a handful of freshly fallen backyard snow.)
I had ordered the intriguing-sounding souffled pancakes with fruit compote and raisins. But although I enjoyed the stewed plums in the compote, the pancakes were more like pieces of heavy fried dough with none of the airiness of a souffled preparation. Fortunately, my friend was generous with her French toast, and I believe I will order it the next time we meet for brunch. (I later consoled myself with a fresh-out-the-oven wild blueberry muffin at Blue Sky Bakery.)
Thomas Beisl: 25 Lafayette Ave., Brooklyn, (718) 222-5800.
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Fig & Olive
Following in the footsteps of La Table O & Co., the new Fig & Olive opened its doors on the Upper East Side. The two-month old Mediterranean cafe sports an olive bar and a pantry full of extra-virgin olive oil from France, Italy and Spain. Complementary olive oil tastings are offered; yesterday, the tasting consisted of three oils described as "warm and buttery," "peppery" and "crisp."
The cafe serves a delightful weekend brunch; I enjoyed the Mediterranean eggs served on homemade fougasse with marinated raw salmon, dill and white cheese. Other menu items include various carpaccios such as Spanish ham with Aguibal Manzanilla olive oil, and a selection of tartines, salads and soups. After your meal, don't forget to take home a bag of fig walnut biscotti or fresh-baked honey-lavender madeleines.
So if your holiday plans don't include Provence, just hop a cab to Lexington Avenue!
Fig & Olive: 808 Lexington Ave., (212) 207-4555
The cafe serves a delightful weekend brunch; I enjoyed the Mediterranean eggs served on homemade fougasse with marinated raw salmon, dill and white cheese. Other menu items include various carpaccios such as Spanish ham with Aguibal Manzanilla olive oil, and a selection of tartines, salads and soups. After your meal, don't forget to take home a bag of fig walnut biscotti or fresh-baked honey-lavender madeleines.
So if your holiday plans don't include Provence, just hop a cab to Lexington Avenue!
Fig & Olive: 808 Lexington Ave., (212) 207-4555
Monday, February 07, 2005
Sarabeth's East
Pardon me a moment while I wipe the chocolate pudding off of my computer keyboard. As I type this, I'm spooning out every last chocolate shaving, mound of whipped cream and smidgen of chocolate custard from a glass jar (courtesy of Sarabeth's East). I made out like a bandit today at the famous bakery-restaurant, bringing home some chocolate cherry bread, brownies, chocolate souffle cake (do you sense a theme here?) and the above-mentioned pudding.
Honestly, I didn't intend to come away with so many goodies. My original intention was to indulge my rediscovered appetite for breakfast. I was already familiar with Sarabeth's excellent, naturally-thickened preserves, and I'd fantasized about spreading the strawberry-peach jam on a fresh hot scone.
I was amazed at the line of people waiting when I arrived around 1 p.m. (Sarabeth's only takes dinner reservations.) However, I had plenty of entertainment looking at the display case full of baked goods.
The wait was only ten minutes. Soon, after making that age-old decision between sweet and savory, I was enjoying a delightful breakfast. A scrumptious cherry-shallot dressing livened up some mixed greens. White truffle oil added an earthy complexity to a potato leek spinach soup. Three-pepper home fries were nicely browned, although the peppers and onions arrived in a heap over the potatoes (I prefer them interspersed). The smoked salmon eggs Benedict consisted of two Hollandaise-glazed jumbo eggs, which sat happily atop two homemade cornmeal-dusted English muffins amid a garnish of diced sweet red peppers and scallions. Raisin scones, which weren't served warmed, were nevertheless buttery and delicious. I slathered them with the strawberry-peach preserves.
The hearty meal held me until now, hence my voracious chocolate pudding consumption. Excuse me while I enjoy the last bite!
Sarabeth's (East) 1295 Madison Ave., (212) 410-7335. There are also locations at 423 Amsterdam Ave. and 945 Madison Ave., as well as a bakery at Chelsea Market.
Honestly, I didn't intend to come away with so many goodies. My original intention was to indulge my rediscovered appetite for breakfast. I was already familiar with Sarabeth's excellent, naturally-thickened preserves, and I'd fantasized about spreading the strawberry-peach jam on a fresh hot scone.
I was amazed at the line of people waiting when I arrived around 1 p.m. (Sarabeth's only takes dinner reservations.) However, I had plenty of entertainment looking at the display case full of baked goods.
The wait was only ten minutes. Soon, after making that age-old decision between sweet and savory, I was enjoying a delightful breakfast. A scrumptious cherry-shallot dressing livened up some mixed greens. White truffle oil added an earthy complexity to a potato leek spinach soup. Three-pepper home fries were nicely browned, although the peppers and onions arrived in a heap over the potatoes (I prefer them interspersed). The smoked salmon eggs Benedict consisted of two Hollandaise-glazed jumbo eggs, which sat happily atop two homemade cornmeal-dusted English muffins amid a garnish of diced sweet red peppers and scallions. Raisin scones, which weren't served warmed, were nevertheless buttery and delicious. I slathered them with the strawberry-peach preserves.
The hearty meal held me until now, hence my voracious chocolate pudding consumption. Excuse me while I enjoy the last bite!
Sarabeth's (East) 1295 Madison Ave., (212) 410-7335. There are also locations at 423 Amsterdam Ave. and 945 Madison Ave., as well as a bakery at Chelsea Market.
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Battle of the Brunches (Part 2): Arepas
Note: It's been quite a while since I conducted an informal battle of the brunches. I hope to do this with increasing frequency.
I'm a big fan of anything made with cornmeal: polenta, tortillas, cornbread, grits, pupusas, and, of course, the delightful Venezuelan arepa. This white cornmeal cake is not only a sturdy pocket for various fillings such as cheese or roast meat, but it's also tasty with just a pat of butter. This week, I compared the arepa breakfasts at two Venezuelan cafes in the East Village: Flor's Kitchen and Caracas Arepa Bar.
At Caracas Arepa Bar, I ordered the Desayuno Criollo ($9.95) and received a large plate of huevos pericos, or eggs scrambled with peppers, onions and tomatoes, a healthy portion of black beans (shredded beef is also an option), a small salad with tomatoes and hearts of palm, a tropical juice (I chose guava) and a plain arepa. The scrambled eggs were fluffy and the guava juice was thick and sweet. However, the arepa was a disappointment: small and hard, it was rather more like a biscuit.
I had the exact opposite experience at Flor's Kitchen (which recently opened up a new location in the West Village due to its extreme popularity - NOTE: 1st Ave. location closed in 2007). I again ordered the huevos pericos ($6.50, with fried plantains instead of beans and salad) and a guava juice. The juice was iced and tart instead of sweet, and the scrambled eggs were unappealingly watery. But the arepa: what a revelation! Moist, light, buttery and piping hot, it was everything the ideal cornmeal cake should be. In the future, I guess I'll just have to make an afternoon of my arepas and brunch at both restaurants on the same day.
Caracas Arepa Bar: 91 East 7th St., (212) 228-5062. Flor's Kitchen: 149 1st Ave., (212) 387-8949.
I'm a big fan of anything made with cornmeal: polenta, tortillas, cornbread, grits, pupusas, and, of course, the delightful Venezuelan arepa. This white cornmeal cake is not only a sturdy pocket for various fillings such as cheese or roast meat, but it's also tasty with just a pat of butter. This week, I compared the arepa breakfasts at two Venezuelan cafes in the East Village: Flor's Kitchen and Caracas Arepa Bar.
At Caracas Arepa Bar, I ordered the Desayuno Criollo ($9.95) and received a large plate of huevos pericos, or eggs scrambled with peppers, onions and tomatoes, a healthy portion of black beans (shredded beef is also an option), a small salad with tomatoes and hearts of palm, a tropical juice (I chose guava) and a plain arepa. The scrambled eggs were fluffy and the guava juice was thick and sweet. However, the arepa was a disappointment: small and hard, it was rather more like a biscuit.
I had the exact opposite experience at Flor's Kitchen (which recently opened up a new location in the West Village due to its extreme popularity - NOTE: 1st Ave. location closed in 2007). I again ordered the huevos pericos ($6.50, with fried plantains instead of beans and salad) and a guava juice. The juice was iced and tart instead of sweet, and the scrambled eggs were unappealingly watery. But the arepa: what a revelation! Moist, light, buttery and piping hot, it was everything the ideal cornmeal cake should be. In the future, I guess I'll just have to make an afternoon of my arepas and brunch at both restaurants on the same day.
Caracas Arepa Bar: 91 East 7th St., (212) 228-5062. Flor's Kitchen: 149 1st Ave., (212) 387-8949.
Monday, July 07, 2003
Brunch At Paradou (Closed as of 1/31/04)
Yesterday, I awoke with a craving for crepes. As the morning wore on, I also developed an intense craving for chocolate truffles (an almost daily occurrence). Fortunately, I was able to satisfy both desires in one place: the new Paradou in Park Slope.
Our savory whole-wheat crepes (ham, Comte cheese and egg with a hint of Dijon mustard, and smoked salmon with lemon creme fraiche and asparagus) were gigantic and generous with filling. The crepes were folded over to make room for refreshing green salads.
Not once in my life have I been able to resist ordering a dessert crepe when I see one on the menu. It was easy to succumb to the temptation at Paradou, which offers six sweet varieties. Since I was with fellow chocolate lovers, we shared the chocolate creme de menthe (a light, eggy crepe filled with melted dark chocolate and doused with mint syrup) and the sugar-sprinkled Nutella banana.
At this point I was quite full, but I mustered up all of my remaining appetite for the Joel Durand truffles, for which Paradou is the exclusive U.S. distributor. The complex flavors of these exotic treats rivaled those of Bernard Callebaut and Jacques Torres. I was especially impressed by the herbal green cardamom, the Corsican bitter honey, and the salted butter caramel. On future visits, I plan to try the entire collection!
Paradou: 426 7th Ave., Brooklyn, (718) 499-5557. For Manhattanites, the original location is 8 Little West 12th St., (212) 463-8345.
Our savory whole-wheat crepes (ham, Comte cheese and egg with a hint of Dijon mustard, and smoked salmon with lemon creme fraiche and asparagus) were gigantic and generous with filling. The crepes were folded over to make room for refreshing green salads.
Not once in my life have I been able to resist ordering a dessert crepe when I see one on the menu. It was easy to succumb to the temptation at Paradou, which offers six sweet varieties. Since I was with fellow chocolate lovers, we shared the chocolate creme de menthe (a light, eggy crepe filled with melted dark chocolate and doused with mint syrup) and the sugar-sprinkled Nutella banana.
At this point I was quite full, but I mustered up all of my remaining appetite for the Joel Durand truffles, for which Paradou is the exclusive U.S. distributor. The complex flavors of these exotic treats rivaled those of Bernard Callebaut and Jacques Torres. I was especially impressed by the herbal green cardamom, the Corsican bitter honey, and the salted butter caramel. On future visits, I plan to try the entire collection!
Paradou: 426 7th Ave., Brooklyn, (718) 499-5557. For Manhattanites, the original location is 8 Little West 12th St., (212) 463-8345.
Tuesday, June 10, 2003
A Delightful Weekday Breakfast
I decided to prolong the relaxation of my vacation with a leisurely breakfast at 'ino. Their breakfast menu offers several variations on the theme of eggs and bread: truffled egg toast, bruschetta topped with scrambled eggs and either asparagus or pancetta, and my personal favorite: egg and fontina with caramelized onions on grilled ciabatta from Blue Ribbon Bakery. A glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice, a strong latte and a glance at the paper completed my transition back into the rhythms of NYC.
'ino: 21 Bedford St., (212) 989-5769
'ino: 21 Bedford St., (212) 989-5769
Monday, April 07, 2003
Battle of the Brunches (Part 1)
This past weekend, I made it my business to brunch at two different French bistros in Brooklyn: Moutarde and Loulou. Although both have much to recommend them, Loulou (CLOSED AS OF 6/09) really claimed a corner of my heart (and more than a corner of my stomach).
At Moutarde, I appreciated the pain au chocolat and buttery croissants in the breadbasket. The orange juice is not fresh-squeezed, but the coffee is good and strong. The menu mostly consists of egg dishes such as omelettes and scrambled eggs with caramelized onions. I did enjoy my generously hollandaised salmon Eggs Benedict with mesclun greens and roasted potatoes; the English muffins were crisply toasted.
Loulou is charming, rustic, and tiny. Watching the heaping plates of pain perdu (bourbon French toast) pass by, I felt as though I was living in Babette's Feast. The menu offers more variety than that of Moutarde, and the fresh orange juice is honey-sweet. I couldn't decide between the moules frites, palette (bread, egg and vegetable pancake), or the apple cinnamon crêpe. Finally I delighted in a savory egg and cheese crêpe with green salad. However, it wasn't quite enough to sate my legendary appetite, so I gave in to the craving for a warm bread pudding. Dense and eggy, sweet with maple syrup and smothered with melted semi-sweet chocolate, it was a recipe from heaven.
Moutarde: 239 Fifth Ave., Brooklyn, (718) 623-3600. Loulou: 222 DeKalb Ave., Brooklyn, (718) 246-0633.
At Moutarde, I appreciated the pain au chocolat and buttery croissants in the breadbasket. The orange juice is not fresh-squeezed, but the coffee is good and strong. The menu mostly consists of egg dishes such as omelettes and scrambled eggs with caramelized onions. I did enjoy my generously hollandaised salmon Eggs Benedict with mesclun greens and roasted potatoes; the English muffins were crisply toasted.
Loulou is charming, rustic, and tiny. Watching the heaping plates of pain perdu (bourbon French toast) pass by, I felt as though I was living in Babette's Feast. The menu offers more variety than that of Moutarde, and the fresh orange juice is honey-sweet. I couldn't decide between the moules frites, palette (bread, egg and vegetable pancake), or the apple cinnamon crêpe. Finally I delighted in a savory egg and cheese crêpe with green salad. However, it wasn't quite enough to sate my legendary appetite, so I gave in to the craving for a warm bread pudding. Dense and eggy, sweet with maple syrup and smothered with melted semi-sweet chocolate, it was a recipe from heaven.
Moutarde: 239 Fifth Ave., Brooklyn, (718) 623-3600. Loulou: 222 DeKalb Ave., Brooklyn, (718) 246-0633.
Saturday, December 07, 2002
Monday, September 09, 2002
Brunch at Max Court (Closed)
You may wonder, “Is it still possible to get a satisfying brunch in Brooklyn for $4.95?” I must inform you that the answer is a resounding yes!
Yesterday, a friend and I were hungry and hot, walking around Carroll Gardens. We weren’t having any luck finding brunch; Panino’teca 275 was inexplicably closed, and Copper was being renovated. But I knew that an oasis of yumminess was right around the corner, so I smiled knowingly when my friend wondered if our final destination would be worth the journey.
Enter Max Court, the charming restaurant that seems as though it were your Italian best friend’s apartment. Our host showed us to a lovely garden festooned with Danesi parasols. Although the temperature was in the 90s, several fans cooled things off in the garden.
My friend gasped at the low prices on the menu. A frittata of potato and white onion went for $5.95, while our choice, the mozzarella in carozza, cost only $4.95. The rich egg toast, oozing with melted mozzarella, was accompanied by a large portion of rosemary-roasted potatoes and a big mesclun salad with plum tomatoes. Other items on the brunch menu included eggs scrambled with pancetta, mozzarella and parmigiano, and uova ripiene, hard-boiled eggs stuffed with sardines, olives, capers and mustard.
We lingered enjoyably over our cappuccino and tiramisú, as no one rushed us.
(My friend remarked that Rosewater charged twice as much for brunch while delivering half the amount of food. And recently, I have found the service at Rosewater particularly inhospitable, especially when I am dining alone. So for a tranquil, equally tasty Sunday brunch, I recommend going the extra mile to Max Court!)
Max Court: 395 Court St., Brooklyn. (718) 596-9797. Delicious brunch available Sat.-Sun. 11-4.
Yesterday, a friend and I were hungry and hot, walking around Carroll Gardens. We weren’t having any luck finding brunch; Panino’teca 275 was inexplicably closed, and Copper was being renovated. But I knew that an oasis of yumminess was right around the corner, so I smiled knowingly when my friend wondered if our final destination would be worth the journey.
Enter Max Court, the charming restaurant that seems as though it were your Italian best friend’s apartment. Our host showed us to a lovely garden festooned with Danesi parasols. Although the temperature was in the 90s, several fans cooled things off in the garden.
My friend gasped at the low prices on the menu. A frittata of potato and white onion went for $5.95, while our choice, the mozzarella in carozza, cost only $4.95. The rich egg toast, oozing with melted mozzarella, was accompanied by a large portion of rosemary-roasted potatoes and a big mesclun salad with plum tomatoes. Other items on the brunch menu included eggs scrambled with pancetta, mozzarella and parmigiano, and uova ripiene, hard-boiled eggs stuffed with sardines, olives, capers and mustard.
We lingered enjoyably over our cappuccino and tiramisú, as no one rushed us.
(My friend remarked that Rosewater charged twice as much for brunch while delivering half the amount of food. And recently, I have found the service at Rosewater particularly inhospitable, especially when I am dining alone. So for a tranquil, equally tasty Sunday brunch, I recommend going the extra mile to Max Court!)
Max Court: 395 Court St., Brooklyn. (718) 596-9797. Delicious brunch available Sat.-Sun. 11-4.
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