Best NYC Brunch Spots
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Eleven Madison Park
Contact:
- 1 212 889 0905
- visit website
Location:
- 11 Madison Ave.
- (At 24th Street)
- New York,NY10010
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Map
Description:
Incredibly tall windows look out over Madison Square Park in this Danny Meyer-owned restaurant. The successful owner of Union Square Cafe and Gramercy Tavern fame has employed the culinary genius of chef Kerry Heffernan and an outstanding wait staff, and has put together a marvelous wine cellar for the perfect patron satisfaction. While the food is generally American, the elegant style of preparations and presentations of traditional French cuisine influence it. Eleven Madison Park also hosts private events in its premises. Call for details.
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Aquavit
Contact:
- 1 212 307 7311
- visit website
Location:
- 65 East 55th Street
- Btwn Park and Madison aves
- New York,NY10022
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Map
Description:
This attractive Scandinavian restaurant features a mid-century Scandinavian décor both in the café as well as in the dining room and lounge area. The ash wood ceiling, mellow lighting, wooden floors and sleek designs create a refined and modern ambiance. However, the spectacular food prepared by celebrity chef Marcus Jernmark is the real star. The three-course prix fixed dinner menu includes favorites like Smoked Salmon, Arctic Char, and some vegetarian options. Service is extremely professional without being stuffy. Reservations are a must in the formal downstairs dining room, but there is also seating in the more casual upstairs area.
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Cookshop
Contact:
- 1 212 924 4440
- visit website
Location:
- 156 10th Avenue
- At 20th Street
- New York,NY10199
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Map
Description:
On far west Tenth Avenue, Cookshop is brawny and boisterous with food to match. Seating can be tight, and you would hear your neighbor's conversation if it the whole place weren't so loud. But never mind: Enjoy the chef's creations. A pizza with shaved king oyster mushrooms and stracchino cheese or the grilled Montauk squid in a salsa verde make good starters to complement the restaurant's innovative cocktails. Or combine a few snacks like the fried spiced hominy or the smoked pork tacos as starters for the table. Cookshop offers entree options in four categories: sauté, grill, wood oven, and rotisserie. The whole roasted porgy, head and all, cooked in the wood oven, is moist and full of flavor, while the chili-braised beef short ribs, served over cheddar grits, from the sauté section, are tender to the bone. Service is casually efficient and helpful.
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Public
Contact:
- 1 212 343 7011
- visit website
Location:
- 210 Elizabeth Street
- New York,NY10012
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Map
Description:
Pretty lights suspended from the ceiling, wooden furnishings, and a cozy bar define this restaurant's interiors. It has some highly unusual fare on its menu, which is why it is quite popular - for the more adventurous at heart, there are such dishes as Confit Rabbit, Snail & Oxtail Ravioli, and even Grilled Kangaroo! If you don't feel up to such items, there are dishes like Roast New Zealand Snapper, and Goan Vegetable Curry with Steamed Rice. There are a few wines to round off any meal, and the staff is highly obliging too.
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Little Owl (The)
Contact:
- 1 212 741 4695
- visit website
Location:
- 90 Bedford Street
- (corner of Bedford and Grove)
- New York,NY10014
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Map
Description:
A tin and gold painted ceiling and a full view of the open kitchen is what greets you at The Little Owl. The cuisine is a mix of classical American and Mediterranean. The contemporary menu comprises of dishes made by seasonal ingredients of the freshest quality, which is always a good sign. Saying that The Little Owl pays attention to detail is an understatement. First timers and regulars will agree, the restaurant goes to lengths to accommodate its patrons, whether it means customizing a dish which is not on the menu, remembering someone's favorite dish or even getting a particular bottle of wine from elsewhere. The Pork Chop is a special favorite at The Little Owl, so maybe the crispy soft-shell crab and the duck confit will have to await future visits.
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Prune
Contact:
- 1 212 677 6221
- visit website
Location:
- 54 East 1st Street
- (Between 1st and 2nd avenues)
- New York,NY10003
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Map
Description:
A light and airy dining room overlooks an open kitchen here, where good American food is served in a charming ambience. Oysters, Gravlax, and Deviled Eggs are good starters. Popular entrees include Braised Rabbit Legs with Carrots and Fennel, Braised Beef Short Ribs with Yorkshire Pudding and Grilled Rib Eye Steak with Parsley-Shallot Butter. For dessert, the Warm Chocolate Cake is delicious; try the Oranges with Vanilla Beans, and the unexpected and fantastic Butter and Sugar Sandwiches. A prix fixe menu is available on Sunday evenings.
