Pictured above: baked eggs from August.
I asked Andrea of BrunchCritic.com for her recommendations for the perfect brunch spots to take advantage of the last few weeks of beautiful weather (can you believe we only have a couple of weeks of Official Summer left?). After the jump, where she thinks you should go this weekend…
Andrea: I like to think of late August as the best time to visit some of New York’s most popular and crowded brunch establishments. This is when you can take advantage of the locals being out of town, and is your best bet to get brunch without the wait.
Here’s my list of the top 10 places to take advantage of during the August lull…because remember: come September, brunch season kicks into high gear again, and the long waits will indeed be back.
Cafe Ronda (UWS): Since it’s situated near 72nd st., Cafe Ronda attracts the masses from the west 60’s, west 80’s, and those coming in from Central Park. It’s a true neighborhood gem – but now is the time to try it, when most of the neighbors are out of town. What to order: A bloody Mary and the baked eggs. The sangria is wonderful too.
Cafe Luxembourg (UWS): Cafe Luxembourg attracts a sophisticated clientele – the type that travels a lot during the summer. Take advantage of their absence. What to order: Eggs Benedict.
Locanda Verde (TriBeCa): One of the most popular spots during the past winter and spring. Chances are there will still be a small wait, but nothing like what it will be in the fall. What to order: Tre Stelle mimosa (mixed with their house blend of pomegranate juice), and the Polenta Waffle with walnuts, marsala cream, & apple syrup.
Extra Virgin (West Village): The end of summer is a good time to snag one of the few sidewalk tables at this neighborhood hot spot. What to order: Roasted Artichoke Provencal with Poached Eggs, or french toast.
The General Greene (Ft. Greene, Bklyn): This Dekalb Avenue brunch spot packs people in during the fall and winter, primarily for their french toast (making the stuff is apparently a two-day process). What to order: French Toast, French Toast, French Toast. Did I say the French Toast?
Red Rooster (Harlem): It’s a combination of the food and the celebrity status of Chef Marcus Samuelsson that has made this one of the most talked-about restaurants this year. Try it for yourself and compare notes with your friends come the fall. What to order: Chocolate Pecan Waffles.
Good (Greenwich Village): After all my years of brunching, Good is still one of my personal favorites…but the wait is a killer when you are hungry. Now is the time to bypass the line, and they offer a very satisfying prix fixe. What to order: The raspberry-chocolate bread or the fresh baked donuts, and the pancakes.
Good Enough to Eat (UWS): Call it “line insanity.” It’s not one of my personal favorites, but plenty of people absolutely adore it, and summertime is a great opportunity to come to your own conclusion without sacrificing a ton of time to the wait. What to order: One of the many comfort food items on the menu.
August (West Village; pictured above): Another personal favorite of mine, this brunch spot is tiny, but the flavor is definitely mighty. And the covered back patio is very welcoming and peaceful. And it just has a nice ring to it – “August…in August”. What to order: Try the rarebit, or whatever they have on special.
Esperanto (East Village): Esperanto earned their loyal customer base by offering good food and a fantastic deal (entree, coffee & a cocktail for $9.99). What to order: Huevos rancheros, coffee, and a mimosa with a big side of satisfaction, because you just snagged brunch in NYC for ten bucks.
