December 5, 2008
Brunch to welcome a new year
French toast for brunch
The morning after the night before requires a little judicious handling. Here, we offer 10 brunch spots -- from Midtown Manhattan to the far reaches of Queens -- to help you find your way into the new year.
MANHATTAN
Dos Caminos. The prickly pear margarita is as good an eye-opener as you'll find anywhere-- just tart enough, just sweet enough to ease you gently into the new year. Follow it up with an omelette of wild mushrooms or a plate of eggs rancheros, and you'll feel just fine. (373 Park Avenue South; 212-294-1000. $9-$16)
Good. A few carbs are good for what ails you, and Good's scrambled egg sandwich is a tasty variation on an old-fashioned theme. Bacon, tomato, cheddar and caramelized onions are scrambled into the mix, all served up on a kaiser roll. (89 Greenwich Avenue; 212-691-8080. $9-$10.50)
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The Cub Room. Warm brick walls, dramatic flower arrangements, and careful lighting make the place as romantic on a New Year's morning as it was the night before. Go for the steak and eggs and finish up with a sweet crepe filled with nutella, bananas, strawberries, and vanilla ice cream. Yum. (131 Sullivan Street; 212-677-4100; $13-$17)
Nice Matin. One of the Upper West Side's favorite spots for brunch is a good place to welcome New Year's Day. Sip a raspberry mimosa and order up the poached eggs served in puff pastry with a creamy tomato sauce. Or, if you can't face sophistication on the first day of the new year, go for the homey oatmeal with bananas and raisins. (201 West 79th Street; 212-873-6413; $9.25-$15.75)
Good Burger. If you wake up needing a little comfort food, head to this new spot in midtown. As the name has it, there are -- what else -- very good burgers, made up by some of the guys who did the honors at Burger Joint. Add in really, really good fries and a shake, and you've got a classic cure for what ails you. (800 Second Avenue; 212-922-1700; burgers, $4.75-$5.50; shakes, $4.75)
BROOKLYN
Bacchus. In the heart of the Atlantic Avenue revival, Bacchus is one friendly place. Go for a classic brunch, starting with the house's signature Sake Mary, a spicy reminder that East does meet West, no matter what anybody says. The menu offers the usual egg dishes, salads, burgers, and such, but the crepes -- whether sweet or savory -- make a nice start for the new year. (409 Atlantic Avenue; 718-852-1572; $10-$15)
Bubby's. You can stick with the familiar and the comfortable -- homemade granola, eggs benedict, pancakes, and so on. Or you can get a little fancier: Huevos rancheros, salmon nicoise. Buddy's has comfort food, no matter how you look at it. Order the house's favorite Bloody Mary, and don't forget the peanut butter pie. (1 Main Street; 718-222-0666; $15)
Madiba. They're pretty direct here. Brooklyn's only South African restaurant is serving a hangover brunch for the new year. There's a safari breakfast of sausage, tomato, mushrooms, fried eggs and bacon if you're looking for the familiar. Or there's bobotie, a baked sandwich of curried chopped meat or frikkadels (meat balls and poached eggs served with baked beans). Do order the crumpets with fresh fruit. (195 DeKalb Avenue; 718-855-9190; $6-$16)
QUEENS
Pop Diner. This spiffed-up diner serves hearty brunches that range from a seafood omelette stuffed with shrimp and scallops to eggs benedict, pasta with salmon and pesto, or the house's Banana foster-stuffed French toast. (80-26 Queens Boulevard, Elmhurst; 718-426-2229; $12-$20)
Donovan's Pub. Ah, yes. The burger wars still rage. Some claim Donovan's has the best in the city. But, whether or not you happen to subscribe to that particular belief, it's probably the best in the borough. (57-24 Roosevelt Avenue; 718-429-9339; $15-$20)
Mixx it!