5 BRUNCH Hotspots
For an extraordinary New York weekend
Brunch has been a phenomenon among cool, cooler coolest new Yorkers for decennia. Every Restaurant, bar or any other establishment that serves food has a separate brunch menu for the weekend. The first week as New York Newbie I was offered the choice between a lunch and a brunch menu. But hold on a minute, what’s the difference?
After a year and a half of roaming the Big Apple and after a numerous amount of brunch sessions, I finally get it. The whole point is: not to think but to do. So Mimosa (the ultimate brunch beverage, a mix of orange juice an champagne) at 10.30 am? Yes. Eggs and bacon and salmon and cheese and more bacon? Yes. A Hamburger? Go on. Want to have a bottle of vodka and a dance on the tables? Sure, go ahead. After that it’s just a question of rolling home or waggling duck style, and then you’ll understand.
You would believe all that ‘healthy life, healthy mind’ stuff here in New York is a scam when you see them brunching. It’s all out or nothing and there’s always alcohol. From Bloody-Marys to vodka-cranberrys. And the moment it the glasses turn into bottles it’s called a “boozy brunch”. This sub-category within the brunching world concerns disco lights, slurping away chique cocktails, feet off the floor dancing all while you’re stuffing your mouth with pieces of lobster and end up practically crawling to the taxi that will take you home. Perfect for a Sunday party that guarantees a headache free workday on Monday.
So brunches whether the party-kind or the calorie bomb-kind is a must for any mini break in New York to be a success. I now consider myself a brunch-addict and have a few top locations for the perfect NY-stylo-brunch. Read and go!
Bagatelle
The French Riviera boozy brunch you find in Meatpacking. Everything is French, it’s all glimmering white, has hostesses skipping around on Louboutins and is very popular among the rich and (wannabe) famous. It all starts out very correctly, seated at white linen covered tables. But as soon as the clock strikes three o’clock the curtains close an all hell breaks loose. People climb on tables, Chanel bags are flying all over the place and (I’m not kidding) it’s not rare for some Russian to stand up and start throwing booze or money around. Kinky place that Bagatelle, but it’s great to spend an afternoon there, sipping sangria rouge or rose and enjoying that divine tuna tartar. You have a clear view from the bar. Not as entertaining but certainly a lot cheaper.
The Leadbelly
This is fun. On the lower East side you’ll find this hotspot in the bowler hat- and beard-wearing area of the city. Very cozy, very delicious food and very hip. They play vinyl records, that have everyone dancing to oldies and everyone is chill. I think LES (short for lower east side, used by real NY’ers) is a lovely neighborhood to stroll through on the weekend. So walk through the streets and plan a Leadbelly pit stop for some little bites like truffle fries, half a dozen oysters and a babaganoush dip.
Mercer Kitchen
A very civilized and delicious place to brunch. The ambiance of the famous Soho establishment is always a winner for me. Everyone from tourist to sophisticated Soho-er comes here for brunch and they can choose from an elaborate menu. The Thai coconut soup or a hamburger, everything here is delicious. No loud music or other hysterical stuff just a good culinary experience in one of the most happening quarters of Manhattan.
Bergdorf
Drop dead chique! I went here for Christmas and I can tell you it’s a real treat roaming around on the top floor of one of New Yorks most well known departments stores (that’s a posh word for mall). While enjoying views of Central Park you’re kept in baroque ambiance and it’s all High Society. The Olsons, Valetinos and other members of the VIP group, love to come here. Besides French delight on a plate this is the perfect spot for observing people and dipping into the life of Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen; fur coats, enormous sunglasses, high heels (sigh), love it. I can also recommend the high tea.
Lavo
A midtown location and the kind of club that holds boozy brunches on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, like at Bagatelle. The thing that distinguishes it from Bagatelle is that Lavo is bigger darker and has bikini wearing hostesses. Ensuring the brunches here have ‘Geordie Shore” level that’s just a bit higher than in other places. But it certainly can’t be held against them if you’re looking for a good time in the form of vodka sipping and twerking. It’s very wrong but so much fun. Should be allowed every once in a while, don’t you think?
Ps. You need to make a reservation well in advance in order to obtain a table. Open an account at opentable.com and put your name on a table before it’s to late. You can call direct as well. Bye
