Brunch Gang NYC

Place: Great Jones Cafe

Neighborhood: NoHo/East Village, 54 Great Jones St. (between Lafayette and Bowery)

Mimosa Rating: 

The scoop: While walking down Great Jones St., we couldn’t miss Great Jones Cafe if we tried. The outside of the restaurant is painted bright orange. The color stands out and gives it a little bayou feel.

Busy brunch at Great Jones

Great Jones is always packed, it never fails! We arrived around 2 p.m. or so and still waited about 25 minutes. When we walked into the tiny and cozy restaurant, we noticed right away the large wall with the menu painted on it and the large chalkboard with the daily specials, which are usually grubby and cheap. There are decorative Christmas lights everywhere. There actually isn’t much real lighting, only one front window which provides minimal light. The overall decor is plain and simple, and you really don’t need anything else here. There is not much seating, but you could come with a group if you called ahead. A decently-sized bar takes up one side of the small restaurant. You can sit at the bar for full service, but this area was packed, too.

The atmosphere is pretty loud and noisy, but nothing too crazy. They’ve got a jukebox pumping out unnoticeable tunes. There were only two servers working on this day, but they were attentive and quick. We were starving, lucky for us, the food came out in record time!

Coffee and juice

Bottoms up: Every brunch meal comes with your choice of coffee, tea or juice. I had the coffee, which was just black drip coffee with a little milk, and Johnny had some pineapple juice. I love getting free liquids! Although the coffee and juice were nothing to write home about, they were definitely needed to start the day. There is also a full bar and specialty brunch drinks available.

Chew on this: All brunch entrées are $12.95 and include your choice of cornbread or biscuit, AND home fries or grits. Plus you get a choice of the previously mentioned beverages. Such a steal!

Smothered Eggs

Crescent City Smothered Eggs / Scrambled eggs with ham over biscuits, smothered in sausage gravy

After becoming addicted to eggs with sausage gravy and biscuits from Nolita House (now closed), I always love trying to find a replacement. Great Jones’ version was pretty dang delicious and a close second to Nolita House. If you are ordering this dish, you need to be starving, as it’s extremely heavy and hearty, but believe me, you won’t be disappointed with the combination of two meats and the thick, flavorful gravy. Grits can be a hit or miss, and I would say the grits here were a total hit! They had just the right consistency and density, with cheese and hot sauce (optional, available at every table). I thoroughly enjoyed this dish and the homemade biscuits. Thankfully, I had my boyfriend with me to finish it up!

Andouille Omelette

Andouille Omelette / With Andouille sausage, green peppers, mushrooms, onions, cheddar cheese

If you’re looking for NOLA flavor, then you will find it in this Andouille omelette. It is packed with an incredible amount of spicy sausage and a great combo of veggies. I am not an omelette person, but I am considering going back just to order this — it was that good.

Cornbread

Side of Cornbread

Jalapeno cornbread?! Yes, please! It wasn’t too spicy for those who can’t take the heat, but it sure adds extra flavor. And after carb-overloading with everything else, I still found room. It is actually a pretty large piece of cornbread, and it’s also drizzled with honey.

Bacon

Side of Bacon / $4

This side wasn’t completely necessary, but it sounded good and it was! Not only was it a great deal (bacon averages around $6-8 as a side during brunch), but there was also several pieces which could be shared among a group. It wasn’t too crispy or under-cooked.

The brightly-painted exterior

The final bite: I can’t remember the last time I got such an incredible brunch deal. Not only do you get a drink with your meal, but you also get two sides. The food was excellent, down-and-dirty comfort food that might make you think you’re in New Orleans. I would be more than willing to go back again!

Reviewed by: Erica

Place: Blue Ribbon Bakery Kitchen

Neighborhood: West Village, 34 Downing St. (between Bedford St. & Varick St.)

Mimosa Rating: 

The simple dining area

The scoop: This Blue Ribbon location is one of many and has a comfortable and cozy atmosphere. It’s the perfect spot for an intimate gathering or for small groups. While there isn’t much seating, I didn’t feel cramped at our table.

Their website says Blue Ribbon Bakery Kitchen was “inspired by the discovery of a 135-year-old abandoned brick oven in the basement of a closed bodega.” When I wandered downstairs to the bathroom, I noticed the bakers in the basement working quickly to pump out several fresh items. Pretty cool, huh?

If you check out brunch at Blue Ribbon, you will really appreciate how fresh the food is. While the food is good, the decor is minimal. The staff is also super friendly. It was great having a cheerful sever.

Bread

Chew on this: The menu is simple. You have the choice of French toast, numerous poached egg dishes or what they call ‘plates.’ (This includes smoked salmon, a chicken salad platter or a seasonal fruit plate.)

Complimentary Bread Basket / Challah golden, raisin walnut, country bread

The breads are all so fresh that you don’t need anything on them (butter, jam, etc.). I loved the raisin and the challah. These breads are available for purchase across the street at the Blue Ribbon Bakery Market.

Shrimp & Bacon Hash

Shrimp & Bacon Hash $16.75 / With hollandaise sauce

The Shrimp and Bacon Hash is a hearty dish and has a good amount of protein. There was plenty of shrimp and bacon. The hash consisted of chunky cubed potatoes. Johnny is not a fan of poached eggs, which he thought would be a problem since the menu only includes poached egg dishes, however, the server informed us any dish with poached eggs could be substituted with scrambled. They still drizzled hollandaise sauce over the hash, which helped to blend and mix all of the flavors.

Chorizo Hash & Onion

Chorizo Hash & Onions $14.50 / Lemon cayenne hollandaise sauce

There were few simple ingredients in this decadent dish — chunky potatoes cubes, thick pieces of chorizo and onions. The lemon cayenne hollandaise sauce was really different. I loved how the flavors blended with the hash and poached egg. There was a decent amount of chorizo, which you don’t always find in hashes.

Blue Benedict

Blue Benedict $15.75 / Cotto ham, Jarlsberg, tomato on toasted challah

I can’t think of another Benedict that is as delicious as Blue Ribbon’s.  Two poached eggs laid perfectly on top of one oversized slice of toasted challah — so fresh and doughy. Every bite melted in my mouth. Also, there were tomatoes and melted cheese in the dish. It seemed these items were toasted with the challah. All blended nicely with the hollandaise sauce. The ham was thick and tasty. I literally wanted to lick the plate clean! I would highly recommend this dish as it’s much better than your average eggs Benedict on an English muffin.

Outside Blue Ribbon

The final bite:  Having a bakery on-site is key for this Blue Ribbon location. I cannot think of a better spot for poached eggs and fresh bread in the West Village. I would definitely recommend this restaurant and have actually already returned since my first brunch.

Reviewed by: Erica

Place: El Toro Blanco

Neighborhood: West Village, 257 6th Ave. (between W. Houston St. & Bleecker St.)

Mimosa Rating:

The scoop: From the team behind Lure and B&B, newly opened Mexican joint El Toro Blanco joins a line of fantastic restaurants in NYC. The restaurant started serving brunch almost as soon as it opened, and since I walk by often, I could see there was already a cult following developing. I knew I had to brunch there … and quickly!

Inside El Toro Blanco’s main dining area

We waltzed into El Toro Blanco on a Saturday just after 11  a.m., and there were only a few other patrons in the restaurant, which wasn’t too surprising considering it was early in the day. The atmosphere was quite calm. The server was friendly, even sharing a funny story that had happened earlier in the week at the restaurant. He was also informative and helped us make important brunch decisions!

El Toro Blanco has a clubby vibe and retro-swanky looking decor (similar to the group’s other spots). There is a huge swordfish mounted on one of the wood-paneled walls, drop pendant lamps, colorful retro chairs and rust-colored booths. The space feels roomy, although there isn’t ample amount of seating. There is also a semi-private back dining area, which would be great for private brunch affairs or dinner parties.

Bottoms up: El Toro Blanco offers a pay-per-drink option for brunch, including craft cocktails, beers, mezcals and tequila.

Tequila drinks

Pico de Paloma $12 / Avión silver, squirt grapefruit soda, lime, habanero bitters

I wanted something spicy, so the habanero caught my eye. The drink was not as spicy as I had hoped. The grapefruit soda was the more prevalent ingredient. The cocktail reminded me of a delicious punch. It’s a great alternative to your average margarita or tequila drink.

Calabazita $14 / Tequila, lemon, pumpkin, cinnamon, clove, allspice

This was such an interesting mix of spices, yet they all seemed to work well together and delivered a tasty out-of-the-ordinary margarita. I wasn’t sure how the pumpkin would mix in, but the server informed us that it was just a spice. This is a great choice if you like a margarita that’s a little different — one with a kick of cinnamon.

Chew on this: The menu is filled with Mexican breakfast dishes, as well as tacos and sweets. There are also great apps. The food doesn’t cater to any specific region of Mexico.

Guacamole $12 / Made fresh to order, warm chips, ETB salsa fresca

Housemade guac

WOW!!! If you don’t order this, you will definitely regret it. I am a huge guacamole snob, and this starter was to die for. Although it isn’t a traditional brunch item, I see it more and more at Mexican restaurants. They do not make it directly in front of you like at Rosa Mexicano or Dos Caminos; it is made fresh to order. The flavor was what you would expect, but with a little spicy twist (we asked for extra spicy), and it had a strong garlic and onion flavor. It came with yummy, thick homemade chips, as well as three different salsas — a thick, smoky and spicy yellow salsa, salsa verde and a fresca. I enjoyed drizzling the salsa over each scoop of guac. It was a great way to start the meal.

Pan Dulce con Plantanos $12 / Baked brioche, housemade spiced coffee syrup, raisins, bananas, pecans

Pan Dulce aka French toast

I love going to brunch and ordering something as simple as French toast, but yet receive a masterpiece. Served in a cast-iron skillet, the Pan Dulce con Plantanos was nothing short of mouth-watering goodness. If you are a French toast fan, I highly recommend this dish. It was very much on the sweeter side. The raisins and bananas gave the dish a whole other element. The pecans were a tasty and crunchy addition, and the brioche bread was thick and doughy. Since it was served in the skillet, the food was kept warm throughout brunch.

Burro con Chorizo

Burro con Chorizo $14 / Chorizo, scrambled eggs, Mexican cheese, breakfast papas, pickled jalapenos, warm flour tortilla, ETB salsa

I was expecting this dish to be served the way it normally is, but they gave us a tasty surprise by pan frying the tortilla for a crispy finish. The ingredients mixed well together (opted out of cheese), and the chorizo was chopped pretty well. The side salad was a nice touch, but not necessary. I also got a huge helping of sour cream for dipping. I preferred putting the salsas on top to add a little more spice and flavor. If you like chorizo, this dish is for you.

Across the street from El Toro Blanco

The final bite: The food alone will keep me coming back to El Toro Blanco, and it would be a great place to take a date. Who doesn’t enjoy a little guacamole to start the day? I recommend making a reservation for El Toro Blanco quickly before word spreads!

Reviewed by: Erica

Place: Barbuto

Neighborhood: West Village, 775 Washington St. (between 12th St. & Jane St.)

Mimosa Rating:

The scoop: There is a lot of hype surrounding Barbuto because former “Top Chef: Masters” contestant Jonathan Waxman is the chef/owner of the Italian restaurant in the West Village.

Inside Barbuto

The Italian menu is focused, yet there are plenty of options —  from antipasti to egg dishes — that are sure to please anyone. When I was at Barbuto, most patrons seemed to be chowing down on the Pizza Uovo and frittata. These shouldn’t be overlooked as average dishes.

I absolutely loved Barbuto’s hip atmosphere. It’s literally one large garage, that allows the restaurant to be completely open, making it a fantastic choice for a warm, sunny day. I felt like I was dining al fresco, even though I was inside.  The service was attentive when needed, but nothing special to note.

Chew on this:

Fresh olives / Complimentary

Pizza Uovo

Pizza Uovo $14 / Oven-baked eggs, salsa verde & pancetta

OMG, amazing! Where do I start? The crust was so incredibly fresh. It was soft and a little doughy. The crispy pancetta resembled delicious pepperoni and added incredible flavor. The salsa verde was not highly noticeable, which wasn’t an issue, because the perfectly poached eggs ran over the top with one little fork pinch. I would highly recommend this dish. It lives up to expectations.

Speck con Uovo

Speck con Uovo $15 / Smoked Italian ham, fried eggs, arugula and toast

This dish was just OK. A layer of Italian ham laid under the fried egg and bed of arugula. There was way too much unnecessary arugula, and it was not something that would fill up many; however, it is obviously a great healthy choice if you are in the mood for something light and fresh.

Frittata Stragionale

Frittata Stagionale $13 / Seasonal Italian style omelet

I loved the spin on an Italian omelet. The serving was quite sizable. The frittata was not too thick the way some can be. They change the ingredients often for this dish, and the week I was at Barbuto the fillings were goat cheese, green onion, mushroom and potato. I liked how all of the ingredients added some fantastic flavor. If you are an omelet lover, definitely order this dish.

Barbuto’s al-fresco dining

The final bite: The menu — Italian-inspired with fresh and local ingredients — and atmosphere lived up to the hype surrounding Barbuto. I would recommend this restaurant for a casual, relaxing and no-frills afternoon of brunching al fresco. It’s a great place to take a group or out-of-towners.

Reviewed by: Erica

Place: Market Table

Neighborhood: West Village, 54 Carmine St. (at Bedford St.)

Mimosa Rating:

Brunch at Market Table

The scoop: Market Table is located not too far from the West 4^th St. subway station. Market Table isn’t huge, but it has a decent amount of space for a West Village restaurant. The restaurant has minimal decor. Its exposed brick and ceiling with wooden beams are very West Village-esque and give the space a cozy and classic feel. Wine bottles are lined up around the restaurant. There are large windows surrounding the restaurant allowing a lot of natural light to shine in during the day. If the weather is nice, they open up all of the windows. The wave of fresh air is quite refreshing.

The new American menu is not your everyday steak and scramble. Each item has a little twist to it, with a fabulous fresh ingredient that I loved. I may have just been in a fall mood, but the menu appeared to be very seasonal. Many dishes seemed like they’d be hearty with a homemade feel — you know, the dishes that make you feel all warm inside.

Everything at Market Table is top notch. The service reciprocates this. The server was friendly and even scraped off our messy crumbs post meal.

Chew on this:

Strip loin

Black Angus Strip Loin $19 / Wilted greens, cheesy grits, busted tomatoes

This dish isn’t your typical steak and eggs, but it’s oh so delicious. The loin was thick and juicy, cooked to perfection and laid over a bed of cheesy grits. The juices from the steak were floating in the bowl. The black Angus strip loin was mouthwatering and super flavorful. It really hit the spot.

Eggs Benedict

Poached Organic Eggs Benedict $16 / Buttermilk biscuit, prosciutto, home fries

I am a sucker for biscuits, especially when they’re topped with eggs Benedict. Market Table’s take on this brunch classic included ricotta cheese, which made the dish really moist. All of the flavors blended well together, and I enjoyed each and every bite. I enjoyed having prosciutto instead of the usual ham. The side of home fries had some great flavor as well, a little peppery and familiar tasting. The grilled onion was a nice addition. 

Flounder sandwich

Crispy Autumn Flounder Sandwich $19 / Griddled bun, spicy savoy slaw, Old Bay shoe strings

This dish may be the perfect cure for a hangover. I got a good-sized piece of crispy fried flounder, which was topped off with Market Table’s savoy slaw — a cabbage mixture similar to coleslaw. The flounder and slaw were sandwiched between two slices of a grilled bun. The bun gave the sandwich a crunchiness. The sandwich reminded me of a lobster roll. It wasn’t overly greasy and was delicious. The side of shoe-string fries was a great final touch. The fries went so well with the fish that I added some inside the sandwich.

Outside Market Table in the West Village

The final bite: The food, atmosphere and service are all excellent at Market Table. Chances are they have what you’re craving on a weekend afternoon. I would recommend Market Table and am looking forward to going back.

Reviewed by: Erica