We're of two minds about brunch. It can be terrific if you're on vacation with nothing to do. (We've got some fave spots in New York.) But it's become such a scene that the backlash has spawned T-shirts. (Like this one, spotted recently in Brooklyn.)
One place you won't find an anti-brunch crowd is Seoul, where American-style eats are catching on in a big way. A foursome eating French toast at Butterfinger Pancakes says the trend's caught on thanks to shows like Sex and the City and Friends, which are as popular in South Korea as in the States. The diner's owner says living abroad--in Oklahoma--inspired him to bring brunch to Asia.
There's no doubt platters like The Breakfast of Champions and Big Fat J's Omelet are different than the typical Korean breakfast of rice, soup and kimchi. So don't worry: If you wanna grab brunch next time you're in Seoul, we won't think you're a terrible person.
We love a great downtown Manhattan brunch spot, but believe it or not you can get the same trendy, hungover scene uptown, too. We're big fans of Cafe d'Alsace, where the enormous platters of hearty French food more than make up for sometimes spotty service.
One of our fave things is the croque madame: a ham-and-cheese sandwich the size of a dinner plate, topped with a fried egg. The steak and eggs is also tops, while the brioche French toast with raspberry coulis works if you're in the mood for something sweet.
Sitting outside on the terrace is nice if you remembered your sunglasses, but you'll have a better chance of scoring a table inside. And if worse comes to worse, seats at the long, pewter bar will put you close to the bloody marys.
When it comes to trendy brunch spots with fancy omelets and inventive cocktails Manhattan's got the market cornered. But after a night on the town and an early morning walk of shame, sometimes you want a place that feels like home. For that, there's Penelope. The Murry Hill country kitchen serves up specials just like mom used to make--only better.
Buttermilk waffles are covered in seasonal fruit, French toast is drenched in hazelnut spread and farm fresh eggs come any way you want. Rustic wooden tables are perfect for tucking into a copy of the Sunday paper, and mismatched mugs for the strong house brew lend a warm touch to a meal that can sometimes be a pretentious scene elsewhere. If you can't eat in your own kitchen, Penelope is the next best thing.
We love the West Village brunch spot Deborah for a few reasons--not the least of which is its friendly staff. We're used to the typical actors and actresses who pepper Manhattan's morning weekend scene--the ones that rarely crack a smile and too often serve up a hefty portion of attitude instead of that tasty side of crispy bacon. (Maybe it's because they were out until sun-up the night before?)
Deborah's staff is attentive without being overbearing, and the restaurant's laundry list of offerings, from syrupy sweet challah French toast to spicy eggs rancheros, makes it the perfect stop for when you can't decide on an answer to the eternal brunch question: savory or sweet?
Josie's Restaurant West on Manhattan's Upper West Side takes the proverbial granola out of organic eating (though the dairy-free oatmeal with maple syrup and fresh fruit is delicious).
Executive chef Louis Lanza also owns the place, in addition to three spin-off restaurants dotting the island: Josie's East, Citrus Bar & Grill, and Josephina.
Josie's is one of the few places in the city where everyone in a group of New Yorkers--and all the neurotic eating habits that comes with them--can find something to eat. While vegans fill up on animal-free fare, their carnivore friends can still find gorge. For every scrambled tofu omelet, there is a free-range egg one to match. And for every veggie burger, there is a beef patty made from a steer who supposedly was able to live his life grazing in an open field.
This place has become our new favorite brunch spot. Aside from delicious food and outdoor dining by the pool (it's a teeny pool, practically just for show), the place is never crowded. Which means there is no haggling for a table nor do you have to wait an hour to get seated. You can pretty much show up at prime brunch hour--10-11am--and eat right away.
So even if you are staying in the Travelodge by the Santa Monica Pier you can brunch in style at the Viceroy.
Insider Tip: If you are driving to the hotel, try to nab a metered spot in front to save yourself the $8 valet fee. Even better, if you are staying in the area in Santa Monica, rent a bike--it's the local way--and peddle over to the Viceroy instead.
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by pbb
