Saturday brunch, Upper West Side?
We'll be on the uws on a, hopefully, beautiful day in mid October.
Several years ago we had brunch at the Ocean Grill but I'm not sure they serve brunch on a Saturday. Can any of our enlightened friends at SE let me know if they do or if they can think of any other great places in the area that serve a Saturday Brunch?
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7 Comments:
Sarabeth's is a neighborhood brunch favorite. They don't take reservations so you'll want to go early to avoid a longer wait. Other picks: Popover Cafe, Barney Greengrass (if you are into sturgeon, smoked salmon, or Nova), and Fairway Cafe.
Alaina Browne at 10:10AM on 09/30/08
+1 enthusiastically for Sarabeth's (423 Amsterdam Ave; at 80th Street). It's simple, straightforward brunch classics done right. The wait can be a bit but not as long as some places I've been. The gf and I usually go around 1 or 2 p.m., and we're typically in within a half hour of putting our names down. Put your name in, go walk around and do some window shopping (the gf likes to go to Knitty City, just around the corner on 79th; I typically wander over to Zabar's or take pictures of pizzerias nearby).
Adam Kuban at 10:33AM on 09/30/08
Good enough to eat is so good (on Amsterdam and the upper 80s). The wait can be a little much, but it is definitely worth it, and I have never waited for more than 30 minutes. The french toast is so good, and they have some great house bacon which is so thick but still perfectly crispy. Mmm.
BaguettenBrie at 10:51AM on 09/30/08
Here's a review, with photos, of Sarabeth's & Good Enough to Eat, neither of which are really worth the wait. Sarabeth's has great service and atmosphere but the buttermilk pancakes were unimpressive. I've been told the Lemon Ricotta pancakes are good but that's not my thing.
Good Enough to Eat offers you at least a 30 minute wait for unique, tasty dishes which suffer due to portion size. Yes, the food is good, but if you're waiting as long as they make you, value is imperative.
Where you should go:
- Barney Greengrass for the NEO (Nova, Eggs & Onion) and some chocolate bobka. 86th and Amsterdam
-Fairway Cafe for silver dollar pancakes or a cheeseburger
Broadway b/t 74th & 75th
-French Roast - I've walked by here a million times and it's always filled with smiling people eating plates of huge omelettes and tasty looking well done french fries, plus they're open 24 hours if you want to get brunch EARLY saturday
85th & Broadway
-Telepan - If you want to drop some serious dough, head to Bill Telepan's decadent, delicious and extremely well crafted spot on 69th b/t Columbus & Central Park West - the brunch prix fixe is just $28 for an amazing meal including SHEEP’S MILK RICOTTA BLINTZES with sautéed cherries and
VERBENA CREAM CREPES with strawberries & strawberry sauce. Here's a link to the NYC Food Guy review of Telepan's heralded burger and fried onion volcano
-Nice Matin on 79th and Amsterdam is a pricier brunch option, one which I've never been to, but has a great, bright, clean atmosphere, and which I've only heard good things about
-You could always just pick up some bagels from H&H and grab some lox or whitefish salad from Zabar's next door and head to the park for a picnic brunch
. Grab coffee at Amsterdam Gourmet on 79th and Amsterdam, it's a classic NY Cup that doesn't disappoint. Pick up some of the worlds best cookies at Levain for dessert (74th off Amsterdam)
-Popover Cafe is another option, on 86th and Amsterdam, I've never been but I've heard good things. Unfortunately the times I've tried to go its been packed. Standard diner fare but known for their "popovers" and strawberry butter.
-Hi Life bar and grill on 83rd and amsterdam has an outdoor seating area. Ive never been but this is a laidback, unpretentious yet ordinary restaurant/bar which serves standard diner fare.
Avoid:
Josie's West - healthy but way overpriced for portion size and deliciousness.
Here's the NYCFoodGuy.com review
More at NYCFoodGuy.com
NYC Food Guy at 5:58PM on 09/30/08
I would highly recommend going a little further north to Community Restaurant
http://www.communityrestaurant.com/
if you want a true NYC experience, drop by Barney Greengrass
http://www.barneygreengrass.com
otherwise, they're all very similar (Isabella's, Nice Matin, etc.)
Telepan is excellent.
BirdDoggie at 6:31PM on 09/30/08
The items to get at Sarabeth's are the scones with Sarabeth's preserves, lemon ricotta pancakes, Goldie Lox, or specialty pumpkin waffle with some Four Flowers Juice. Those are worth the wait to me. I lived on the UWS, around the corner from Sarabeth's for 3 years so I had opportunity to taste lots of items on the menu.
If you are OK with waiting, Popover Cafe is good but not as good as Sarabeth's (more upscale), Good Enough to Eat (more homey), or Barney Greengrass (more old school NY). Those three have long lines for a reason.
If you dislike waiting, make a reservation at The Neptune Room, Ouest, or Nice Matin. Those are all very good options, in addition to the aforementioned Telepan.
kathryn at 4:56PM on 10/01/08
Oops, Ouest only has Sunday brunch. Strike that.
kathryn at 4:58PM on 10/01/08