Weekend Lunch (Not Brunch)
I'm not sure if this is a NYC specific phenomenon, but it's getting near impossible for me to go out somewhere in my neighborhood on the weekend and have lunch. I'm not talking about a menu with free mimosas, 4 egg options and an obligatory pasta or sandwich. Sometimes I want lunch with varied savory food options (and maybe even nice lunch) on a Saturday at 1pm and not pancakes or eggs. Enjoying a nice meal during the middle of the day seems decadent, and is something I can't do during the week because I'm at work.
Am I alone here? Does everyone else just loooove waiting around for a no reservations brunch table to have an egg that you could make just as well yourself at home for super duper cheap? Should I stop my whining and give the chefs who have killed themselves on Fri and Sat nights a break? What gives?
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6 Comments:
I've noticed it and yeah, it's annoying. I never go out to brunch anymore because 1) it's overpriced 2) it's crowded with annoying people 3) the food generally isn't good and I can make the same thing but better at home and for way less money 4) all you can order is the same boring eggs benedict, oatmeal with fruit, overcooked omelette, etc.
I think that it's an easy moneymaker for restaurants, as well as an opportunity to use up leftover ingredients. I doubt the same chefs who cooked the night before are preparing your brunch though. Restaurants are not usually reviewed on their brunch food, so it's maybe not so much of a priority to make sure that the food comes out perfectly.
laurelie at 2:30PM on 03/13/09
I thought I was the only one in New York who despises brunch. Its like what Laurelie says- restaurant leftover day and horrible cocktail hour rolled into one. I would love to go out to lunch on Sunday at 2 or 3, and have real food. No eggs. I like Porcao (I think it is now del Rio or something) for Brazilian steak. It is pretty difficult to find something that is not crowded though.
sophia kitchencaravan at 2:42PM on 03/13/09
My husband and I despise brunch (eggs, pancakes, the whole mess) and have had terrible luck finding a place that has a normal lunch menu on weekends. If you can find somewhere - please post it!
allyn at 3:08PM on 03/13/09
Al Di La is offering weekend lunch now, for all of you Brooklyn non-brunchers :)
CookiePie at 3:20PM on 03/13/09
Glad others agree! And cookiepie - funny you should mention that, because I was thinking about having lunch at Al Di La tomorrow!
jlbrach at 3:42PM on 03/13/09
Pizza, Italian, tapas, BBQ, and Asian restaurants often serve their normal lunch menu during prime "brunch" hours in NYC. Also, more upscale places do weekend lunch without any breakfast foods on the menu at all.
Off the top of my head: Lupa, Esca, Otto, Casa Mono, Jean Georges, Gramercy Tavern's Tavern Room, Cafe Bouloud, Tocqueville, Momofuku Noodle Bar, Momofuku Ssam Bar, Union Square Cafe, The Modern at the Bar Room.
kathryn at 10:20PM on 03/13/09