What perfect way to start your Sunday morning than with the hedonistic ritual of brunch? You sleep in after a bustling night out on the town and after hours of resting your weary body and soul, you wake up with visions of blueberry pancakes smothered in butter and sweet maple syrup that seep through the warm spongy stack. You toss and turn, trying to push the thoughts away and retreat once more into your blissful slumber, when images of Benedict and Florentine, so elegant and refined, prance around in your head. Your taste buds start to tingle and slowly your stomach gives in with a growl. You succumb to your hunger and rip the sheets off.

Do you know that the origins of brunch can be traced to our own New York City? The story dates back to the 1860’s with Delmonico’s Restaurant, the first public dining institution in the U.S. One day during lunch Delmonico’s was visited by Mrs. LeGrand Benedict, a demanding lady who regularly frequented the locale. Appealed by nothing on the menu, she approached Delmonico’s Chef Charles Ranhofer who, an effort to please his patron, created Eggs Benedict.

Another story goes back to 1894 when the Wall Street broker Lemuel Benedict appeared suffering from a hungover one morning at the Waldorf Hotel when he ordered “some buttered toast, crisp bacon, two poached eggs, and a hooker of hollandaise sauce”. This divine combination created such an impression on Chef Oscar Tschirky that he made some small tweaks and added it to the menu of the Waldorf.

Where can you go to get the best brunches in this side of town? The choices are many and the flavors are infinite. And whether you do it to give your out-of-town friends a taste of city life or because you’ve adopted it as your own caloric splurge of the week or because you need substantial nourishment to wear down your hangover, you can find the perfect brunch spot in the Upper East Side to match your state of mind.

Here are some great finds to check out: Fetch 1649 3rd Ave. - Great neighborhood vibe, very relaxed and jovial. Grab all your friends and head on over. Awesome brunch items like pancakes and omelets and more lunchy fare like salads and sandwiches. Here, you get real bang for your buck!

Alice’s Tea Cup, Chapter Two 156 East 64th Street- Welcome to the Alice’s wonderland where waitresses have wings and the bathroom has a ceiling covered in painted roses. For tea and scones, this place perfectly fits the bill. Lunch items like sandwiches and soups are also available.

Yura & Co. 1645 3rd Ave.- Hardwood floors on one side, sleek take-away bar on the other offering traditional brunch basics like eggs with sausage and hash browns or a hearty bowl of oatmeal, fruit and nuts. This feels like New England at its finest.

Le Pain Quotidien (three locations)1336 First Ave., 1131 Madison Ave., 833 Lexington Ave.- Sit community-style at this mecca of delicious baked goods made fresh daily with organic ingredients. Delectable salads and delicate sandwiches can also accompany an oversized caffe latte. E.A.T 1062 Madison Ave.- Go back in time with another classic establishment of Eli Zabar. Its checkerboard pattern echoes Art Deco Paris as does its amazing quiche. Impress your out-of-town with this chic hot spot with fabulous food and coffee. P.S. There’s a gourmet selection of extraordinary ready-made foods you can take home too!

So now you know, this Sunday when you open your eyes and untangle yourself from the sheets, there’s a world of brunch options waiting for you in the Upper East Side so go explore!