by Maureen Healy Brunch is not dunch (dinner and lunch combined) nor a full-fledged breakfast ~ it is that lovely dining excursion that delights the senses and soothes the soul. Life slows down for brunch. Perhaps that is why I love it. That is also why finding the perfect brunch excursion is no mere coincidence – it takes an Indiana Jones meets Rachel Ray type quality to pinpoint, unearth and savor the perfect mid-day hunger, relaxation solution. Brunch spots abound in our gracious Upper East Side locale ~ that is the good news and the bad news. Too easily can one fall into the claws of a mediocre establishment and endure a bad brunch which – just so everyone knows it is not better to have lost at brunch than never brunched at all. The brunch is sincerely a sacred act of sometimes sinful proportions (e.g. strawberry butter, sausages, chocolate egg creams) that momentarily slow us down long enough to realize that life is good. Okay better with an extra hot, double cappuccino served with a baby Belgian chocolate on the side but hey – you get the picture. Oh the places you’ll go If you are feeling a little she-she, ritzy itzy or plain in the mood to spoil yourself ~ I’ve got the place!! E.A.T. is just that – a fantastic scene to eat at on the weekend that usually is a true and unbridled treat. The attentive service, bountiful potpourri of gourmet bread (best in the neighborhood – worth giving up the carb restrictions!!), good looking crowd and no rush atmosphere puts it top on my brunch list. The only rub is the cost – it is expensive ~ but in need of a little everyday extravagance this place solves that problem. Check it out for yourself:
Magnificent for mere mortals If you are in the mood for a foreign getaway just around the corner – then Le Pain Quotidien is for you! This is my absolute favorite, bar none. I am not sure what I enjoy more – the fresh Belgian bakery, the community make new friends-keep the old tables, the double cappuccino you actually need two hands to handle or the air of a holiday that surrounds this place. Again I am not sure what makes is so special besides the fact that when you are in there ~ you forget everything that is out here. You are transported to a vacation in a brunch bottle and it’s remarkably fun. Le Pain that I enjoy is on Madison Avenue between 84th and 85th Street. This restaurant boosts two other Upper East Side locations: First Avenue and 72nd Street and Lexington Avenue and 63rd Street.
Two additional places that serve up consistent no-frills, solid brunching opportunities are Annie’s and EJ’s. You could probably take out-of-town family to Annie’s but they would need to be real open to a diner type atmosphere and experience to head to EJ’s. Frankly I love the bare bones hearty food of EJ’s but it is what it is. EJ’s is well regarded in my book for their garden omelet (pay extra and get the 7-grain bread with it) and crunchy French toast with almonds and cornflakes ~ it’s down-home get your weekend going well fare. The EJ challenge is that it’s no secret ~ this place has lines. My suggestion is to go early or be flexible – sit at the counter or best yet, order in – they deliver!!!.
Too busy to brunch Life gets so busy sometimes-even brunch seems like a chore. How can a New Yorker not even find time for brunch? No need to answer ~ just pondering some of life’s mysteries. But it’s true – by our nature – we are busy. If you are running somewhere and want to feel as if you have brunched but you can’t – here are some bakery suggestions. Two Little Red Hen’s on Second Avenue serves an outta this world tri-berry muffin or scone that will help you feel brunchesqe in a time crunch (86th and Second) or Yura delivers truly original and tasty muffins (92nd and Third) that include sinful chocolate concoctions or even lighter angel food cake bites.
Give brunch a chance Amidst our busy lives brunch serves as a sanctuary for the senses – a time to settle down with friends or family to laugh at our lives, find comfort in conversation and feed our soul. Stay tuned as upcoming columns explore more than the art of the brunch – we go on search of the ultimate upper east side java experience, the real Italian meal hidden in our hood, the hunt for the perfect valentines sweets (for you or your honey) and the best of the best upper east side smoothie! Read the next Uppereast.com review:Cinco Best for Cinco de Mayo or have a look at our Upper East Side Brunch section. |
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