Monthly Archives: May 2011

Brunch at Park Ave Tavern

Posted on May 31, 2011 | Leave a comment

The world didn’t end on May 21, so we celebrated with some NYC Brunch at Park Avenue Tavern!  Luckily, Carly D. decided she wanted to brunch hard on Sunday (rather than the non-alcoholic brunch at Almond on Saturday) and she found this great place:  Park Ave Tavern in Murray Hill.  They have a great special too:  $2 mimosas and half price bottles of wine and champagne at brunch.

Review:

Since there was 8 of us, we all trickled in as normal.  But rather than simply waiting to be sat until our full party arrived, the bar tender began handing us complimentary mimosas.  Immediately, we were in love.   Once we sat, however, we noticed some rust and dirt in our waters (ew, gross).  Fortunately, we learned that there were water issues in the entire building so this shouldn’t be normal.  Thanks to Eugene, the manager/owner, he handed us a complimentary pitcher of mimosas.. and this INCREDIBLE brunch shot:  Chilled Monkey Brains!  (Some great concoction with Baileys and flavored vodka).

Chilled Monkey Brains at Park Ave Tavern

After the shot we proceeded to receive pitcher after pitcher of mimosas.  They were okay:  not great, not terrible but also not the best mix of Champagne and OJ.  But the food was great:

  • Hands down:  Best Steak and Eggs in NYC!

Best Steak & Eggs at Park Ave"

  • The smoked salmon was a bit bland and a little too fishy.. the bread was hard too.  Not the best..

Smoked Salmon, whole wheat toast, dill, capers, crème fraiche

  • This seafood brunch item was tasty.. but could have been better if it were warmer.

Mussels and Frites, white wine, butter, garlic, thyme, pernod

  • Standard delicious omelet.

Park Ave Tavern Omelet, goat cheese, asparagus, spring greens

  • Terrifically tasty french toast!  We didn’t even need to put any syrup on this as it was already infused with the perfect amount of sugar and cream.  The baked pears were a perfect touch.

Brioche French Toast, rum sautéed seasonal fruit, chantilly cream

Last Call:  Skip the salmon but don’t miss out on the French Toast and Steak and Eggs.  The food is great and mimosas are only $2 each!  The service was great and manager even came by to chat with us and formally apologized for the nasty ice cubes with the brunch shots.  I will definitely visit again.

Brunch Review: 3 out of 5 mimosas

The Information:
99 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10016
212-867-4484
www.parkavenuetavernnyc.com

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Posted in AYCD, brunch, Decent Food, Inexpensive, mimosa, Murray Hill

Brunch at Almond

Posted on May 25, 2011 | Leave a comment

Weekends mean brunch, and there is nothing better than enjoying a Spring Saturday afternoon on a terrace at a wonderful restaurant.  We always try to find a new place since there are just so many brunch spots to try in NYC.. so we opted for Almond in Gramercy.

Overall, the experience was great!  Once we sat, they brought a complimentary basket of biscuits with jam and jelly.  Delicious.  The service was great, but they were a bit slow to bring us our check.  We didn’t complain since it was a beautiful day and we were enjoying the beautiful Spring weather, but perhaps that is why they forgot about us…

One great thing about brunch at Almond, we all ordered a different dish.. and unfortunately, we all had different thoughts about the meal:

Huevos Rancheros at Almond

  • Huevos Rancheros:  My friend finished everything on his plate. Loved it.
  • Eggs Benedict:  This was my meal.  It was out of this world!
  • French Toast:  How can you mess up this classic?  My friend hated it, and hated the fact is was on whole grain bread (weird).  When ordering french toast, you are looking to indulge!

Overall, brunch was great and I would definitely try it again.  Maybe next time we’ll try their mimosas and bloodys.

Brunch Review:  3.5 out of 5 mimosas

Information:
12 East 22nd Street
New York, NY 10010
212-228-7557
www.almondnyc.com

Guest Blogger and Mimosa Maven Brunch Crew, Carly D.

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Posted in AYCD

A Family Affair: Brunch at Three of Cups in NYC’s East Village

Posted on May 23, 2011 | Leave a comment

After a brunch at Poco   a few weeks ago I stumbled pass the charming Three of Cups and immediately added it to my “Must Brunch List.”  As I tried to find an occasion to brunch here, I thought.. nothing is better than bringing together family than at an AYCD brunch!

So,  the boyfriend’s parents were in town last weekend and of course,  some Italian brunch at Three of Cups seemed like the perfect plan.  Since they have many cousins in NYC we brought all of them together for mimosas and eggs at this East Village gem.

Review:
Since there was still more site-seeing for the bf’s parents to do, we opted for an earlier brunch.. noon instead of the typical 2.  Since Three of Cups opens at noon, so we waited for a few minutes outside of the restaurant.  Once the doors opened we stepped into a gorgeous venue:  great bar, fireplace, cozy and warm decor.

As more of our party arrived we were seated in a back room near an open window.  It was almost like our own little corner of the restaurant.  Immediately, we received our water and began placing drink orders.  Each brunch item came with 2 cocktails.. and unlimited drinks for only $5 more.. we were in heaven.

Bloody Mary at 3ofCups

Mimosa

The menu was great and had plenty of choices.  From pasta dishes to sandwiches, and traditional egg dishes and french toast, it really had it all.  Finally, after catching up and “kibitzing” (yes, all the parents and a grandfather was there.. so lots of kibitzing from this bunch), we received our delicious Italian brunch:

French Toast

Polenta at 3ofCups

Florentina Dish at 3ofCups

Peidmonte

Everything was delicious!  The potatoes had the perfect amount of seasoning, the eggs were a bit oily, yet still tasty and everyone who ordered the Polenta said it was the best they ever had!  My only upset:  no toast with the meal.  However, upon request of my grandfather, we received a bread basket.  Perfectly soft, garlicy and delicious that bread went quickly.

There were 12 of us eating.. and not one complaint.. our thanks to the chef!

Last Call:  This Italian Restaurant turned AYCD brunch in East Village is perfect for a large party.. or even a small intimate brunch.  The ambiance is perfect for any type of occasion. The menu has a large selection and the food is delicious (albeit a bit oily).  If you’d like a bread basket.. simply ask for it as toast does not come with your meal.  The service is great and bloody mary’s are delicious!  Cheers!

Brunch Review:  3.5 out of 5 mimosas

The Information:
Three of Cups
83 1st Avenue
New York, NY 10003
212-388-0059
www.threeofcupsnyc.com

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Posted in AYCD, brunch, East Village, Great Food, Great Service, Manhattan, mimosa

Brunching in Boston: Joe’s American Grill

Posted on May 11, 2011 | Leave a comment

Last Friday, I left just before a beautiful Spring weekend in NYC for the depths of Patriots/Red Sox misery… Boston.  But on the bright side, the weather was still decent and we were celebrating the love of two friends for their wedding.  (Insert awwws here).

Upon arrival we went to Atlantic Fish Co.for some lobster and clam chowder.

Lobster and New England Clam Chowder at Atlantic Fish Co.

Although the chowder was great, it didn’t compare to San Francisco chowder.  But I digress.. I knew we needed to experience brunch while in Boston, so I reached out to @BostonBrunchers to see their recommendations.  Although we could not make it to East Coast Grill or Union Bar and Grill, we opted for Joe’s American Grill.

Review:

After seeing plenty of locals here the previous afternoon for some day drinking and after further research.. we stumbled into Joe’s for some hair of the dog and early brunch before site-seeing.  Upon arrival, I thought this place was small since I only saw the bar area, but we walked down a few stairs and saw a beautiful dining room and cozy booths.

The menu was decent with few egg dishes, pancakes and french toast.  But the boyfriend opted for the Egg Pizza and I decided to be a bit healthy, egg white omelet with fruit… but of course I needed my Bloody Mary.  This was a great morning cocktail!  Perfect amount of horseradish, spice and tomato juice.  MMMmm MMmm.

Egg Pizza.

Egg White Omelet

Last Call:  The food was not anything too special, but the location was incredible and the ambiance was perfect.  We even ran into the groomsmen and groom at brunch.. so it must have been a great local spot.  If I ever end up back in Boston, however, I may try another place.  But Joe’s seems to do the trick if you’re okay with mediocre.

Brunch Review:  3 out of 5 mimosas

Information:
181 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116
617-536-4200
www.joesamerican.com

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Posted in brunch, Pizza