Category Archives: Fun

Brunch Buffet in New Orleans: Court of 2 Sisters

Posted on August 2, 2012 | Leave a comment

We attended a surprise engagement in New Orleans back in June and had an incredible weekend.. and brunch buffet any seafood lover could have experienced.  The Court of 2 Sisters in New Orleans’ French Quarter was amazing.  The photos should tell it all.. in addition to the amazing live Jazz Band and Southern class:

One of many bottles of Court of 2 Sisters branded Champagne for the newly engaged!

Shrimp.. and more shrimp..

Buffet!

Brunch Buffet Carving Station

Half Cajun omelet, half shrimp creole

More buffet..

Eh Eggs Benedict, eh catfish ratatouille, but incredible ceviche!

So.. much.. food. Amazing gumbo and Cajun seafood salad. The Andouille sausage was also incredible!

Cheers to Nicki! And to another bottle of bubbly at brunch :)

Dessert! Some traditional New Orleans King Cake and pecan pie.. mmm mm

Live band. Lovely

Heart of the Historic Center in Old New Orleans

The montage to sum up the day, and congrats Nicki!!

Last Call
Overall, this experience was wonderful. Great service and ambiance and great choices.  You will find some food you don’t love, and some you do.  In New Orleans there are great restaurants, but the grand experience here is worth the trip.. at least once!

Brunch Review:
3 out of 5 mimosas

The Information:
The Court of 2 Sisters
613 Royal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504)522-7261

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Posted in AYCD, brunch, Brunch Drinks, Fun, Great Service, mimosa, Vacation Brunch

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Brunch at Hotel Chantelle

Posted on May 18, 2012 | 2 Comments

Get ready for the best new brunch to hit the Lower East Side this summer. Once you recover from a night out at Hotel Chantelle, come back for an incredible outdoor brunch.

Starting with the ambiance you will be immediately brought back to the old New York City feel.  From the street lights, table settings and incredible jazz band Dandy Wellington, your brunch festivities only just begin…


Review:
Thanks to Hotel Chantelle’s PR agency BWR PR, the brunch bunch of the summer received a special invite to come and try the new brunch menu at Chantelle.  Although the service started a bit slow with a little wait for water and cocktail orders, the service quickly picked up.

South of Delancy

The specialty South of Delancey cocktail includes:

  • Kettle One Citron
  • Sweet Tea odka
  • Peach Schnapps
  • Lime Juice

The crepe brunch menu was unreal.  Although it was difficult to choose which crepe, we opted for 2:

Saumon Fume

  • Smoked Salmon, asparagus, fresh dill, lemon creme fraiche
  • A perfect blend of creamy and salty

Champignons Sauvages

  • Wild mushrooms, baby spinach, Applewood smoked bacon, goat cheese
  • This dish had more mushrooms and bacon than anticipated.  Definitely filling and delicious

During our meal we met the chef Jeff Kreisel and he served us the Maine Lobster salad.  This delicious salad was perfect as an appetizer to share with the table:

Maine Lobster

  • Vanilla infused cauliflower puree, fava beans, radish opal basil, ruby grapefruit vinaigrette

Of course, we had to try the remaining 3 out of 4 brunch cocktails:

  • Mimosa:  they were in the old school glasses, a great touch
  • Bloody Mary:  tasted freshly made, with the perfect amount of horse radish: but still tasted like it was missing something
  • Mint Julep:  I’m not a Mint Julep fan, but it was tolerable ;)

Last Call:
We will definitely come back to brunch here this summer.  The food was fresh, the drinks were delicious and the ambiance was perfect.  The staff will learn to accommodate the busy brunchers from the get-go.  We’re looking forward to trying the rest of the crepes on our next visit.

Brunch Review:
5 out of 5 mimosas

The Information:
Hotel Chantelle
92 Ludlow Street (and Delancy)
New York, NY 10002
(212) 254 – 9100

DISCLAIMER:  This was a partially compensated brunch – but all reviews, posts and opinions are that of Mimosa Maven with no influence from the venue.

And in case you are looking, the brunch menu is here:

And there’s me in the reflection ;0)

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Posted in Bloody mary, brunch, Brunch Drinks, favorite brunch, Fun, Great Food, live music, Lower East Side, mimosa, NYC Brunch, Outdoor brunch

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Back from the Brunch Break: Vacation

Posted on September 10, 2011 | Leave a comment

Hello Fellow Brunchers!

Apologies for the lack of updates and reviews in the last few weeks.  I was on a lovely vacation in San Diego, then a cruise on the Pacific, then back in Southern California for a little while.

Lover's Cove in Cabo - View from the Cruise Ship

Now that I am back you will find several upcoming reviews for past brunches including:

Southern Hospitality in UES
Braai in Hell’s Kitchen
Dock’s in Murray Hill
Flea Market Cafe in East Village
Diablo Royale in West Village

 

Thanks so much for your patience and keep on brunchin’!  Come back this week for all 5 reviews!

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Posted in AYCD, brunch, Fun

Brunch at Pappardella in Upper West Side (UWS)

Posted on July 29, 2011 | 2 Comments

Thanks to DailyCandy Deals for brunch at Papardella.. but I probably could have lived without it.

We made 2 PM reservations and thought nothing of it as most brunch lasts through 3 PM.  To our surprise, no brunch menus were put on the table as their brunch ends at 2 PM.  Of course, this was not communicated on their website or on the brunch deal from DailyCandy, so luckily they obliged.

Review:

Although the staff gave us brunch, we all pre-paid for a 3 course meal.  Unfortunately, we only received 2 courses because they were out of the first course after brunch and would not prepare it again.  Great..

First, we settled for cold bread with no butter or olive oil.. of course we grabbed some from another table:

Then, we began ordering our unlimited brunch cocktails, but were not allowed to order a new cocktail until our current drink was complete.. Okay, fine.  So we tried their many drinks..

Bloody and mimosa

Breakfast Margarita and White Sangria

Unfortunately, the DailyCandy deal did not include the entire brunch menu, we were limited to about 4 dishes.  The food came out quickly and was overall a delicious meal:

Eggs Benedict

  • Served with toasted brioche, poached eggs, prosciutto di parma, hollandaise, roasted potatoes & field greens

Spaghetti Frittata

  • Served  with zucchini, sun-dried tomato, peas, mozzarella egg & parsley.  They may have overdid it with the spaghetti.. but this was a delicious and different dish!

Farmers Omelet

  • Served with tomato, baby spinach, ricotta , roasted potatoes & field greens.  Could have used a little less cheese..

During our meal, our waitress even left and went on break.  Strange.  When she came back, we received our third course of biscotti.  Delish!

Biscotti at Pappardella

The crew after several cocktails and 3 hours at Papardella:

Last Call:  The food was great.. the service was not.  The drinks were weak.. but the girls had a blast!  Overall, I can’t imagine travelling to the Upper West Side for another brunch here.  Perhaps their vegan menu is great.. and their dinner looked delish.  But no more brunch here for me.

The Information
Pappardella
316 Columbus Ave. #1
New York, NY 10023
(212) 595-7996

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Posted in AYCD, brunch, Fun, Great Food, Italian Brunch, Manhattan, mimosa, NYC Brunch, Poor Service, Upper West Side

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I Throw My Eggs Up in the Air Sometimes: Brasserie Beaumarchais Brunch

Posted on April 23, 2011 | 1 Comment

Champagne Superman

I love my brunch deals: AYCD brunch, all-inclusive brunch, bottomless mimosas, BYOB brunch and just a good deal overall.  But there is always room for a clubby, pricey, boozey brunch when you’re in NYC.  Thanks to my PR Savvy friend Juliana, I was able to experience Le Grand Brunch at Brasserie Beaumarchais last Sunday.  After viewing the Champagne Superman, I encourage that everyone experience this brunch at least once.  If Sunday is not reason enough.. just make an excuse to attend.

Review:
The elegance of this Meatpacking District Restaurant was felt upon arrival:  gorgeous light fixtures, plush couches, full wine cabinet and a hot crowd looking to spend on brunch and party.  I knew from the moment I walked in I would love Beaumarchais Brunch.

Upon arrival, we were immediately served with mimosas (which was fab!).  While sipping on our cocktails we skimmed the elaborate signature cocktail menu and opted for some of the non-traditional drinks.  Each was more delicious.. and stronger than the last!

Mimosa, Coconut Ciroq Drink, La Rose Framboise (the berry drink)

Mimosa, Coconut Ciroq Drink, La Rose Framboise (the berry drink)

Juliana insisted on some appetizers so we ordered 2 apps:

  • Tuna tartar with plantain chips:  Delicious but not as delicate as normal.  It was a bit oily, but still zesty with lime and great texture with the addition of some avocado
  • Truffle Gnocchi:  I can’t even begin to describe how incredible this dish was.  It had just enough sauce, incredible soft and a MUST if you make it for brunch

Tuna Tartar

Truffle Gnocchi

Next thing I knew, the lights dimmed, drapes covered the windows and the DJ blasted the music.  Cue the fist pumping and I was in a mid-afternoon club scene (love).  Our food came out just after the lights dimmed and Le Grand Brunch truly began and it not only looked great, but tasted great too.  The plus:  this brunch was truly meant for the experience and the great tasting food was a plus.

Eggs Beaumarchais (Eggs Benedict with Smoked Salmon, Potatoes and salad)

Egg White Omelet

Belgian Waffles with nutella, whipped cream and berries (Incredible!)

Champagne. Flute optional.

Once we decided we wanted to drink all we could and not fill up on food, the fun truly began.  Nearly 4.5 hours later the champagne bottles were done and it was time to head home.  Although the club brunch scene is not intended for all, I was prepared for this extravaganza.  This place is perfect for any reason to celebrate:

  • Birthday
  • Bachelorette
  • Client Brunch (Axe was at a table close by)
  • Or simply because it is Sunday!

Fin.

Last Call:  Come for the food, stay for the party.  Although “club brunch” isn’t for everyone, there is always a reason to come and experience a Le Grand Brunch at Brasserie Beaumarchais.  Although my liver and body may not be able to take a full weekend of dancing and DJs, once this brunch is scheduled you will plan your weekend around it.  Bottoms up!

Brunch Review:  4 out of 5 mimosas

Information:
409 West 13th Street (Ninth Ave. and Washington Street)
New York, New York
212.675.2400 

http://www.brasseriebeaumarchais.com/

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Posted in AYCD, brunch, Club brunch, Crazy, Fun, Great Food, Great Service, Meatpacking District, mimosa, Party

Hell’s Kitchen: AYCD Brunch at HK

Posted on April 2, 2011 | Leave a comment

Finally, I made it  to brunch at HK in Hell’s Kitchen, NYC. On 39th and 9th, this restaurant is like a Mullet:  Business in the front. Party in back.  Let me explain, the first time I came here I thought the front part of the restaurant was all that existed:  It was bright, large windows and everything was white.  There was 8 of us and we headed straight to the back bar.  It was like a little club and lounge.. really fun.. and delicious!  Of course, my girlfriend from the Culinary Institute was in town, so she was the true critic and I really wanted to amaze her with the lasting trend that is all inclusive brunch in NYC.Yes, this is brunch at HK

Review:
We were late so they gave away our reservation, but we were able to pay $15 for AYCD at the bar while we waited.. this made the wait great!  (And perhaps what made the food even better?).  Once we got seated by our incredible 20  year old server Keith, he made sure our glasses were kept full.  He was incredible:  one of the only servers in the back AND he was the bartender.  Love him.

We all ordered something different:  Steak and Eggs, Brie and Asparagus Omelet, Ratatouille Omelet, Pancakes and a turkey burger.  And we all enjoyed our food.

Ratatouille and Goat Cheese Omelet This is what Mikayla, the future chef had. Her thoughts: "There was too much goat cheese and not enough veggies. Technically, this isn't even ratatouille because the veggies should be sauteed and it should be cooked together not separate. A little bland but nothing some salt and pepper couldn't fix."

Banana and Blueberry Pancakes "These pancakes were cold. Other than that, they would be perfect."

Brie and Asparagus Omelet "Would have been better if the brie was more melted, otherwise delish!"

Skirt Steak and Poached Eggs "Skirt steak was lacking flavor, but loading on the salt and pepper saved it"

Eggs Benedict with Spinach

Veggie Burger with side salad. "Delicious"

The only downside, the food was a bit cold and everything needed extra salt and pepper. But Keith made up for it with the extra champagne in our mimosas and sneaking up to the roof for a quick glimpse in the sun.

Our amazing mimosa service.. light on the OJ for one.. extra OJ in the other.

Last Call: I will definitely visit HK again, and I definitely want to try EVERYTHING on the menu.  Overall the food was good and service was great.  If only the food was hot and had some more spices, it would be perfect, but perfect is difficult to attain.  The casual in the front and lounge-y in the back was a shock, but if you sit at the back bar.. the cube chairs are much more comfortable than expected.  HK is a definite on my summer list to truly take advantage of their roof top.

Brunch Score:  4 out of 5 mimosas

Price:  All menu items between $9 – $18 with $15 AYCD option

The Information:
HK
523 9th Avenue (and 39th Street)

800-781-0466

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Posted in AYCD, brunch, Crazy, Decent Food, Fun, Great Food, Great Service, Hell's Kitchen, mimosa, Party