Category Archives: Alphabet City

Alphabet City

30 NYC Outdoor Brunch Spots

Posted on June 6, 2011 | 1 Comment

Mimosa at Riverpark

Finally summer.  Time for the Frying Pan, Long Beach, the Hamptons, Fire Island and outdoor dining at brunch!  In no particular order, Mimosa Maven brings you 30 of NYC’s Outdoor Brunch Spots for your dining and drinking pleasure.  Cheers blushes:

  1. Dos Caminos:  Nearly every location has an outside dining area.  (SoHo, Midtown East, Meatpacking..)  So enjoy a Prickly Pear margarita with your meal (about $15 for meal and includes 1 drink) while enjoying the sun!
  2. Dukes: Murray Hill:  Want to enjoy the weather outside without the sunburn?  Enjoy the shade with Duke’s Country Brunch.  Just $10 added to your meal for an unlimited liquid brunch!
  3. Riverpark:  Gramercy:  Enjoy the view of the East River and Brooklyn at this Tom Colicchio Restaurant.  Don’t forget their delicious mimosas.. Check out the beirgarden after your meal!
  4. Boathouse: Central Park:  Sit Lakeside at this NYC staple restaurant for an elegant brunch.  Then.. enjoy a walk in the park, or even take out a kayak right on the lake.  (We recommend the Lump Crabcakes)
  5. Paradou:  Meatpacking District:  Paradou means Paradise, and the view truly is amazing!  Enjoy the a la carte menu or the $29 limitless cocktail brunch cocktail at this Meatpacking gem, right in a beautiful garden! Go ahead.. smell the Hydrangeas
  6. Pastis: Meatpacking District:  Enjoy a lovely French brunch right on the cobblestone streets of Meatpacking.  And don’t worry, we also have a chuckle when we some girls falling on the street while trying to walk in their heels..
  7. The Park:  (Cusp of Meatpacking and Chelsea):  The Garden at The Park seats almost 325 people (wow!).  Try their brunch while sitting right beneath their Japanese Maple Trees.  Want to “feel” like you’re dining outdoors, ask to be seated in The Atrium or The Penthouse.  MOMs:  Are you looking to bring your kids?  Great!  There’s a kids brunch menu too!
  8. 230 Fifth: Gramercy:  Looking for a rooftop brunch?  Try 230 Fifth!  The brunch menu is full and plenty, and even has a “Skinny” list for those on a diet still wanting brunch. Brunch items range from $9-$16 with bloody’s at $10 with a bottle service menu running up to nearly $200.
  9. Waterstone Grill: Financial District (FiDi):  Try any brunch item with unlimited mimosas and brunch cocktails (for just ten bucks added to your bill) while sitting on the famous Stone Street!
  10. Fiddlesticks:  West Village:  Although outdoor dining may be limited to a few tables, the $10 brunch menu (that includes 2 complimentary brunch cocktails) shouldn’t be missed! Want the Traditional Irish Breakfast or Steak and Eggs?  Just $12 with your 2 complimentary drinks!
  11. Beckett’s:  FiDi:  Continue down Stone Street for more outdoor dining and stumble in for $15 brunch that includes your food and choice of one mimosa, bloody mary, glass of wine or pint of beer!
  12. Ulysses: FiDi: Think this place is only good for happy hour, Wall Street types and beer?  Well, now enjoy some Saturday Brunch on Stone Street! Brunch comes with complimentary croissant and muffin basket (yum)!
  13. Harry’s Italian:  FiDi:  A little walk away from the always fun Stone Street, Harry’s Italian has some wonderful outdoor seating for brunch in the shade.  Enjoy your pizette and unlimited cocktails (or any brunch item) for just $15.95!
  14. B-Bar:  East Village/NoHo:  Bowery Bar’s garden and outdoor seating is great for evening cocktails and dinner, but also for a great brunch.  Brunch is available Saturday-Monday ($10 per brunch cocktail and about $10 for your meal)
  15. Calle Ocho:  Columbus Circle:  Enjoy outdoor seating AND limitless Sangria at brunch!  Drinks are included with your meal (about $14-$18).
  16. Pier 84:  Midtown West/Hell’s Kitchen:  The menu may be small but the view is amazing.  Enjoy a view of the Hudson right on the pier
  17. Serafina:  Midtown West:  Going to an afternoon Broadway show and looking for outdoor dining at brunch beforehand?  Site right on Broadway for just $19.95!  Includes brunch item and 1 complimentary brunch cocktail.
  18. Doc Watson’s:  Upper East Side:  $11.95 gets you 2 complimentary brunch drinks and a brunch item.. while enjoying the UES view to people watch.  What gets better?
  19. Agozar:  East Village:  Enjoy this lovely Cuban restaurant for Brunch right on the Bowery.  Cafe con leche anyone?
  20. Rio Grande: Murray Hill:   Your choice.. Mexico or Texas side for one of the best outdoor seating spots in NYC.  For just $19.95 one drink will be included with your meal. But be advised.. it only takes one margarita to get sloppy here!
  21. Cafe Orlin:  East Village:  Enjoy the lovely summer weather without the sunburn under the shade outside at Cafe Orlin.  The menu is great and prices are even better!
  22. Sullivan Bistro:  Greenwich Village: Try this cozy restaurant and extra spicy bloody marys.. If you like early brunch, try the sidewalk seating right on Sullivan Street!
  23. Felix:  SoHo:  Although you’re not quite outside, all of the walls are open right to the city-streets of SoHo.  This brunch gets crazy and fun!
  24. Agave:  West Village:  Arguably one of the best margaritas in NYC.. Agave offers West Village outdoor dining and a complimentary margarita (or choice of any brunch cocktail) with your meal!
  25. Kittichai:  SoHo:  $20 includes appetizer, entrée and dessert. Otherwise, try the a la carte menu with an average cocktail about $12. We recommend the pleasant outdoor dining…
  26. 1 Dominick:  West Village:  Sidewalk seating, perfect for people watching!  Brunch items range about $8 with cocktails about $6.
  27. Loreley:  Brooklyn (Williamsburg) :  Finally!  A beer garden with a brunch menu!  Rid your hangover with hair of the dog and many many a German beer and meal.  You’ll never realize you’re right under the BQE (Brooklyn Queens Expressway).  Don’t forget.. brunch is ALL DAY (yes ALL DAY BRUNCH) at this German biergarten.
  28. Harefield Road:  Brooklyn (Williamsburg): This pub turns into a great morning-after hangover cure with Harefield Eggs or the Breakfast burrito.  Enjoy outdoor seating and an incredible Bloody Mary while you’re at it!
  29. Perch Cafe:  Brooklyn (Park Slope):  The bi-level outdoor dining area is fantastic, and even has umbrellas blocking the sun for some protection!  Daydream about living in one of the beautiful brownstones while enjoying your very wallet-friendly meal (brunch items range from $3 – $11)
  30. Back Forty:  East Village (Alphabet City):  This restaurant only buys locally-grown ingredients.. and it is all delicious!  Enjoy the New York local ingredients and outdoor dining for brunch all weekend long.

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Posted in Alphabet City, AYCD, brunch, East Village, favorite brunch, Greenwich Village, Hell's Kitchen, Hung Over, Latin, Meatpacking District, mimosa, Murray Hill, NoHo, Party, SoHo, West Village

Top 10 Brunch Spots: From OpenTable

Posted on March 11, 2011 | 1 Comment

OpenTable announced their top 10 Diner’s Choice for Brunch spots in the tri-state area yesterday!  As predicted, most of these are, of course, in NYC.

One of our fave’s, Essex, has made the list!  Some of these include AYCD and some of these include limit to 3 drinks.. or even less.  Regardless of the drink special, these restaurants have great food, ambiance and everything!

Top 10, in no particular order:

Norma’s at Le Parker Meridien – Midtown West

Cupping Room Cafe – SoHo

Sarabeth’s Central Park South – Midtown West

Ana Beall’s Tea Room- Westfield, NJ

Sanfords Restaurant - Astoria, Queens

Sarabeth’s East – Upper East Side

Peacock Alley – Midtown East

Bedford Post – The Barn – Bedford, Brooklyn

Essex – Lower East Side

Poco – East Village (MUST try the Lobster Mac n Cheese)

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Posted in Alphabet City, AYCD, brunch, East Village, Great Food, mimosa

Brunch Fail: East Village Tavern

Posted on February 24, 2011 | 1 Comment

Another day another NYC AYCD brunch. Three-day weekends are mini-vacations made for us career-driven, weekend-warrior, stress cases in New York City. The only way to celebrate is with double brunch!

East Village Tavern for AYCD Brunch

We thought East Village Tavern would answer all of our AYCD brunch prayers

After Saturday’s brunchen escapades at Yerba Buena and post-brunch at Destination Bar, I was feeling great. Then, in my champagne haze I was appointed reservation maker for our Sunday Brunch, party of 10. I called 4 places, and was convinced Virage took my name and number, when we showed up on Sunday it was a no-go. Superfail.

So there we were, 10 of us with no place to brunch! So we opted to head toward brunch heaven, aka East Village and pledged to find something, and there it was, what we thought would be a great choice: East Village Tavern. Superfail # 2.

Review:
Nearly everything about this place failed. From the ice in my mimosa, the mimosas being served in a draft glass, a hair in one of the girl’s drinks. Add on some stale beer scent, super-dive-y atmosphere, little-to-no seating and a terrible server, and you have East Village Tavern.

My Rant: Drinks were almost never filled, the food was decent but very much like “bar food”, small portions. Rather than serving us drinks, the bartender was counting her tips. Which brings me to our waitress: What awful service! She was slow, mean, grumpy, lazy… She even came up, no warning and told us that our AYCD deal has expired (limit to 1 hour.. But who ever really honors that anyway)?? There was a gleam of hope when looking at the menu-there was a decent selection of drinks we could order that is included in brunch. In the fail-fashion of EVT, however, there was no flavored vodka at the bar to make our drinks.  Now the food, it was decent.  Sabra had the pancakes.. they weren’t the greatest.  I had the Veggie Omelet and salad.  It was decent, but it came with cheese even though the menu description

did not include cheese.  Britt had the burger, which she claims was one of the best burgers she has had in a while.  She scarfed that thing down in 2 minutes flat!  The other Court had the Chicken Wrap, but she focused on the sweet potato fries.  And Natalie had the Breakfast Burrito.. which she claims was decent.  Eh.

East Village Tavern Burger: Great Burger, better Sweet Potato Fries

The only reasons we didn’t leave this place:
1. We trekked all the way to Avenue C
2. They served the best sweet potato fries I’ve had in a while (And Britt loved her burger)
3. The music wasn’t that bad

Last call: This brunch experience was simply sub-par. I’d skip this venue and never return. (for Brunch).. but check out the Yelp reviews for other reasons to stop by.

Brunch Review: 1 mimosa

Price:  $15.95 AYCD for 1 hour plus your brunch meal

The Info:
East Village Tavern
158 Avenue C
New York, NY 10009
212-253-8400

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Posted in All you can drink, Alphabet City, AYCD, East Village, Inexpensive, Manhattan, Poor Service, Seedy

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Ayayay: Yerba Buena

Posted on February 24, 2011 | 1 Comment

After a few weeks of trying to convince the girls to try a new place, I finally made it to Yerba Buena in the East Village for a Pan Latin boozin’ brunch. Like most Alphabet City restaurants, the walk to the restaurant was grimy, dirty, crunchy, hipster.. everything you love about Avenue A. After making my reservation for Saturday brunch the night before, I was not anticipating a busy cafeteria, but I was wrong, I think.

Review:
We changed the reservation from 7 girls to 4, which was delightful. I was the second one there and took a seat right at the bar. For me, a later brunch is always better so I was very pleased with a 2 PM meal (brunch seating is either noon or 2 on the weekends). As the rest of the digi-girls arrive (yes, we are all in digital marketing) Yerba Buena gets incredibly

AYCD Brunch

AYCD Mimosas at Brunch

busy. Please note, “busy” is all relative, the restaurant must seat a charming 25-30 guests. Julie tells us that she has brunched at the Perry Street location, and

really enjoyed it. So, we were even more thrilled to sit, eat and enjoy our AYCD — because at this point, it was nearly 2:20 and we haven’t been sat yet. A foreshadowing of our slow meal..

From the moment we sat down, the service was abysmal. There was one, extremely friendly, server who clearly could not handle the brunch crowd. The four of us ordered our drinks immediately, but receive them almost 10 minutes after we sit. The drinks were almost always empty for about 5 minutes (which is a long time when you’re hungover) before the all you can drink, sangria, margaritas or bloody’s were refilled. There was a silver lining: the drinks were strong, and the liquor wasn’t cheap. You could taste the good champagne in the mimosas, the plethora of non-Jose brand tequila in the margarita and the horseradish-laden vodka in the bloody. Delicious and strong.

Spicy Guacamole

Great Guac

Now the good stuff, the food. We all thoroughly enjoyed our meals:

Apps: Guacamole.. guac..avocado.. it was great! Delicious and spicy!

Perfectly Fishy Fish Tacos

PerfectlyFishy Fish Tacos

Fish Tacos: @Yaypril says “They were amazing. Nothing fishy about them. Fried but not heavy.”

Julie and I both had the Steak and Eggs: The meat was a bit fatty,

Steak a Caballo

AYCD and Steak n Eggs.. Delicioso!

and rice and beans a bit bland, but whatever the orange sauce was – it was perfect. The salad was delish and the eggs were just right.  Not typical for brunch, for me anyway, we decided to share some dessert: Decent, but not great, Dulce de Leche but superb churros with chocolate dipping sauce. But it is a good thing we got the dessert.. after nearly 20 minutes for it to get to our table after we placed the order I was hungry again!

Last call: This NYC AYCD brunch spot is well worth it, so long as you are not in a rush. The drinks are strong, the apps are tasty, food is great with a nice Latin flare and the dessert menu is small but sweet. Service is lacking and there isn’t much else to do in the neighborhood.

Dessert: Dulce and Churros

Dessert: Dulce and Churros

Brunch score: 3.5 mimosas out of 5

Price range: Meals are between 9 and $14 with $12 All you can drink option.

The Info:
Yerba Buena
23 Avenue A
NYC, NY
212-529-2919
For more details and a full menu check out their Site or other reviews on the overall experience on Yelp.

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Posted in All you can drink, Alphabet City, AYCD, Decent Food, East Village, Inexpensive, Latin, Manhattan, Poor Service

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