Let’s take a bite out of the big apple and examine some new as well as just plain terrific established restaurants in New York City. I am going to focus on brunch because one of life’s great pleasures is weekend brunch in the greatest city in the world.
The Best for Brunch list goes like this:
#1 on my food hit parade is Marea, Michael White’s elegant restaurant on Central Park South near Columbus Circle.. If you want to impress or dine at a suitable place for parents, dress casually chic and walk those fabulously adorned feet straight to Marea. I always request a table by the window as it is street level and not only can you see Central Park, but you have a full frontal of all the diverse array of shoes strolling on 59th Street. Marea also tops the list for service. The food is amazeballs and for $45 you choose 2 courses from either a crudi, antipasto, pasta or main course category and most of the selections are on the dinner menu. I would rather buy shoes than spend big bucks at dinner, especially since I can order the supersaver brunch deal. I enjoy a lovely rose during brunch with my delectable selections. Recommended dishes are: the polipo, steak, scallops, and do not leave without indulging in the garganelli and the fusilli…you will think you have died and gone to culinary heaven. Reservations needed.
#2. Il Buco Alimentaria E Vineria – love the ambiance and the neighborhood on Bond Street near Lafayette in the east village. In addition to excellent breads and pastries, panini’s and egg dishes, at brunch you can also select dinner menu items such as the crispy and succulent ½ chicken, tantalizing slow roasted short ribs, crispy artichokes and pastas which are tutto bene. Also plenty of meat, cheese, vegetable and salad selections. Reservations essential.
#3. Red Farm-a must for brunch. Color Red Farm delicious and original. The one flight up restaurant is located in the west village and is opening in the former Fatty ‘Cue space on the upper west side. Highlights, ‘Pac Man’ shrimp dumplings, pork and crab soup dumplings (equal to Anita Loos’ dumplings at Annisa), Katz’s pastrami egg roll (reticent at first, but orgasmic), Bentons bacon and egg fried rice. Go with a hungry human…you will want to try everything and it is all eminently sharable. Note: I serendipitously (I was on my bike, she had a dog, we chatted and neither of us had plans at brunch time on a sensational Saturday) a savvy, delightful women at a west village coffee shop when I was recently single in the city and we shared a memorable brunch at Red Farm, and satiated, went our separate ways!. This could only happen in NYC.
Let us not forget that brunch is often the best bargain of the day as many of the items are offered at dinnertime at a higher price point. Brunch is a great way to sample a yet to be reviewed or pricey restaurant without breaking the bank or being disappointed by a forgettably expensive dinner.
Go forth, New Yorkers and NYC wannabe’s and gorge, indulge and delight in some of the world’s sweetest nectar and sumptuous food choices….
(Red Farm ‘Pac Man’ dish. Photo, NY Daily News)
