macrosan Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 I'm meeting a couple of (American) relatives on Sunday October 3, and we'd like to go for brunch in LES/Soho/East Village. We haven't met up for a few years. so I want a place where we can relax comfortably and talk (so no close-packed tables or noisy crowd) and also get a really nice meal I have no idea what my relatives' eating preferences are, so I need to play safe ... maybe American or French or Italian. And of course I need somewhere that I can book at less than a week's notice. The only easy bit is that price is not important Quote Link to post Share on other sites
g.johnson Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 A bit further north that you're looking for but Maialino does a more interesting than usual brunch. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sneakeater Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 I was going to say the same thing. It's the only brunch I really recommend (maybe except for Balthazar). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Anthony Bonner Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 Brunch is food people kryptonite Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Daisy Posted September 25, 2010 Share Posted September 25, 2010 Locanda Verde's brunch is excellent. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
g.johnson Posted September 25, 2010 Share Posted September 25, 2010 What's the noise level like at brunch? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Daisy Posted September 25, 2010 Share Posted September 25, 2010 It was fine, but it was a very,very hot day and while the place was fairly busy it was far from full. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lippy Posted September 25, 2010 Share Posted September 25, 2010 Belcourt is in the East Village (E. 4th Street at Second Avenue) and serves brunch. I've only had dinner here, which I always like very much, but I'm sure the food will be good for brunch, too. The only question is how busy and noisy it might be. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
macrosan Posted September 26, 2010 Author Share Posted September 26, 2010 Thanks for the suggestions. I'm studying them now Quote Link to post Share on other sites
macrosan Posted October 4, 2010 Author Share Posted October 4, 2010 I discarded Maialino because of its very idiosyncratic and (to me) unattractive menu. Balthazar got the vote, and I'm glad it did Check-in was hectic - I guess about 20 people turned up at the same time and there wasn't much space to stand in while we waited for attention. But from there on it was all upward. Very nicely thought out table for three - a small table on a corner banquette with one extra chair. A little crowded, maybe, but great for chatting. A cheerful and helpful server, exactly on that fine line between "proper" and "friendly". We all loved the menu - my guests both had waffles with maple syrup and berries which looked a picture, and I had a superb dish called Eggs Norwegian which was two perfectly drop-poached eggs on a bed of smoked salmon on a toasted muffin (?) with a terrific hollandaise sauce. I couldn't resist a rhubarb crumble with ice cream for dessert, while my guests again showed that they were of a single mind by both ordering creme brulee which looked and tasted excellent. Fresh squeezed orange juice and very good coffee, and a huigely impressive basket of breads completed the order, and the whole thing cost about $45 a person which I thought was excellent value. We all found brunch at Balthazar an altogether pleasing experience Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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