BRUNCH WITH MOM
TREAT HER TO ONE OF THESE DELICIOUS IDEAS!
By Jenna Guarneri
New Yorkers are more obsessed with brunch than any other city. And since sharing a meal is proven to bring people closer together, why not indulge in some of the best restaurants in the country? New York City is the perfect landscape for finding a restaurant to fit just about any occasion. We did some searching and found a few of the hottest spots in New York City, including the Outer Boroughs, to have brunch at on May 13th.
Egg ShopEGG SHOP
Inspired by the versatility of the egg, husband and wife team Sarah Schneider and Demetri Makoulis, alongside Chef Nick Korbee, created an outpost that served and infinite amount of egg-centric dishes that are both familiar and creative. New York’s staple known for serving locally sourced eggs around the clock, is offering everything you and your mom could want. Their go-to breakfast sandwiches include the classic BEC made with broke yolk, Vermont white cheddar, black forest bacon, tomato jam and fresh pickled jalapeno and their famous Pepper Boy which is a creation of scramble, gruyere, bell pepper, maple cured pepper bacon and onion aioli. A tasty yet healthy option includes the Scrambler which is a mixture of scramble, roasted asparagus, tomato confit, scallions and pecorino. Info 151 Elizabeth Street; eggshopnyc.com.
Trademark Taste + GrindTRADEMARK TASTE + GRIND
The dual hospitality concept brings together craft cocktails, comfort food, homemade pastries, and Brooklyn coffee to Midtown. For Mother’s Day, the restaurant will offer each table reservation the option to pre-order a bouquet of flowers from Empress Fiore that will be waiting at the table to surprise dear mom. After spoiling her with flowers and brunch, mom will be treated to complimentary Chocolate Chip Shortbread cookies. Trademark Taste + Grind offers a New American menu with indulgent brunch bites like the Hangover Hash with fennel sausage, poached eggs, cholula hollandaise, duck fat onions or the even more indulgent Bananas Foster French Toast with brown sugar caramel, vanilla sauce, sea salt. If you can convince mom to go half on a starter, the Everything Spiced Latkes topped with Smoked Salmon, Crème Fraîche, and dill are the way to go! Info: 38 W.36th Street; trademarktaste.com.
Kellari Taverna Wine RoomKELLARI TAVERNA
Located in the Theater District, Kellari is the only fully sustainable haute Greek restaurant in NYC. Kellari, Greek for “cellar” offers 350 wines by the bottle. It’s no wonder that “Enter as Strangers, Leave as Friends” is printed on the place cards. Beginning at 11:30 am, Kellari will be offering a three-course $39 prix fixe brunch menu which will include a glass of Prosecco and starter options like Lobster Bisque, Wild Caught Jumbo Crab Cakes, Greek Salad and a Smoked Trout Salad. Main Course options include your choice of Kellari Benedict with two poached eggs, smoked ham, and hollandaise on Tsoureki toast, a Greek Frittata with sausage, potato, onions, peppers and Kasseri, Steak & Eggs with a 10oz Loin Steak and two sunny side up poached eggs, a Salmon Burger and more. End your meal with a platter of homemade desserts and fruit for the table. Info: 19 W 44th Street; kellariny.com.
Haven Rooftop SouthHAVEN ROOFTOP
Located on top of the Sanctuary Hotel in the heart of Times Square, guests indulge in Manhattan’s stunning views while enjoying modern American cuisine and craft cocktails. For Mother’s Day, Haven Rooftop will be offering a $39 pre-fix menu with a live jazz band. The menu includes starters like Tuna Tartare, Lobster Salad, Caprese, and Crab Avocado Palette. Entrees include French Toast with strawberries and blueberries, as well as Salmon Benedict with poached eggs, hollandaise and salmon. Also, being served as main dishes are Havenly Chicken with beurre blanc sauce, mesculan salad and fries, and a Lobster Roll on brioche roll served with fries. Desserts include a Crème Brulee, Chocolate Mousse, and Berries & Cream. Info: 132 W 47th Street; havenrooftop.com.
EpistrophyEPISTROPHY
A name that is a nod to great jazz and artful living, Epistrophy was founded by a group of friends from Sardinia, Italy, who fell so in love with New York City that they decided never to leave. The goal of opening their very own restaurant was to bring a sense of authentic Italian cuisine and culture to Downtown Manhattan and to create a sense of belonging for locals and tourists alike. The organic and locally sourced menus are available for breakfast, lunch and dinner. On Mother’s Day the Nolita restaurant will be serving their regular a-la-carte menu as brunch from 9am-12pm. Mom can expect to enjoy a mix of traditional Italian brunch dishes like the Pane Frattau (Sardinian flatbread) as well as more Italian-American Classics like fluffy Lemon Ricotta Pancakes. Selections of teas, coffees, and brunch cocktails are also available. Info: 200 Mott Street; epistrophynyc.com.
Boulton & WattBOULTON & WATT
Based on the notion of providing great food and great drink in a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere, Boulton & Watt draws inspiration from the industrial revolution—of which Matthew Boulton & James Watt were pivotal figures with their perfection of the steam engine, which in turn catapulted two continents into a new era. Located on the corner of Houston and Avenue A, the restaurant melds raw industrial accents with warm wood and tall windows; creating an intimate yet open atmosphere fitting for all seasons and all clientele. For Mother’s Day, the East Village restaurant is offering $25 bottles of prosecco during their brunch from 10am-4pm. Some of the menu highlights include the sweet Oatmeal Buttermilk Pancakes with fresh raspberries, Robiola Cheese, and Orange Maple Butter or the savory Cast Iron Baked Eggs with tomato, farro, kale, and ricotta. 5 Avenue A; boultanandwattnyc.com.
AN OUTER BOROUGH EXPERIENCE
BROOKLYN
Harvey Assorted PastriesHARVEY AT THE WILLIAMSBURG HOTEL
This New American bistro is a standout amongst Williamsburg restaurants. Harvey’s culinary team places an emphasis on fresh, seasonal fare and in-house artisan breads, crafted in collaboration with Brooklyn Bread Lab. This Mother’s Day, Harvey will be hosting a high-tea from noon to 6 pm. For $30 a person, you will receive three tiers of sweet and savory treats, and tea of choice. Also available with the promo is petit bottle of Champagne-$55 per a person. Guests can expect creative sweet and savory pastries made fresh daily in Harvey’s warehouse kitchen, Brooklyn Bread Lab. Made from freshly milled ancient grains, standouts include the Chocolate and Rosemary Scone, Cream Cheese Carrot Muffin, and Smoked Salmon, Cucumber, and Labneh Sandwich. Info: 96 Wythe Avenue; harveywilliamsburg.com.
QUEENS
Rose HouseROSE HOUSE
Celebrate the day at this fancy tea house located in Flushing. Owner Robert Huang, an artist celebrated for his rose paintings, has the distinction of being in service to the British royal family. He supervised the decoration of the Windsor pattern bone china to gift Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip on their wedding day in 1947. More recently he assisted in china patterns used at William and Kate’s marriage. Rose House s a quintessential representation of art and afternoon tea, so go ahead and make mom feel like a Queen for a day. Info: At Queens Crossing, 136-17 39th Avenue; queenscrossing.com/shopinfo/rose-house.
Bungalow BarBUNGALOW BAR
Open all year-round, this Far Rockaway beachside hideaway sits nestled at the foot of the Cross Bay Bridge. Arrive by boat, ferry, car, on foot, or via bicycle; either way, you and mom can expect to enjoy panoramic waterfront views. The casual dining experience fits within its beautiful natural surroundings and is the perfect escape away from the big city. Moms who visit Bungalow Bar for brunch on Sunday, May 13th, will be treated to complimentary, freshly baked Chocolate Chip Shortbread cookies. Pair them with Bungalow’s Eye Opener (iced coffee, vanilla vodka, bailey’s almond milk, kahlúa, chocolate syrup) and one of four signature benedicts. Weekend brunch is served from 11:30am-2pm with classic dishes like Chicken and Waffles, as well as French toast with Applewood smoked bacon or sausage. Info: 377 Beach 92nd Street; ingoodcompany.com/bungalow.
STATEN ISLAND
Violette’s CellarVIOLETTE’S CELLAR
The latest restaurant by Bread and Butter Hospitality and owner Chef Peter Botros. Violette’s Cellar, named after Chef Botros’ mother, brings social dining to Staten Island with the curated subterranean space, inclusive of a 6-seat private wine room and Staten Island’s first speakeasy, The Button Room. The main dining room offers small plates of contemporary American cuisine mixed with Mediterranean and Spanish influences. On Mother’s Day, Violette’s will be offering a sit-down brunch for $34.95 for adults/$19.95 for kids with freshly baked croissants and mini muffins to start and main dishes, including Sally’s French Toast on Italian Bread and covered in unicorn sugar, as well as the French Onion Omelette which is made with aged gruyere, French onion compote, and ritz pretzel bread crumbs. The Brunch Buffet offers a good assortment from pancakes, turkey, pasta, and a grand dessert display. Info: 2271 Hylan Boulevard; violettescellar.com.
