This weekend I went into the city for my first real NYC brunch experience. While I thought I had already experienced brunch in the city by dining at spots like Sarabeth's, I was sadly mistaken. Brunch New York City-style is unlike anything I've ever witnessed before...at least not at lunchtime on a Sunday. It doesn't just include pancakes and orange juice. Oh, no no no! It involves much, much more...
(Before I begin, I should warn you that I'm currently being eased into the NYC brunch experience. My friend picked the tamest option for my first time. No joke.)
My first real NYC brunch took place at PS450 on Park between 30th and 31st streets. We arrived at noon, but the place doesn't get crowded until around 1pm or 2pm. The best deal on the menu is to get the Endless Brunch for $25 which includes a meal and unlimited Bloody Marys, Mimosas, and Bellinis. I ended up ordering S'mores French Toast (which should come as no shocker) and a Mimosa. The French toast was amazing! It was covered in melted chocolate and marshmallow fluff. And when I say I got a Mimosa, I don't just mean they gave me a glass. I mean they set a bottle of champagne and a bottle of orange juice down in front of me...
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| Photo from here. |
That was definitely a first for breakfast foods, but that wasn't even the craziest part of this Sunday Funday. Around 1pm, a DJ started playing...as if it was 1am on a Saturday morning. Don't get me wrong - I love to jam out at all hours of the day, so I'm not complaining. It was just a new thing for me. And remember how I said this was a tame brunch location? Some spots, such as Beaumarchais, do turn into a full on club scene once the afternoon rolls around on the weekends - DJ, table dancing, and alcohol included (check out the video below).
While I've never heard of this type of brunch place before in my life, it seems to be a favorite of those that live the NYC lifestyle. After being there for about 2 hours, our server came to tell us our time was up (we were allowed to finish up at the bar). I have never been asked to give up my table at a restaurant before! NYC-style brunch is just that popular I guess...
To top off my "Day of NYC Firsts", I was talked into taking a Pickleback - another NYC experience. A Pickleback is a two shot drink. I had to take a shot of Jameson whiskey and follow it up with a shot of pickle juice. The pickle juice is supposed to cancel out the the taste of the whiskey. While I'm not a big drinker or shot taker, I must admit that it wasn't bad at all! How the Pickleback supposedly originated in NY I will never know though. It sounds Southern, right?
I don't know how these brunch regulars can survive the week without having a lazy Sunday. I'm pretty sure I need my day of rest for survival! Have you experienced a real NYC-style brunch? Does this kind of thing happen in your city? Let me know in the comments below!
Stay fit and fabulous,
A
DRUNCH is my favorite! So fun! We need to plan on meeting up next time I am in NYC - will prob be there for work soon!! :)
ReplyDeleteDrunch - I love it! And YES we must meet up!
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