California Eggs Benedict

For President’s Day Weekend, I decided to surprise my parents with a last-minute trip home.  I flew in late Friday night and spent the night with my sister, who had helped ensure that my living-the-retired-life parents would be home that weekend.  We spent the night plotting our breakfast surprise for the next morning whilst snacking … Continue reading

Corned Beef Hash

When I was growing up, corned beef hash was a staple for weekend breakfast in our household.  However, my family would always just buy the pre-made corned beef hash from the can and skillet it up to serve with eggs.  When I decided to surprise my parents with a last-minute trip home and to greet … Continue reading

Cafe Gitane, NYC

Cafe Gitane Cuisine: French, Moroccan Neighborhood: Nolita, West Village Price: ~$30 per person Address: 242 Mott Street, NYC 10012 Phone: (212) 334-9552 Hours: Mon-Thu, Sun 9am – 12am, Fri-Sat 9am – 12:30 am CASH ONLY Address: 113 Jane Street, NYC 10014 Phone: (212) 255-4143 Hours: Mon-Fri 7am – 12am; Sat-Sun 7am-1am Credit Cards Accepted The … Continue reading

Palo Santo, NYC

Palo Santo Executive Chef: Jacques Gautier Cuisine: Latin American, Caribbean Neighborhood: Park Slope, Brooklyn Price: $20 pp for brunch Address: 652 Union St., Brooklyn, NY 11215 Phone: (718) 636-6311 Hours: Brunch: Sat & Sun: 10am – 3pm Dinner: Mon – Thu 6pm – 10:30pm, Fri 6pm – 11pm, Sat 5pm – 11pm, Sun 5pm – … Continue reading

The Publican, Chicago

The Publican Chef: Paul Kahan Cuisine: American Nouveau, Gastropub Neighborhood: Near West Side/West Loop Price: $10-15 brunch entrées, $8-10 brunch cocktails Address: 837 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607 Phone: (312) 733-9555 Hours: Mon-Thurs: 3:30-10:30pm ; Frid-Sat: 3:30-11:30pm ; Sun: 10am-2pm (brunch) & 5-10pm The Publican, located in the Fulton Market District in Chicago is … Continue reading

Double Crown, NYC (CLOSED)

Double Crown  (CLOSED, REOPENED AS SAXON & PAROLE) Executive Chef: Brad Farmerie Cuisine: Southeast Asian, English, Asian Fusion, Eclectic/Global Neighborhood: NoHo Price: $$$ Address: 316 Bowery, NYC 10012 Phone: (212) 254-0350 Hours: Dinner: Sun-Thu: 6:00pm – 11:00pm, Fri-Sat: 6:00pm-12:00am (Bar open until 1am) Brunch: Sat-Sun: 11:00am – 3:30pm Lunch: Sat-Sun: 11:00am to 5.30pm Following up … Continue reading

Nom Wah Tea Parlor, NYC

Nom Wah Tea Parlor Cuisine: Chinese Neighborhood: Chinatown Price: $15-20 per person (dishes range from $2.50 – $4.95) Address: 13 Doyers St., NYC 10013 Telephone: 212-962-6047 Hours: Daily 10:30am – 8:30pm Yum cha, which literally translates to “drinking tea” in Cantonese, refers to a dining experience that includes drinking Chinese tea and eating dim sum, … Continue reading

Harry’s Cafe and Steak, NYC

Harry’s Cafe and Steak Executive Chef: Harry Poulakakos Cuisine: Steakhouse, American Neighborhood: Financial District Price: $15-$20 brunch entrées, includes unlimited champagne cocktails Address: One Hanover Square, NY, NY 10004 Phone: 212-785-9200 As rich in history as the Indian House building in which it occupies the basement, Harry’s was established in 1972 and has since become … Continue reading

Sunday Brunch

Brunching is one of my favorite things to do in Manhattan, as the city is packed with a plethora of brunch spots that can suit any desire for a traditional (Bubby’s) or nouveau American brunch (Five Points), an Asian Fusion brunch with a DIY Bloody Mary Bar (Double Crown), a Chinese dim sum brunch (Ping’s … Continue reading

Foreign Cinema, CA

Foreign Cinema Chef: Gayle Pirie and John Clark Cuisine: California Cuisine, American Nouveau Neighborhood: Mission Price: $10-15 for brunch entrée Phone: -415-648-7600 Address: 2534 Mission Street,  San Francisco, CA 94110 Hours: Dinner – Monday – Thursday 6pm to 10pm, Friday – Saturday 5:30pm to 11pm, Sunday 5:30pm to 10pm. Brunch Saturday – Sunday 11am to … Continue reading