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Upscale Breakfasts in New York City

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    I'd love it if somebody could recommend a comfortable restaurant for an upscale breakfast in New York to go with friends. I've already been to Sarabeth's, which I've enjoyed. However, I'm looking for alternatives on the same level or better. If you know of any places, let me know. Thx!

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    The Four Seasons is always a wonderful breakfast, and it is certainly upscale. It is a popular spot, so i would recommend a reservation. You can also check out the places listed in this article from NY Magazine for some suggestions ... http://nymag.com/bestofny/food/2007/28906/

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    I'd recommend Norma's in Le Parker Meridian Hotel. Usually the waiting line to get in has been endless, though I think they now take reservations through OpenTable. It used to be that they didn't take reservations at all. Even still, every Weekend morning the lobby of the hotel is filled with people waiting to get into Norma's.

    I've only been once, but the food at Norma's was wonderful for my visit. But it is pricey and the size of the portions is truly sickening. Way too much food. Even if you split any of the dishes with someone else, you'd still have leftovers.

    Sarabeth's has expanded in New York over the past few years. I believe they have multiple locations now. It's definitely a sign that there is still a demand for more upscale breakfasts in Manhattan.

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    The view from Asiate on the 35th Floor of the Mandarin Oriental is incredible. The menu may not be as extensive as other options but the food is definitely tasty.
    http://www.mandarinoriental.com/hotel/532000039.asp

    Another option is The Palm Court within The Plaza. The restoration, which brought back the stained glass lay light is spectacular. It's a little on the pricey side but that's to be expected. They also accept reservations through Open Table.
    http://www.fairmont.com/theplaza/GuestServices/Restaurants/ThePalmCourt.htm

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    dd67, you sure do seem to like Fairmont a lot. So, how much are they paying you?

    I would cast a vote for Café Botanica on Central Park South in the Essex House, but it's supposedly closed now from what I hear.

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    I do love Norma's. It's worth the wait. But the lobster-and-caviar omelet is way out of my league!

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    It's not really a restaurant, but I love the City Bakery near Union Square for meeting up with friends. It's usually packed on Sundays when they have an upscale cafeteria-style brunch, but very easy to sit down on weekdays and it's quieter then too. Although, they just don't have the choices and selection out that they do on the Sunday brunch. Obviously I wouldn't call it fancy, but the quality is very good and good for meeting with friends.

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    One of my favorite "breakfast" experiences in NY is Pastis in the meat-packing district. Wonderful food and a very cool atmosphere.

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    I always assume everyone knows about it, but try brunch at the Tavern-On-The-Green in Central Park. (If I lived in NY instead of just visiting frequently, I'd eat there every day). Inside or out, the scenery is beautiful. I've seen comments referring to some restaurants as pricey, but isn't this the blog for 'haute travel?' Brunch is ala carte (not 'buffet style' as some people think the term connotes) and depending on what you order runs about $30 a person. I agree with dd67, the Palm Court is great, too. Although I think Tavern is a notch above, folks are usually impressed by the legendary Plaza Hotel.

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    Sorry jewel fiend, but most New Yorkers know that Tavern on the Green is a tourist trap with mediocre food and poor service. (The New York Times gave it an abysmal 1 out of 5 stars on their last review of the restaurant). I would recommend that people stay far away from Tavern on the Green unless you prefer overpriced touristy atmosphere.

    Not to mention that Tavern on the Green does not even serve breakfast. It only serves brunch on the weekend. As I mentioned in another post, the Boathouse in Central Park is a far better alternative to Tavern on the Green.

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    Forager:

    You're assuming I'm not a New Yorker - I just don't live there anymore. As far TOG, I specified that they serve brunch (which does have breakfast items on it) and while folks that live 24/7 in the city may not like it, it constantly rates high with folks I bring in from out of town. From the tone of her post - unless I misread - she or some of her guests must be from out of town (i.e. tourists), or she would most likely know a few places to take them. The service is poor/spotty if you're in a hurry (I'll givee you that and have been annoyed when trying to get to the theatre), but if you want a leisurely place to have a long get- together with friends, at least they aren't like some places that drop the check off midway through the meal and try to hustle you out of the door. She said she was looking for 'upscale' which, given its location and setting, most agree it offers - she didn't say she was a gourmand looking for the world's best eggs brioche. In any event, the place offers a detailed website with menus and pictures, so she can decide for herself.

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    Rache didn't say anything about people from out of town. She just said "an upscale breakfast in New York to go with friends."

    It's not just me who thinks TOG is a horrendous tourist trap. You'd have a hard time finding any great reviews of it from reliable sources. There are few people who would rank Tavern on the Green alongside Sarabeth's, Normas and Pastis. Not to mention you can't possibly judge a restaurant by its own website. The last time I was at TOG I noticed water stains on the ceiling, carpets from the Eisenhower administration, and waiters who served meals like they worked in a prison. The food was only so so.

    There are many superior restaurants in New York. Why anyone would want to "eat there every day" is beyond me.

    Off the top of my head, here's a better suggestion. One of my favorite is breakfast at Balthazar on weekdays when you can avoid the crowds. The food is usually excellent and it's a very nice atmosphere for gathering with friends.

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    Well forager, we'll have to disagree, although I fear you are one of those food snobs that thinks the food is the only part of the dining experience. I go to TOG because I like the environment - it's pretty, OK, is that a crime? For some reason you must have a personal grudge against the place because I notice you didn't rip into the person that recommended Pastis. Not all NYers think TOG is a tourist trap, believe me, it's usually full of folks from the city. And, TOG is way more upscale than City Bakery, which resembles a high school cafeteria - even spotty service is better than cattle lines. Anyway, 'nuf said. Different strokes for different folks, but you don't have to be nasty about it.

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    It has less to do with being a food snob and more to do with paying around $30 a person for tacky decor, average food and poor service. At least the food at City Bakery's food is more in line with its cost. Pastis actually has good food and the decor is far more stylish and appealing than TOG's tacky carpets and glittery light show.

    I didn't mean to be nasty, as you say, but I honestly couldn't believe that you would want to "eat there every day." Seriously, be reasonable now. Tavern on the Green is often considered to be one of the biggest tourist traps in New York.

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    sorry, jewel fiend, gotta agree with forager. TOG, as you refer to it, has had a pretty bad rep for a loooong time. back when ruth reichl was the NY Times food critic. read her book, 'garlic and sapphires'. not just for her scathing review, but also, because it is a good read....

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    Maybe I just have more money to waste than you. Haven't you ever put up with a little disappointment to savor something else? If you have deli sandwiches on Mt. Kileauea, is the view any less breathtaking. (BTW, you can arrange for catered meals on some of Hawaii's volanos). For me, the view there is worth it, at least more than is would be to eat at another one of those trendy places with bit-sized food with scads of chrome and whatever else the Target destined furniture designer ordered. Where else in NY can you go (at least in the temperate months) and eat in, or looking out on, such a garden, other than plunking down with take out in Prospect Park? Anyway, it seems these posts are going beyond the original scope, so I'll bid adieu.

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    And here I thought forager was being a little pretentious! Even if you have more money to waste than the rest of us, the whole point of Extravigator is to avoid tourist traps and not to waste money on disappointing restaurants with garden views, like TOG. We'd all rather just discover the top places and hidden gems whether they be cheap or expensive. You'd be wise to take a look at the mission statement. This isn't TripAdvisor!

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    wow! thanks, jensen. and the truth is, jewel fiend, i don't have any money to 'waste'.

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    Jewel fiend - I wonder what planet you've been on to recommend Tavern on the Green to Extravigator's readers. It's well known to be terrible in almost every way except the view. But, there are hundreds of such views there. All you have to do is to just walk through the park and skip having a mediocre meal at an outrageous price.

    I have an apartment on the west side of Manhattan, just a few blocks away from the Tavern on the Green. But, when I'm staying at my apartment, although it's just a few blocks away, there's no way I'd waste the shoe leather to go there.

    Jewel fiend - I guess the consensus here is that you should be banished to TripAdvisor.

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    OK, let's all take a deep breath. I think jewel fiend finally gets the message. Now where were we? Breakfast in New York anyone?

    A few more of my favorites for meeting up with friends:

    Clinton St. Baking Company : 4 Clinton Street (has the world's best pancakes!)
    Brown Café : 61 Hester Street
    Penelope : 159 Lexington Ave (good option not to far from midtown)

    I'll also cast a vote for Balthazar. Though I don't find myself there often.

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    This is not a difficult find, I mean... New York has more eateries than one could ever experience so finding that great breakfast spot shouldn't be difficult. Personally I love Balthazar in Soho. It has a great atmosphere, eclectic upbeat crowd, good service and the food is above par. When friends come into town I always take them to Balthazar and I have never had any complaints. If you hit up this fun eatery expect to wait, sometimes up to three hours. I guess the upside is that you can make a day out of an ordinary brunch. The area is great to stroll while waiting for a table as well.

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    Cafe d'Alsace on the upper east side (really Yorkville) has a great breakfast.

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    To the best of my knowledge, there aren't any establishments that the New York Times has rated as four-star restaurants that are open for breakfast in New York City. However, DOVETAIL, which the Times' Frank Bruni has given three stars, recently started serving Sunday brunch. Donna Elena and I had the pleasure of meeting friends there a few Sundays ago and it was unbelievably good. In fact, I'd rate it as the best brunch in New York right now! The acclaimed young chef, John Fraser, and his pastry chef, Vera Tong, have combined to offer a unique and wonderful experience in A.M. dining in Manhattan. The food, the service, the decor and the ambiance were all exceptional!

    I couldn't find a review that discusses the brunch, but you can read Mr. Bruni's review of his having dinner there by clicking on the following link:

    http://events.nytimes.com/2008/02/20/dining/reviews/20rest.html

    Thanks from: The Rover
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    We also tried the Sunday brunch at Dovetail. It was fantastic. The food was great and the service was very attentive. Our son, who was with us the last time we ate there, said that the French toast was the best he ever had. You certainly won't be hungry after eating brunch at Dovetail but, if you are, Danny Meyer's famous Shake Shack is just around the corner.

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    I think everyone is being terrible to Jewel Fiend. She likes TOG for it's atmosphere. And I can't imagine anyone disagreeing with the setting of TOG. And this is a site to share opinions, not beat up posters who you disagree with. Jewel didn't say "You are all rotten if you don't go to TOG". I love Balthazar for it's fabulous food and I love TOG for it's lovely setting. We had drinks there at Christmastime and it was so fun and sparkly. There is more than one way to skin a cat.

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    In general, TOG is a very polarizing restaurant. On one hand, it is a quintessential New York experience. On the other hand, there are a lot of people out there who just aren't impressed by it. Personally, I thought it was like an overpriced catering hall.

    I agree that this is a site to share opinions. But, I don't see why someone should be ashamed for expressing a negative opinion about a restaurant.

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    There is nothing wrong with expressing a negative opinion. If all we wanted was positive reviews, we would go to an establishment's website. But asking Jewel "what planet she is on" because she likes TOG is just immature. And re-read the posts where her name is constantly called out for liking TOG, although Jewel clearly indicates mainly for it's atmosphere. Then Jewel is called pretentious, and a few other names. It would be fine if people just said "I disagree that TOG is a good place to eat because the food is bad" but name calling ensued. That is just such a lousy way to act. And I read Jewel's initial post that the atmosphere in the park was really great at TOG. And it is.

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    Oh Please... It's not like Jewel was a shining example of decorum.

    Jewel started all the name calling when she called forager a "snob" for not agreeing with her gushing review of TOG. So, forager thought TOG was an overpriced tourist trap? Big deal... That's no reason to call him a "snob."

    I don't understand why Jewel defended TOG to the point of name calling. Though, my gut reaction was that Jewel must have worked for TOG. In which case, good riddance!

    But, Jewel goes on to say, "Maybe I just have more money to waste than you," the very definition of pretentious...Which is exactly when everyone really started to lay into Jewel.

    I feel that Jewel got exactly what was deserved. Jewel could have simply chosen to let forager's differing opinion go by the wayside, but instead chose to instigate the situation further.

    The evidence is right there, above.

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    Creed's got a point. There's a big difference between, simply remarking on liking a place for the atmosphere...or...going on a multi-post tirade to defend that choice of atmosphere. She could have easily let it go once forager disagreed with her.

    You don't see me defending City Bakery. I couldn't care less! :)

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    Oh please yourself. Oddly, Forager decided to speak for ALL NEW YORKERS when he posted "Sorry jewel fiend, but most New Yorkers know that Tavern on the Green is a tourist trap with mediocre food and poor service." It was an atagonizing comment and I don't blame Jewel at all for responding. I don't know why Forager is speaking for all New Yorkers but I want to say in no uncertain terms that Forager doesn't speak for me. And evidently, not for Jewel. But Creed, if Forager speaks for you, then you really should get off the site and send your comments to him to post.

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    You've completely contradicted yourself...

    First you declare that, "there is nothing wrong with expressing a negative opinion", as long as we don't call people names.

    Then you do a complete 180, saying that Jewel has every right to call forager names...because his opinion was too negative and antagonizing?!?

    Truly astonishing logic.

    Nevermind that most New Yorkers really do consider Tavern on the Green to be a Tourist Trap. (Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

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    Creed, Nanoose, everybody: put down your swords. Let's all calm down.

    I guess I'm somewhat responsible for starting all this commotion when I innocently followed up on Don Pablo's suggestion about Sunday brunch at Dovetail. Don Pablo's post was transmitted on December 2, 2008, and nobody had provided any comments on this discussion for over 5 months until my post about 4 days ago! Since then, it seems that all hell has broken loose.

    Going forward, I'd suggest not having any more discussion about Tavern on the Green. It seems it's too controversial. It's almost like during the election when good friends got together and some supported Obama and some supported Bush. Under those circumstances, those who truly wanted to remain friends had enough good sense not to talk about politics until the election was over.

    Thanks from: DonPablo
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    Thanks Rover. Some people are just trouble makers that like to hide behind screen names. Oh well. Too bad there aren't bouncers at the Extravigator door checking ID's--certainly would keep the underage away! :)

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    Funny. Rover, you're also responsible for the comment that Nanoose labeled as immature :)

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    I've matured.

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    One of the best, most delicious, upscale breakfasts one could ever have in New York City:

    A scrumptious Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip cookie from the little Levain Bakery on West 74th Street ( http://www.levainbakery.com/ ) and a cup of coffee, preferably eaten on a comfortable park bench overlooking the lake in Central Park, on a mild, sunny day, with a pleasant breeze passing by. (The 21st century equivalent of a loaf of bread, a jug of wine and thou.....)

    (For those still unaware of its existence, the Levain Bakery is considered by many cookie mavens, myself included, to bake the best cookies the world has ever produced.)

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    I agree with dd67. The view from Asiate is simply lovely. The food is scrumptuous. I love the Japanse breakfast for brunch.

    For a breakfast with an Italian twist, I heartly recommend Il Posto Canto on 2nd Street between Ave A and B. The very nice and knowledgeable owner can recommend wine pairing for your food. And she is very generous if you want to try the wine for taste.

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    The Four Seasons breakfast that someone already mentioned is very nice and elegant, if you like those types of breakfasts. I like the idea though of a more quain bakery for breakfast, like the City Bakery that Quentin mentioned. I will have to try that out

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