13 GO-TO BRUNCH SPOTS IN NEW YORK CITY

New Yorkers live for a Brunch induced weekend, filled with shared plates and boozy cocktails. I've spent many of my weekends brunching in the city. In fact, it’s one of my favorite ways to try new restaurants around Manhattan. And I thought it was time to share some of my favorites. Especially since restaurant recommendations are one of the most frequently asked questions for visiting New York. And also one of the hardest decisions to make living here, because there are so many restaurants to choose from. So here is my curated list of Go-to Brunch spots in NYC.

NOTE: This list was created prior to COVID-19. However, many of the restaurants listed are OPEN for takeout, delivery and outdoor dining. Please click on the restaurant name to be directed to their website for more info.

BLUESTONE LANE

Location: Click here for locations

The Vibe: Bright, colorful, casual spot to grab coffee & quick bite. Offers outdoor seating.

What to Order: The Avocado Smash, Banana Bread, Iced Coffee (my fave)

JACK’S WIFE FREDA

Location: Click here for locations

The Vibe: Bistro with Mediterranean influenced menu.

What to order: Green Shakshuka, Mediterranean Breakfast, Cantaloupe Mimosa

JACOB’S PICKLES

Location: Upper West Side

The Vibe: Modern Rustic meets Southern Hospitality. Best seats are at the bar.

What to order: The Buffalo Mac n Cheese, Deviled Eggs & Fried Pickles, Any of the Biscuit Sandwiches

*Note: Portions are generous.

MAISON PICKLE

Location: Upper West Side

The Vibe: Modern casual with a bar that feels very 1920s.

What to order: Berries-n-Cream French Toast, Challah Croque Madam, 24 Layer Chocolate Cake

*Note: Sister restaurant to Jacob’s Pickles

GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT

Location: Upper West Side

The Vibe: Super casual country kitchen.  Offers outdoor seating.

What to order: Mexican scramble, Buttermilk Biscuits & Sausage Gravy, Pancakes (seasonal flavors)

FORAGERS TABLE

Location: Chelsea

The Vibe: Modern Farm to table. Also has a small fresh market connected to the restaurant.

What to order: Mixed Berry Scone, Ricotta Pancakes, Salmon Tartine, Cold brew

SHUKA

Location: SoHo

The Vibe: Mediterranean casual. Beautiful enclosed back garden room with seating available.

What to order: Cinnamon Rolls, Hummus, Chicken Shawarma, Bloody Mary

THE SMITH

Location: Click here for locations

The Vibe: Classic American Brasserie. Offers outdoor seating.

What to order: Vanilla Bean French Toast, The Smith Eggs Benedict, Spicy Salmon Tartare

TAVERN ON THE GREEN

Location: Upper West Side (inside Central Park, near Sheep’s Meadow)

The Vibe: Iconic New York City restaurant. Gorgeous glass enclosed seating area. Offers outdoor seating w/ views of Central Park.

What to order: Brioche French Toast, Baked Vegetable Frittata, Eggs Benedict Florentine

FRIEDMANS

Location: Click here for locations

The Vibe: Classic American eatery.

What to order: Chicken chilaquiles, Mac n’ cheese, Nova Benny

*99% of the menu can be prepared Gluten-free

COOKSHOP

Location: Chelsea (near The High Line)

The Vibe: American Farm to table. Offers outdoor seating.

What to order: Beignets, Frittata, Heuvos Ranchero, Strawbiscus Rickey Cocktail

BOQUERIA

Location: Click here for locations

The Vibe: Authentic Spanish style tapas bar.

What to order: Tortilla Española, Croquetas, Churros, Rosé Sangria or Spicy Shishito Margarita

CLINTON ST. BAKING COMPANY

Location: Lower East Side & Timeout Market in Brooklyn

The Vibe: Casual American restaurant & bakery.

What to order: Pancakes w/ warm maple butter (any flavor) *The best pancakes in the city!

*Note: Cash ONLY at Lower Eastside Location

SAVE this list for the next time you and your friends can’t decide on where to go for Brunch. Or for the next time you’re visiting the city and need some good brunch spots to impress your friends.

PRO TIP: Always make a reservation. NYC restaurants fill up fast especially on the weekends.

Which are your favorite Brunch spots in the city?! Share in the comments below.

XO, Dana Rae

15 THINGS TO DO IN NEW YORK CITY IN SPRING

Hello April! Who else is excited for warmer weather months?! Spring in New York City is pretty euphoric. New Yorkers slowly start to come out of hibernation from Winter once we get that first glimpse of warmer weather. Think days spent at Central Park, bike rides, rooftops, dining on patios and more. And just like any season, there is always a ton of things to do around the city. I’ve rounded up the best ‘15 Things to do This Spring in NYC’. So whether you live here or you’re planning to visit in the coming months, I hope you find this list helpful!

1. Macy’s Flower Show - FREE and open to the public from March 24th-April 7th

2. Stroll through Central Park - The park comes to life during Spring months and there’s nothing better than seeing the blooms up close in person. You can even take a walking tour to see the Cherry Blossoms.

3. Hudson Yards - This newly developed area recently opened to the public. High end shops, restaurants, public garden and a NEW landmark called the Vessel. You can climb all 154 flights of stairs to see unique city views from each landing. It’s FREE to access, however you do have to reserve tickets to enter the Vessel.

4. Cherry Blossom Festival - April 27th-28th at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. This event is known to sell out, make sure to reserve tickets ASAP.

5. Bryant Park - Stroll the park, grab coffee and find a seat amongst all the tulips in bloom.

6. Yankees Game - Spring baseball season is underway. Go Uptown to the Bronx to see the Yankees in action.

7. Dine from a rooftop - Eataly in Flatiron has a new Spring inspired rooftop garden including a new seasonal menu and cocktails.

8. Drink from a rooftop - Rooftop Season is one of the best perks of living in the city. Grab a cocktail with a view at one of these popular spots: Refinery, 230 Fifth, The Roof, Cantina & PHD Terrace

9. Smorgasbug - The infamous outdoor food market is expanding into the Financial District this Spring. It opens to the public on April 12th and every Friday thereafter through October. Hours: 11:30am-7pm

10. Brooklyn Bridge - Walking the Brooklyn Bridge is a MUST during warmer months. Best way to see the Manhattan skyline. And makes for the perfect Instagram photo.

11. Food Truck Fest - Saturday April 13th. Located at Grand Bazaar Market on the Upper Westside. There will be 15 gourmet food truck vendors along with other local vendors.

12. Frida Kahlo Exhibit - A new exhibit located at the Brooklyn Museum. It’s the largest US exhibit of her personal items, clothing and art. Definitely recommend purchasing tickets in advance, several dates are SOLD OUT already. Exhibit runs through May 12th.

13. Dine al fresco - Many restaurants in the city open their cafe for dining outside in April/May. A few of my favorite spots include The Mermaid Inn, Cookshop, Boat Basin Cafe and Tavern on the Green.

14. NY Beer Fest - The 2nd annual Beer fest will be located at Citi Field in Queens and feature dozens of craft breweries.

15. Explore a new neighborhood. There’s nothing better than walking amongst the tree lined streets of the city and seeing the Spring blooms everywhere.
    
    

Central Park UWS

Macy's Flower Show 2019

Bryant Park

Battery Park

What are you looking forward to doing this Spring? Comment below.

XO, Rae

NYC LIVING: COLUMBUS CIRCLE NEW UNDERGROUND SHOPS & EATS

If there is one thing I have learned while living in New York City, it's that convenience is EVERYTHING. The days are longer and you're constantly on the go here. Especially when it comes to meals. Hence, why there are so many food trucks in the city. My favorite is the coffee and bagel carts. Perfect for the days when you're literally running across the street to get to the office on time. So it's fitting that there is now something even more convenient that has recently opened up at Columbus Circle.

Turnstyle is an underground dinning and shopping experience. Located under Columbus Circle at the corner of 57th/58th Street & 8th Avenue. 

I recently visited the new underground shops & eats and was impressed with all it has to offer. Imagine a row of pop-up style restaurants and retail spaces with easy access for on the go shopping and dinning. I was immediately drawn to the vibrant and colorful atmosphere. It was also very clean and more spacious than I anticipated it to be. I recognized a few places right away but was also excited to see some unfamiliar ones.

Everything from:  

DOUGHNUTTERY

BYSUZETTE

GASTRONOMIE 49

PRESSED JUICERY

Just to name a few. 

And for the days you are in need of a gift for that special someone or on your way to a friend's dinner party. Don't show up empty handed! There are several great shops to pick up a great gift. I especially love PAPYRUS and LUSH.  If you need a sugar fix, there is even a DYLAN'S CANDY BAR. And if you've had a long day and not sure if your roommate drank the last of the wine at home. Luckily, there is also a wine shop that you can stop at to grab a bottle before getting on the subway home.  

For a full list of shops and eats go to turn-style.com.

XO, Rae

NYC RESTAURANTS: PRUNE IN THE EAST VILLAGE

New York is a food city, no doubt. With so many restaurants in the city, it is often hard to choose one. But there are some restaurants that are like none other. Living with a foodie, my best friend, Will has been dying to go to PRUNE.

So, this past Sunday, we went for dinner. Located in the East Village, PRUNE is popular restaurant known for it's infamous Chef Gabrielle Hamilton. She's also the author of the New York Times Best Seller book called: 

Blood, Bones and Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef'.

We got lucky and arrived in time for the first seating of dinner at 5:30pm. Typically there is a wait for Brunch and Dinner service. When we arrived I was able to capture a rare moment of the restaurant completely empty. And although small in size, the experience is anything but that. And to make the night even more complete, we actually spotted Chef Gabrielle Hamilton walking by the restaurant with boxes in tote.

Below are some of the amazing dishes we enjoyed during our meal. The cocktails were amazing as well. 

Featured Appetizer: Fried Oysters with house tarter sauce

Halibut with cherry tomatoes in a spicy tomato broth

Grilled Broccoli, chili butter, pecorino

Charred Beef Ribs with anchovy butter

'Straw and Hay' Pasta with green tomato-chicken liver sauce

Dessert: Summer Pudding

I definitely recommend dining at PRUNE if you're willing to spend a bit more on delicious good quality food. GO EAT!

XO, Rae

SPRING HAS ARRIVED IN NEW YORK

After months of a snow covered New York, Spring has FINALLY arrived in full force. Thank goodness!! Winter here is best described as hibernation. It's cold, gloomy and requires multiple layers of clothing just to leave your apartment.

New Yorkers are ditching their winter coats and snow boots for shorts and iced lattes. And slowly coming out of their apartments to enjoy the Spring air & blooms. That also means cafe season is upon us. And happy hours are commencing all over the city. Mermaid Inn is one of my favorite places for happy hour. They have a great wine list and offer $1 oysters. 

I think SPRING is quickly becoming one of my favorite seasons in the city.

XO, Rae