Image via Complex Original
Patrick Judabong - photographer, DJ, and founder of the Fat Bastard Crew, known to the world as Buddhabong. He has traveled the world in search of stunning images, great beats, and the best eats. Currently, you can catch him getting fat in and around New York City.
The term "brunch" was invented by people who sleep in—like me. Some of my favorite eateries earn that status on the strength of this meal exclusively. Combining the aspects of breakfast and lunch along with letters from both of the words, brunch in New York is mad delicious, assuming you know where to go.
From creamy scrambled eggs to buttery battered waffles, New York brunch serves up the kind of goodness just about anyone can enjoy. The only draw back is the consistent (not to mention annoying) wait, at times more than 45 minutes. But the many positives definitely outweigh that negative.
(Twitter: @buddhabong)
Peels
Where: 325 Bowery
Website: peelsnyc.com
Biscuit-pa-loo-za; Peels offers one of the best in New York. This East Village spot's brunch menu prides itself on its famous build-a-biscuit.
Sandwiched between their classic buttermilk biscuit you have a choice of meat, including sausage, ham, fried chicken, or bacon. The organic scrambled egg is infused with cheddar, muenster, or pepper jack. If you're feeling bold, you can also add avocado or gravy.
I opted for the sausage biscuit with organic scrambled eggs and cheddar cheese. You can't go wrong if you order this combination exactly. The biscuit is crunchy but not hard, the sausage is cooked thoroughly, and the egg and cheese combination is like no other, exploding with flavor in each bite.
Also available is the standard biscuit and gravy dish, which consists of a toasted buttermilk biscuit, poached eggs, and sausage gravy. The biscuit is sliced in half with one egg on each biscuit, then covered with chunks of sausage and warm creamy gravy stock. Pairing it with some hash potatoes and orange juice makes the meal complete.
If you're in search of great fresh homemade biscuits in New York City, this is the spot. You will not be disappointed.
Norma's
Where: 119 West 56th St.
Website: parkermeridien.com
Baller status! Norma's is tucked away inside the Le Parker Meridien hotel. Open till 3 p.m. daily, this establishment is swanky and posh but filling. It is not only known for gratifying food but for the heaping portions.
I ordered the Norma's Egg Benedict from the "Benny Sent Me" section of the menu. If you're a fan of eggs benedict, this is sure to blow your mind. Norma's serves up buttermilk pancakes topped with Canadian bacon and grilled asparagus, along with the necessary poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. They garnish with some baby potatoes for extra satisfaction. As ever, this dish is proof that sweet and salty works.
From the "Mom Can't Make This" section of the menu, the Banana Macadamia Nut Flap Jacks will satisfy any banana connoisseur. The roasted sugar coating of the macadamia nuts reminds me of the peanuts you get on the street corners near Broadway and Spring Streets. The brown sugar sauce and maple syrup coating the top of the flapjacks electrifies your taste buds, leaving you no choice to eat until you're fully stuffed.
Norma's will make you unbutton your pants after eating, but will also provide you with a day's worth of energy to tackle NYC.
Essex
Where: 120 Essex St.
Website: essexnyc.com
The prefix! Don't fear the trendiness of the Essex, or the hipster crowd it's known for. Instead, fearlessly dig into the delicious brunch specials, which include three alcoholic beverages (bloody marys, screwdrivers, or mimosas) of your choice.
My plate of choice: baked eggs over crisp ham with roasted peppers, shitake mushrooms, and monterey jack cheese. A very close cousin of the crouque madame, this dish used the jack cheese to hold the peppers and mushrooms together on top of the baked eggs and ham. This dish brings all the ingredients to the forefront, making sure that no one stands out at the expense of another. To the side sits a refreshing mix green salad and perfectly seasoned home fries.
I also devoured the crispy potato pancakes, accompanied with sautéed apples in a honey cream sauce and spinach-shiitake-black bean hash. If you're into creamy sauces, this is the dish for you. The honey cream sauce is smooth and savory, while the chopped apples deliver hints of sweetness, giving you the best of both worlds. The hash mash-up offers a nice contrast to the rich creamy sauce, providing serious flavor. The crispy potato pancakes were my personal favorite, lending a nice crunch factor to the entire dish.
Remember: skip the line by making reservations.
Penelope
Where: 159 Lexington Ave.
Website: penelopenyc.com
Never overloaded! When you think of Penelope, you think countryside. The décor has that cozy, home-y feel. Don't be fooled by the soft blue environment, Penelope delivers great food with a mean punch.
I ordered the pumpkin waffles with apple butter, dried cranberries, toasted cinnamon-cardamom pecans, and warm baked apples. The pumpkin aroma swells inside your nose the second the plate hits the table. With the first bite, the sweet waffle, crunchy pecans, and tangy cranberries set the party in your mouth to rocking. The apple butter with the warm baked apples creates a layered sweetness. Though there are many succulent ingredients, when all flavors converge like Voltron, it produces a stronger flavor together than when experienced individually.
For a warm and cozy meal, look no further—this must be the place.
Clinton Street Baking Co.
Where: 4 Clinton St.
Website: clintonstreetbaking.com
Pancakes on crack! Clinton Street Baking Co. is the one place in New York I insist all visitors try before leaving. Though the wait might be over 45 minutes at times, the payoff is spectacular; your taste buds will thank you for it.
For all the CSBC virgins out there, the blueberry pancakes are a must. Thick, fluffy, and bountiful, the tripe-tiered stack comes with fresh wild Maine blueberries. They dust the top with powdered sugar for good measure. The "crack" is the warm maple butter syrup— sweet, rich, and mouthwatering.
Another great dish CSBC offers is the buttermilk biscuit sandwich. They slice a semi-crisp buttermilk biscuit in half and stuff the morsel with scrambled eggs, melted cheddar, two strips of bacon, and homemade tomato jam. To the side lay hash browns (I would suggest ordering them well-done if you like them with a burnt crunch, like I do). The fresh-squeezed OJ is also a must. Don't sleep.
Brave the wait, because this place will be the highlight of your day.