Roberts Cafe
October 25, 2012
Roberts, Montana is a small town that you very easily could pass without even realizing it. But if you’re being attentive on the road, you just might notice the little side street that holds a post office, art gallery, farm supply shop and cafe. This no frills diner had a very homemade artistic feel to it. The food was what you’d expect at a diner– we ordered a standard eggs/toast and grilled cheese, but it’s certainly one of those places off the beaten path that was worth a visit.
Roberts Cafe
Grilled Cheese and Fries
Tator Tots
Eggs & Toast
Dior des Lices Brunch
July 11, 2012
Crepes may be a taste of France, but when it comes to fashion, Dior’s top of the list. So it was only fitting to combine food and fashion at Dior’s resort flagship where their pop-up restaurant adds a tranquil, chic garden oasis in the center of town. Yannick Alléno, the 3-star Michelin chef behind it all, provides a top notch meal served on (of course) Dior’s gorgeous tableware. I couldn’t think of a better place to spend a Sunday brunch, relaxing after a night out in St. Tropez.
Espresso
Croissants
Ham and eggs
Vegetarian omelette and ham with eggs
The garden view
Terrain
June 12, 2012
I was ecstatic to find out one of my favorite online stores, Terrain, was opening shop in Westport. Even better when news broke of a farm-to-table café as part of the scene. Putting it on the top of my list of places to go, it certainly lived up to my expectations– a beautifully styled environment combining everything I would want in my own personal garden space. After browsing my way through the store, picking up some pots, a watering can and endless ideas to bring home with me, we were ready for brunch. Their outdoor seating area, styled just as one would expect from Terrain, served their homemade bread in a flower pot, water out of mason jars and delivered the check as a bookmark in a vintage plant guide. It’s that little attention to detail that make it worth the extra price for a great afternoon spent in Westport.
Fresh bread with butter and honey
Bourbon vanilla french toast with maple syrup and strawberry preserve
Flower pot baked bread
Croque Madame – open-faced ham and cheese, over easy egg, hollandaise
Brown butter pecan waffle with fried chicken leg and thigh
Store interior
Brunch & Trunk
May 24, 2012
A couple weeks back, my friend Leslie hosted a little “Brunch and Trunk” gathering for Mother’s Day. It was a great setup of gifts that are not only perfect for Mother’s Day, but any time of year– from soaps to jewelry and bags. My fantastic flower friend, Jess also had some of her lovely potted plants for sale. And the food was just as great as the gifts. Leslie’s delicious menu consisted of a peach, tomato and mozzarella salad, a broccoli pasta dish and chicken pesto sandwiches. As for dessert, she put out chocolate covered saltines and strawberries. A perfect springtime meal and quick and easy enough to make when you’re expecting a large crowd!
Peaches
Jess’s Potted Plants
Peach, Mozzarella and Tomato salad
Jewelry
Chicken Pesto sandwiches
Chicken sandwiches and tomatoes
Cafe Lalo
April 2, 2012
Famously known for Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks’ meeting in You’ve Got Mail, the Upper West Side’s Cafe Lalo has always been a favorite of mine, and quite honestly am surprised I’ve waited this long to feature it. Not only do they have great brunch options, but their large selection of cheesecakes and other desserts makes it a great late night stop as well. With it’s Euro-feel, it’s the perfect spot to go on a warm spring day when the floor to ceiling windows are open, and you can people-watch the sidewalks below.
Coffee
Steamed eggs with Bulgarian feta cheese, olives and herbs served with roasted potatoes and a Mediterranean salad
Mediterranean salad
Breads
Purple Potatoes
A Winter Afternoon in Cold Spring
February 17, 2012
Last weekend, my friend and I took the train an hour up the river to the little town of Cold Spring. It was a bit chilly, but nothing beats the fresh air. After checking out a few different cafes and dining establishments, we opted for the Hudson House River Inn, a historical home built back in 1832, serving as a small hotel since. Having a two course meal full of soups, fruits, eggs and steak, we worked off the calories with a bit of antique shopping around town before catching the train home.
Onion Soup Au Gratin
Strawberry Butter
Accommodations at the Hudson House
Grilled Marinated Flank Steak topped with caramelized onions and maytag bleu cheese, horseradish mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables
Poached eggs and thinly sliced filet mignon on english muffin
Popovers
Onion Soup Au Gratin
Fruit with vanilla yogurt, raspberry sauce and granola
Bleu Evolution
January 15, 2012
I ventured uptown to the neighborhood I explored last summer, but have yet to familiarize myself with all the hidden gems, like Bleu Evolution. An eccentric restaurant tucked into Manhattan’s Washington Heights, it has great brunches without the typical Saturday crowds and lines found further downtown. We were able to relax with some great tunes and enjoy hearty omelettes, duck and potatoes.
Duck confit with potatoes, peppers and poached eggs
Duck confit with potatoes, peppers and poached eggs
Broccoli and feta omelette and a Bloody Mary
Bacon and cheddar omelette
‘Tis the Season
December 24, 2011
I’ve been meaning to share these delicious looking brunch shots from a Sunday afternoon spent at Tipsy Parson recently. Tucked in a bay window seat on a cold but sunny Sunday afternoon, a friend and I enjoyed their comfort American menu with a southern flair. If you happen to be around New York for the holidays, I highly recommend stopping in. Closed for the weekend, they re-open on Monday.
Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday, and I look forward to bringing you some festive feasts I’ll be partaking in throughout the week in Syracuse!
Flaxseed & nut granola, berry compote, berries
Pigs in a Poke-- stone ground grits, andouille sausage, poached eggs, toast soldiers
Side of eggs
Indian Summer
October 14, 2011
The afternoons of rooftop brunches may be coming to an end for the season, but we snuck one last day in with the July-like heat. My father was kind enough to prepare a brunch for my roommates and friends in the building. After a morning at Zabar’s and Fairway to get all the goods, he prepared all sorts of delicious plates. We had three styles of crepes– apple cinnamon, fresh berries and ham and cheese, scrambled eggs on rosemary toasted bread, home fries, bacon and two varieties of organic sausage– Italian herb and spinach feta. For a special dessert treat, my friend Leslie’s mother was kind enough to give us a loaf of amazing chocolate challah bread for Yom Kippur, so we took that out to enjoy.
Ham & Cheese crepes
Chocolate Challah Bread
Cinnamon Apple crepe filling and Home fries
Spinach Feta Sausage and Cinnamon Apples
A Druze Brunch
September 29, 2011
Now that I’m back for some good old NYC cuisine, I decided go to Gazala’s, a small family-owned restaurant that I’ve been meaning to check out since they opened their new Upper West Side location. I admit, I had never heard of Druze cuisine, but it happens to be a religious community found in Lebanon, Syria, Israel and Jordan, that is comparable to the standard Middle Eastern fare. Known to be the most authentic tastes of this kind around town, their brunch was delicious and conveniently located across from my favorite Sunday market.
Tomatoes, cheese and scrambled eggs with seasoning and an Israeli salad
Semolina dough stuffed with chopped dates and walnuts
Poached eggs in tomato sauce
a camera in the kitchen 