After reading and saving all the wonderful restaurant suggestions for pre theatre dinner I thought I would ask about Breakfast and Brunch places. We will be staying near the UN, but we will start our day by having a nice 'bite' somewhere. Doesn't have to be near the hotel as we will be on the go.

DH likes substantial cooked breakfasts I'm more light, ie bagal french toast etc.

Any favourites?

Thanks

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/598414

Brunch definitely Blue Ribbon Bakery! It is a sit down brunch kind of place.

That's an amazing post from chowhound nstevey gave you! I'll add a few details that I don't think are included..

Near your hotel, Nation's Cafe and John's Coffee Shop (first 2 listings here
http://www.menupages.com/restaurants...sort/Rating-1/ ) are good everyday options.

Ess A Bagel on 3rd ave. & 50th st. has great bagels and will also do a cooked breakfast (but it's cafeteria style serve yourself).

The Boat House in Central Park is a very pretty spot for weekend brunch and then start serving at 9:30am where most other places don't start until 11:30-12. It's illegal to serve alcohol in NYC before noon on Sunday.

I haven't had it but those who like unlimited champagne brunches say the one at the Millenium UN Plaza is good.

Just so you realize "brunch" is usually served only on weekends and starts not much before noon. For earlier or workdays you'll just get breakfast -- although hotel dining rooms will often serve more "brunchish" dishes versus just basic eggs and bacon or omelet or egg sandwich that you're get at coffee shops.

For something a bit different Cafecito on Avenue C with Cuban-Ameircan brunch.

City Bakery always fun with a buffet if you wish and some of the best croissants in town.

Another vote for Blue Ribbon Bakery and Ess-A.

Ouest on the Upper West Side.

Thank you one and all. If I haven't said it today...you guys are great.

I'm also looking for a place for brunch. I think Norma's sounds good but in the nice weather I think I would go to the Central Park Boathouse. Neither is inexpensive but both sound like good choices. I have been to Balthazar and loved it.

If you are interested in the Lower East Side, you might want to go to the Essex Street Market and eat at Shopsin's. It's a diner, yes, but very interesting. Try ebelskievers (banana-filled pancake fritters served with maple syrup and whipped cream). It's not too busy during the week, though totally mobbed on the weekend. And it's not open on Sunday.

SaraBeth's locations on Upper east side and Upper West side offer brunch very day.