brunch in Manhattan
 

I will be in Manhattan this coming Sunday. Can you suggest a place for brunch?

BJM

There are hundreds of places. What area will you be in? What is your budget? Are you looking for something very elaborate - or just a basic brunch?

We're looking for a place convenient to public transportation, something like Brian Park Grill. I don't know Manhattan but we have a suggestion for Googies and for Brian Park Grill. Googies is less convenient but perhaps the food is better. But it doesn't have to be either of the two.

It's the Bryant Park Grill, not Brian.
There are four Sarabeth's to choose from. Where will you be? Just saying "convenient to public transportant" only partially helps with location. You'd obviously want a place that is easy to reach, rather than one that requires two or more changes to get there.

also add to your location price range, that would help - Bryant Park Grill is nice but not if you are on other end of city.

Googies is basically an Upper East Side diner (though a little nicer and more expensive). I never tried it for brunch because it was always too crowded and my BF didn't like it anyway.

Bryant Park Grill is just a few blocks from Grand Central, and is set in a park. Much nicer setting than Googies, though I haven't tried the food there, either.

I love Dock's Oyster Bar for brunch...a nice, old-NY type of setting, located on 40th & 3rd (walkable from Grand Central). Good seafood options, and it's never crowded.

Zoe and Balthazar are two options in Soho, both convenient to the subway and both with excellent brunch food. You'd have to make reservations though...definitely.

Googie's is one of Manhattan's best diners -- always packed for weekend breakfast/brunch. As stated, it's on the Upper East Side, Second Avenue at 78th Street (I believe).

(Also, if you happen to be a baseball fan, it's not uncommon to see Yankees players at Googie's. Just a few weeks ago I sat next to Tino Martinez.)

On the Upper West Side, a big step up from a diner, is one of my favorite brunch locations, Isabella's.

Some of the best downtown . . . Jane, good, Great Jones Cafe.

Of all that I mentioned, good is probably my favorite. Excellent!

Fodor's just sent out a few New York related articles in the email newsletter. There's a bit piece on brunch:
http://www.fodors.com/wire/archives/001290.cfm