Stanton Social for Sat Brunch
 

How is Stanton Social for a Saturday brunch? I am thinking of taking my sister there in three weeks. We usually go to AquaGrill, but I would like to try something new.

Thingorjus

I have been there for weekend brunch and was not really impressed.
The crowd seemed mostly out of towners (no offense to anyone!) looking for a "scene". Food is just ok.

It is still very popular and others may disagree with me...

Thin,
If you want a place like Stanton you may want to try Balthazar which I have always enjoyed. Other places that I have always enjoyed is Clinton Fresh Bakery(expect long lines) and Blue Water Grill. My and wife and I were at Norma's for Easter brunch and thought it was average at best. Prune in the East village is another spot.

It should read other places that I have enjoyed are Clinton Street Bakery and Blue Water Grill.

I don't want to go to Balthazar. My mother HATED Balthazar and it will bring back terrible memories for me. (My mother was killed in a car crash last March).

I was thinking Blue Water, Andrew. It is uncanny that you mentioned it. I tried to get reservations there last year but the times were off, so we ate somewhere else--Les Halles.

Maybe we will try Blue Water.

I am so sick of going to Chanterelle--even though it is a fabulous restaurant. I just want to try something new.

And my sister, Heidi, really LOVES seafood. She is a VERY PICKY EATER.

Thanks,
Thin

I would go with Blue Water. If its a nice day out you can sit outside. Make sure you let them know when you make the reservation. I would make the reservation now as its always packed.

You should definitely stay away from Balthazar. Sorry to hear about your Mom.

If you ever want to try the last of the old classic French restaurants in the city, I highly recommend La Grenouille.I know you would enjoy it for lunch or dinner.
http://www.la-grenouille.com/

Five Points has a good brunch but tough to get into.

I Coppi has a very relaxing brunch with a garden in the back. They know how to cook.

Blue Water Grill is over rated. Mermaid Inn is much better.

I went to the Mermaid Inn website and the chairs look uncomfortable.

My grandmother used to take us to Le Grenouille (and Le Perigord, Lutece, Le Cynge, etc.). I don't think my sister likes classic French cuisine. (I absolutely LOVE quennelles, on the other hand.)

Any other suggestions? I don't really care about cost as long as it ISN'T in the Per Se or Le Bernadin price range.

Thingorjus

Shaffer City.

Not as good as Memaid but the seats are comfortable.

This may seem a bit out of left field but if the weather is warm you may want to sit outside at The Boat House in Central Park. I know the food can be marginal but the surroundings are nice.
http://www.thecentralparkboathouse.c...g08/brunch.htm

Sorry, andrew8, but I have been to the Boathouse many times. You are right--the food is marginal, and NOT marginal_margiela. :)

The food at Shafer City looks interesting--and Zagat's gives it a 22 for food--but the dining room looks depressing and dark.

Thin

Mercer Grill has a great brunch

Do you mean Mercer Kitchen or Mesa Grill, madame?

Thin

The food at Shafer City looks interesting--and Zagat's gives it a 22 for food--but the dining room looks depressing and dark.


You could wear a miner's lanp.

Actually, that I Coppi looks interesting. I especially like the garden and the fact that they serve French toast--something my sister would eat. And we would be close to shoe shopping on the LES.

My husband will eat anything. His favorite meal is Doritos with a bowl of sour cream.

Thanks,
Thin

Thin, what about Aquavit? oh whoops - they only have Sunday brunch, but the cafe has lunch on Saturday - excellent food, the most impeccable fish . . . but if you want to stay downtown, hmmm I've never been but I guess some people love Capsouto Freres, it's been there long enough .. maybe Eleven Madison? Cookshop has a very nice brunch, the same owners as 5 Points - but you should reserve . . . pretty light and if it's warm you can eat outside on tres glamourous 10th Avenue . ..
I'm not a huge Blue Water Grill fan, but brunch there is ok - Danal has a new location on 5th Avenue and 13th Street . . . not sure if it's open yet maybe Zoe in Soho?

Heidi would hate Aquavit.

I thought about 11 Madison (and also Union Square Cafe--which Keith likes), but we all really don't want to dress up.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Thin

It it were me I would go with sitting in the back garden at I Coppi. I would love to try this place in the next few weeks.

wait thin - YOU don't want to dress up?????

I think you'd really like Cookshop or 5 Points

I LOVE Five Points. I always take people there for brunch and it knocks their socks off. If you call at least a week or two in advance you can probably get a good reservation. I've only been to Cookshop for dinner, but I thought the food was excellent.

You can book a reservation at Five Points on opentable.com.

Oops, Mercer Kitchen. Was there a few weeks ago and it was excellent. Love Five Points as well, but they rarely change their menu and I was (gasp) getting sick of the french toast and lemon ricotta pancakes.

Little Giant, Alias and Freeman's Alley all do a decent brunch and have a full bar.

Alias is more "comfort food" though for brunch.

Clinton Street *on the weekend* is a nightmare--long lines, premixed cocktails, the baked goods are not fresh, and you will witness table turning at it's best. A party of more than 2 can expect a 2 hour wait.

Azul was doing brunch, I'd double check that though. Totally relaxing, not crowded, only beer, wine and sangria though.

I cannot comment on brunch at Stanton Social, dinner service is fine (during the week or Sunday evening only), though its patrons try too hard.

Heidi wants to have brunch at 11 Madison now because it was lampooned on "Ugly Betty."

I guess I won't be able to wear my velour track suit.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Thin

Nix 11 Madison. After my husband went to the restaurant website and saw that wine we have in our cupboard was priced at a 400% markup, he said NO WAY!

Thin

For a regular brunch, Jane in the west village/soho is good. The brioche french toast is amazing.....tastes like creme brulee (I really go for the great bloody marys though...my favorite in the city)

If your sister likes seafood, try Esca. It's more lunch than brunch i.e. no eggs etc. But I think it is one of the top 5 seafood restaurants in NYC.

Well, we want to stay in Soho because Jennifer (my other sister) is taking the Acela (or maybe the shuttle) from Boston to meet us. Jennifer went to Parsons and is a "downtown" person. We can't be eating in midtown or UES.

Jennifer hates Balthazar because it is too noisy and she doesn't like to wait for a table.

I don't think the Waverly Inn is open for brunch, is it??

Thin

Mercer Kitchen is great

But, is Mercer Kitchen cozy? We want a place where we can talk and not feel rushed.

Thin