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First Annual Bacon Bash 2012 in New York City

June 12th, 2012 by Brunchmaster
Alcohol, Bacon, Random, Times Square

If you love bacon (who doesn’t), then you won’t want to miss the First Annual Bacon Bash on June 23, 2012. Taking place at the Arena Event Space in the heart of Times Square, this homage to everyone’s favorite breakfast meat will feature notable restaurants such as Tommy Lasagna, Lucky 777 Chili Company, Prohibition Bakery, and Little Town NYC, pus sweets vendors Bacon Bites and Baconery.com. Vendors will feature everything from bacon-inspired libations to sweets, treats and bacon souvenirs to satisfy your cravings in a bacon-filled atmosphere.

General admission tickets are just $25 and come with a bacon vodka shot and 50% off craft beers or you can splurge for the $80 Oink Oink ticket which also includes 4 craft beers and 10 bacon tastes.  And for a limited time, I Heart Brunch readers can get 20% off any ticket with promo code “brunchmaster”.  Just click “Add Coupon” on the checkout page and enter “brunchmaster” for your delicious discount.

Bacon Bash 2012 at the Arena Event Space at Times Square

135 West 41st Street (between 6th Ave and Broadway)

GET TICKETS at iadventure.com and make sure to use coupon code “brunchmaster” for 20% off!

Bacon Bash 2012

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Alien Café Adds Sophistication to East Williamsburg Brunch

December 11th, 2011 by Brunchmaster
Brooklyn, Coffee, East Williamsburg, Eggs and Omelettes, Eggs Benedict, Foodie Find, French Toast, Williamsburg

There has been a lot said about the gentrification of Williamsburg over the last decade, and particularly the last few years since the rezoning of 2005 opened up the waterfront areas for development. Much of this “urban renewal” has taken place on the North and South sides, which are generally divided by Grand Street, but it’s the East side that is now experiencing a broader transition period.

Nowhere is this more evident than east of Union Ave on Grand Street where the gentrification process is noticeably making its way down the street, block by block.

Alien Cafe takes brunch in East Williamsburg up a notch.

Alien Cafe takes brunch in East Williamsburg up a notch.

Opening in early November, Alien Café aims to take the neighborhood up a notch. Formerly the Grand Street Grill, a quick-service takeout joint, Alien Café owner Robert Sandoval decided to revamp the space his family has owned since 1999 to create something a bit different and more refined. And he’s serious about the food, enlisting award-winning L’Artiste chef Luis Santos to create the menu.

On the exterior, Alien Café sports a spaceship sign that bulges from the front of the unassuming building and lights up at dusk. But don’t let the kitschy name and sign fool you. Once inside you’ll be eased by a casual bistro atmosphere, charming enough to bring a date, and impressed by food that may be the only thing otherworldly about the place.

Options like Eggs Benedict with chipotle hollandaise or French Toast with sautéed apples and walnuts are delicious and worth the visit, but it was the Three Color Omelet that truly impressed me. Perhaps the most perfectly cooked omelet I’ve ever had, the egg was light and fluffy and had a perfect ratio of mozzarella, fresh tomato and basil meticulously diced and speckled throughout the egg. Every egg dish is accompanied by mixed greens and nicely prepared home fries and I added a side of crisp apple wood smoked bacon to round it all out.

The food is as easy on the wallet as it is delicious – no breakfast entrée eclipses $7 and the lunch options are just a couple bucks more. Plus, coffee lovers will delight at the café’s use of the classic French press, emphasizing the bold flavors and captivating aroma of organic Blue Bottle Coffee.

Alien Café is a welcome addition to the East side that will delight neighborhood residents and hopefully continue the trend of culinary innovations in the area.

Alien Café
812 Grand St. (at Bushwick Ave)
East Williamsburg
Take the L train to the Grand St. stop

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Knockout Brunch Rolled Out in Williamsburg

June 18th, 2011 by Brunchmaster
Bagels, Bloody Mary, Brooklyn, Special Occasion, Williamsburg

On May 27th through the 29th, Brewskee Ball, the first-ever national Skee-Ball league, held its second annual national championship at Full Circle Bar in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. I’ve previously highlighted Full Circle Bar for their Coney Island Style Brunch, but a special occasion calls for a special brunch.

The top 64 players from across the country (“from skee to shining skee”) flew in, drove in and “rolled” in for the chance to win sweet prizes like $1500 cash, a brand new iPad 2, a bicycle and of course the title of #1 Skee-Ball player in the nation. The number one overall seed, Joey the Cat from San Francisco, dominated the field and was only really challenged in the championship match by New York City’s own C-Funk, aka The Bear.

While the good times rolled during the tournament, the highlight of the weekend came on Monday, May 30th when the BBNC Knockout Brunch was born.

Atop a funky Brooklyn roof with a clear shot of the Manhattan skyline, the Brewskee-Ball guys served up a glorious Memorial Day feast for their devoted rollers and fans. On one table, an awesome make-your-own Bloody Mary bar with over 25 possible ingredients, endless vodka (and tequila) and four types of tomato juice. It was beautifully presented and everyone had fun making their own bloodys.

Knockout Brunch Make-Your-Own Bloody Mary Bar

Knockout Brunch Make-Your-Own Bloody Mary Bar

Another table was bagel heaven. They were no doubt Brooklyn’s finest and you could smell them baking in the sun. Salt, poppy, pumpernickel, raisin, garlic, everything, egg-rything, you name it and it was there. To accompany the bagels there were eight flavors of homemade cream cheese, whitefish and egg salad, fresh cheeses, gorgeous smoked salmon, tuna fish with scallions and velvety hummus.  It was quite a spread and the perfect way to cap off the long weekend.

Knockout Brunch Bagel Spread

Knockout Brunch Bagel Spread

Before heading home I spoke with Eric Pavony, one of Brewskee-Ball’s creators, about Knockout Brunches to come and he certainly has some big plans for it. “This will be an annual BBNC tradition and the Knockout Brunch must outdo itself every year,” said Pavony. “I want this thing to get way out of control, bagels and bloodies will seem like child’s play after next year. I see food trucks, bands and dunk tanks in the future.”

Dunk tanks? Count me in.

For more on Brewskee Ball and to keep tabs on the next Knockout Brunch, visit www.brewskeeball.com.

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Eggs Benedict Reinvented at Elephant & Castle

February 5th, 2011 by Brunchmaster
Eggs Benedict, Foodie Find, French Toast, Unique Brunch, West Village

Enjoy this guest post by Amy Jarosky, a West Village brunch fanatic who knows her Eggs Benedict. Follow Amy’s brunch excursions on Twitter @amyjarosky.

Eggs Benedict. A New York born, classic brunch option. Like any good invention, variations may develop over time. In this case, I’m referring to the well known Eggs Florentine, Eggs Norweigan, Eggs Hussard, etc. These options usually appear on menus underneath the original Eggs Benedict.

Once in a while though, you won’t recognize something in this section. If a brunch spot may be so daring as to make their own substitutes and invent a version, it better be off the Benedict charts. It better maintain the essence and concept of the original Benedict. But, at the same time, it should bring something new to the table. Literally.

I’m a religious twice a week bruncher. This includes every Saturday and every Sunday without fail. During these weekend outings, I often find myself on a quest for the best Eggs Benedict in the city. You could say I’m a serious fan. After all, I think Eggs Benedict sets the standard for the overall best brunch places in this brunch crazed city.

Last weekend, I decided to check out this nondescript restaurant on Greenwich Avenue for brunch in the West Village. I’ve passed it for years, but nothing ever lured me inside. It’s called Elephant and Castle. As I entered, a warm, cozy vibe immediately took over me. I had a good feeling.

Checking out the menu, I quickly realized the first item listed sounded right up my alley. They call this creation “Eggs ‘n Apples Benedict on French Toast with Maple Syrup”. I call it yum. I’d never heard of anything like this concoction. But, yum. It sounded like the perfect way to start the weekend. You can order it with bacon to satisfy the standard Canadian bacon component. I opted for no bacon. Either way, I guzzled down some tasty coffee while I waited with lots of anticipation.

Brunch arrived about 15 minutes later and it made quite a first impression. The sweet, comforting aroma of French toast draped with maple syrup, combined with the sour, crispness of sliced apples. It looked like a brunch dream. After the first bite, I realized I had just stumbled upon a New York brunch masterpiece. Somehow the ingredients all worked together perfectly and formed an amazingly yummy taste. I tried to pace myself. I didn’t want it to end…it was sooooo good.

Eggs 'n Apples Benedict on French Toast with Maple Syrup at Elephant & Castle

Eggs 'n Apples Benedict on French Toast with Maple Syrup at Elephant & Castle

Inventions usually improve with each version and this meal is no exception. In my book, this creation captures the classic Benedict concept, but is taken up a serious notch with some new, major flavors. Elephant & Castle’s invention is definitely worthy of a spot with the other Benedicts. It may even be worthy of the top spot.

Go check it out this weekend. You should go Saturday cause you may just have to go back on Sunday…

Elephant & Castle
68 Greenwich Ave
(at intersection of 7th Ave and 11th St)

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Party Time! Five Top NYC Brunch Spots to Celebrate Your Birthday

December 5th, 2010 by Brunchmaster
Alcohol, Birthday Brunch, Lower East Side, Meatpacking, Midtown West, Outside Seating, Prix Fixe, Soho, Special Occasion

Brunch is a quintessential part of the New York experience, so it’s no surprise that birthday brunches have become increasingly popular in recent years.  I Heart Brunch invites guest blogger Brunch Chick to break down some of the best birthday brunches in NYC to fit your vibe, your budget and your posse.

The Rager Birthday Brunch
Are you and your crew looking to dance on tables, shower in champagne, and stuff yourselves with delicious French fare for a Sunday brunch you won’t soon forget?  Well then, Bistro Bagatelle is the place for you.  The club is located on W. 13th Street smack dab in the middle of the oh-so-trendy meatpacking district.  Bistro Bagatelle’s doors open around 11:30 am and by mid-afternoon the DJ has the dance floor packed with Sunday ragers. Make sure to try the waffles – they are out of this world – and be prepared to empty your wallet (and call into work late on Monday as well).

Bistro Bagatelle
409 West 13th Street (at 9th Ave)
Bistro Bagatelle Reservations

The Euro Birthday Brunch
Just steps from the legendary Soho Grand Hotel sits Felix, the ultimate spot for a European birthday brunch.  Frequented by Europeans on holiday, brunchers will experience an international party scene with French jazz blasting and a raucous atmosphere that spills out of the open glass doors and onto the streets.  In addition to its solid French food, Felix features a long table to accommodate large parties and, of course, plenty of champagne bottles to go around.  The joie de vivre of Felix is contagious, transporting you to the south of France for a truly Euro brunch experience, no passport required.

Felix
340 West Broadway (at Grand St)
Felix Reservations

The Budget Birthday Brunch
If you’re looking for a top of the line birthday brunch on a budget, Essex has one of the best.  Hipsters and non-hipsters alike flock to this lofty, edgy restaurant in the heart of the Lower East Side.  The crowd is tame compared to the Euro spots above and the music is low, making it actually possible to have a conversation among your group. Essex offers a great prix fixe deal with your choice of any entrée off their extensive brunch menu plus three drinks (mimosa, screw driver, or Bloody Mary) for $20.  The menu is impressive, featuring unique dishes such as Mexican Matzo Brei and Lobster Benedict, and the servers are attentive, visiting the table often to top off drinks. Essex rents out the loft dining spaces for private parties, making it the perfect place for an intimate birthday brunch.

Essex
120 Essex Street (at Rivington St)
Essex Reservations

The Family Birthday Brunch
Grab your best sundress, pearls, or Lacoste polo and head to Sarabeth’s on Central Park South to brunch with the uptown crowd.  This classic brunch spot is a gourmand’s dream, yet features a menu that has something for everyone including pumpkin waffles, cheese blintzes, and garden omelettes.  The dessert selection is amazing as well, so no need to bring a birthday cake. Just make sure to order the chocolate truffle cake and throw a couple candles on top.  With an elegant and refined atmosphere, Sarabeth’s is the perfect venue for that family friendly brunch.

Sarabeth’s
40 Central Park South (b/t 5th and 6th Ave)
Sarabeth’s Reservations

The Girls Day Out Birthday Brunch
Paradou is the perfect place for a glamorous birthday brunch with the ladies.  It’s a trendy little hot spot in the meatpacking district, located right across the street from legendary Pastis.  Most of the tables feature groups of fashionable, female Manhattanites for a Gossip Girl type crowd.  Paradou features a year-round garden area in the rear of the restaurant for a nice backdrop, so your over-sized sunglasses can actually be put to good use on bright, sunny days.  An entrée with unlimited champagne cocktails is reasonably priced at $29, especially since the cocktails are absolutely amazing and the servers are great about keeping the drinks flowing.  The food is delicious and authentically European.  I recommend the oeufs Paradou as the quality of both the French bread and the lox are impressive.  The amazing scenery, yummy cocktails, and bevy of beautiful people make for the perfect girls’ birthday brunch.

Paradou
8 Little West 12th Street (at 9th Ave)
Paradou Reservations

Lauren Matina aka Brunch Chick is on a quest for the holy grail: the perfect New York Brunch. Read all about her weekly brunching adventures on her blog at www.brunchchick.com.

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