Top 10: Indulgent Brunch Dishes in NYC

Top 10 Indulgent Brunch Dishes

It just happens to be National Waffle Day this Friday (August 24th) but why only celebrate one day a year? wEE love waffles every day. Who are we kidding? wEE love anything brunch related. So here we are to give you our top 10 awesomely indulgent brunch dishes in NYC. by Sarah Mintz, Contributing Writer

Norma's Chocolate Decadence French Toast

1.       Norma's - Chocolate Decadence French Toast Le Parker Meridien - 119 W 56th Street nr. 6th Ave. Simply stated, Norma's is ridiculous. For the ultimate sweet tooth like me, Norma's is a brunch mecca. For everyone else, Norma's is still a brunch mecca. Every menu item is more absurd than the next.  The dining room is modern and chic and the atmosphere is relaxing and calm. With all of that, you definitely don't expect the kitchen to whip up such extreme dishes as foie gras brioche French toast ($34), cheesecake-stuffed and coconut-rolled French toast with vanilla ice cream ($23), artichoke eggs benedict with a truffle porcini sauce ($25), or a zillion dollar lobster frittata with caviar ($100!). 

Whatever you do, you cannot leave Norma's without ordering the Chocolate Decadence French Toast ($25). Featured by Alex Guarnaschelli on The Best Thing I Ever Ate, the chocolate cake French toast mountain comes in at about 6 inches tall and with sliced sweet strawberries between each layer and whole pistachios and valrhona chocolate sauce drizzled on top, you've got yourself the most indulgent brunch dish in New York City. You may be taking care of your caloric intake for the week with this one dish, but each warm, rich, and decadent bite is worth it. wEE consider Norma's a good spot for a frou frou power brunch on an expense account or special occasion brunch, as not much on the menu is under $20. You'll definitely spend a pretty penny to indulge.

Public's Black Pudding Waffle

2.      Public - Black Pudding Waffle, 210 Elizabeth Street nr. Prince St. Indulge in more than just the trendy and sultry atmosphere at this Nolita charmer. You can always come back for Kangaroo at dinner, but for brunch the waffle is where it's at. The savory black pudding waffles come served with a decadent red wine glaze, poached pears and a rich whipped foie gras butter. For $13, you can't beat it.

3.      Maharlika -  Chicken 'N' Ube Waffle 111 First Avenue nr. 7th St. wEE recently recommended Maharlika for a casual, fun dinner in the East Village with friends, but who are we kidding? Maharlika's brunch is just as awesome as dinner, especially when you indulge in their Filipino take on chicken n' waffles. Let's work from the bottom up. The purple yam ube waffle has a natural fluffiness, hint of sweetness, and unique dark blue coloring. Next, the chicken. Huge leg and thigh pieces are seasoned and fried, making the skin crispy and meat juicy. Top it all off with a sweet macapuno (coconut) caramel syrup and anchovy garlic chive butter and you've got yourself a perfectly sweet, savory, and indulgent brunch for $17.

PS450's The Elvis

4.      PS450 - The Elvis 450 Park Avenue South nr. 31st St. Located on the "Over the Top" French toast section of the menu, the Elvis blows away its competition. Homemade French toast with chocolate, peanut butter, whipped cream, fluffernutter, bananas, honey and bacon for $12. You can also get an indulgent kick with the more savory Lumberjack French toast with sausage gravy and melted Swiss cheese topped with a poached egg for $13.  With my sweet tooth, I clearly favor the Elvis but either way you can't beat the price. For $25, you'll also get unlimited bloody mary's, bellinis, and mimosas, and homefries or a salad. This is a great spot to go with friends.

The Breslin's Fried PB & Banana Sandwich
Photo: Sarah Mintz, Eatery Expert

5.      The Breslin - Fried PB & Banana Sandwich 16 West 29th Street nr. Broadway April Bloomfield doesn't mess around. Just picture this. You've got a fresh out-of-the-oven brioche bun. Remove the innards and soak them all overnight in Maker's Mark (I know, this already sounds like a recipe for success). In the morning, stuff the brioche with the bourbon-soaked breadcrumbs, sliced bananas, and crunchy Skippy peanut butter (yes the light blue jar - nothing compares). Seal the brioche, dip it in egg and flour, and pop it in the deep fryer. Crunchy, gooey, creamy, smooth, sweet, salty, alcohol-laden. The perfect hangover cure can be yours for only $11.

Elephant & Castle's Eggs N' Apple Benedict French Toast

6.   ABC Kitchen - French Toast with Apples 35 East 18th Street nr. Broadway Who thought ABC Kitchen could get anymore incredible? Their brunch is one to add to any foodie's "must try" list especially with a french toast like this. Thick Texas-style French toast is soaked in batter for over 10 hours then fried to perfection. Finish it off with fresh apples, a blizzard-esque amount of powdered sugar and maple syrup. It is important to note that the syrup is served on the side - why every restaurant doesn't let you pour the syrup yourself I'll never know but that's another story.

7.    Elephant and Castle - Eggs 'N' Apple Benedict French Toast 68 Greenwich Street Avenue nr. 7th Ave. Can't decide whether you are in the mood for a savory or sweet dish? Elephant and Castle in the West Village is here to solve your burning brunch dilemma with gusto. The $13.50 eggs benedict is served over French toast with apples, bacon, hollandaise, and maple syrup. The crisp apples, salty bacon, buttery hollandaise, and sweet syrup make for a concoction satisfying all brunch-goer cravings. wEE highly urge you to splurge for the bacon ($14.50). That extra dollar will be the best dollar you ever spent.

Resto's Belgian Hangover Pasta

8.    Resto - Belgian Hangover Pasta 111 East 29th Street nr. Park Ave. Too much Belgian beer might have sparked the creation of this buttery and creamy brunch dish. Whatever the reason, the Belgian Hangover Pasta ($16) at Resto will absolutely soak up any leftover alcohol in your system and is one not to be missed. The cheesy pasta is mixed with Vermont smoked and cured ham, 18-month aged Gruyere cheese, black pepper and topped with a sunny side up farm egg. While it may sound like a simple Carbonara pasta, the chunks of ham and oozing egg yolk atop the pasta makes all the difference.

Shopsin's Mac n' Cheese Pancakes

9.   Shopsin's - Sluttycakes 120 Essex Street nr. Delancey St. Pancakes might not quite fit the bill for National Waffle Day, but these little guys at Shopsin's are so indulgent and fun, who really cares? But do you want pancakes? Or do you want Sluttycakes? That's right, you can choose from many options including the Yama Sluttycakes made with butterscotch, sweet potatoes, and peach BBQ pork, and the Melba Sluttycakes made with raspberry, peach, and bacon cream cheese. Not to fret, you can always go with more traditional pancakes including variations such as mac & cheese, red velvet poppy and brown sugar banana pecan. 

Gramercy Terrace's Cereal Bar
Photo: Serious Eats

10.   Gramercy Terrace - All You Can Eat Cereal Bar 2 Lexington Avenue nr. 21st St. When's the last time you had a big bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch? Fruit Loops? Cap'n Crunch? Just hearing those names brings back nostalgic memories from my childhood. Eating cereal in my PJs while watching Inspector Gadget at the kitchen table? Okay, maybe that's just me. But anyway, who says we can't relive the glory days? Enter the unlimited cereal bar at Gramercy Terrace. Yes, something besides Maialino really does exist at the Gramercy Park Hotel. Head up to the 18th floor and while you will feel like you've transported onto your neighbors charming back patio, you've really just hit jackpot for an awesome all-you-can-eat continental breakfast buffet at the Gramercy Terrace. Take full advantage of the $19 buffet, which will offer you hard-boiled eggs, cheeses, pastries and most importantly the beautifully stocked cereal bar with a wide selection of cereals, milks, and toppings. There are 20 cereals, including Apple Jacks, Cookie Crisp, Golden Grahams, and Raisin Bran presented in rectangular glass jars. You may want to choose your cereals wisely since your selection between whole, skim, chocolate, strawberry, and peanut butter milk can be a game changer. Top it off with marshmallows, caramelized bananas, or a selection of fruit and you've got yourself quite an indulgent, memorable bowl of cereal.
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Sarah Mintz is a freelance food writer in Manhattan. When not working at her corporate desk job in Midtown or travelling across South America, Europe, and Southeast Asia indulging in exotic culinary adventures, she's out to discover the perfect dining experience in NYC. If you can't find her dining at the bar at Casa Mono or wandering through Chelsea Market, head to Bloomingdales, the West Side Highway running path, or Professor Thom's where she will be cheering equally for Michigan and the pizza-tray sized tower of nachos. Go blue!

Top 10: The Best Burgers in Manhattan

May is many things, but to the food-obsessed world that enjoys any munch-centered occasion, May is NATIONAL BURGER MONTH. Oh yes, an entire month to revel in the juiciest meal between two buns. Here are 10 to keep you noshing all month long. Sarah Mintz, Contributing Writer  

1. JG Melon (no website) 1291 Third Avenue nr. 74th St.

The best burger in the Big Apple, period. Old school, classic and consistent. Everything from the homey pub atmosphere to the cheap prices to the literally mouthwatering (read:drool-inducing) burger is spot on at this Upper East Side spot. There is something about the simple griddle-cooked beef, American cheese, sliced red onions, dill pickles, and toasted white bun with cottage fries that is unrivaled by all the fancy burgers around town. I'm not the only one who knows what deliciousness JG is serving up - expect a wait.

Black Label Burger at Minetta Tavern
Photo: Yelp

2. Minetta Tavern  113 MacDougal Street nr. Bleecker St. I love sitting at the bar at Minetta Tavern chatting it up with tourists, regulars and Mark, the coolest bartender in town. More than anything, though I love sitting at the bar with Minetta's infamous Black Label burger placed right in front of me. The price is steep, given its $26 price tag, but the first bite alone will justify the cost. This burger is all about the quality - prime dry-aged beef patty drizzled in clarified butter and topped with caramelized onions. Combine these ingredients inside a sesame seed brioche bun and you've got yourself a burger that is otherworldly.

The Spotted Pig
Photo: Flickr 

3. The Spotted Pig 314 W. 11th Street nr. Greenwich St.

The Spotted Pig started off as a neighborhood place but it's short-lived under-the-radar status has long diminished, and the burger is partially to blame.  For $20, sink your teeth into this super juicy burger topped with creamy Roquefort cheese. I hope you like French fries too because you'll have to search underneath all the shoestrings to find your burger. I promise it's worth the occasional 2+ hour wait.

4. The Toucan and the Lion 342 East 6th Street nr. 1st Ave. Go ahead and be skeptical at the list of ingredients in this burger- I admit I was too, but that's what got me to try the amazingness between two bao buns in the first place. Just think; a patty smothered in creamy cashew nut butter and topped with applewood smoked bacon with fried pickles to boot. Yes there's a lot going on there, but somehow the sweet and salty combo works. And it works in the most delicious way possible. 

El Doble Burger at Txikito
Photo: Yelp

5. Txikito 240 9th Avenue nr. 25th St. Don't get fooled by the minimalistic and simple décor at Txikito because the "El Doble" burger is bursting with flavor. Come in hungry because this burger gives you not just one but two meaty patties, topped with a smokey Basque sheep's milk cheese and "salsa especial." For $11, you get the most untraditional yet successful burger in town. It's only available for brunch and lunch, so plan this into your afternoon schedule and plan for a siesta immediately after. 

Shopsin's Sliders
Photo: Roboppy.net 

6. Shopsins Stall 16, Essex Street Market, 120 Essex Stret nr. Delancey St.  Sure, you might get yelled at or even kicked out, but Shopsin's sliders are worth the risk. Order three incredible sliders oozing with cheese and caramelized onions for a measly $10. I recommend eating them as is, but if you wish to add toppings, you can chose from chipotle, jalapeno and bacon for $3 or pixie stix, fried onions, and mac & cheese for $4. Don't want the soft and sweet potato roll bun? You must be nuts. But don’t fret, you can get your sliders served on mini mac n' cheese pancakes or cinnamon donuts for an additional $5.  

wEE Recommendations at Shopsins: Check out the menu before you go because you'll need to order fast, don't bring more than four people, and whatever you do, don't use your cell phone. You have been warned.

Lamb burger & fries at The Breslin
Photo: Eatery Expert

7. The Breslin 16 West 29th Street nr. Broadway

I'm a sucker for presentation, but this burger could be served on a paper napkin and I'd still crave it just as much. The $21 chargrilled lamb burger at the Breslin comes standing tall on a wood plank, with a round tin full of "thrice cooked" chips aka awesomely fried but not greasy French fries, and a housemade cumin mayo for dipping or spreading. The gamey burger is exceptionally juicy which is perfect given the thick bun ideal for soaking up the drippings. A slice of feta tops the lamb burger and is a surprisingly pleasant alternative to other cheese options, giving the burger the perfect amount of salty creaminess.  

The Juicy Lucy at Whitmans
Photo: Yelp

8. Whitmans 406 East 9th Street nr. Ave. A

Have you met my best friend Lucy yet? If not, it's about time! I introduce you to the Juicy Lucy, hailing from Minneapolis. This burger concept is as delicious as it is fun - the pimento cheese is cooked inside rather than on top of the beef-short rib blended patty.  Expect oozing deliciousness with every single bite. Beyond oozing cheese, you also get carmalized onions, spicy pickles, lettuce, tomato and a special, signature sauce all inside a bun from Blue Ribbon (another EE favorite!) for $10. Think lava cake, but in burger form.

Bacon Cheeseburger at Little Owl
Photo: Yelp

9. The Little Owl 90 Bedford Street nr. Bedford St.

Available only at lunch, the maple-cured bacon cheeseburger at The Little Owl is a homerun. The succulent patty is a unique blend of short-rib and brisket spiced up with cayenne and curry powder. It pairs perfectly with the sweet bacon and cheddar cheese all served in a buttery housemade bun. Oh how I wish this burger was on the dinner menu!

10. Lyon 118 Greenwich Avenue nr. 13th St.

It's possible if you don't frequent the streets of the West Village you haven't seen or heard of this casual french bistro, but the succulent and salty burger at Lyon is a true gem and in time, will put it on many a burger lover's radar. The bouchon cheeseburger comes topped with caramelized onions, chipotle mayo and your choice of cheese (cheddar, fontina, gruyere). wEE recommend gruyere!