Fada

Nancy's Take:

Atmosphere: * * * 1/2

It was surprisingly hot for a mid-October day, so I got us a table indoors. I did take note, however, that the back garden looked very inviting. The front windows were open to let in the breeze and it was the perfect indoor climate. Since there weren't many guests at the time, I was ::GASP:: actually allowed to sit down before the rest of my party arrived (this is uncommon in NYC). The inside of the restaurant reads mostly of brown wood and no specific decor stood out in my mind. I thought it had a nice charm, nonetheless.

Food: * * *

When Becca and her friend, Theresa, arrived, we all ordered our drinks and looked over the menu. There were a lot of lunch-type options as well as breakfast food, so it seemed like enough to please anyone's palette. I think were all a little frustrated, however, with the waitress' inability to clearly describe any of the items on the menu when we asked questions. We all ended up just taking the plunge and ordering things whether we understood them or not. I had the Eggs Fada, which were poached eggs served in a casserole dish of baked tomatoes, eggplant, and goat cheese. Honestly I pictured the tomatoes being more like fresh cut tomatoes, and instead, it was more like a pasta sauce. Although the restaurant is French, I felt like i was eating a rich, Italian dinner for breakfast. It was good, but a little too "hearty" for my taste when it comes to brunch.

Drinks: * * *

Bloody Mary

Taste: good but a little watery

Garnishes: lemon, cornichon, and about 5 olives

Size: round stemmed glass

Becca’s Take:

Atmosphere: * * *

I like the feel of Fada for no particular reason other than it's simple, easy, considerably spacious for tight, Brooklyn eateries, and it has an interesting, antiquied feel about it. It's not fancy or over the top, but it's not boring - good middle ground for brunch, lunch or dinner. Like Nancy, this waitress annoyed me. A lot of the items on the menu are either written out in French or are prepared in a French style, which may not be known to everyone - like moi. Every question I asked her, she couldn't really answer, so it was a guessing game mixed with process of elimination as to what sounded the least intimidating or the most vegetarian.

Food: * * * 1/2

I've eaten at Fada for dinner before, and it was lovely. Brunch was just as nice. I started with a tartine, which is a toasted baguette with jam and butter. In my never-ending quest to find the perfect biscuit, I initally thought a tartine may have been some kind of French biscuit. After a daunting explanation from our waitress, I ordered it basically because I was confused and hungry - but it worked out because I enjoyed it very much. For my main meal I had their quiche special, which was made with brocolli, endives and goat cheese. It was tasty, no doubt, but a little slimey. I prefer my quiches a little more well done, with less oil seeping out of the nooks and crannies.

Drinks: * * *

Mimosas, and plenty of them. They are pretty cheap, and I was feeling boozy, so I had about three of them.

What Theresa Ate:

Theresa started her brunch with an Irish coffee that looked as good as she said it tasted. It was adorned with whipped cream and a cherry - so sweet.

I know Theresa quite well, and she doesn't usually fancy eggs. She went for the special omelette, which had asparagus, mushrooms and muenster cheese. She gave it her very own seal of approval! The omelette came with breakfast potatoes - which Theresa deemed not as delicious as mine, but still a damn fine homefry - and a salad. Theresa opted for fresh fruit to start, and nibbled a bit on my tartine.

Stats:

Fada

530 Driggs Ave, at N. 8th St

Brooklyn, NY 11211

Brunch: Fri., 10 a.m.—4 p.m.; Sat.—Sun., 10 a.m.—5 p.m.