Elote

Nancy's Take:

Atmosphere: * *
In the summer, Elote has a nice backyard, but in the cold weather, you have to surrender to the "newly-renovated" interior. We sat in shoddy wooden fold-up chairs surrounded by badly painted green/red color-block walls. Exposed wires and unfinished outlets made me think perhaps they rushed the renovations. There was also a random creepy rocking chair in a corner, which seemed to serve no real purpose. I could only assume the skull wreath covered in melted wax and skeletons hanging around were leftover decorations from Halloween. If it's meant as permanent decor, it should be seriously reconsidered. It reads more "I got this from a metalhead's yard sale" than "Day of the Dead."

Food: * * * *
I ordered the Chilaquiles con Chorizo, which I pictured being served in little crispy taquito rolls. Instead it was like "breakfast nachos" - egg, chorizo, jack cheese, and adobo sauce mixed with tortilla chips. I was a little thrown at first and then I thought...."Wow, this is such a great idea!" I'm pretty sure you can make any mexican dish into a breakfast entree by adding eggs, and it will taste amazing. It was a little difficult to eat because it was messy, but then again....so are nachos.

Drinks: * * * *
At Elote there are a lot of drink options to choose from, most of which contain Tequila. When I saw that both a Bloody Maria AND a Bloody Mary were offered, I had to ask the waitress what the difference is between them. Here is the difference for future reference:
- Bloody Mary = made with vodka
- Bloody Maria = made with tequila
I decided to go with the traditional Bloody Mary. I made the right choice because I noticed they used special house-made pepper vodka, which always makes me happy.

Becca’s Take:

Atmosphere: *
I had not been back to Elote since they “renovated” their interior, and I have to say, I miss the way it used to be! The bar is now set back and looks a little smaller, and it was all to make room for more indoor seating, which isn’t a bad thing, but I think the job was not well thought out. As Nancy said, the paint job, decorations and overall ambiance was really lacking. Luckily, come spring, we’ll be able to enjoy strong drinks and great food outside on the patio – Elote does have one of the finest outdoor eating areas in Williamsburg.

Food: * * * ½
It’s hard to do Mexican breakfast without chorizo. I almost always have to order my dish “sans Chorizo, no meat, please.” Elote was no exception, but it was also no problem. I opted for the Tacos De Desayuno, which were scrambled eggs with jack cheese, potatoes, green and red peppers, all wrapped up in a grilled flour tortilla. It came with a small mound of iceberg lettuce topped with fresh pico de gallo. I wish my tacos were swimming in the pico, it was so good! And the only reason the tacos, themselves, weren’t top-notch, was because there wasn’t much cheese in them! ay dios mio:(

Drinks: *
I heard the last words you ever want to hear when ordering your drink at brunch: “We’re actually out of champagne.” If I wasn’t starving and on the quest to continually try new brunch spots, I would’ve marched out of there like the fiery gringette that I am. But I kept my cool and ordered a Salty Dog (without salt), which was fresh grapefruit juice and vodka. It was strong and quite yummy, but we didn’t stay for another round as all I wanted was a damn mimosa!

Stats:

Elote
366 Union Avenue
NY 11211
(718) 599-2655
Open Mon-Thu 4pm-11pm; Fri 4pm-2am; Sat 11am-2am; Sun 11am-10pm
Sat & Sunday Brunch $11, includes first drink and coffee

Lokal

Nancy's Take:

Atmosphere: * * *
From the outside, Lokal looks like it could be some kind of a cheesy tiki hut place intended for tourists and frat guys. Inside the restaurant, it's actually quite tasteful. The walls are decorated with Turkish ceramic tiles and there are tables to accommodate all sizes of parties. There's also a nice outdoor section in front with awnings to protect from the sun and elements.

Food: * * *
I ordered the Huevos Rancheros and a side of bacon. The huevos were served simply, with black beans and soft tortillas, with a little touch of salsa and guacamole on top. I had the eggs sunny-side up and overall I thought it was a nice dish. The bacon, however, wasn't crispy enough for my taste.

Drinks: * * * * 1/2
$4 for a mimosa, bloody mary, or bellini and you've sold me! Their bellinis are especially tasty and admittedly I drank four of them. At that price, you can really just plan to hang out for the rest of the day. The drink service at our table was a little slow, but sitting at the bar takes care of that issue.

Becca’s Take:

Atmosphere: * * * ½
Even though Lokal is sometimes referred to as the ugly stepchild of Five Leaves, I think it still has a somewhat charming, ethnic vibe to it that sets it apart from the above association. There’s never a wait, you can eat outside or in, and the bar service is pretty tremendous. Lokal is also home to a really neat basement bathroom, and I love me some comfortable, pretty and private lavs.

Food: * * * ½
I stepped slightly out of the box this weekend and started my brunch with a tomato pesto soup, which was absolutely lovely. It was some of the best tomato soup I’ve ever had – and the light touch of pesto was truly perfect. I could’ve eaten bowls upon bowls of that stuff. I then opted for the White Spinach Omelette, which had waaaaaay too much spinach in it; I think even Popeye would agree that it was a gagging amount. The eggs were cooked well, though, and the cheese nice and melty. So after weeding out some of the heavy greens, I was much happier with my meal.

Drinks:* * * * *
Lokal gets five stars for drinks. Not only are they delicious, but they are dirt cheap! $4 mimosa, bellini or bloody mary? Who among us wouldn’t indulge?

Stats:

Lokal Mediterranean Bistro
905 Lorimer Street
Brooklyn, NY 11222
(718) 384-6777
Open Mon-Thu,Sun 10am-11pm; Fri-Sat 10am-12am
www.lokalbistro.com

harefield road

Nancy's Take:

Atmosphere: * * * * 1/2

I love the atmosphere at Harefield. It's got the welcoming feel of a friendly neighborhood pub, with rustic wooden tables and benches. They also have outdoor seating in the back, with umbrellas to help shade from the sun. The owner himself

works the brunch hour, helping to seat people and greeting everyone. I've been coming there for so many years that the owner often asks where I've been if I haven't stopped by in awhile. The service is friendly and the food comes fast.

The wait for a table may be 25-30 minutes tops during the busiest time of day. This means they're great with turning tables fast, but it also means you may not

get offered that second drink you wanted. I say ask for it anyway, even if the check is on the table. I've never been turned down - even if it's reluctant.

Food: * * * * *

I am a creature of habit when it comes to Harefield. I always order the Harefield Eggs, which are eggs benedict with smoked salmon, served with breakfast potato

es and fresh fruit. I figure, if I've found something I love that much, why bother ordering anything else? My friends order a variety of other items from the menu and have raved about them afterward. Great food that shows up fast, what more could you ask for?

Drinks: * * * *

Bloody Mary - 1st included with meal

Taste: yummm....this is my second favorite Bloody Mary in all of Brooklyn.

Size: Tall slim glass

Garnishes: 2 olives, allspice-lined rim

Becca’s Take:

Atmosphere: * * * *

Harefield has become a place for me that is all about comfort. No matter when I go, I always feel like I belong there. There’s a great bar to plant at in the evenings, the back and outdoor areas are great for socializing during the day, while the front is choice for Metropolitan Avenue people watching, day or night.

Food: * * * *

Harefield is one of my favorite brunches because it is all-inclusive and delicious. I am never upset with my omelette – the eggs are cooked juuuuust right every time. I’ve also had the cheese and onion pannini in the evenings, which sounds a little funky, but it was actually some of the best bar-side snacking I’ve had in W’burg. And it's no secret that I am a fan of the carbohydrate, and Harefield’s potatoes are seasoned and crispy in a way that helps me wash away even the gnarliest of hangovers.

Drinks: * * * *

You can always count on Harefield for a stand-up mimosa. It’s classic, simple, tasty and, above all, alcoholic. Harefield also has a great tap beer selection, which I’ve dabbled with on more than one occasion.

Stats:

Harefield Road

769 Metropolitan Ave

Brooklyn, NY 11211

(718) 388-6870

Brunch Saturday and Sunday, 11am - 4pm

Menu item + Coffee or Tea + Bloody Mary or Mimosa for $12

Blackbird Parlour

Nancy's Take:

Atmosphere: * * 1/2

Since we were given free reign over table choices, our first instinct was straight to the back to be a little secluded. Unfortunately the back tables were dark and abysmal, so we opted for front and center. The center tables were tightly squeezed together, which would be my biggest complaint about the atmosphere. I felt like the couples on either side of us were going to join in our conversation. Becca tried to cross her legs and accidentally kicked the guy next to us. Then he and his girlfriend switched tables. Sheesh, she said she was sorry! Maybe he just didn't like our conversation topics....

Food: * * *

If you are a breakfast food kind of brunch-eater like me, you will be a little bummed about the lack of options. I was, admittedly, eyeballing the Grilled cheese sandwich (with truffle oil, fontina & manouri cheese) and the Rustic macaroni & cheese (with sundried tomato and caramelized onion).
Being a breakfast brunch girl, I ended up ordering an egg frittata wrap, with the option to add bacon inside and a sundried tomato chutney. When our food came, mine had home fries and bacon on the side, while Becca's did not. We scratched our heads for a second and I could see the sad look in Becca's eyes. A nearby server noticed our concern and asked to help. Apparently, you have to specify that you want the sides, and it costs extra. This added confusion, because I HADN'T actually specified. Regardless, the server immediately brought some potatoes for Becca. Once we got the check, we noticed Becca's potatoes were charged but I was only charged for the wrap. Go figure! Sounds like a big mix-up in the kitchen. I will say that the wrap, potatoes, and bacon were all delicious.

Drinks: * * * * *

2-for-1 Mimosas
Taste: tasty and strong. I was pleased that they didn't water down the drinks for the 2-for-1 special. And the deal applies every time, so we went for a second round!
Size: Champagne flute.
Garnishes: none

Becca’s Take:

Atmosphere: * * *

I like the look of Blackbird because it’s kitschy and old-timey. All the chairs are funky and mis-matched, and the entire back wall is a large bookcase filled with old classics that all have brilliant 60’s/70’s-era cover designs. The tables are a little tight, but hell, this is New York. Our waitress was really sweet – probably an aspiring actress – and passed no judgment of the 8 mimosas that eventually made it to our small table for 2.

Food * * *

As Nancy explained, the breakfast menu is very limited. Honestly, if it weren’t for the chalkboard sign outside the door reading “2 For 1 Mimosas,” which stopped me dead in my tracks, we would not have even thought to brunch here. (We were on our way to Egg – stay tuned!) I was disappointed that I didn’t have many options, and, too, was thinking about getting some baked mac’n’cheese instead of a breakfast item, but refused to break the chain. I got the vegetarian egg frittata wrap, also with sundried tomato chutney, and it was heavenly - eggs puffy and cheese melted on the inside, wrap crisp and flavorful on the outside. The portion looks so small on the plate, but it was surprisingly filling. And that chutney has a bold flavor, so weak palates beware!

Drinks: * * * * *

Make ‘em strong and keep ‘em coming. Just the way I like it.

Stats:

Blackbird Parlour
197 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11211-2903
(718) 599-2707
Breakfast - Served all day.
Open Weekdays 8am-2am; Weekends 10am-3am
www.blackbirdbrooklyn.com

Lovin' Cup Cafe

Nancy's take:

Atmosphere: * * 1/2

I thought the overall decor and appearance of the restaurant was acceptable....raw wooden booths and a substantially long bar. Not particularly memorable, but decent surroundings. My biggest issue was the lack of A/C (if there was any at all, it needed to be cranked up). It was a hot summer day and Becca and I were about to suffer a heatstroke. I immediately ordered and chugged 4 glasses of iced water, which was the only thing that saved me. Meanwhile, I used my arm to wipe the dripping sweat from my forehead during our entire brunch. We started with one waiter and ended up ordering food from our hostess, which was a little weird. I guess our original waiter had too many tables. The staff was very nice to us, and happy to keep refilling our water.

Food: * * * 1/2
I haven't eaten here since it was called "Anytime," but I was excited to see tater tots still on the menu! I ordered the Egg & cheese sandwich, on toasted sourdough with a side of tater tots. The sandwich was good enough, but not the best egg sandwich I've ever had (see Five Leaves review). My favorite part was still the tots....which I completely devoured.

Drinks: * * 1/2
(bottomless) Bloody MaryTaste: I liked the taste but disappointed in the delay of being able to drink it. I'd suggest they start chilling their Bloody Mary mix in advance. I had to wait for the ice to cool it each time - otherwise it tasted like soup...blechh!! NOT refreshing.
Size: Tall glass - great size, especially since they're unlimited! I managed to drink two of them before being too full.
Garnishes: Lemon and a lime.

Becca’s Take:

Atmosphere: * * *
I think Lovin’ Cup has a good thing going in the looks department. It’s easy, carefree and the bar is really nice. My absolute favorite part of this entire brunch was the ongoing Pixies soundtrack that played almost the whole time we were there. It was perfect brunch music. We were seated in a wooden booth, which at first I thought would lead to splinter city, but it actually was more comfortable in the crazy heat than the metal or plastic chairs I've been seated in lately.

Food: * * ½
I ordered the Sweet Jane Scramble, which has onions, broccoli and peppers and, supposedly, sharp cheddar. I think they left the cheese out of my scramble, which is COMPLETELY uncool. Not to mention, I make better eggs with my eyes half-closed in my own kitchen. It came with tots, which was the best part of my meal, and sourdough bread that was a bit stale. And though the tots were delicious, they wreaked havoc on me later, and I ended up pretty ill for the remainder of the day. Too much grease!

Drinks: * * *
Since I don’t do Bloody Marys, I was left with no other choice but to drink bottomless pints of Lovin’ Cup’s house draft. It was a pretty standard light beer - nothing wrong with it - but I certainly missed my standard mimosa. I had two pints and decided that was enough. I don’t know how I feel about beer with brunch. I mean, I love beer all the time, yes, but like I said, I just really wanted my OJ and champers. I’m a big spoiled baby, I guess.

Stats:
Lovin' Cup Cafe
93 N 6th St (Btwn Wythe Ave & Berry St)
Brooklyn NY 11211
(718) 302-1180
http://www.myspace.com/thelovincupcafe
Saturday & Sunday 11:30am To 5pm
$15 Drunk Brunch* Pre Fixe: Any Brunch Entrée Served With Coffee And Choice Of bottomless Bloody Mary Or House Draft