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.

Rabbithole

Nancy's Take:

Atmosphere: * * * *

The restaurant is divided into four sections: A seating area in front, a bar in the center, and

more tables at the very back leading out to the garden. We were seated in what I believed to be

the most perfect table of the whole restaurant - indoors but overlooking the garden (with the doors open). For one thing, we were far enough away from the screaming baby in the front that we could enjoy our food in peace. For another thing, we caught the nice breeze from outside

without getting too hot in the sun. Plus a nice view!

Food: * * * * *

I can't say enough good things about the food. I ordered their Eggs Benedict, because it was made with bacon. The taste was unexpected but delicious. Mustard seeds are mixed into the side salad as well as the hollandaise sauce. I've never seen this in a hollandaise before but it had a nice flavor. Add that to the eggs and maple-flavored bacon on top of a homemade biscuit, and

you've got a tasty little brunch!

Drinks: * * *

Bloody Mary - Maybe I'm just spoiled by the places that include drinks with brunch, but ordering a second round started to get pricey.

Taste: good but not memorable
Size: Tall glass

Garnishes: Lemon and celery.

Becca's Take:

Atmosphere: * * *

Rabbithole is a quaint little place with your typical Brooklyn bistro look. But the first thing I noticed when I walked in last Sunday was an obnoxious, crying baby. I asked the very flustered host specifically to be seated away from the baby, which he did. When we got to our seat, we were actually really happy because we were half inside and half outside, so it wasn't too warm and we were in plenty of shade.

Food: * * * *

I almost ordered the half-baked eggs, and then the waitress warned me what the dish was actually like, and I opted for the goat cheese, roasted tomato and red onion omelette, which was made perfectly. When it came out, it almost looked fake - that's how perfect. The homefries were delish and I ordered a side biscuit because I just can't help myself. It really was the perfect amount of brunch - yum!

Drinks: * * 1/2

I wasn't impressed with The Gardner cocktail I ordered for my first round, so I went with a mimosa for round two. I got a nice buzz, but they weren't outstanding.

Stats:
Rabbithole
352 Bedford Avenue (bet S3rd/S4th St)
(718) 782-0910
Brunch available every day 8am-5pm
www.rabbitholebakery.com

Dumont

Nancy's take:

Atmosphere: * * * *

The back enclosed garden at Dumont is a beautiful place to eat. However, with the sun beating down on us midday, we were sweating profusely. I sat on my jacket so as not to leave a sweat print on the seat when we left. The staff took good care of us, and even adjusted the shade above to keep us out of direct sun. The food was brought so quickly, we could hardly believe it was meant for us!

Food: * * * 1/2

Often I forget about the whole idea of doughnuts, until suddenly they are placed in front of me. A plate of homemade doughnut holes were brought to our table....intended to be served before brunch but actually arrived at the same time. I took a few bites of my brunch and then decided I just had to eat a doughnut first. I ordered the Eggs Florentine, made with fresh-tasting spinach and the sauce giving the dish its flavor. It was not the best eggs florentine I've ever had, but very clean and fresh-tasting. The incredible quickness with which our brunch was served made a big impression on me.

Drinks: * * * *

Bloody Mary

Taste: This is another great-tasting Bloody Mary

Size: Tall glass

Garnishes: Lemon and 2 olives

Becca’s Take:

Atmosphere: * * * ½

My only qualm with Dumont’s atmosphere is that we were immediately sat in the garden, without even being offered an indoor seat. The garden is shaded, somewhat, and has a definite charm about it, but it was so damn hot - to the point of heat exhaustion - hot. Whoever had to sit in my hard, metal chair after I did was heading for an ass puddle of sweat. Not a good look.

Food: * * * ½

Dumont is known in Brooklyn for being one of the best. They are meat-y place, typically, so I don’t tend to follow that trend, especially since their DuMac and Cheese probably weighs in at about the 5,000-calorie range. Call me crazy, but this was not the finest brunch I ever had, with the only exception being that the homefries were the best homefries I’d ever had. My omelette had asparagus, tomatoes and cheese in it, but the veggies weren't diced or chopped in any way. A huge stalk of asparagus would fall out, followed by a whole cherry tomato. It was like having a plain omelette with a side of veggies. It really annoyed me. They do give you free doughnuts though, and they are some glorious doughnuts.

Drinks: * * ½

I opted for something new at Dumont: a fresh, watermelon-meets-cucumber vodka muddled concoction. It was so unbelievably hard to drink. There were so many seeds from all the cucumbers and watermelon bits smashed at the bottom that I couldn’t use a straw. And when I would try to drink it from the glass, all the ice above all the fruit would get in my way. The alcohol was in some sort of strange mix-ins purgatory, so I finally just gave up. SAD FACE.

Stats:

Dumont

432 Union Ave

Brooklyn, NY 11211

Web site: http://www.dumontrestaurant.com/

Brunch: Sat 11am-3pm, Sun 11am-3:30pm

maggie brown

Nancy's take:

Atmosphere: * * * * 1/2

We intentionally waited to review Maggie Brown on a day with good G train service, otherwise it would be a huge pain to get there. This is something to factor into your decision if you live outside of Fort Greene - check the G train schedule first, or take a car service.

I love the decor at Maggie Brown, with its Victorian feel, intentionally a bit time-worn and antique-looking. There is rich, gold/black wallpaper meeting with a raw brick wall, and outdoor garden seating in the back. Being a hot summer day, we opted for the air-conditioned indoors. We were seated in a booth, promptly brought ice water and asked for a drink order. The drinks and food were delivered timely by a friendly waitress. In fact, all of the staff working that day were very friendly and engaging.

Food: * * * * *

I can't say enough good things about the food, based on all of my experiences there. This time I ordered the Brie and berry pancakes, and they were incredible. I usually opt for the savory food for brunch, but it was worth veering toward the sweetness this time. The Brie is an unusual yet completely brilliant addition to pancakes, and the flavor paired nicely with the strawberries.

Drinks: * * * * 1/2

Bloody Mary

Taste: This is one of my top 3 favorite Bloody Mary's in Brooklyn to date. Lots of horseradish kick to it.

Size: Small rocks glass

Garnish: 2 olives, lemon, lime.

Becca’s Take:

Atmosphere: * * * ½

This was my virgin voyage to Maggie Brown, and I have to say, it was worth the trip! When you step into the door, the restaurant appears homegrown with a weird haunted mansion vibe. That probably sounds awful, but really, it’s fun! We were seated in a big booth made of tufted, maroon leather. The odd art, gaudy-in-a-good-way wallpaper was the perfect complement to all the hip-hop music they played. Awesome. Oh, and no rug-rats! (Michael, you owe me a Frozen Harrison now.)

Food: * * * * *

THIS FOOD IS GOOD. Maggie Brown had a lot to live up to, since Nancy was raving about it, and it totally met and probably exceeded all expectations. I ordered The Grandma Harriet, which included scrambled eggs with fresh dill, tomatoes and onion. I got my eggs with a side salad, homefries and I substituted bread for a homemade biscuit with raspberry butter. Let me tell you about raspberry butter: it’s almost like raspberry sorbet, but a bit grittier, but it’s not like jelly at all – jelly is gross. It has a unique texture and a killer taste.

Drinks: * * * ½

On this soberest of Sundays, I only sampled one mimosa. It was made with fresh squeezed OJ and served in a tall flute. It was delicious, but that day I only had eyes for raspberry butter.

Stats:

Maggie Brown

455 Myrtle Ave., Brooklyn

718-643-7001

www.maggiebrownrestaurant.com

nita nita

Nancy's Take:

Atmosphere: * * * 1/2

We arrived around noon and the waitress asked if we planned just to drink. At that moment I knew I had come to the right place. The World Cup games were being screened in the front room, so we went to the back area, which was secluded enough to act as a separate room. The waitress was polite, and our drinks and food arrived very promptly.

Food: * * * *

I ordered the Huevos Rancheros. If you like salsa, you would definitely have enjoyed this version, as it was served with a generous helping on top. I don't remember enough to describe the taste, because I shoveled the whole thing into my mouth in about 5 minutes. I'd say that's a sign that it was delicious.

Drinks: * * *

Drink #1 - Bloody Mary

Taste: Definitely approved. Nice and spicy.

Size: Small glass

Garnishes: served with a celery stalk.

Drink #2 - Bellini

Taste: It was good but could have been better. Their motto is "Stiff Drinks, Great Eats," so I would have expected there to be a bit more sparkling wine in the drink. The peach juice (to me) tasted almost like orange juice.

Size: Small glass, the most disappointing part.

Garnishes: None, doesn't need any!

Becca's Take:

Atmosphere: * * *

I like Nita Nita because of its cozy backyard - but sadly - it was nearly 100 degrees when we brunched, so even though the interior "decorating" of Nita Nita leaves something to be desired, the air conditioning unit might as well have been an original Picasso on the wall - pure genius. Luckily, the layout of the restaurant lets the bar crowd do their rowdy thing up front, while us posh, very lady-like diners can enjoy our brunch in the peace and quiet of the back area.

Food: * * * *

For the first time in Summer Of Brunch history, I stepped outside of the omelette box and dove straight into a carby pool of pecan-infused maple syrup. (You would've done the same!) But, I wanted a little protein, so I ordered a side of scrambled eggs. The side items at Nita Nita are one of my favorite parts about brunch here. You can get eggs, bacon and a bunch of other small-plate breakfast favorites for only $3, so whatever you're in the mood for can be easily obtained, even if not included in your entree. But back to my french toast. It was made with thick-cut sourdough bread and topped with pecan maple syurp and whipped cream. It was cooked to perfection and came out much faster than I expected. I was more than pleased.

Drinks: * * * 1/2

I see a Bellini, I drink a Bellini. It was very refreshing on a hot day, and had a smooth flavor going down. It could've been a little "peachier" and a lot bigger, as Nancy said, but it definitely wasn't hard to drink. It was so above mediocre that I had two!

Stats:

146 Wythe Ave

(between N. 8th St & N. 9th St)

Brooklyn, NY 11211

(718) 388-5328

www.nitanitabk.com

Hours: Mon-Fri 4pm-Midnight; Sat-Sun 11am-Midnight

Fanny

Nancy's take:

Atmosphere: * * * ½

I was pleased that we were seated right away because I was starving! The decor inside was fairly minimal, but the place was clean and pleasant looking. Being a hot day, my only complaint was that the air conditioning wasn't strong enough, and my legs were sweating on the vinyl seat. I noticed they had a garden area, plus a more private area of seating in the back. This worked out well when a group came in with a crying infant, and they were seated in the very back area. Privacy for them....peace and quiet for us!

Food: * * * *

They offered a mix of creative brunch items on the menu alongside traditional brunch favorites. I wished there were a few more creative dishes that boasted the Southern French theme of the restaurant. Yes it's called "French Toast" for a reason, but how about some things we don't all know?

I ordered the poached eggs and tarragon shrimp (on country bread with sautéed spinach). The sauce had a slight sour cream taste with a hint of dill and was a delightful alternative to a Hollandaise sauce. The flavors all blended together nicely, and the shrimp were large and modestly tasted of tarragon. I would happily go back and order the same thing again!

Drinks: * * *

Bloody Mary

Taste: Delicious! Just the right amount of spicy from the horseradish

Size: Good on size - comes in tall drinking glass

Garnishes: None - I was a little disappointed in the lack of garnish.

Becca’s Take:

Atmosphere: * * *

Fanny is a homey little joint along Graham Avenue with homemade curtains and long, open windows to catch plenty of sunlight (also good for people watching). They have an outdoor eating area, which we were unfortunately not offered when we arrived for brunch, otherwise, we would have dined out there. It seemed to have a sweet garden and happy ambiance. Also maintaining a happy ambiance was that the waitress was kind enough to seat the baby in the back of the restaurant, behind the bar, so us brunchers wouldn’t have to hear it whine.

Food: * * * * ½

I love me some French cookin’ – especially when it’s done right! I didn’t know Fanny deemed its cuisine French, and I ended up ordering a classic French dish: Baked eggs over Ratatouille. Other than the fact that I wanted veggies, this was one of the only meat-free menu options (beware vegetarians!) But it was scrumptious – a dish to be envied by any carnivore. I can’t wait to go back to Fanny for brunch when the weather cools off, because it was extremely warm outside and this dish never gets cold – it was piping hot the whole time – I was sweating in my seat! I chose the salad to go along with my eggs and it was a large helping for a side – very impressive. My dish, had I not chosen to do the brunch special with drinks, would’ve only cost $8, so Fanny is a great place for those who are pinching pennies.

Drinks: * * * ½

With the brunch special, you get a Mimosa or Bloody Mary, so I naturally chose the Mimosa. But, you also get fresh squeezed OJ, so I kind of had a Vitamin C O.D. The Mimosa was very refreshing – so much so that I ordered a second! The drinks are just as affordable as the food – excellent!

Stats:

Fanny

425 Graham Avenue, Brooklyn, NY

(718) 389-2060

www.fannyfood.com

Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The brunch special is $13 and includes entrée, fresh squeezed OJ & either a Bloody Mary or Mimosa.

scottadito osteria toscana

Nancy's Take:

Atmosphere: * * *
The outside garden looked nice, but we were seated indoors due to the wait time. There is unfortunately not much waiting room in the front of the restaurant. We were initially offered a table in the "wine cellar," which we declined. From what I understand, the wine cellar is a very private but dark area, probably perfect for a romantic dinner date but not for brunch with friends. We decided the inside of the restaurant had an almost medieval look to it, and there were old, exposed pipes above, which added to that appearance. The decor was fairly minimal but still it was a nice looking place to sit for a meal.

I should add that our waitress was rude and went MIA immediately after we ordered, so we were not very well attended to. However, the maitre d and other staff did their best to make up for it and apologized for the problem. I'm also told by friends that the service is normally great.

Food: * * *

I ordered the "Uova Benedette" (poached eggs on a English muffin with prosciutto, hollandaise, and pesto sauce) and a side of homemade pork sausage. I thought it was very tasty and also a unique eggs benedict version with the prosciutto. It's an Italian restaurant, so I like that they added some Italian flare to the brunch menu. The potatoes on the side were okay, but I was pretty indifferent to them. My favorite part of the meal was probably the sausage - I ate the whole plate in spite of being full.

Drinks: * *

We had mimosas since they were included with the meal and supposedly unlimited. They were pretty watered down. My friends who have been there several times assured me that normally their glasses are constantly refilled and the "unlimited mimosa" holds true to its claim. However, we had to find someone and ask them for our 2 refills.

Becca’s Take:

Atmosphere: *

I like sun on a sunny Sunday – not a dark, medieval dungeon style joint. It seemed as if, at any moment, a guillotine would come swinging down from the ceiling. It was aiming at being rustic, but I thought it was more rust-y. The bathroom was nice – spacious and private – so they’ve got that going for them. There were no kids, which was nice and surprising for Park Slope, but I don’t think I’d ever go back. I just was underwhelmed.

I’ve never been so ignored at a brunch place in all my brunchin’ days. Our waitress, from word one, was rude, abrasive and seemed to simply hate us. Not even a nice “Hello, how are you?” Fake it, could ya? It soured me from the get go.

Food: **1/2

I ate an egg dish, scrambled, which was served with roasted potatoes, peppers and mixed greens. It was extremely tasty, for such a standard plate, and it came out extremely fast. The cooks were right on top of our order – even if Madame Miserable took a hiatus during our stay. The only thing I didn’t like about the fixed-price menu was that, as I was near starvation, I would’ve loved a side of pancakes or biscuits or something, but the menu left me no choice but to reorder a whole other plate, which would run me $18! And the few side dishes they did have were almost all meat – I’m a vegetarian, so I was S.O.L.

Drinks: *

The words “endless” and “mimosas” in one sentence is enough to make me cab it to Park Slope, but I was truly devastated by the lack of “endless,” due to our lack of good service, and by the weakness of the mimosas we were given. Not even a buzz! This is brunch, Scottadito, make it count! For my $18, I would’ve been more content to buy a few bottles of Andre, some OJ, and do “endless” on my own.

Stats:

Scottadito Osteria Toscana
788A Union Street
Brooklyn, NY
(718) 636-4800
Brunch Saturday & Sunday, open from 11am- 11pm
Brunch is $17.95 and includes unlimited mimosas, champagne, and coffee
Website: www.scottadito.com