egg

Nancy's Take:

Atmosphere: * * * 1/2

One of the reasons it's taken us so long to review Egg is due to the large crowds it draws on weekends. We rendered it virtually impossible to get in. Luckily we both had a Monday off and there was no wait for a table. Even still, for a Monday at 11:30 it was a crowded place. The decor inside was fairly simple but definitely had the feel of a quaint country eatery. Plus, there were crayons on the table so I drew a monkey on the butcher's paper while we waited for the bill.

Food: * * * *

I give thumbs up to the food at Egg for several reasons. The restaurant specializes in providing organic and homemade ingredients, much of which comes from their own farm in Oak Hill, NY. I also happen to think their plate presentation is especially appealing. I ordered the Eggs Rothko, which were soft eggs over homemade brioche and Grafton cheddar. The main dish was delicious, as were the cute little tastes of things on the side, such as the broiled tomatoes served on a little circle of brioche. I also had a side of homemade pork sausage, which was just the perfect addition to round out the meal.

Drinks: * * * *

French press coffee for one and a mimosa? Yes please. The glass size for the mimosa was especially generous for the price.

Becca’s Take:

Atmosphere: * * * *

I love being inside Egg. It is very simply designed and actually quite plain, but I love being inside there because it smells like Mom’s kitchen. It’s homey, quiet and I’m a fan of any place that lets you draw on the tablecloth.

Food: * * *

The food at Egg, as Nancy said, is wonderful because it’s organic, grass-fed and homegrown. Everything is elegantly presented, but I have to say, I don’t like soft-cooked eggs. I ordered the Grafton cheddar omelette, which were soft-cooked eggs with a bit of Grafton cheese. It came with broiled tomatoes, which were especially delicious but a little freaky looking. They also put a hashbrown on the side and it was way too much batter and not enough potato. Last but not least, I ordered a buttermilk biscuit, since I will never quite finish my quest for the perfect biscuit. It was crumbly on top, which I love, but it was a bit dry. I was slightly disappointed. Boo.

Drinks: * * * * ½

Where Egg frustrates me on a food level, their mimosas are killer! They are served in large glasses and with fresh-squeezed OJ – all for $7! Considering some joints try to charge you $10 for a mimosa with fresh-squeezed OJ, this was a pleasant surprise.

Stats:

Egg

135 North 5th Street, Brooklyn New York 11211

(718) 302 5151

Monday — Wednesday: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Thursday: 7 a.m. — 10 p.m.

Friday: 7 a.m. — 11 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. — 11 p.m.

Sunday: 9 a.m. — 9 p.m.

www.pigandegg.com

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

Stone Park Cafe

Nancy's take:

Atmosphere: * * *

This is a popular brunch spot for Park Slopers. I know because it was recommended to me by lots of people, and also because there was going to be a long wait to get a table. To be honest, the bar looked cozy but most of the restaurant looked pretty cramped for space. Luckily for us, it was the kind of November day where sunshine made the outdoors bearable. We chose to sit on their side patio, which had no wait time. With the sun on my face, I even peeled a jacket layer off while I sipped my coffee. The waiter was quick to get our drink orders, and he even played into our banter a little. Thanks for humoring us, we know we're a little quirky.

Food: * * * *

Let it be known that we really earned our brunch that day. Our adventure began with Becca confusing the G train direction, which then left us no choice but to jog through the runners of the ING marathon to catch the correct train. Then we wandered around Park Slope rather aimlessly, because we got off the subway nowhere near the restaurant. But I can say with much satisfaction that it was worth all the detours. I ordered the Chef omelet (roasted garlic, spinach, house-made sausage, and cheddar) which came with a side of potatoes. I thought both the omelet and potatoes were delicious. Plus, they had my favorite hot sauce - Cholula.

Drinks: * * * * 1/2

I ordered a mimosa to start, and switched to a bellini for my second drink. Their bellini was truly a notch above the rest, but it comes with a $9 price tag. White peach puree, peach schnapps, and Gruet....I've got to remember that combination if I ever try to make my own.

Becca's Take:

Atmosphere: * * * *

Stone Park Cafe is adorable inside and out - and because Nancy and I were starving, we took the immediate seat outside on the patio. It faced a park and the sun was shining - really a lovely November day. I was happy we chose to sit outside because while we were briefly waiting indoors, it seemed a little noisy (just because it was so busy), and after the odyssey we took getting there, i just wanted to sip my drinks and munch my brunch in peace.

Food: * * * *

The menu had a lot to offer, but sadly, Stone Park Cafe only earns four stars from me as they could not deliver a side order of a buttermilk biscuit to me. Our waiter said they were almost out of biscuits and had to save the remaining ones for the biscuits and gravy entree. This not only left me sad and biscuit-less, but if they practically sold out of them, that leads me to believe they are de-lish. Woe is me. Luckily, I opted for the Spicy Omelette, which had sauteed mushrooms, fresh pico de gallo and pepperjack cheese. It was awesome - and I don't even like mushrooms! The pico was really wonderful - I bet they make it on-site. The eggs were cooked to perfection, and the homefries were crispy with just the right spicy kick. Yum.

Drinks: * * *

I stuck with mimosas, and much like Nancy, wasn't pleased that they cost $9 a pop. I still drank two of them...and seriously had to restrain myself from getting a third. Yum again.

Stats:

Stone Park Cafe

324 5th Avenue

NY 11215-2420

(718) 369-0082

Open Mon-Thu 5:30pm-10pm; Fri 5:30pm-11pm; Sat 10am-3pm, 5:30pm-11pm; Sun 10am-3pm, 5:30pm-10pm

http://www.stoneparkcafe.com

Mrs. Kim's

Nancy's take:

Atmosphere: * * * *

Tucked away on Franklin Street in Greenpoint, Mrs. Kim's is an undiscovered little gem. Its mostly wooden interior reminded me of sipping hot cocoa at a cozy ski lodge. The chairs were Shaker-esque, like climbing into Grandma's rocking chair on the porch. Nice big windows let a lot of sunlight into the room.There were plenty of tables open at brunch hour, though our waitress was a tad on the bitchy side.

Food: * * * *

I nearly missed the fact that Mrs. Kim's is actually a Korean restaurant. The brunch items were traditional American and French fare, with some pork buns, kimchi, and bibimbop thrown into the mix. Whatever they're doing,it's fine with me if they keep it up. Becca and I split two dishes between us. We had their omelette made with spinach, chive, scallion, and ricotta. Not only was the omelette tasty, but the home fries it came with were amazing. But it didn't stop there. We also split the pumpkin belgian waffles, which were their special. It was all so delicious and satisfying. Had either of us been less full, we would've also ordered the steamed tofu buns.

Drinks: * * * * *

Having had some less-than-thrilling experiences with Bloody Marys lately, I almost shied away from ordering it this time. Then I caught a glimpse of one at the bar. I'm glad I ordered it, because it has now climbed up my ranks among the best Bloody Marys in Brooklyn. It was thick but also plenty alcoholic (I like thicker mix vs. watered-down). Best of all, it was loaded with horseradish and Sriracha (which I watched the bartender pour in).

Size: Tall drinking glass (also a bonus)

Garnishes: lemon, lime, giant celery stalk and a pickle slice

Becca’s Take:

Atmosphere: * *

I adore Franklin Street in Greenpoint, and I always mean to frequent it more than I do. I really think the only thing the atmosphere of Mrs. Kim's does for me is that is resides in a corner spot along Fraknlin. It is a spacious place with a lot of great light, as Nancy mentioned, but the strange, giant, Grandma chairs didn’t mesh well with the semi-modern bar or the tiniest bit of Asian flair they were clinging to. Nevertheless, looks aren’t everything when you’re brunching.

Food: * * * *

Mrs. Kim’s does an excellent job of making sure every customer is happy. There is literally something for everyone. Because everything sounded so good on the menu, Nancy and I opted to share plates for the first time EVER. We were wise to do so! It was the perfect portion of each. The pumpkin waffles were to die for, and they came alongside fresh fruit, whipped cream and powdered sugar. The omelette was a little dry, but still delicious with all the fixins to be found inside, while the breakfast potatoes were some of the best I’ve had yet! I wish I had had room for the tofu steamed buns, but I guess this means I’ll just have to go back.

Drinks: * * ½

I opted for a mimosa, even though I thought $8 was a bit steep. It came in a large, stemmed glass, and was made with fresh-squeezed juice (why it was $8, I’m assuming). It was a little, as I like to say, “too orange.” The lighter your mimosa, the more champagne – I like pale yellow mimosas, and this one, though tasty, was not.

Stats:

Mrs. Kim's

160 Franklin St.

Brooklyn, NY 11222

(718) 389-8881

Open Weekdays 11am-11pm; Weekends 10am-1am

www.mrskimsnyc.com

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.