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

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

Le Barricou

Nancy's Take:

Atmosphere: * * * * 1/2

This is a great atmosphere in which to dine, with walls plastered in old newspapers and worn painted signs. It feels like a trip to a charming bistro in France, especially as many of the staff speak to you in French accents. On a bustling brunch hour, we were still seated fairly quickly.

Food: * * * * *

All of my eating experiences have been phenomenal here, and this was no exception. I ordered the omelette special, made with farm-raised eggs and filled with asparagus, tomato, and mozzarella. The omelette was delicious and served with flavorful homefries - crispy outside and soft inside. The chocolate croissants served beforehand are a tasty little brunch treat (they bring you a plain croissant too).

Drinks: * * * * 1/2

Taste: Delicious! One of my favorite Bloody Marys in Brooklyn.

Size: Large mason jar - clever and the perfect size

Garnishes: Lime and an olive

Becca’s Take:

Atmosphere: * * * * *

Not only does Le Barricou have an interesting, antiqued French ambiance, it has possibly the hottest manager of all time. I would go to brunch in a porta-potty if that man was showing me to my seat. But, other than him, the restaurant is deceivingly large, so it’s almost never a problem to get a table – even though it’s often packed. The staff is always friendly and the water boys are attentive and courteous.

Food: * * * * *

No matter what I eat at Le Barricou, I love it. I have never been disappointed in their cuisine, and this being my first time dining at brunch, it was no different. I had the Vegetarian Egg White Omelette, which really packed a punch. Alongside the mixed, roasted veggies and goat cheese was a potent Chipotle sauce, which was a pleasant surprise. I opted for the pommes frites instead of the homefries, but I stole some of Nancy’s and they were both delish. This was actually the first time my brunch defeated me. The omelette was so large, and the helping of frites was so heaping, I did not clear my plate. For shame, for shame.

Drinks: * * *

I had a mimosa and it was pretty standard. I enjoy the food much more than the drinks at Le Barricou, for no particular reason other than I’m not nearly as daring with my bevies as I am with my brunch. Don’t get me wrong – the mimosa was refreshing and tasty – but not as special as the food.

Stats:

Le Barricou

533 Grand Street

Brooklyn, NY 11211-3502

(718) 782-7372

Web site: http://lebarricouny.com/

Brunch Sat & Sun 11am - 6pm