Bleecker Kitchen’s Chicken & Waffles
Jack Kerouac was fond of, well, every bar in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village. The neighborhood’s still great for drinking, but now there’s a brunch game that promises to keep you on your feet. Here, our favorite spots to refuel.
Bleecker Kitchen & Co.
This airy café is flooded with light from massive windows, and you can join a group at a table or hop up on a barstool at the subway-tiled bar. Despite the high-rent district, they keep things easy with $14 plates and huge portions. Carb load with the Chicken & Waffles with house-made hot sauce or their signature Corn Flake French Toast, which comes with berry compote, mascarpone and a classic Vermont maple syrup. The basement sister concept Sweetwater Social is also awesome, boasting craft cocktails and a foosball table.
Minetta Tavern
With classic black-and-white tile floors, low lighting and thick velvet drapes, this NYC institution is as known for its atmosphere as it is for the famous Black Label Burger—a darling of “best of” lists with prime, dry-aged beef, caramelized onions and pomme frites. Here, brunch is intense, with belly-filling homemade latkes (made with smoked salmon and perfectly poached eggs) and Brioche French toast. Sip the killer Green Mary: The juice of fresh green tomatoes and Mexican spices stand in for typical Bloody Mary mix, while Tito’s vodka provides the punch.
Extra Virgin
Small, comforting, and quick with your coffee and a plate of Banana French Toast, Extra Virgin is a good locale for both people-watching (if you can snag an outdoor table, even better) and for fixing the pain of the night prior. The menu skews Mediterranean; you’ll find pancakes at brunch, but also staples like pistachio-crusted goat cheese salad and an excellent Shrimp Cobb. Don’t skip Luca’s Iced Latte, a shot of espresso, espresso vodka and soy milk, shaken and poured over ice.
LATE-NIGHT BITE: Joe’s pizza
If you’re a fan of The Daily Show, you’ve heard about Jon Stewart’s love affair with slices from this beloved pizza spot. Most New Yorkers feel the same, and it’s your best bet before bed. They serve straightforward, perfectly toasted, thin-crust cheese pizza. By the slice. Till 4:30 a.m.
