Bigelow's New England Clam Shack

Bigelow's is a Long Island institution since 1937. It is a stand alone shack, where you sit around a counter and chow down on some chowder while chatting with the friendly owners or other patrons. It is definitely a one of a kind spot. A cup of New England clam chowder is a little old school and underflavored for my taste. Better is the fried clam sandwich which is fried to order for $9.95. Pieces of battered clams fall out of a fresh bun and the fries with some skin on action are super tasty. Cole slaw is fresh and made in house you can add it on for $3.00. This is a real summer Long Island thing, but a fun jaunt from Manhattan via the rails and a $5 cab from Rockville Center.
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Tertullia

Tertullias is quiet early for Sunday brunch and I like it that way. The draw at Tertullia is the wood burning oven and having been to Spain several times, I was excited to try Seamus Mullen's latest Spanish endeavor. Brunch is a tad cheaper though not much.
Churros con choclate for $7 is a good place to start. Light, sugary donuts with rich chocolate though not as rich a sludge as you would find in Spain or at Dough doughnuts in Brooklyn. I ate the Desayuno Tertullia for $14 which was two poached eggs, housemade face bacon, crusty bread, crispy mini fries and Spanish style peppers. This is a homerun dish, with flavor all over the place.
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Bien Cuit

This high end bakery was opened by Le Bec Fin bread baking alums is one of amazing quality and prices to match. Bien Cuit means well done and their breads are done to a beautiful color. That said some of the loaves run to $8. but they do sell half loaves a very key concept. The space is open and generous with bakery elves bringing fresh baked goods to the front for display. Classics like croissants will set you back $3. I bought a half a country white for $4, chocolate chip bread cookies, and teeny linzer like cookies for $.50 each. The linzer like cookie dark with high quality raspberry jam was the best this side of Salzburg. The bread is formidable and well cared for from yeast to oven. If you crave top notch restaurant quality at matching prices this spot is for you. 120 Smith St.
MUST GO!

The Cardinal

The Cardinal is a newish, North Carolina restaurant in the East Village. A cozy duplex with exposed brink and a funky setting for some slammin' Southern eats. I went for brunch which was surprisingly empty given the high quality of the food, or not so surprising in the East Village where quantity and booze reign over quality. I went for the smothered fried pork chop with eggs and grits $16. I was asked if I wanted cheese on the eggs and grits and of course I said yes- I was later charged $2 extra for the cheese. No matter, when the food is this good. The pork chop arrives beautifully fried sitting in a bed of gravy with espresso in it. Eggs, cheesy and fried the way I asked plus the cheesy grits with some pepper on top. Oh and a housecured piece of bacon. Add to the mega flavor on the plates two types of housemade barbecue sauce. One that is mustard base kicks it all up a notch as if the food can be kicked up any higher.
Looked at someone's sweet potato pancakes and cannot wait to come back here for more.
MUST GO!

Print Restaurant

Brunch at Print House Restaurant is a first class though pricey affair. Brunch starts on Saturday/Sunday at 11:30. It is a chic restaurant within a hip hotel on the far reaches of Clinton on 11th Ave. The maple/bacon sticky bun pictured is only available at brunch and it is divine. Warm and oozing maple with bacon bits it is tops. The rich hot chocolate(also pictured) with housemade marshmallows was pretty perfect. The theme of Print is farm to table and this spot executes this perfectly. I went with a poached egg over challah with green beans, pancetta, pea shoots and mushrooms. Crispy green beans, runny egg all made for a great taste sensation. ($16) The bargain of the brunch was the insane sticky bun which at $3 is well worth doggie bag to take some home. Seamless service.
MUST GO!

Le Paddock

Opening in the long closed, yet locally iconic Lauras was a great move from the beginning. Decorated in Brooklyn farmhouse charm, Le Paddock offers an eclectic menu with alot of value. The restaurant boasts a wood fired oven which creates to start, an amazing house baked bread, chewey slightly salty and delicious. Mains range from $10 for moule/frites to $20 for a NY Strip. I had the oven made salmon with ratatouile for $16 and an order of potato daphinois for $5. The food arrives unremarkably presented though speaks volumes in flavor. Salmon is presented skin side up and is moist and flavorful. Ratatouile is authentic and a lovely side as is the thin classic, cheesey potatoes. Too full on the bread for dessert, I will definitely be back.
Prospect Ave. @ Reeve Pl.
MUST GO!

The John Dory Oyster Bar

Kitchy seafood decor and a prime corner in the Ace Hotel Complex, the John Dory found a home after a shortlived time on 10th Ave. Some of the food here is inspired like the cremy, complex, corn, clam, and potato soup with spicy chorizo(crostini) and the lovely lobster roll with the skinniest shoestring potatoes. Yummy, warm, buttery Parker rolls are good for chowing and dipping. The freshest seafood(oysters) also rocks out with fresh horseradish and great sauces. The crudo with Kaffir lime was underseasoned and underwhelming. The shooters of crab and avocado are tasty though for $7 are miniscule. Desserts are also not sensational- vanilla sundae with raspberry was good as was chocolate mouse with butterscotch cream, but none were mindblowing. Very expensive with subpar service.
SLOW GO!

Chinatown Brasserrie

Sumptous Chinese plus dim sum spot in a lofty space with Chinese banquets and lots of red lamps. Once seated you can order any and all off the menu- no carts, though this food is super fresh and thoughtfully prepared. Soups include wonton, corn/egg drop with lobster both tasty and wontons are super duper tasty/fresh. We ordered Peking duck, classic egg rolls, shrimp and mango rolls plus dumplings made with bok choy and mushrooms. A feast. Each dish was soooo good. The half Peking duck($20) arrived with the requisite shredded cucumber and pancakes with oyster sauce. Classic egg rolls were fresh fried and full of big size veggies- yum! Pricey yes, but a posh choice for a fun lunch or dim sum. Lovely loos for the ladies.
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SteepleChase Coffee

Kensington coffee shop in a burgeoning stretch of Fort Hamilton Parkway. Classic Brooklyn name and big airy space. Friendly service and wifi, SteepleChase offers a cool, chill vibe for a bit of a bite. Goodies from Trois Pommes, Balthazar, and Terrace Bagels. Some of the offerings are vegan. Outdoor seating in front of the store make this shop a welcome addition to this happening hood.
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Tipsy Parson

Tipsy Parson serves low country food in a pretty, narrow spot on 9th Ave. in Chelsea. Dinner here is pricey with most entrees over $22, so we shared some small dishes to make a meal. Mac and cheese- $7 for a small portion, hush puppies- $8, shrimp and grits- $16, peach ribs- $15. The standoutof the four plates were the hush puppies with pimento cheese dip and shrimp/grits. Hush puppies were perfect, dark and tasty. Shrimp and grits were super tasty, spicy and grits were super creamy. We ordered the signature dessert- the Tipsy Parson a brandy soaked almond cake with berries and vanilla custard- delish.
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Salt and Fat

A temple to salt, pork and general fat. This long and pretty restauratn is very popular and an interesting spot along busy Queens Boulevard. Bacon popcorn(pictured) starts the service. This treat is highly addictive and you will find yourself asking for more and friendly servers will oblige. Our Queens dinner group ordered a bunch of dishes and shared. The plates are considered small which portion sizes are reasonable and so are prices with most under $12. Started with the cesar salad with runny egg and lots of house cured bacon. Delish. Lobster salad with pieces of orange and grapefruit was just ok. The signature crack and cheese was a gooey concoction of fried gnocchi, bechamel and more bacon- rich. Best were the meatball of veal. pork and beef in a spicy tomato sauce. The pork sliders pictured with some sweet spicy sauce on brioche with pickle was decadent. Dessert was rice crispy treats with marshmallow ice-cream. #7 train to 40 street takes you right there. 41-15 Queens Blvd.
MUSR GO!

Almond

Brunching in NYC is taken very serously by some. Though I enjoy brunch it has to be something special for me to take it seriously. Almond hosts a serious brunch. A large, pretty, and noisy room people love this spot for brunch. Why? It showcases All American foods some made in house with a little extra. Starting brunch with warmed biscuits with housemade strawberry jam and apple butter is a surefire winner. My dad's housemade pastrami with eggs was mega tasty for $16. I opted for huevos rancheros which was quite good. The brews are all drafts and although drinks are not included this is a fine brunch option for Manhattan.
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