Weekend Hitlist: Vegetarian/Vegan Friendly Brunches

So you are a vegetarian or a vegan and you are looking for some awesome brunches in NYC? No worries! The Brunch Babes got you covered. You shouldn't be punished for living a healthy lifestyle so we put together a list of some delicious brunch spots that will have your non vegan friends saying "Are you sure this is vegan food?".

Check out this HIT LIST!

1) Cafe Blossom: Voted "Best Vegetarian Restaurant" in 2008 and 2009 on Time Out NY and with 3 different locations in NYC, this brunch spot is sure to have you coming back for more veg friendly dishes. They offer some delicious brunch entrees including the Blossom Country Breakfast (tofu scramble, sweet potato hash, sauteed mushrooms, mesclun salad, toast), French Toast made with organic maple syrup/strawberry yogurt sauce & fresh fruit, Homestyle Pancakes (choice of chocolate chip or blueberries and pictured the Big Blossom Breakfast. And let's not forget some brunch cocktails! Blossom serves mimosas, bimosas (bilberry juice),  and pimosas (pomegranate). They also have a fresh juice bar. All 100% vegan and 100% DELICIOUS!

Locations: 187 9th Ave (West 21st St.), 466 Columbus Ave (Upper West Side) and 174 9th Ave (West 21st St.)

2) V-Note Organic Wine Bar and Vegan Bistro: Located in the Upper East Side on 1st Ave near 80th st.  this beautifully decored vegan restaurant offers a great brunch. From breakfast cravings (French Toast, Tofu Scramble), to salads (South of the Border, Beet salad, Ceasar salad), to sandwiches (Soy Bacon Cheeseburger, Southern Seitan Sandwich, BLT), to entrees (Crispy Thai Tofu, Burrito, Pasta Pacherri) this place does not disappoint! Fresh juices, smoothies, shakes, organic wines and beers also available. A must try vegan gem!

3) Bliss Cafe: Located on 191 Bedford Ave in Brooklyn, NY (Williamsburg) this cute little vegetarian cafe offers a big brunch menu with a BYOB option and brunch being served until 4pm. Now we are talking! Blss Cafe offers brunch entrees such as the Breakfast Burrito, Vegan Burrito with tofu scramble, Bagels, French Toast, Vegan Pancakes, 3 Bean Chili, Nachos, Quesadillas, Veggie Burgers, Salads and more. Bring a bottle of wine or a flask and enjoy!

Hope all of our Veg brunchers enjoyed this post. We promise to bring you some more options and reviews for these places.

LIVE, LAUGH, BRUNCH,

-The Brunching Babes <3

Weekend Hit List Fall Brunching Edition

1. Vamos

Located right on the border of NYC’s Stuy town this little gem (not so little) is hidden right on the corner of 1^st ave btwn 21^st and 22^nd street. I’ll get right to it this sweet little deal which offers you for an additional $7 buckaroos an AYCD frozen margaritas party which lasts 90 min for you and your party once you commence brunch. Do not be discouraged by the time limit these babes usually hate being restricted, we say either be an AYCD or an A La Carte …but trust me one sip of this thick concoction & you will understand why! They prefer to keep the party to the table not on it lol. With entrees priced between $12-15 and a great little taco platter you can order post brunch if you need more food to bind that liquor with everybody wins. We recommend any of the egg dishes such as Huevos Rancheros, Benedictos or with Chorizo.    

Also good for: Large groups as they have big communal tables available, Sports Watching with all the TV’s, Al Fresco brunching available.

More Information :

Brunch 11am -4pm

http://vamosnyc.com/Pictures/VamosBrunchMenu.pdf

2. Macondo NYC

Located on 157 E Houston Street (between Allen and Eldridge) in one of our fave NYC hoods ,the Lower East Side, and sharing the same moniker as the name of the town in one of our most beloved books Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “One Hundred Years Of Solitude”, Macondo the self professed "casual Latino eatery" has a brunch that looks anything but! Poke around in their about section and you will find that they aim to introduce Latin street foods elevated to a gourmet level. Serving up brunch on both Saturday & Sunday from 11am for the early risers until 4pm for the nighttime warriors one glance at their menu and you will find an impressive proverbial culinary tour of Latin America. Although not mentioned on the online menu you can order Mimosas & Bloody Marys a la carte with your brunch. They even denote vegetarian friendly dishes! Such as an eggplant based lasagna and mushroom with manchego omelette  with which my recent obsessions fits in perfectly. However the pork belly under Cocas in the menu, Argentinean skirt steak and chimichurri burger which touts shorts ribs and manchego cheese ( can you tell we love QUESO)in its ingredients list have cause  for high alert on the brunch babe radar!

Also good for: Smaller groups, sampling new cuisine

More Information:
Sat & Sun 11am- 4pm
http://www.macondonyc.com/menu_brunch.php


3. Le Comptoir

Located on 251 Grand St in the billyburg, cool code for Williamsburg, this CASH only brunch is bringing... you guessed it the Frenchie cuisine to this part of BK. If there’s one thing we love about the French besides the fries it’s how much they love their food wine and cheese. What’s more to love than this environmentally friendly and conscious establishment. As stated on their menu they support locally sourced & seasonal ingredients wherever they can. Hence if you go Brunch at this time of year you will see the menu is labeled “Automne”  the frenchie word for-that’s right Autumn! You will find the beloved staples such as Croque-Monsieur ou madame (egg on top) , if you have never had this its French ham with melted cheese and I need you to go to there now, as well as “Tartine au Short ribs” and a “Chicken with Crudite” salad if you are looking for lighter brunch fare. Another fun factor is here you and your guests decide how many notches you want to turn the party up with the ability to pay $24.50 for an AYCD Mimosas, Bloody Mary and Rossini’s with your entrée. If you choose this option there are plenty of places to keep the party going in this hood.

More Information:

Saturday & Sunday 11 am – 4pm  

http://lecomptoirny.com/menus/brunch/               

4.  Cafe Blossom - UWS

Im not going to bamboozle my meat lovers as I am one of them. With three thriving locations we will tell you straight up this place serves up Vegan cuisine. We will also tell you that we tried the UWS location btwn 82^nd & 83^rd on Columbus and ave and this place makes a Soy Bacon Cheeseburger that can rival most regular burgers and will leave you and your taste buds feeling extremely satisfied. However having undertaken becoming a weekday vegetarian recently this babe has been in search of tasty eats that don’t trade calories for flavor. If it taste like grass it belongs in the park. SOOoooo we were extremely delighted after said burger tasting that Blossom has used its flower power to create a full and extremely tasty brunch menu complete with Mimosas Bellinis and Bimosas a la carte for $7 each. What is Bimosa you asked? A champagne & bilberry juice concoction. Haven’t heard of the bilberry before? Don’t worry us either but upon research we found it has many many health benefits some of which are improved eyesight! The better to see your brunch with my dear ;). The menu looks delish, filling , healthy and brunchtastic! This babe will be going straight for the “ Blossom Country Breakfast” which includes sweet potato hash browns, you can pause to wipe drool now, tofu scramble, mushrooms, apple chutney and I will be getting a side of that famed tempeh bacon found on the cheeseburger. If you pop in this weekend you may catch the babes brunching about.

More Information:

Sat & Sun 11am-4pm

http://blossomnyc.com/cafebrunchmenu.php

There you have it. You've been hit by the babes. Now go enjoy some of this great fall weather we are experiencing in NYC. Don't forget to...

                                                                               Live, Laugh, Brunch

                                                                                           XOXO,

                                                                               The Brunching Babes

San Gennaro Feast in NYC!

Last week, resident babe Erika checked out the San Gennaro Feast in Little Italy which ran from Sept 15th and ends TODAY (Sept 25th). This annual feast brings over one million people to the streets of Little Italy and celebrates San Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples. As seen on The Godfather 3 and The Sopranos, this feast not only brings millions of people out but live music, street vendors, delicious Italian food, and more! Check out some of the pics below and if you have a chance go check it out today after brunch! You may find some after brunch yummy treats! A Mangiar!

MozzArepas

Yummy!

Fresh Mozarella Cheese Nestled in Sweet Tender Cornbread Grilled to Perfection!

Juice Stand!

Pina Coladas in Coconuts

Grilled Corn on a Cob

Fried Food

Chorizo Paella

Spanish Paella

Italian Sausage

Pete's Fried Oreos, Snickers, Twinkies

Gelato Tastings

There you have it folks! Today after you get your brunch on hurry on over to Little Italy! If not there is always next year!

Mangia! Mangia!

Upper East Side Brunching

Looking for some BRUNCH recommendations in the Upper East Side? Check out these Brunch Babe approved spots that will satisfy your appetite. Whether you are looking for flavor packed food, unlimited booze, sports, relaxed environments, alfresco seating these brunchs spots hit in on the nose!

DOC WATSON'S

Address: 1490 2nd ave (near 78th Street)

Brunch Scoop: This Irish/English Pub/Restaurant offers brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am- 4:30pm. For $11.95 you get a brunch entree and two complimentary drinks (choice between bloody mary, screwdriver, mimosa, house wine, champagne, juice or select 10 oz. Draft beer). You want to catch the Yankee and Jets game? No problemo! Doc Watson's has flat screen TVs with games playing all day so you could have the luxury of rooting for your fave teams and chopping down some yummy brunch.

What We Ate: Eggs Benedict with Canadian bacon topped with hollandaise sauce on a toasted muffin, served with Cottage Fries. Doc Watson's does not disappoint with this classic brunch dish. Add some ketchup if you desire and bon apetit!

What We Drank: Mimosas

What screams brunch more than some freshly squeezed OJ and some champagne. Here at Doc Watson's they prepare your mimosas with TLC and pour in a decent sized glass.

 

 Other Brunch Options: Corned Beef Hash, Eggs Florentine, Smoked Salmon Hash, Steak & Eggs, Crunchy New York French Toast, Belgian Waffles, Three Egg Omelet, Full Irish Breakfast, Salads and Burgers. 

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY
Address: 1460 2nd Ave (btw 76th & 77th Street)
Brunch Scoop: Justin Timberlake's Southern style restaurant hits it out of the park with their delicious brunch entrees and unlimited drinks. Every Saturday and Sunday enjoy brunch from 11:30am- 3:00pm. Add just $11.95 and enjoy unlimited mimosas and bloody marys with your brunch dish. Brunch with a Southern BBQ twist? Yes please!

WHAT WE ATE: Smoked Pit Huevos Rancheros- These have got to be one of the best Huevos Rancheros we have come across in our brunchventures. I mean really you have the option of getting your eggs fried or scrambled with melted cheddar cheese served on a tortilla, sour cream, fresh guacamole, jalapenos, beans AND BBQ pulled pork! Love to see different twists on brunch classics!

SIDE: Classic Mac n cheese- How can you visit a Southern Style Restaurant and not try their mac n cheese? This mac n cheese is so gooey and cheesy just how the babes like it and is only $5.95!

WHAT WE DRANK: Unlimited mimosas were on deck since this babe is not a huge bloody marys fan. Southern Hospitality keeps these coming until you are ready to say "No Mas!"

Other Brunch Options: Smoke Brisket Hash and Eggs, Steak & Eggs, Fried Chicken & Waffles, Grilled Onion Portobello and Cheddar Omelet, Chicken Fried Steak.

Upper East Side Brunching list will continue to grow as this babe is on a mission to try all of the UES brunch hot spots! 

Happy Brunching!

-Live, Laugh, Brunch

Brunching Babes Hit Up Calle Ocho Tasting Event!

As you guys know from our previous posts and tweets, Calle Ocho (one of our fave brunch spots) recently moved locations and is now located on 45 West 81st inside of the Excelsior Hotel. They hosted an exclusive blogger tasting event on 9/14 to sample their new menu and the babes were invited! We had an amazing night and even mingled with our fellow foodie bloggers. (Special foodie love to: MyUpperWest, BrunchGangNYC, Sanura Jamil from My Life Runs On Food, Chubby Chinese Girl & Friend, Famous For Bad Reasons, Sarah Shaker, Timothy Cooper, Antonio our waiter and the ladies of Goldstein Communications! You were all a treat to meet!)

Upon our arrival we were escorted to their private dining room which was beautifully set for us and as soon as we were seated the food/drink fiesta commenced. Our lovely waiter Antonio welcomed us and started us all with a Classic Mojito and some Pan de Bono (delicious breads made with cheese and corn flour and is served with pureed black beans) pictured below. (If you are ever planning an after work drinks date with friends stop by Calle Ocho for their $5 mojitos every Monday.)

Our 5 course tasting soon followed and oh my we were in foodie heaven!

Chef Alex Garcia who has been featured on Food Network and Executive Chef Rodney Mitchell gave us a rundown of the menu we were about to sample and here it is with matching photos so that you too can enjoy!

CEVICHE: 

-Cured Salmon, Aji Amarillo, Sour Orange, Pineapple

-Marinated Aji Tuna, Ginger, Cilantro, Mustard Vinaigrette

Paired w/ their ROJA Sangria (fresh fruit and a splash of Spirits)

APERITIVO:

-Bacon Wrapped Almond Stuffed Dates, Hearts of Palm, Cabrales

-Colombian Sweet Corn Arepa, Ropa Vieja, Crema Nata, Criolla Salad

 PESCADO:

-Roasted Striped Bass, Serrano Ham-Chick Pea, Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

-Paired with White wine

 CARNE:

-Cuban Style "Steak Frites", Traditional Chimichurri

-Paired with Red Wine  

POSTRE:

-Dark Chocolate Domino Cake, Dulce de Leche Ice Cream

Calle Ocho may have switched to a new location but folks believe us when we tell you that the food, drinks hospitality, decor and BRUNCH are still up there! The babes had a chance to ask Chef Rodney Mitchell if they were going to make any changes to their BRUNCH menu and guess what? They are adding some interesting new items to their menu: Pancakes, French Toast and Eggs Benedict with Duck Sausage and of course the unlimited sangria is still included! We cannot wait to try these new BRUNCH dishes!

We ate, we drank, we laughed all in the name of THE OCHO! Thanks to all those who made this a delicious evening for the babes!

If you have yet to try Calle Ocho's BRUNCH well then you really do not know what you are missing out on! Check out these photos of the babes fave BRUNCH dishes:

VACA FRITA

Pollo Ranchero

Cuban Sandwich

Quesadillas de El Salvador

Did we convince you yet?

~Live, Laugh, Brunch

The Brunching Babes

New Addition To Your Brunch Party: Hpnotiq Harmonie

Our friends at HPNOTIQ recently released Hpnotiq Harmonie the newest addition to your brunch party! This new liqueur is a a refreshing blend of Premium French Vodka, Infused Natural Fruits, Flowers and a Touch of Cognac.

Check out their newly released video and next time you are brunching with your girls order some Hpnotiq Harmonie! 

This is a brunch babe approved drink and can be mixed with several other liquors. Check out some of these recipes below:

BUBBLES & BERRIES:

You Will Need

• 2 oz. Hpnotiq Harmonie
• 2 oz. Champagne

Instructions

Pour chilled Hpnotiq Harmonie and Champagne into a Champagne flute.

 HARMONIE MARGARITA:

You Will Need

• 1 1/2 oz. Hpnotiq Harmonie
• 1/2 oz. Premium White Tequila
• 1/2 oz. Triple Sec

Instructions  

Shake ingredients and pour over ice into a Margarita glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.

 

 

These drinks will sure spruce up your brunch. For more recipes or to submit your own recipes visit Hpnotiq Harmonie Recipes. 

Cheers!

-The Brunching Babes