10 Best New Brunches in NYC

Read original story on Zagat.com

A weekend staple for many New Yorkers, brunch is a perennial favorite and takes on many forms, from classic fare like Bloody Marys and eggs Benedict to modern plates incorporating global flavors. Below we present some of the hottest new options to try this spring.

Old Rose
This light-filled bistro at the Jane Hotel serves a seasonal Italian menu from breakfast to late-night. For brunch, expect all-day favorites plus brunch-specific options like Joey’s yeasty waffle (named after Old Rose’s chef Joey Scalabrino) and a brunch pizza (pictured above) topped with egg, guanciale and smoked potato served in a sprawling space (whose name is inspired by the Titanic) with a sleek, vintage vibe.

Must-order: Grilled housemade sourdough, crispy rice salad, clam pizza

The Osprey
East River views and an eco-chic setting flooded with natural light — thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows— set the sophisticated scene at this locavore American restaurant at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge. Regular menu items and brunch exclusives (like the fried chicken and Parmesan waffle, pictured above) are served alongside house cocktails named after birds including the Robin (Bloody Mary) and Finch (grapefruit spritz).

Must-order: Bread pudding French toast (lemon curd, whipped ricotta, mixed berries, basil), blue corn johnnycakes (sassafras butter, Hudson Valley maple syrup), baby beets with smoked salmon, whipped feta and candied hazelnuts

Brooklyn Cider House
At this Bushwick Basque hangout, house ciders and ciderosa (Bone Dry cider and orange juice) accompany hearty, cheekily named plates like Hide & Leek (braised leeks, country grits, over easy eggs) and Hangover Helper (grilled Spanish chorizo, caramelized onions, green peppers, sunny-side-up eggs; pictured above). Communal seating and street art murals set the hip scene.

Must-order: Chicken and waffles, Korean chicken wings, apple fritter topped with housemade apple cider syrup

La Pecora Bianca Midtown
Nearly twice the size of the NoMad original, this Midtown locale offers an expanded version of La Pecora Bianca’s popular brunch menu, which includes signature items like unlimited Bloody Marys and Bellinis ($18 for one hour) and sheep's milk ricotta and lemon pancakes.

Must-order: Gramigna pasta with housemade pork sausage and broccolini, LPB burger (housemade brioche, caramelized leeks, pancetta), strapazzate (soft scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, roasted cherry tomato)

St Tropez Wine Bar
The West Village newcomer launched brunch just last weekend, offering a taste of the South of France with creative twists on American brunch staples (think eggs Benedict served with ratatouille and Provence herbs) plus Viennoiseries and mimosas.

Must-order: Cheeseburger St Tropez (Emmental, sun-dried tomatoes, truffle mayo, arugula; pictured above), salmon gravlax

Alta Calidad
For brunch, egg-centric plates take center stage at Akhtar Nawab’s lively Prospect Heights locale, with traditional Mexican fare like huevos divorciados (pictured above) and modern creations like a steak and egg breakfast taco.

Must-order: The brunch special, which includes an entree of your choice and unlimited drinks (margaritas, mimosas, coffee, etc.) for one hour

Brigitte
Effortlessly chic French-Brazilian Brigitte serves up a diverse range of plates during its recently launched brunch service. Similar in tone to the rest of the menu, expect a mix of French classics and more modern bites, from a basket of pastries and homemade jams to its take on chicken and waffles with Butterfield hen and chile maple syrup.

Must-order: Cheeseburger (cognac sauce, crispy fingerling tomatoes), la cassolette (chorizo, yucca fries, eggs; pictured above), shrimp salad (mango, yucca chips, ginger dressing)

Bessou
Known for its modern takes on Japanese comfort fare, NoHo’s Bessou has expanded its brunch menu (with breakfast congee and Wagyu steak and eggs) to include "Sando-Wicchi" (Japanese-style sandwiches) and banana hotcakes Foster (pictured above); Japanese-style pancakes with black sesame, black sugar syrup and kinako (roasted soybean flour) cookies.

Must-order: Miso salmon sandwich (beet-pickled daikon, capers, scallion aïoli), Filet-O-Iwashi (fried sardines, smoked soy egg, wasabi aïoli), Japanese breakfast set

Studio
In the new Freehand New York hotel, Studio from Gabriel Stulman (who’s also behind Joseph Leonard, Jeffrey’s Grocery, Fairfax and more) serves an all-day menu with North African and Middle Eastern influences. On weekends, brunch offerings run the gamut from baked goods like date dulce de leche babka to egg dishes like brik-style eggs with house phyllo, cilantro and harissa.

Must-order: Everything simit (Turkish bagel) with herb labneh; halva granola; Buddha’s Palm (cocktail made with Hangar One Buddha’s hand, wild elderflower, pear, pineapple)

west~bourne
This vegetarian cafe with California vibes from hospitality vet Camilla Marcus breezed into SoHo earlier this year, offering locally sourced fare on an all-day menu. Globally inspired bites, coffee and California wines are served in an intimate space with reclaimed wood and an open kitchen.

Must-order: Sunset grains (almond butter, maitake mushrooms, kale, chile oil; pictured above), Mushreuben (a vegetarian take on a classic Reuben with roasted maitake mushrooms), apple pan pie from Four & Twenty Blackbirds (made exclusively for west~bourne)