Do You Know How To Brunch In NYC Correctly?
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Do You Know How To Brunch In NYC Correctly?

Don't mess it up.

24
Do You Know How To Brunch In NYC Correctly?
Emily Harris, 2016

As a 20-something-year-old in New York City, the term "brunch" is thrown around quite often. It sneaks out into the conversation on a random Sunday night, perhaps with the distant pang of last night's escapades.

The origins of brunch are quite unclear. Some "food historians" believe that brunch is rooted in England's hunt breakfasts, which are "lavish multi-course meals that featured a smorgasbord of goodies such as chicken livers, eggs, meats, bacon, fresh fruits and sweets." While others think that brunch is derived from the "practice of Catholics fasting before mass and then sitting down for a large midday meal."

The combination of breakfast and lunch to form the word brunch first appeared in print in an 1895 Hunter's Weekly article.

"Brunch is cheerful, sociable and inciting," Beringer says. "It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper, it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings, it sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week."

But wherever the meal originated, it soon made its way over to the United States in the 1930s, apparently due to Hollywood stars making transcontinental train trips, frequently stopping in Chicago to enjoy a late morning meal aka brunch.

"In the 1940s, the Fifth Avenue Hotel featured a “Sunday Strollers’ Brunch” which consisted of sauerkraut juice, clam cocktails, and calf’s liver with hash browns, according to the New York Times. In the 1920s, one women’s magazine recommended that in constructing a brunch menu, “a delicate hash, light fish balls, liver, and bacon are all appropriate.”" (Beyond Bacon)

From SoHo to the Upper East Side, there are so many places to frolic to. You can either go classic or crazy with chicken fried waffles or simple, fluffy pancakes. The choice is all up to you, which can be very confusing. But it can actually be followed through in five steps.

1. Pick your favorite place.

Don't mess around for brunch. I'm all for trying new restaurants, but sometimes, you just need to stick to routine. My go-to is Veselka on 2nd Avenue and E. 9th Street. They are open 24 hours and have free coffee, tea and orange juice if you order one of the breakfast specials. To top it off, they are incredibly cheap, or cheap in respect to other places. But, my opinion isn't the end all, be all, so I ventured to an NYU Facebook group to ask my fellow classmates where they go for brunch.

"Cafe Orlin on St Marks fam it's always lit," said Josh Bender, NYU '18

" Fiat cafe in SoHo," said Amanda Choy, NYU '18

"Boulton and Watt!" said Kate Avino, NYU '18

"Jack's Wife Freda is yummy and super Instagram friendly if you're into photographing your food," said Ruby Evangeline Elwell

"mudd, san marzano, el camion!" said Gabrielle Makower

"San marz -- bottomless mimosas!" said Angelina Joyce

"Friend of a farmer!" said Taylor McCann

2. Go with your best friend.

Company matters in this situation. Bring someone you can complain to about the upcoming week, divulge last night's weird memories and share some sweet potato fries with.

3. Make sure it's a Sunday after noon.

If you want to avoid lines, go before noon, but who has the energy? Roll out of bed, put on some comfy, seasonally appropriate clothes (especially if you are going to be sitting outside). Also, it's great to have a quick treat, recharge day before you go back to working 40 hours a week. Good timing.

4. Don't forget the coffee.

Because tea won't freaking cut it for this occasion.

5. Treat yourself.

The past few months, I have had a really strict food budget, where I actually deleted my Seamless app (I only ordered once from my roommate's phone). But I allow myself to treat myself to some eggs and toast and a lot of coffee while at brunch once a week. We can't be perfect all the time, and sometimes we really do deserve a special treat. There's nothing wrong with spoiling yourself.


Click here to see my video about Five Steps to New York City Brunch.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

56551
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

36417
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958297
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

188580
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments