451 Graham Ave. (at Richardson St.), Brooklyn, 718-389-0839, www.therichardsonnyc.com
Despite cashing in on the endlessly trying “speakeasy” style that has turned Nattyswilling frat boys into rye connoisseurs, The Richardson remains one of the more enjoyable places to drink on the newly hip Graham Avenue corridor. Beginning in April, owner Joel Lee Kulp decided to put a stop to all of the drunken where are we having brunch tomorrow conversations and opened his kitchen on Saturday and Sunday mornings so patrons could come back for eggs and daylight cocktails.The food—including cheese plates, toasted sandwiches and an I’m-going-home-alone-tonight bowl of garlic-dill pickles—has always been good here, and breakfast is no different: house-made gravlax, Belgian waffles, chocolate croissants and Gimme! Coffee drinks all appear on the menu.
Vintage Irving
118 E. 15th St. (at Irving Pl.), 212-677-6300, www.vintageirvingny.com
An intimate wine bar and restaurant at night, Union Square’s Vintage Irving has started serving brunch, giving its ’hood an option somewhere between luxe Union Square Café and a muffin from Au Bon Pain. Offering brunch only since the beginning of spring, the menu lists eclectic dishes for semi-reasonable prices. Beyond the expected egg plates,Vintage Irving also creates more exotic twists on typical brunch foods—look for the breakfast nachos, coconut pancakes and baguette French toast. Even in the morning, the wine bar knows its strengths, presenting several fine wine options along with the mimosa standards.
Bubby’s
120 Hudson St. (at N. Moore St.), 212-219- 0666, www.bubbys.com
Customers turned off by the jam-packed midday brunch at Bubby’s (or the eerily empty Dumbo location) have a new time slot—the restaurant recently started serving breakfast food from midnight to 7 a.m. Now, hungry late-nighters can enjoy eggs Florentine, fluffy pancakes and the restaurant’s grass-fed burgers. Although chef-owner Ron Silver says he’s also trying to appeal to the people who work until the wee hours of the morning, let’s be honest, the high-carb, highfat comfort food has a key drinking demographic.The menu’s inclusion of mimosas and bloody Marys serves to entice those willing to enjoy some huevos rancheros, but not quite ready to end their night.
Brass Monkey
55 Little W. 12th St. (betw. Washington St. & 10th Ave.), 212-675-6686, www.brassmonkeynyc.com
Brass Monkey, known for its slightly grungy rooftop bar, started its own $13 weekend brunch about three weeks ago. The menu is fairly standard—omelet of the day, pancakes, French toast—but while we’re still mourning Florent and waiting for the overpriced, underwhelming spots that clog the neighborhood to close, it is a welcome addition. If the basic menu doesn’t do much for you, the view of the recently reopened High Line should sweeten the deal.
