Best Brunch in Park Slope - Brooklyn, NY
Grab a few precious hours of quality time over the weekend at these great brunch spots in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
Benchmark - Park Slope
The decor at this intimate restaurant blends a sexy and chic bistro-like vibe with a chill, relaxed ambiance.
So, it's hard to believe that, between the roaring twenties and the forties, the space that now occupies Benchmark was used as an ice house and a transport hub for goods that arrived on the banks of the Gowanus Canal.
These myriad items were transported from the dirty waters of the canal through a series of mysterious underground tunnels, several of which converged at the north-west corner of Fifth Avenue and 2nd Street.
During the renovation of the site, where Benchmark now sits, the workers found several old surveyor's and architect's tools. A benchmark, by the way, refers to a surveyor's mark that is used as a reference point in tidal elevations and surveys.
But, the re-purposed grittiness of the location is part of the only- in- Brooklyn appeal of this uber-popular Park Slope restaurant. However, the history and atmosphere, as enthralling as it may be, takes second place to the delicious menu that has been created by chef Ryan Jaronik.
Focused on pasture raised animals and locally grown produce, chef Ryan's scrumptious menu features a section of premium cuts of meat including a 24-ounce bone-in Ribeye. The steaks are juicy and the pork chops are tender as can be.
Park Slope's brunch-goers, though, have fallen in love with Benchmark's very special two courses $18 prix-fixe menu. FYI, all dishes are also available a la carte, should you prefer that option.
The first-course prix-fixe choices include organic seasonal lettuce, dressed with crisp yuca, strawberries and goat cheese in a spectacular truffle vinaigrette.
Also available to whet your appetite is a serving of fresh goat's milk yoghurt with fruit and house-made granola as well as roasted tomato soup with peekytoe crab.
Second-course options run the delicious gamut of eggs, omelettes and Benedicts to strawberry stuffed French toast.
Both early and late weekend risers adore the savory Benchmark burger, which is dry-aged and topped with choice of Gruyere, cheddar, goat or blue cheese.
One of chef Ryan's more popular dishes is the made from scratch biscuits and gravy with eggs. The sausage gravy is savory beyond belief. You will want to sop up every ounce of it with those flaky, buttery biscuits.
Whatever dish you settle on ( and it will be one tough decision), add a side of their outrageous home fries that come with Gruyere cheese and a habanero salsa.
When it comes to ordering a drink or two, Benchmark's bar keeps knowing how to shake and stir a divine cocktail. But, if you are not in the mood for alcohol, then go for their one of a kind Vanilla roasted lemonade.
Location and Contact Info
339A 2nd Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 965-7040
Alchemy - Park Slope
Brought to you by industry veteran, Kevin Read, who was the bartender at Lucky Strike, his newest venture is set in what used to be a hardware store.
Alchemy is a game-changer in so many ways. The medieval alchemists were celebrated as magicians who could, rumor has it, turn lead into gold. Well, no matter what mood you happen to be in when you walk through the door, a huge grin will suddenly appear on your face. And your thirst and appetite will be satiated no end.
This cozy, London-style pub boasts a bar that is over one hundred years old as well as comfy booths that are just perfect for a date. Exposed filament bulbs provide atmospheric lighting and there's a quiet, hidden garden out back that ups the romance factor, considerably.
The Victorian era, with a trendy edge, is alive and well in Park Slope.
Now, you can't do brunch here without trying a couple of their delicious and satisfying signature dishes. The fried bangers ( English sausages) doused in maple syrup and the Guinness-infused pancakes. Suds with your flapjacks? Come on; how much better can a Saturday morning get?
Well, the brunch game at Alchemy has a score of winners, from their Brioche French toast, Chorizo eggs with Jalapeno grits and Tofu scramble to their homemade corned beef hash with eggs as you like 'em.
Available for brunch or dinner are the Alchemy shells and cheese which are topped with peas, bacon and breadcrumbs.
Also on offer is a vegan and gluten-free veggie burger on an onion brioche bun. Toppings include lettuce, tomato and a shallot confit.
A right and proper brunch, as the English would say, should always include a delectable cocktail or two.
The bartenders here are true alchemists, as it were when it comes to mixing up enchanting elixirs and potions.
Rave reviews are par for the course when you take a sip of The Brooklyn, a blend of Rittenhouse rye, sweet vermouth and Maraschino cherry liqueur.
A generous pour of bourbon sets the tone for The Slippery Slope, whose companions in your glass include lemon juice, mint and simple syrup.
Location and Contact Info
56 5th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(728) 636- 4385
Miti Miti - Park Slope
This colorful restaurant offers contemporary Mexican cuisine and a "family style" dining experience that focuses on both small and large plates that are meant to be shared by family and friends.
The Miti Miti way of life is meant to evoke, not just the sharing of delicious food, but people coming together for great conversation and merriment. Miti Miti, whose name comes from the Spanish slang for half and half, is all about building lasting memories.
The team behind Miti Miti is comprised of restaurant industry upstarts, George Constantinou and Farid Ali Lancheros.
In 2005, the enterprising duo opened up their first restaurant, Bogota Latin Bistro, after winning over $20,000, cash and business-related services in Power Up-Citi Group Foundation's inaugural business plan competition.
The contest fielded over 125 competitors who were some of the most creative entrepreneurs that Brooklyn had to offer.
Prior to opening the doors of Bogota Latin Bistro, neither George or Farid had ever owned a restaurant before. But, after thousands of hours doing research and internships, this dynamic duo developed a vision and a plan. One that definitely impressed the local community. They haven't looked back since!
With ten years of success under their belt at Bogota Latin Bistro, the team felt that it was time to expand their horizons and embark on a second venture, Miti Miti, which debuted in 2015.
A great deal of thought and innovation has been put into their brunch menu, which offers more choices and adventurous enticements than you will find in your standard "hipster" Brooklyn brunch menu.
The weekend excitement starts with Miti Miti's famous Boozy Brunch. With the purchase of any entree (plus $20 per person), you are entitled to one and a half hours of unlimited Mimosas, Bloody Marys or beer.
Or you can upgrade your brunch experience and go VIP for $25 per person. This option offers unlimited Sangrias, Sangritas or frozen Margaritas in addition to the selections offered with the basic boozy brunch.
If you are a fan of fruit-based drinks, then the flavored Margaritas are well worth looking into. Luscious flavors include Guava, coconut, passion fruit, mango, hibiscus and pineapple.
Avocado toast with multi-grain bread leads off Miti Miti's fabulous array of brunch appetizers. Other delights include baked goat cheese, mushroom croquetas and Mexican street corn.
They have some very intriguing From The Griddle options such as fried chicken and waffles, Nutella French toast and pancakes with a hibiscus citrus glaze with bananas. These dishes come with a choice of a scrambled or fried egg, fruit salad, Colombian chorizo or a veggie sausage.
The talented chefs at Miti Miti have got your back when it comes to making sure that you don't have to settle for the same old, boring brunch plates.
For something tasty and different, try their Arepa eggs, Benedict. Two sweet corn cakes are topped with sauteed kale, poached eggs and a spicy chorizo gravy with a side of potato hash.
The Camarones a la Diabla consists of poached eggs, chipotle sriracha buttered shrimp, white rice, pico de gallo and crispy shallots.
Also available at brunch is a selection of their celebrated tacos, which are served on authentic corn tortillas and come with yellow rice, beans and maduros.
The All Day breakfast tacos are filled with fried eggs, chorizo, black beans and a to die for Guajillo sauce.
House-made jalapeno hummus, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale and mushrooms bring vibrant taste to the Green Goddess taco.
Location and Contact Info
138 Fifth Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(718) 230-3760
Kiwiana - Park Slope
Fancy a little art with your brunch eggs? Then Kiwiana, a cozy restaurant that specializes in New Zealand-style grub, is right up your alley.
The minimalist walls of chef Mark Simmons' restaurant are adorned by a rotating collection of paintings from young, up and coming artists.
The place even has its' very own art curator, Kate Spencer. Kate travels to New Zealand, several times a year, in search of artists who she can showcase at Kiwiana. Most of the paintings depict scenes from everyday life in the land down under and evoke the natural, majestic beauty of the countryside.
Because chef Simmons uses only the freshest, seasonal ingredients, the menu at Kiwiana is constantly changing. You will never get bored eating here.
Brunch starters include Anzac porridge with poached pears. This warm dish makes a great change from your usual granola and yogurt standby. The house-made scones with strawberry jam and butter are to die for.
Local vegetarians love the chef's delicious green market veggie omelet that comes with potato hash.
Feeling ravenous? Then the Fry-Up has got your name on it. This filling dish consists of two eggs your way, toast, bacon, sausage, roasted tomato and that can't get enough of it potato hash.
Satisfy your sweet tooth in a very creative and tasty way with the Chai-spiced French toast The whipped cream is made right in the kitchen and the juicy berries are always market fresh.
The menu also has an awesome Kiwi Burger that's available for brunch or dinner. Your all-beef patty is topped with a fried egg, pineapple, cheese and beetroot. It comes with fries that are hand-cut, never frozen.
To wash everything down, the bar offers some great cocktails including the Perfect Date, which is made with champagne, raspberries and rose water.
Vodka, elderflower and Kiwi fruit puree' are the highlights of the Khaki Pants and Hawaiian Shirt, a drink that will certainly make your day!
They also carry a full line of beer that's imported from New Zealand. And they know how to brew some great craft beer in that neck of the woods.
Location and Contact Info
847 Union Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 230-3682
Miriam - Park Slope
If you've lived in New York for any length of time, then you are probably more than familiar with the Middle Eastern cuisine.
Whether your meal is from a street vendor near your apartment or you have had the pleasure of indulging in a fine dining experience, then you already know just how delicious a plate of well-made falafel or lamb shawarma can be.
But, that having been said, there is so much more to this delicious comfort food than meets the eye. Right now, there is a growing buzz among foodies about Israeli cuisine. And the lion's share of credit for that belongs to a cozy Brooklyn restaurant called Miriam.
At Miriam, chef and owner Rafael Hasid serves up delectable dishes that are uniquely and distinctly Israeli. Chef Rafael believes that Israeli food is as close to a true world cuisine as one can get.
It is a blend of Kosher traditions, Eastern European Jewish classics and Middle Eastern influences. And the use of flavorful herbs, spices and veggies is true to the celebrated Mediterranean diet. Young, contemporary Israeli chefs like Rafael make great use of ingredients such as figs, thyme, marjoram and pomegranates. These are some of the flavors that Rafael loved when he was growing up in Tel Aviv.
A proud graduate of the French Culinary Institute, Rafael named his Brooklyn restaurant after his mother. Even though Miriam still lives in Tel Aviv, she makes the trip out to Brooklyn every year to visit her son and do a little cooking in the restaurant. Miriam's is a true family affair.
You can get a basic American cheese and spinach omelet at any diner in the city. You don't need to visit Miriam's for that sort of stuff.
However, what you DO need to order here are the delightfully mixed mushroom, thyme and fontina cheese omelet. Accompanied by mixed greens, toast and home fries, this is an omelet to be reckoned with.
Also on the brunch menu is something called Mediterranean crispy dough which is like nothing else you've ever eaten. This dish is served with two eggs your way plus a side of shredded tomatoes, spicy harissa and pickles.
Another delectable brunch choice is the Israeli breakfast, which consists of eggs with Labneh cheese, an Israeli salad, potatoes and pita bread.
The signature brunch dish at Miriam's and one of their most popular offerings is the Shakshuka.
Chef Rafael does it two ways. The traditional version has two eggs that are poached in a tomato and pepper sauce, with a side of hummus and warm pita bread. The heat factor is kicked up a notch or two in chef's green Shakshuka.
This lively dish consists of a couple of eggs that are baked inside a cast iron skillet with a blend of tomatillo, poblano peppers, onions, garlic, cilantro and feta cheese.
Should you be in more of a traditional brunch mode, no worries. Miriam's serves all the popular favorites including Challah French Toast and your choice of blueberry, chocolate chip or anything but plain pancakes. The secret is, it's all about how you make the batter!
Location and Contact Info
79 Fifth Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(718) 622-2250
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