If you are looking for a lively and social brunch scene in Soho, check out these inviting spots.

Aurora - Soho, NYC

At Aurora in Soho, the magic of the Italian countryside is evident in both the rustic, cozy decor and in every bite that you take of their seasonally-inspired food. As is the custom in  Italy, all of the restaurant's pasta, bread and wonderful dessert creations, are made in-house. Aurora's kitchen is a busy place, indeed. The effort that everyone makes here, from the chef to the waitstaff is evident from the moment that you walk through the door.

For many busy New Yorkers weekend brunch is perhaps the most important meal of the week. It is a time when you can sit back, relax and re-connect with family and friends. The Brunch menu is so good that the food just might inspire you to put your smartphone away so that you can live in the moment. At Aurora, brunch is a tasty mix of breakfast dishes with an Italian twist, savory salads and selected entrees from the regular menu. Aurora's $22 Brunch Special includes your choice of entree along with a cocktail or freshly squeezed orange juice.

One  of their most popular choices is the irresistible Parma Benedict (Prosciutto di Parma, Burrata, Truffled Hollandaise sauce on an English Muffin with roasted potatoes and field greens.) Another traditional Italian breakfast choice is their classic Frittata. Your Frittata is filled with Acorn squash, Brussels Sprouts and Fontina cheese. Yummy doesn't even begin to describe this dish.

If you're in the mood for freshly made pasta, Aurora will not disappoint. Brunch portions of pasta include hand-cut Tagliatelle pasta with a traditional Bolognese Ragu. The Paccheri alla Norma consists of artisanal pasta with roasted eggplants, fresh tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella and pesto. One very un-traditional Brunch side is the superlative Parmesan and truffle-dusted French fries with aioli. You cannot go wrong with this distinctive Aurora take on fries. All Brunch cocktails are ten dollars and refills are available for only Five bucks.

Organic, seasonal and sustainable food with a charming Italian accent are the secrets to Aurora's success.

Location and Hours

510 Broome street
New York, NY 10013
(212) 334-9020
www.aurorasoho.com

Hours:  
Mon-Thu:  12-11 PM
Friday:   12 PM to 12 AM
Saturday: 11 AM to 12 AM
Sunday:   11 AM to 10 PM

The Cupping Room Cafe, NYC

One of the oldest restaurants in New York's historic neighborhood, The Cupping Room Cafe has been satisfying the appetites of local residents since 1977. In a city that's always on the move, where restaurants come and go, this longevity is a testimony to the quality of food and service that are the hallmarks of the Cupping Room.

The full liquor and coffee bar certainly plays an important role in the cafe's popularity, as does the eclectic decor which includes a rather eye-catching pot-belly stove. Don't fret, they won't cook your food inside it. The exposed brick walls and the scintillating freshly-cut flowers that are placed on every table, add a very home-spun, cozy touch. On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, they offer a really great prix-fixe dinner for only $21.95 which is certainly worth looking into. But, the Cupping Room (even the name is so very old-school), is justly celebrated for their Brunch offerings. This is All-American breakfast and brunch food is done right.

All Muffins, danishes, Croissants, Biscotti and date-nut bread are fresh, every day because they don't have far to travel at all, everything is baked in-house. Their stuffed French Toast is to die for, consisting of a heavenly blend of cream cheese, granola, nuts and raisins. The Southern Mix (make sure you are really hungry) is comprised of a Waffle, fluffy pancakes or French toast with eggs any style and a choice of bacon, sausage or black forest ham. Omelet choices come with home fries, french fries or a salad. The apples and cheddar omelet is extremely popular as is the Spinach and Ricotta omelet. Their signature omelet is the mushroom with Jarlsberg cheese. Don't miss out on this dish.

Juice offerings range from the standard OJ, Cranberry and Grapefruit to more esoteric options such as Peach juice. You have got to try the signature Frozen Lemonanna, a blend of lemonade, honey and fresh mint. By the way, there are free refills on the Iced Tea, Iced coffee and on all sodas. The barista will also be happy to mix up a Macchiato, Americano, or Cafe Mocha to go with your brunch. Hot White Chocolate is also available.

Location and Hours

359 West Broadway
New York, NY 10013
(212) 925-2898
www.cuppingroomcafe.com

Hours:  

Mon-Tues-Wed: 7:30 AM to 12 AM
Thu-Fri:      7:30 AM to 2 AM
Sat-Sunday:   8 AM to 12 AM

Hundred Acres - Soho, NYC

Fresh and local ingredients are the key that makes every dish at Hundred Acres in Soho memorable and delicious.

The room itself is warm and inviting with French doors framing the entrance. The restaurant is decorated with large photographs of the great outdoors, giving you the feel of being in a rural farmhouse. In the warmer weather, you can enjoy brunch in their charming backyard garden. Having brunch at Hundred Acres is like taking a day trip to the Hudson Valley. It's the kind of place where you can sit down, gently exhale and enjoy both physically and mentally.

Pastry selections include cornbread with honey butter, zucchini-Pecan Bread and a Southern-style buttermilk muffin. The chef here does a wonderful Goat cheese and sage bread Pudding with poached eggs, wilted spinach and lemon butter. The poached eggs platter is served with collard greens, sweet corn and white bean succotash. Soft scrambled eggs are blended with a mash-up of zucchini, scallions, gruyere cheese, chives and creme' fraiche. The different flavors, unexpectedly work well together.

Their signature brunch item and one of the most popular dishes on the menu is the fried egg Muffaletta sandwich. It is New Orleans on a plate. Thick and satisfying, the sandwich consists of ham, mortadella, mozzarella, pickled peppers, olives, and dijon aioli.

Forget the caffeine fix and lose the coffee for one brunch weekend. Instead, try one of Hundred Acres Mocktails. Options include the Rosemary Ricky (fresh lime juice with Rosemary) and the light and refreshing cucumber lemonade.

Location and Hours

38 MacDougal street
New York, NY 10012
(212) 475-7500
www.hundredacresnyc.com

Brunch Hours:  

Sat & Sun:  10:30 AM to 3 PM

Jane - Soho, NYC

Jane is a casual American bistro located on the border of Soho and Greenwich Village where you can indulge all of your senses. The vibe here is smart, sophisticated and comforting in everything from the sleek, modern yet cozy decor to the enticing food. Once that you experience their warm hospitality and innovative cuisine, you will return to Jane, time and again. The creatively designed wooden furnishings set the tone. Jane's overall ambiance is country meets the West Village.

Brunch selections are simply outstanding. Each dish has its very own distinct personality. Many of the ingredients that the kitchen uses in their food will surprise you. Expect (and savor) the unexpected. For example, the kitchens signature Crepe adds Mascarpone cheese to a mix of smoked salmon, scrambled eggs and chives. The Vanilla Bean French toast is made with Brioche bread, a creme Brulee butter and is topped off with real Vermont maple syrup. For a hearty brunch dish, try the biscuits and eggs. You will want to sop-up every last, delicious drop of the sausage gravy.

A perennial customer favorite is the Jane Benedict. Perfectly done poached eggs are placed atop crab and crawfish cakes with a mound of spinach and a velvety smooth Hollandaise sauce. You might want to think about ordering a pastry basket for the table as well. Just take a bite out of their flavorful candied bacon scone and you'll see what everyone is talking about.

At Jane, Brunch time is also Happy Hour, so to speak. A complimentary cocktail is served with each entree. Choices include the Best Bloody Mary, a Passion fruit screwdriver, the Rhubarb Fizz and an Italian classic re-invented, the White Peach Bellini.

Location and Hours

100 west Houston street
New York, NY, 10012
(212) 254-7000
www.janerestaurant.com

Hours:   
Mon-Tue: 11:30 AM to 10 PM
Wed-Thu: 11:30 AM to 11 PM
Friday:  11:30 AM to 12 PM
Saturday: 9 AM to 12 AM
Sunday:    9 AM to 10 PM

Chalk Point Kitchen - Soho, NYC

Acclaimed restaurateur Matt Levine and Michelin starred chef Joe Isidori, are the talented team behind Chalk Point
Kitchen, a Soho standby for Brunch, lunch and dinner.

One of the best dining experiences that you will have, anywhere in the city, Chalk Point is named after the Oyster beds, just off Manhattan Island, that were a favorite of both the Native American Lenape Tribe and the Dutch settlers.  Kalck Hoek is Dutch for Chalk Point.

Chef Joe Isidori brings a wealth of experience to the table at Chalk Point. Previously, Joe held the title of Executive Chef for Donald Trump, re-inventing the menus at Trump's various resorts and properties including the Mar-a-Lago Golf course and country club.

One of the pioneers of the sustainable seafood movement, Chef Joe left the Trump empire to open his own restaurant,  Southfork Kitchen in the Hamptons. In between his multitude of ventures, Chef Joe even found the time to go up against Chef Bobby Flay on the Food Networks hit show, Iron Chef.

Chalk Point Kitchen will only work with farms that practice environmentally friendly and sustainable policies. Animals must be treated in a humane manner. In addition to shopping the Downtown farmers markets, Chef Joe brings in meat, fish, veggies and fruits from respected fishmongers on Long Island and from upstate farms. Satur Farms, Blue Moon, Dickson's Farmstand Meats and Flying Pigs Farms are some of the natural and organic purveyors who work with Chalk Point.

The farm to table menu has some very interesting, multi-cultural influences that you are sure to enjoy. Oysters are, of course, prominently featured on the menu as are many other deliciously different seafood dishes. Chalk Points brunch menu is varied and there is sure to be a dish or two that will appeal to every taste. All Benedicts and egg plates are made with organic, Lancaster County Amish farm eggs. There are six Benedict selections available, including the classic eggs Benedict with Virginia ham, Maine Peekytoe Crab, market avocado and cold smoked salmon. What's your favorite?

Fresh Brunch salads, like the organic Kale, handmade Burrata and roasted heirloom carrot come with griddled eggs. Brunch snacks range from organic Greek yogurt, smashed avocado on toast and homemade Blueberry muffins, to fried green tomatoes and roasted beets with Goat cheese.

Chalk Point is a feel-good place, where you, the customer are the focus of attention.

Location and Hours

527 Broome street
New York, NY, 10013
(212) 390-0327
www.chalkpointkitchen.com

Hours      
Mon-Fri: 12 PM to 12 AM
Sat-Sun: 11 AM to 1 AM