Tag Archives: Huevos Rancheros

Upscale & Unlimited: Brunch @ Yerba Buena

13 Dec

For some time now, I’ve been meaning to try the unlimited brunch at Yerba Buena’s Alphabet City location (Ave A btwn 1st/2nd Sts) and I finally satisfied my curiosity this weekend…  While I did have a few tiny issues with the service, I think the great food, cool atmosphere, and unlimited drink special (+$12 for all you can drink) make it a great brunch spot.

Chips n Sips

The restaurant itself is somewhat small but very tastefully decorated and has an upscale feel to it.  The Maitre D’ was involved in the service and often came over to see how we were doing which was nice; however, the wait staff did seem more interested in canoodling at the bar than at refilling our unlimited drinks.  Normally, I wouldn’t mind but since they do limit the drink special to an hour, the clock was a-ticking (although they did allow us a few more refills once our time was up). I started with a Jalapeno Bloody Mary (not on the menu – just ask) which was spicy and delish, but it was a bit of a procedure to get another.  Your best bet is to go with a mimosa -they had a pitcher pre-made so those were the easiest to have refilled.

Tilapia Taco-Mania!

We got things started with the guacamole + chips which was a really good dish – it was spicy and the queso fresco on top was a nice spin on it.  For an entree, I chose my go-to dish on the menu – the Huevos Rancheros!  The egg on top was a perfectly sized portion, the tortilla was crunchy and the sauce the dish sat in added some heat, I’m big fan.  Another entree on the table was the Tilapia Tacos which looked amazing (minus the fact that I don’t eat fish).

If you’re going to try out this LES Brunch hot spot, make sure you call in advance to make a reservation; you’ll spare yourself the headache of waiting for a table.  All in all, I’d say if you’re looking for an upscale unlimited brunch, and you don’t mind having a bit of patience, Yerba Buena is definitely worth a try.

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Brunch Above Par @ Agozar!

6 Dec

Sangria for Free-a!

Agozar, translated roughly, means “to enjoy yourself” and that’s exactly what this Cuban Restaurant on the Bowery (btwn Bond/Bleecker) is all about.  Everything about this resto is flamboyant and flashy, making it a perfect venue for a Saturday or Sunday party brunch, or just an unruly dinner amongst friends.  But hear this: head there on the weekend, order yourself a brunch entrée (about $9-14 each) and get UNLIMITED Sangria refills at NO extra cost.  Aye Carumba!

It's Hip to Dip

The Brunch menu includes Cuban staples and some interesting twists as well.  My brunch date Aimee and I started with the Mariquitas – plantain chips with guacamole, and black bean hummus – GET THESE.  They’re a perfect crunchy starter.

After a long time (we got our money’s worth of Sangria and THEN some), we ordered the Huevos Rancheros (sans pollo – we’re both veggers) and we had our eggs scrambled, rather than fried.  They were SO accommodating and made any changes we asked for at no charge!

Leggo My Huevos!

This dish was really good – the crispy tortillas beneath our pile-o-eggs sandwiched yummy black beans and the whole dish sat in a warm, smoky sauce.  I would HIGHLY recommend asking them for hot sauce if you like to add a little heat – their rendition is a homemade green jalapeno cream sauce – it brought everything to the next level.

Agozar brunch is definitely one spot you need to try; it will leave your belly and wallet full (our total bill was under $35 – WOW).  Also, check it out on Tuesday nights – book your reservation online (here) for 50% off all your food items from 8-11pm.   Get there – go AGOZAR yourselves.

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Freakin’ Weekend Roundup

15 Nov

Soooo I got into quite a few things this weekend – some of which I would recommend to you, my dear friends, others which I will warn you to stay clear of.  So let’s get right to it…

Home on 8th – In the wasteland that is the area surrounding Madison Square Garden, this modest BYOB Thai/Chinese fusion resto on 8th Ave (btwn 29th/30th) is a great spot for a quick pre-concert dinner where you can get a little buzz on for cheap!  Must Try: Peanut Butter Lovers steamed veggie/tofu dish. YUM.

VAMOS! –Let me translate for you: GO!  This Mexican eatery on 1st Ave (btwn 20th/21st) has brunch menu items in the $10 mark and for just $6 you get unlimited frozen margaritas.  The Huevos Rancheros were a fiesta in my mouth and my dining companion (and brother) Ian had a Michelado (Bloody Mary Mix + Corona) that wasn’t included in the special but was so good that it had him at “HOLA”.

Idle Hands – This new Rock’n’Roll bar (on Avenue B btwn 2nd/3rd Sts) fell short of my hopes and expectations.  I guess I was thinking it would be more of a “Pour Some Sugar On Me” spot than a “Freak On A Leash” type joint… the music was rough.  The fact that bartenders could only pour your drinks and then the waitresses had to come over and hand them to you was as WEAK as the drinks.  Say it with me: “liquor licenses first, open the bar second”.  It made no sense but LUCKILY the fabulous Billy Hurricane’s Bar was just a few steps upstairs and that place was SO MUCH FUN.  I’ve never had as many friends walk away from a party having left their credit cards at the bar – you wouldn’t think it, but this was the indication of a GREAT time.

That’s all for now folks… enjoy the rest of your Monday, take two advil and call me in the morning!

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