Over the past two years, New York City has seen an enormous amount of All You Can Drink (AYCD) brunch spots pop up. I have taken it upon myself to try many of them - hey who doesn’t like unlimited mimosas with the company of your friends on a lazy Sunday afternoon!? Here is a great list of AYCD brunch spots compiled by Wined and Dined (some of my favorites include Essex, HK Cafe, PS 450 and Bondi Road).
This weekend I was lucky enough go to Barbounia, a Mediterranean restaurant located in Flatiron/Gramercy, for their AYCD brunch. Add on $15 to any entree on the menu and get a never ending flow of Champagne cocktails with your meal. I had been to Barbounia before for a lunchtime office holiday party and was pretty underwhelmed, especially since I had heard good reviews from those who have eaten there before for both brunch and dinner. Brunch however did not disappoint, the dishes were flavor packed with Mediterranean and Greek spices, the service was excellent, and the decor is breathtaking with its high arched ceilings and long oak carved tables.
We started with a few appetizers to share amongst the whole group. First came the platter of five spreads: hummus, tzatziki, roasted eggplant, taramousalata, and spicy feta, as well as a plate of falafel. This falafel was not your average run of the mill street cart variety, the ingredients were extremely fresh and they were perfectly crisped on the outside and moist and flavorful on the inside. Additionally, alongside your appetizers they provide you with huge complementary loaves of thick and buttery bread, almost comparable to an Indian style naan. This bread proved to be the perfect accompaniment to our assortment of Mediterranean spreads.
I wasn’t able to try everyone’s food, but here are the three dishes I was able to attack! First was my own order, the Crab Benedict, which consisted of jumbo lump crab meat, spinach & truffle oil on top of an english muffin, served with a side of home fries. It was a lot more fishy (both smelling and tasting) then I had expected, which put me off a bit. Let’s just say it was not my favorite dish of the afternoon.
Next was the Moroccan eggs with lamb, which arrived in a sizzling skillet filled with sunny-side up eggs in tomato sauce, lamb, paprika & garlic. This seems to be one of their signature dishes and I would really recommend it to anyone who has brunch here. The lamb was perfectly tender and the tomato sauce on the eggs had a bit of a kick (For all those who are vegetarian, this dish is also served with out the lamb).
Last was the Barbounia burger , the all-star of the three dishes. The burger was made with Black Angus beef and topped with pancetta, Vermont cheddar cheese & harissa aioli. It was perfectly cooked - extremely moist, juicy and flavorful. The fries that accompanied it were thin cut, crispy, and perfectly seasoned. For burger lovers, this is a must try!
We finished off the feast with a dessert to share amongst the group, Apple Crisps, served with maple ice cream & caramel sauce. Not really the most adventurous thing on the dessert menu - but nonetheless this classic was done right, satisfied everyone’s sweet tooth and was the perfect end to the meal.
Barbounia
250 Park Ave South
New York, NY 10003
(212) 995-0242
Website
Price: $$$
8AM, Jun 15 2011
