Where's good place to have Sunday brunch for one in New York?

Question

I'll be in NY this weekend, but my date and I have to split up Sunday AM during prime brunch hours. All my NYC friends are out of town, but I don't want to miss out on the best meal of the week. Any suggestions for a place that's good to fly solo? I find that places that allow dining at a counter/bar are usually easiest to carry off. No neighborhood in particular, but I'll be staying in midtown.

Answer 1

I can't believe nobody mentioned Essex yet!

Bonus: Sugar Sweet Sunshine Cupcakes down the block for dessert.

Answer 2

I think The View is a good place to go to alone. It has a beautiful view of times square and it rotates (not to drastically).

Answer 3

Pancakes in central park

Answer 4

There are many places. If you feel self conscious, bring a book or newspaper, but try these great spots:

Comfort Diner  214 East 45 St off Third Ave

212 867-4555

Beacon 25 West 56 St, between Fifth and Sixth Aves

212 332-0500

Oscar's at the Waldorf=Astoria

Answer 5

My favorite place to go alone is Bagel Zone (Ave A and 3rd St).  My favorite bagels -- and the oatmeal with blueberries, cranberries, and banana is absolutely awesome.

Answer 6

Via Quadronno, on 74th and Madison Ave. Nice decor and exquisite breakfast. No scrambled eggs with bacon though! The best Cappuccino and Croissants and yes, there are some "sweet cupcakes and or muffins".

Answer 7

I am from New York City so here are a few places:

What do you want in a brunch? Bloody Marys as strong as the coffee, no line (or at least a fast-moving one, which rules out perennial favorites Prune, Diner, and Clinton Street Baking Co.), and enough choices to satisfy your bacon-lovin’ brother and your vegan aunt. Herewith, the ten best brunches for every situation:

GRAND SPACE FOR IN-LAW INTRODUCTIONS AND OTHER DELICATE FIRST ENCOUNTERS

Eleven Madison Park

11 Madison Ave.; 212-889-0905

What to get: Pecan-praline pancakes, or torchon of foie gras with Venezuelan cocoa and quince—while you still can.

Wallsé

344 W. 11th St.; 212-352-2300

What to get: Wiener schnitzel to start, Kaiserschmarm to finish.

202

75 Ninth Ave.; 646-638-0115

What to get: The full English breakfast or the chicken curry.

Freemans

Freeman Alley, off Rivington St.; 212-420-0012

What to get: Artichoke dip to share, smoked trout with horseradish cream and buttered toast, and bananas Foster.

Cookshop

156 Tenth Ave.; 212-924-4440

What to get: Huevos rancheros or Catskill rainbow trout with white-Cheddar grits and maple-ancho-chile butter

Alias

76 Clinton St.; 212-505-5011

What to get: Cornmeal waffle and fried chicken, or the carnitas breakfast burrito, a holdover from the late aKa Cafe.

Centovini

25 W. Houston St.; 212-219-2113

What to get: Fried eggs—duck or quail—with whatever seasonal garnishes chef Patti Jackson lugs back from the Greenmarket, and a bomboloni for the road.

Public

210 Elizabeth St.; 212-343-7011

What to get: Turkish eggs on garlic yogurt, or sweet-potato-and-Feta tortilla

Fatty Crab

643 Hudson St.; 212-352-3590

What to get: An incendiary Bloody, “Fatty sliders,” and Zak Pelaccio’s funky, porky take on bacon and eggs.

Aquavit

65 E. 55th St.; 212-307-7311

What to get: Sunday’s Swedish spread is stocked with all the herring, gravlax, and meatballs you can eat; $48 includes a Carlsberg.