Restaurants

Sarabeth's Kitchen, Upper West Side

New York City is famous for, among other things, its vast array of restaurant options. Nowhere else in America are there as many dining options, from the haute cuisine of Le Bernardin to the grab-it-and-go hot dog stands, as NYC. After living there for years and dining out more than my budget should have allowed, I can definitively say that Sarabeth’s Kitchen is my favorite restaurant for brunch in the city. Anyone traveling to New York for a fun-filled urban vacation would have a happy breakfast or lunch here.

Brunch is more than a meal here at Sarabeth’s. It’s a downright cultural movement. The proprietor, Sarabeth Levine, started out with a simple bakery, and it is these baked items that elevate the restaurant above the standard toast/eggs combo of brunch specials at city diners. The scones and muffins are among the best I’ve had.

My favorite brunch at Sarabeths? Easy. The garden omelette, with a pumpkin muffin on the side, never fails to distract me from any conversation. It’s almost embarrassing how I find myself compelled to “ooh and ahh” over a meal that I’ve had dozens of times. The lemon ricotta pancakes are a close second. Even the homemade jams are outstanding – don’t pass on the baked goods, or you won’t get to use them! My dining partner has a preference for the red omelette – its blend of cheese, sour cream, and tomatoes makes for real comfort food.

There are several Sarabeth’s Kitchens in New York City. The coziest one, however, has got to be at 423 Amsterdam Ave (at 80th St.) on the Upper West Side. The one at 1295 Madison Ave (at 92nd) also has a warm, inviting ambience. The Sarabeth’s Kitchen at the Whitney ( 945 Madison and 75th St.) is somewhat more sterile, perhaps in keeping with its home in the

museum. And while Sarabeth’s Central Park South (40 CPS) is sleek and lovely, the horses that wait across the street contribute a somewhat “manure-y” smell to the area immediately around the restaurant entranceway. The Upper East and Upper West Side Sarabeths are as close to perfect that a mellow, comfortable, and delicious brunch restaurant can be.

It’s been a while since I lived in New York City. Every time I go back, the one restaurant I always make time for is Sarabeth’s Kitchen. It is simply my favorite brunch in the city.