When we’re in New York one of our favorite things to do is go out for brunch. And by brunch, I mean eating breakfast a little later than usual. And by breakfast I mean things like eggs, pancakes, porridge and other breakfasty things. Back in Rome there has been a flurry of restaurants offering ‘brunch.’ At first I was really excited and gladly perused all the lists of places where I thought we could go out to have eggs Benedict or even a stack of pancakes. No such luck. As it turns out Roman restauranteurs have co-opted the word ‘brunch’ to mean ‘uninspiring buffet served on Sundays at lunch time for a fixed fee. Almost always featuring some form of inexpensive starch-based salad including couscous, rice and/or some trendy grain like farro.’ No thank you. On our last morning in New York we got a brunch so good that it will hopefully satisfy our brunchy cravings for at least a few weeks now that we are back in Rome. Peels is just the type of place I wish some one would open in Rome. Located on the ever more gentrified Bowery, the restaurant is set on two floors and feels more like a country Inn than New York diner. The place is open all day long , and the menu rotates all the way from early morning pastries to late night cocktails. But as far as I’m concerned, it’s the biscuits that are the thing. Big, fluffy, buttery buttermilk biscuits. They have a item called ‘build your own biscuit’ where you can order just about any combo of eggs and cured meat to stuff inside. My niece Scarlett chose classic eggs and bacon and was very happy. Even though she had a hard time wrapping her little mouth around the 4 inch high pile, she managed to make all gone. Domenico, my brother-in-law Phil and I went straight for the hard core biscuits with poached eggs and sausage gravy. Yes. I said sausage gravy. Our table also managed such classics as buttermilk flapjacks and farmer’s breakfast. Of course my sister Robin tried to stay healthy and ordered granola which – with gooey fruit compote at the bottom and rich labne yogurt on top – was as satisfying as any of our more gluttonous choices. Back in Rome, now embarked on the annual January ‘eat less’ mode, I guess I’m glad there is no Peels tempting me out for a Sunday morning brunchy blow out. Just kidding.
Peels
325 Bowery
New York 646-602-7015
oooooohhhhhhhh looks gorgeous… am going to NY in March and will definitely check it out!!
lovely post about my least favorite meal..sorry but I am not a brunch person. I always feel terrible all day when I start my day with such a heavy buttery meal. I prefer the italian power breakfast, espresso and maybe a brioche…maybe:)
@Annette: Ah…well that explains how you can live on just juice! 🙂
Ah……the American breakfast/brunch, not in Paris, not in Rome and not all the time but now and then, the best!
Oh thank goodness you are back home because your NYC posts have been making me sooo homesick!! And there is nothing, nothing that I miss more than a yummy brunch. 🙂
Talk about biscuits and gravy…..Come to Wilmington and you can even order a side of grits!!!
did you eat Lobster Rolls at Marys Fish Camp on Charles or at Lukes on E81st- omg so perfect!!!
s it turns out Roman restauranteurs have co-opted the word ‘brunch’ to mean ‘uninspiring buffet served on Sundays at lunch time for a fixed fee. Almost always featuring some form of inexpensive starch-based salad including couscous, rice and/or some trendy grain like farro.’
lol. Thank you so much for saying this. It drives me crazy.
I`m going to New York next week, looking forward to trying it out..thank you
@kmerc: Yes, I know. I drives all of us ex-pats crazy. It’s such a tease!
Rome may not be the best place for brunch, but it has a lock on all the other meals. I love and appreciate eating in NYC (I am a local), but Rome sets my taste buds on fire. Something tells me, that given time to think about it, Rome will conquer brunch as well. ;P