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If I had to choose my favorite meal of the day it would be breakfast/brunch. I love eating omelettes, pancakes, waffles, eggs, yogurt, etc. I could eat breakfast for any meal of the day. Brunch is a New Yorkers favorite past time. If your not brunching on at Saturday morning with your friends, did you even enjoy the weekend? If you walk around during the early hours of the morning, it will seem as if everyone in the city is out for brunch. Every restaurant is busy, some you have to make a reservation to even step foot. Brunch does not have to be a fancy occasion, there are plenty of great, casual spots. Here are a few of my favorites.
Citizens of Chelsea
Citizens of Chelsea is an Australian owned restaurant in the heart of, well Chelsea (there is also one in Gramercy). There isn’t many gluten free options but they do have gluten free bread so avocado toast is usually what I get. I used to get the beet toast but haven’t seen it on the menu in a while. What I really want to get the fluffy chocolate pancakes because it looks SO good, but unfortunately it is not GF. Citizens is a restaurant and a coffee shop. I have gone plenty of times for meetings or to just hangout and drink matcha. The place has really cute decor with a neon light sign that says Home for the Holidays. This is a great place to take friends or family. A quick casual spot that is delicious.
BEC
I WANT TO EAT HERE EVERYDAY! It is SO good! I’ve never been one for breakfast sandwiches but I can’t stop craving BEC. The only thing I get on the menu is the farm house sandwich and add avocado. Just thinking about it makes me happy. I have taken my parents here a few times and some friends, they seem to really enjoy what they get. Maybe someday I’ll try something new, but I think we have a good thing going on, why ruin it? BEC is a casual restaurant that you can pop in at anytime (well until they close at 4pm). It is a very small restaurant with only a few tables. It is my current favorite Sunday morning meal when I am too lazy to get up and do anything. Oh, they also have gluten free bread!!
Penelope’s
I used to religiously go to Penelope’s for every meal when I lived in Gramercy. It has been a long time since I have eaten there, but remember the food being good. For breakfast I usually ordered the farmer’s omelette or the blueberry pancakes. If you go there during lunch or dinner the salads are good and so is the veggie burger. I am not sure if they have gluten free options as I have not been there since going GF, but it looks as if there are plenty of non-gluten options. The decor is so cute with light blue walls and flowers on every table. It gets pretty busy so I suggest getting there early or you will be waiting.