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BRUNCH IT UP!: 3 BOOZY BRUNCH SPOTS IN NYC (GIVEAWAY INCLUDED)

17 DISHES YOU GOTTA TRY DURING NYC RESTAURANT WEEK TO-GO

HOT TODDIES FOR THE SEASON

10 FALL INSPIRED DISHES TO TRY!

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IZAKAYA JURAKU

BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES IN HOSPITALITY TO SUPPORT NOW AND ALWAYS: PART 2

BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES IN HOSPITALITY TO SUPPORT NOW AND ALWAYS: PART 1

While brunch might be the most lit meal of the day, choosing the right spot to ‘brunch it up’ is just as important. To help you out a bit, we decided to test out the mimosa-laden waters ourselves, at three locations across the city that you should definitely add to your brunch list. From live DJ sets to bottomless options, you won’t be forgetting (or will you?) this brunch experience anytime soon. We enjoyed ourselves so much that we are teaming up with our new favorite brunch spots to give away a brunch experience. More on that below!

Queens Bully

We made our way to Queens Bully located in Forest Hills, Queens to check out their bumping Weekend Brunch. They have been on our list for a while because of their drool-worthy grub. Every Saturday you can catch a live DJ spinning nothing but the hits. While DJ Avi was gracing us with his sounds, we opted to grab a seat in their outdoor seating area.

Indoor Seating

DJ Avi

Outdoor Seating

While everything on the menu looked like brunch heaven, we went with the Chicken Benny made with fried chicken, house-cured bacon, 2 poached eggs, and hollandaise on a ciabatta. I can say I have never had a fried chicken egg benedict, or even see one on a menu, but boy did we make the right decision. The chicken was crispy, eggs runny, and ciabatta fluffy. It was a perfect harmony made in that brunch heaven I mentioned.

One of their most popular dishes is the Down South Pulled Pork Biscuits, made with damn bro bbq sauce, and pulled pork on top of a buttermilk biscuit, so of course, we had to go with that option, and the flavors were perfection. So much it will leave you saying “Damn, Bro!” To share, we ordered the also popular Nana’s French Toast made with brioche and topped with bananas, chocolate chips, and

maple syrup. I loved that brioche was used for the bread and the combo of sweet banana and chocolate chips were on point. We didn’t make it to dessert, but Queens Bully recently introduced three flavors of the very good and NYC-based ‘Mikey Likes It’ Ice Cream to the menu, in flavors like Pink Floyd, Brady Bunch, and Foxy Brown. We will definitely be back for a few scoops. For cocktails, we went with the 1nce Again, made with gin, genepy, cucumber, mint leaves, lime juice, demerara syrup, and egg white, in addition to We the People made with merlet cognac, apple juice, cinnamon syrup, and lemon juice. I enjoyed the We the People a bit more, but both were great complements to our brunch spread, Luckily there six options to choose from all created with a different spirit. If you wanted to go the bottomless route you should definitely do their unlimited mimosas or bellinis on Saturdays, which is $35 per person for 90 minutes, with the purchase of an entree. Flavors include peach, mango, strawberry, and watermelon. Now, that’s what I’m talking about. Peep the full menu here, and reservations can be made via Yelp.

Down South Pulled Pork Biscuits

Chicken Benny with Side Salad

Nana’s French Toast

1nce Again and We the People

Toro Loco

We made our way to Downtown Manhattan for a Mexican brunch at Toro Loco in the Financial District. Our last visit was almost 2 years ago, so this was long overdue. Our last visit also featured their Burlesque brunch which might be back this summer, so stay tuned! They recently opened their back outdoor seating, so you know we had to grab a seat there. What differentiates their brunch from others we’ve seen are their bottomless cocktails! Brunch at Toro Loco is the epitome of a boozy brunch. The selections include Toro Loco margaritas (on the rocks or frozen), mimosas,

bloody marys, and some canned bevvies. We took a trip to Margaritaville with their Frozen Margarita and Margarita on the rocks, both nice and strong. We also tried their fantastic sangrias, which isn’t on the bottomless brunch menu but comes in red and white wine options.

For bites, big bites that is, we ordered the Chicken and Waffle Sandwich made with fried chicken, queso loco, don julio maple syrup, and a side of fries. I loved that the chicken was served between two cuts of waffle (which could have been a bit crispier IMO) and went perfectly with their seasoned fries. We went Tex-Mex with a HUGE Chimichanga, a deep-fried flour tortilla filled with a nice heaping of steak, bacon, chorizo, black beans, sweet peppers, and caramelized onion, topped with loco queso and sour cream with guac on the side. I’m pretty sure this can feed two people or that friend that’s always hungry.

Outdoor Seating (Front)

Indoor Seating

Outdoor Seating (Back)

They recently opened their back outdoor seating, so you know we had to grab a seat there. What differentiates their brunch from others we’ve seen are their bottomless cocktails! Brunch at Toro Loco is the epitome of a boozy brunch. The selections include Toro Loco margaritas (on the rocks or frozen), mimosas, bloody marys, and some canned bevvies. We took a trip to Margaritaville with their Frozen Margarita and Margarita on the rocks, both nice and strong. We also tried their fantastic sangrias, which isn’t on the bottomless brunch menu but comes in red and white wine options.

For bites, big bites that is, we ordered the Chicken and Waffle Sandwich made with fried chicken, queso loco, don julio maple syrup, and a side of fries. I loved

that the chicken was served between two cuts of waffle (which could have been a bit crispier IMO) and went perfectly with their seasoned fries. We went Tex-Mex with a HUGE Chimichanga, a deep-fried flour tortilla filled with a nice heaping of steak, bacon, chorizo, black beans, sweet peppers, and caramelized onion, topped with loco queso and sour cream with guac on the side. I’m pretty sure this can feed two people or that friend that’s always hungry.

We went the sweet route again for a shared plate with their french toast, the Borracho Pan Dulce, made with a don julio (umm, yes!) french toast, thick-cut bacon, mixed berries, dulce de leche, and don julio maple syrup. The sweetness of the berries and savory thick-cut bacon was excellent. Other popular options include their Beans Chilaquiles, LOADED Nachos, and Churros served with a Nutella chocolate sauce and salted caramel sauce. During our visit, there were at least 5 birthdays happening (the ones we could hear the screams of anyway), so if you’re looking for a birthday brunch spot, Toro Loco is definitely it (Exhibit A below). You can view the full brunch menu here, and a rez can be made well, through Resy.

Chicken & Waffle Sandwich

Borracho Pan Dulce French Toast

Chimichangas

Kokomo

We hit up the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn to do brunch with an island twist. If you remember, we visited Komomo back in January for a fantastic dinner, so you know we had to come back to try out their much-talked-about brunch!

Interior Back

Interior Front

DJ Tisa

Outdoor Seating

Starting with Komomo’s entree offerings, of course, we had to order Koko’s Chicken and Waffle, topped with house-made syrup, fruit, and coconut whipped cream. Their chicken was fried to perfection. We also went with the Pikliz fish sandwich made with escovitch fish, spicy pickled cabbage slaw, fried filet fish, garlic mayo, and a side of house fries. Pikliz is a Haitian pickled slaw made with scotch bonnet peppers, so you know this sandwich brought the heat, but in a very good way, and the flavors were also a home run!

Instead of french toast this time around, we shared Sweet Plantain Pancakes topped with tropical fruit, coconut whip, and house-made syrup. Even though we

didn’t get a lot of plantain flavor in the pancakes themselves, the sweet plantain toppings made up for it a bit. Lastly, we did a Tropical Bowl filled with fresh pineapples, blackberries, strawberries, mangos with mint, and whipped cream. My brunch buddy enjoyed it ALOT, so you can be guaranteed it was that good. Their Sautee Caribbean Bowl of callaloo, ackee, and saltfish, avocado, boiled sweet plantains, breadfruit, and a boiled egg paid homage to a common breakfast meal eaten in the Caribbean. You might’ve also heard of the Jamaican favorite, Ackee and Saltfish. We also had to add a side of their Applewood Smoke Brown Sugar Bacon, which always hits the spot. For cocktails, we definitely had to do the rum punch! The Tropical Rum Punch and Mango Rum Punch were beautiful to look at and superb intro cocktails.

For the second round, we went with the We Limin’ made with Grey Goose, St Germain, lime juice, guava cordial, and black pepper, and the Blouse and Skirt (do look up the meaning) made with Cazadores tequila or illegal mezcal, Martini Bianco, lemon, agave, and watermelon. When you order a cocktail at Kokomo you can expect the very best.

If you go on a Friday to get in on the brunch game early, take advantage of their bottomless brunch with a live DJ for $55 per person which includes self-poured mimosas and an entree. I’m so down!

Coming soon will be their ‘Drunch Thursdays’, where you can…drum roll please…enjoy their brunch menu for dinner! I don’t know about you, but I can indulge in brunch grub any time of day. With the sweet and savory options on the menu, there is a little bit of something for everyone. Their full brunch menu can be seen here, and tables can be booked via Resy.

We recommend booking a reservation to your favorite sometime soon, as their tables fill up pretty quickly for brunch weekends.

Koko’s Chicken and Waffle

Sweet Plantain Pancake Topped with Sweet Plantain

Pikliz Fish Sandwich

Tropical Bowl

Applewood Smoke Brown Sugar Bacon

Sautee Caribbean Bowl

Mango Rum Punch and Tropical Rum Punch

We Limin’ and Blouse and Skirt

Enter our ‘Brunch it Up!’ Giveaway HERE.

Good Luck!

NYC Restaurant Week is back this season, with a twist! NYC Restaurant Week To Go features delectable meals from 500+ businesses to enjoy at home for $20.21. Available for takeout or delivery during lunch or dinner. Support local this winter without having to leave the comfort of your humble abode. Extended thru February 28th!

You can also get $10 Back on Every Meal!
REGISTER your Mastercard and earn $10 back on every transaction of $20.21 or more. Valid for takeout/delivery and dining in.

We handpicked a few of our favorites offered by EATS businesses. Who knows their dish might become your new go-to!

Keith Grilled Chicken Roasted Cauliflower and Mushroom Pil Pil Sauce

Gaudir (East Harlem)

Keith Grilled Chicken Roasted Cauliflower and Mushroom

Grilled chicken with roasted cauliflower and mushroom and a white pil-pil sauce. Dinner.

Pil Pil Sauce

Credit: Gaudir

Socarrat Paella Bar (Midtown East, Chelsea, Nolita)

Socarrat, arroz negro or carne paella, with a side of mushroom croquetas. Dinner or Lunch.

Arroz Negro Paella

Credit: Socarrat Paella Bar

Wayla (Lower East Side)

Wayla lunch set, which includes salad kek (Thai basil salad with mint-lime dressing) karipup gai (chicken curry puff) gai tod (fried chicken with a glazed plum sauce) and khao pad mun koong (spicy shrimp paste fried rice). Lunch.

Wayla Lunch Set

Credit: Wayla

Maison Pickle (Upper West Side)

Soup or salad and an entree choice: classic, deluxe or reuben French dip; hot honey chicken ‘n’ toast; patty melt; or moules marinières. Dinner or Lunch.

Hot Honey Chicken ‘n’ Toast

Credit: Maison Pickle

Queen Bar & Restaurant (Bushwick)

Lentil soup, a choice of vegetable tagine (vegan and gluten free) or chicken tagine with couscous or jasmine rice, and one piece of baklava. Dinner and Lunch.

Vegetable Tagine

Credit: Queen

Scarpetta (NoMad)

Choice of spaghetti with tomato and basil and a side of cauliflower Romanesco or roasted chicken with roasted vegetables and celery root. Dinner.

Spaghetti with Tomato and Basil

Credit: Scarpetta

Seamore’s (Chelsea, Brookfield, Dumbo)

Assorted tacos (seared, shrimp, and crispy) in a baja marinade with avocado, cabbage, chipotle mayo, and cilantro on corn tortillas, and a kale and avocado side salad. Dinner and Lunch.

Crispy Shrimp Tacos

Credit: Seamores

Pro Thai (East Harlem)

King prawn pad Thai and chicken satay; crab pad Thai and chicken satay; or whole fried branzino with basil sauce or garlic sauce and a Thai salad. Dinner and Lunch.

King Prawn Pad Thai

Credit: Pro Thai

Scarpetta (NoMad)

Choice of spaghetti with tomato and basil and a side of cauliflower Romanesco or roasted chicken with roasted vegetables and celery root. Dinner.

Spaghetti with Tomato and Basil

Credit: Scarpetta

Baar Baar (East Village)

Butter chicken with fenugreek or tender jackfruit dumplings with winter spinach gravy. Dinner.

Butter Chicken

Credit: tastesofny

Lolo’s Seafood Shack (West Harlem)

Coconut shrimp spring roll appetizer, jerk chicken, dirty rice, and a jonnycake. Dinner or Lunch.

Jerk Chicken

Credit: Lolo’s Seafood Shack

Dear Mama (East and West Harlem)

Cardi B-urrito or barbecue brisket with potato salad or orzo salad, pots de creme, and a choice of beverages. Dinner or Lunch.

Cardi B-urrito

Credit: Dear Mama

COTE (Flatiron)

Cote butcher’s bowl, a selection of three USDA Prime steaks served over rice with housemade pickles and a side of ssamjang sauce. Dinner.

Butcher’s Bowl

Credit: COTE

Gran Morsi (Tribeca)

Your choice of a pizza— margherita fior di latte—or pasta, and insalata petite—lettuce, shaved fennel, cherry tomatoes, and sherry vinaigrette (vegan and gluten-free). Pasta choices include: spaghetti aglio e olio, spaghetti limone, spaghetti pomodoro, spaghetti amatriciana, penne vodka, rigatoni con funghi, rigatoni primavera, spicy vodka rigatoni and busiate cacio e pepe (gluten free pasta is available). Dinner.

Penne Vodka

Credit: Gran Morsi

Ollin (East Harlem)

Sope appetizer and a birria with consommé meal. Dinner or Lunch.

Birra Consommé

Credit: Ollin

Ed’s Lobster Bar (SoHo)

Choice of braised short rib and lobster mash with spicy charred broccoli; shrimp or fish tacos and a choice of slaw or a side salad; lobster mac and cheese with charred broccoli; New England clam chowder with a Caesar salad or fish sandwich (lunch only); or half a lobster roll with a choice of fries or a salad. Dinner and Lunch.

Braised Short Ribs with Lobster Mash, Spicy Charred Broccoli & Crispy Fried Onions

Credit: Ed’s Lobster Bar

Wagamama (NoMad, Midtown, Murray Hill)

Korean chicken wings and steak bulgogi. Dinner and Lunch.

Korean Chicken Wings

Credit: foodforkash

Fish Cheeks (NoHo)

Choice of Tom yum seafood, Manila clams, or Vegan Green Curry (served with rice,) and drink: Soda/Thai Iced Tea/ Thai Iced Coffee/ Lemongrass Pandan iced tea. Dinner and Lunch.

Tom Yum

Credit: cybelleangelique

IG POST

It’s National Hot Toddy Day and we’ve got you covered with a list of 10+ Hot Toddies to try from local bars and restaurants!

Popular during the winter months, the hot toddy cocktail is a mixture of a spirit (usually whiskey, rum, or brandy), hot water, sometimes tea, and honey. In addition to the optional clove, lemon slice, or cinnamon stick for an extra kick.

Wagamama (NoMad, Midtown, Murray Hill)

Haven Rooftop just unveiled a Hot Toddy menu, which includes an Apple Cheer Hot Toddy with lemon, cinnamon syrup, black tea, apple cider, and bourbon, Bailey’s Hot Toddy with black tea, agave and Bailey’s, and a Hibiscus Hot Toddy with black tea, hibiscus syrup, lemon, agave, and bourbon. To warm up guests upon arrival, Haven will offer guests a complimentary (non-alcoholic) shot of hot chocolate or hot tea.

Price $16 each

Amali

Amali features a hot buttered toddy with peach brandy called the Lovers & Liars. The cocktail includes Rockey’s liqueur, hot orange saffron tea, honey, and butter.

Price $16

Ainslie

Has a Sip, Stir, Cuddle hot toddy on the menu from mixologist Jessica Dure, made with Vecchia Tres Botti Brandy, Rye Whiskey, Amaro Montenegro, honey, lemon, baking spices, and Angostura bitters.

Price $14

Kissaki

Kissaki features the Tokushima Toddy with Maker’s Mark, Passionfruit, Yuzu, Sake, Apple Caramel, and Ginger Beer.

Price $18

Seamore’s (Dumbo & Chelsea)

Seasmore’s Hot Toddy Collection features:
The Classic
Evan Williams bourbon, allspice dram, lemon, honey, English Breakfast

PB & T{oddy}
Skrewball peanut butter whiskey, allspice dram, lemon, English Breakfast

G & Tea
New Amsterdam gin, Domaine de Canton, lemon, rosemary, chamomile

Hot Buttered Rum
Gosling, pimento dram, butter, lemon, cinnamon

Price $14 each

Buy One Get One Free on National Hot Toddy Day, Monday, January 11th!

King Tai Bar

Hot toddy made with Appleton Rum or Old Overholt Rye (your choice), hot water, lemon & spiced honey.

Price $10

$1 off on National Hot Toddy Day, Monday, January 11th!

The Leroy House

The Leroy House Hot Cinnamon Rum Toddy is made with Assam black tea mixed with a balanced blend of honey cinnamon syrup, lemon juice, and star anise. Served with rum (or bourbon if preferred) to combat the cold NYC winters.

Price $16, $10 Happy Hour (4:30-6pm)

Gran Morsi

Gran Morsi’s Zenzero Toddy features Four Roses bourbon, Barrow’s ginger, honey, and cloves.

Price: $18

Sugar Monk

Sugar Monk’s Captain Cook’s Toddy is made with Evan Williams Bourbon, SM Palatine Amaro, Saint Elizabeth Allspice Dram, Eucalyptus, and Lemon

Price $17

Broken Land

Broken Land’s Ginger Hot Toddy is made with overproof rye, spicy ginger, allspice dram, lemon, Angostura bitters, and a dusting of cinnamon. Hot, delicious, and magically also tastes good for you, too. Dry January, we also have you covered. We do a booze-free version for half the price.

Price $12

Castell Rooftop Lounge

Castell Rooftop Lounge’s Hot Toddy 18 features Woodinville Bourbon, Dry, Curaçao Suze Liqueur, Honey, and Snickerdoodle Cookie.

Price $18

Ten Hope

Ten Hope offers a hot toddy called Todd’s Hot Date on the menu with Brandy, bourbon, date molasses, lemon, and clove.

Price $15

*Not open on National Hot Toddy Day, Monday, January 11th

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