I like to think of myself of a ramen aficionado. If only I didn’t despise that word so much.

When I lived in LA, I devoursed every ramen I could burn my mouth on.

There isn’t as much good ramen in NYC. But I’ve definitely tried to find it, regardless.

Koa is a very pretty, totally corporate Asian restaurant that has a decent ramen lunch special for us worker bees in the Flatiron district.

It’s a perfectly pleasant place. Service was quick and friendly.

I don’t know what the hell Sorba is. I tried to Google it, which was no help.

Whatever it is, Sorba is what KOA calls their overpriced ramen-like specialty of the house.

It’s a bowl of ramen with soymilk in the broth. And it’s $23 bucks.

Ramen should never cost more than $15. Part of the appeal of ramen is it’s affordability. I mean, I can get a packet of the shit for .15 cents at the store. I just can’t bring myself to spend $23 for it.

So, I chose the Spicy Dan Dan ramen lunch special. It comes with a humble salad and a veggie egg roll. Both very tasty.

Then the ramen comes out. It’s super greasy. Too greasy. Apparently, the $8 bucks worth of soymilk they add to their Sorba would counter act that.

I felt like they were blackmailing me. I won’t give in. I won’t spend $23 for corporate ramen. I’m not political. But I will take a stand against this kind of injustice.

12 W 21st St
New York, NY 10010
b/t 5th Ave & 6th Ave
Flatiron
(212) 388-5736
koanyc.com

Vegetable Spring Roll

Kale Fried Rice $14.75

Spicy Dan Dan Ramen Set $15.75

ABC Kitchen was my very first lunch in NYC.

It was up there with The Spotted Pig of restaurants that I “had to check out”.

So, I did.

We were seated right next to Aziz Anzari and I ordered one of their well received pizzas.

So, when I had brunch with a friend who had just moved to the city, I found it fitting that we come back. And order their pizza.

The pizzas are flavorful but very thick and filling. If you order one, definitely share it. Maybe split a salad to start.

What did we do? We ordered their squash on toast to start and also ordered a burger! Too much food! Which is something I rarely say, so trust me on this.

Definitely make a reservation, because this place is still packed after all these years. I guess there are a lot of people new to the city who want to discover what it means to brunch.

ABC is the perfect brunch spot for the newbie. However, I’ve got a few other recommendations for you. Once you’ve settled in and chilled out.

35 E 18th St
New York, NY 10003
b/t Broadway & S Park Ave
Union Square, Flatiron
(212) 475-5829
abckitchennyc.com

roasted kabocha squash toast, fresh ricotta and apple cider vinegar 15

akaushi cheeseburger with herbed mayo and pickled jalapenos 24

Pizza – mushrooms, parmesan, oregano and farm egg pizza 20

The last time I attempted to dine at Prune, I received a highly displeasing welcome.

Upon arrival, I noticed a swarm of people waiting outside. Zero semblance of a line, so I assumed they had all put their name on a list and were waiting.

I went inside and was instantly told “If you could please wait outside, someone will take your name shortly” The man definitely made me feel unwelcomed and NO ONE came to take my name.

After a substantial amount of time (could have been 5 minutes, but time goes by slowly when you’re plotting someone’s death) and we decided to check out an equally unattainable restaurant nearby. At least that restaurant took our name before shocking my hair white (if I had hair) with an over 2 hour wait time. I still would have preferred that nastiness over being ignored.

This morning I woke up and took an account of the day. It was a Monday (specifically, the MLK holiday), it was freezing and snowy out and we were ready to brunch on the early side. The perfect conflagration of events to make a dining experience at Prune happen.

We arrived a few minutes before 10 a.m. We were first in line and within just a few minutes the line grew to almost ten. I could have said 8, but almost 10 sounds like more people, and, therefore, more dramatic. If I have to change a few facts to keep ya’ll from clicking back to FaceBook to see if anything has happened in the last 3 minutes since you were last on there.

FYI, nothing substantial has happened since you were last on FaceBook.

The waitress was friendly and prompt, we were immediately given menus, our orders were taken and our drinks and food arrived in less than 10 minutes. It was all very impressive. They’re one of NYC’s most popular brunch spots, they’ve no choice but to have their shit together.

The bloody Mary’s were both super flavorful, not too spicy and contained more than a few sips! Nothing worse than finishing a cocktail before the waitress comes back to get your food order.

We ordered the Monte Cristo and the Eggs Benedict. Both are pretty standard brunch fare but both were absolutely fantastic. Meaning, zero complaints. Zero improvements necessary. Just perfect, simple breakfast food.

The best part of the benedict was the fried triangle of potato happiness, which is the Potato Rosti. Deep fried within an inch of it’s life, this wedge of heaven will haunt my dreams for years to come.

The Monte Cristo was also fried every which way. What do you expect? Show me a healthy Monte Cristo, and I’ll show you a trash bin in which to deposit it.

Ok, I get the hype. This place is really good. Just come early!! And make sure your arteries can handle what you’re about to put them through.

54 E 1st St
New York, NY 10003
b/t 2nd Ave & 3rd St
East Village
(212) 677-6221
prunerestaurant.com

A shocking few minutes before the place is packed with humans.

Bloody Maria – $15 ( Back – with Tequila)
Green Lake – $15 (with Tito’s vodka, wasabi & Beef Jerky swizzler)

Classic Eggs Benedict – $16
Poached eggs on English muffins with hollandaise sauce, Canadian bacon and potatoes rosti.

Monte Cristo – $17
Triple-decker ham, turkey and Swiss cheese sandwich, custard-style battered and deep fried. With fried eggs and red currant jelly.

Monte Cristo – $17
Triple-decker ham, turkey and Swiss cheese sandwich, custard-style battered and deep fried. With fried eggs and red currant jelly.