Chicago Brunch Bets: The Publican

Having only one Sunday in Chicago meant that MW and I had to be especially discriminating when selecting our sole brunch destination. Fortunately for us, the decision turned out to be quite simple, as The Publican looked too good to pass up. Specializing in specialty suds, heirloom pork and sustainable seafood, Paul Kahan's take on an American bistro seemed like the perfect place to nurse our hangovers and fill our bellies. Of course, the fact that the restaurant accepts brunch reservations didn't hurt either, but ultimately, the food here is the main attraction and well worth the wait, even without one.

Chicago Brunch Bets: The Doughnut Vault

After landing in Chicago and getting ourselves oriented with the city, naturally, my first order of business was to seek out sustenance. Having lurked on several Chicago food blogs in anticipation of our vacation, I couldn't help but notice the city's newfound obsession with doughnuts, particularly from Brendan Sodikoff's The Doughnut Vault. I'd heard stories about long lines and selling out within hours, so I initially doubted our chances of trying these doughnuts. But after frantically checking their twitter feed and realizing the vault was only a few blocks away from our hotel, I decided to wake up early and brave the line for some freshly made doughnuts.

Brunch Bets: Doughnut Plant

There's few things better than freshly made doughnuts in the morning, and while I don't typically make it a habit of enjoying them too often, I thought it particularly prudent to feature the doughnuts of New York City's Doughnut Plant. Owner Mark Israel takes doughnuts seriously. Just how seriously? Well, he starts by using the same recipe developed by his grandparents before incorporating the freshest seasonal ingredients into his batters and glazes.

Brunch Bets: Prime Meats

Rarely, if ever, do I crave steak and eggs for breakfast. But when said steak and eggs are from Prime Meats, I'm easily swayed. Owned and operated by childhood friends Frank Falcinelli and Frank Castronovo (aka "the Franks"), this Carroll Gardens restaurant is perpetually slammed with diners. And for good reason, the food and cocktails are absolutely delicious. Described as a farm-to-table restaurant with German influences, Prime Meats specializes in pre-Prohibition era handcrafted cocktails and hearty alpine cuisine. While dinner remains their specialty, one would be foolish to overlook the solid brunch.

Brunch Bets: Barbuto

I've wanted to eat at Jonathan Waxman's West Village restaurant Barbuto for quite some time. Problem was, I've never been able to get dinner reservations. Credited with introducing "California cuisine" to Manhattan from his time at the famous Chez Panisse, Waxman has become a celebrity chef in his own right, even making an appearance on Bravo TV's Top Chef Masters. Finally, my futility ended after a co-worker suggested I try brunch, when reservations are much easier to come by.

Brunch Bets: Diner

Over the course of last year, Diner has quietly become my de facto brunch destination. Maybe it's the fact that it's conveniently located in Brooklyn - albeit Williamsburg - or maybe it's the restaurant's ever-changing menu of excellent food that keeps pulling myself, and many others, back for more. Suffice to say, Diner is a most worthy brunch destination, serving up anything but the typical fare you'd expect to find at your garden variety greasy spoon.

Brunch Bets: The Farm on Adderley

Waking up late last weekend, still hungover and tired from the night before, I felt like grabbing something tasty, cheap and relatively close. While Noah was likely stuffing his face at David's Brisket House, I was feeling a hot cup of coffee, breakfast meats and runny yolks. Meeting all of the aforementioned criteria, The Farm on Adderley seemed like the perfect destination. Located only a few minutes away in Ditmas Park, The Farm on Adderley turns out a damn good brunch at reasonable prices, making me question why people bother crossing the bridge for this weekend ritual.

Brunch Bets: Bubby's (Brooklyn)

Living in a prominently Chinese neighborhood of Brooklyn, dim sum is often our default brunch option. However, when MW and I feel so inclined to venture further than a few blocks away but don't want to travel all the way into Manhattan just for brunch, then Bubby's is always a solid option. Granted, being located in DUMBO barely constitutes still being in Brooklyn, but nonetheless, if you're willing to fend off the hoards of baby strollers and families, then Bubby's offers traditional breakfast fare with a beautiful backdrop.

Brunch Bets: Mark Forgione

Suddenly (and completely out of character), I'm writing brunch posts. I guess Steve has-- at least temporarily-- ceded his "Brunch King" crown to me (I'm sure he'll take it back soon enough). It's not that I'm against brunch-- I just prefer to make my own eggs and drinks at home without dealing with huge crowds/aggravation on weekends. But, on the last day of my parents visit we needed a brunch spot to fill us up before watching what turned out to be another crappy Cincinnati Bengals game.

Pretend it's brunch-time.

I'd previously drooled over Steve's pictures of his dinner at Marc Forgione (from which I've shamelessly reused the exterior picture), and was pretty excited when my mom suggested we go there for brunch (credit where credit is due).

Brunch Bets: Locanda Verde

Since leaving his post as Chef de Cuisine at Cafè Boulud, Andrew Carmellini has done just fine for himself. After a stint at A Voce, where he earned a Michelin Star, he left once again, teaming up with Robert DeNiro to open Locanda Verde. Surprising no one, the restaurant was an instant success, quickly establishing itself as one of the best Italian restaurants not only in Tribeca, but in all of New York. But lost in the fray of Carmellini's (deserving) success is Locanda Verde's talented Pastry Chef, Karen DeMasco, whose masterful exploits are not just limited to post-dinner treats. In fact, one of the city's best brunches can be found here, combining Carmellini's skill of all things savory with DeMasco's knack for sweets.

Brunch Bets: Seersucker

Go ahead and add Seersucker to the city's gradually expanding list of southern-inspired restaurants. Located on Smith Street in the Carroll Gardens neighborhood of Brooklyn, Seersucker is the creation of Arkansas-native Robert Newton. Recently featured in Food and Wine, the restaurant has received mixed reviews. But in the wake of Brooklyn Star closing, which Eater reported may be more than just a temporary hiatus, MW and I trekked to Seersucker looking forward to their southern take on brunch. Sadly, our hopes were never realized as we were served a series of poorly executed dishes.

72-Hour Lobsterfest in Portland, ME

J's Oyster

In an attempt to escape the infernal heat plaguing New York, as well as providing a convenient excuse to gorge on fresh lobster, I joined MW and her family for a trip to Port Elizabeth, Maine. Arriving late Saturday with a hungry party of eight and having no reservations, we naively asked and were promptly rejected by the hostess at Street and Co. Regrouping, MW and I were able to get a table at the nearby J's Oyster. Little more than a locals bar on the water's edge that just so happens to serve food, J's seemed anything but pretentious. Featured on No Reservations, showing Anthony Bourdain happily scarfing down steamers with beer, J's was filled with locals sharing the latest gossip and food over ice cold beers.

San Francisco Wrap Up: Brenda's French Soul Food, Zuni Cafe and Fleur de Lys

Brenda's French Soul Food

With no real agenda on our last day, MW and I trekked from our hotel through the Civic Center area of San Francisco to Brenda's French Soul Food. Albeit a bit skeptical about finding authentic Creole food on the west coast, this restaurant intrigued me after reading numerous positive reviews, but we ultimately decided to go due to our craving for some beignets. We arrived to no line and immediately grabbed two seats along the wall that sat adjacent to the kitchen. Service was fast and efficient throughout the meal, and as with any veteran waitstaff, our coffee cups were never empty.

Undecided on which beignets to choose, we naturally decided to split a Beignet Flight which consisted of one of each of the following: Plain, Ghirardelli Chocolate, Granny Smith Apple with Cinnamon Honey Butter and Crawfish with Cayenne, Scallion and Cheddar. Definitely not the best beignets I've had, but solid nonetheless, these thoroughly satisfied our beignet craving. The plain served as a control and was good, not too sweet but not as delicate as others. The crawfish came dusted in cayenne pepper but lacked any real crawfish. However, the granny smith apple was very good, reminiscent of the fried apple pies I enjoyed during youth, only better. But the favorite was the Ghirardelli chocolate-filled beignet that was sweet and rich.

West Coast Brunch Bets: Dottie's True Blue Cafe

Each morning, as dozens of San Franciscans line up for breakfast at Mama's on Washington Square, an equally strong contingent can be found waiting outside Dottie's True Blue Cafe. Dottie's was the first restaurant referral I received when I told friends about my trip to San Francisco, and after eating there its easy to understand why this down-to-earth breakfast cafe has such appeal. Although both restaurants are legendary egg-cracking, pancake-flipping and hash-flinging San Francisco institutions, they couldn't be further apart both location wise and stylistically. Everything about Mama's exudes warmth, located in the attractive North Beach district, the restaurant is perfect for tourists or for a breakfast with the parents. Then there's Dottie's, located deep in the Tenderloin district whose streets are littered with broken glass and reeking of urine, this gem sacrifices ambiance in return for incredibly solid and filling breakfasts, perfect for any working man, or woman for that matter.

West Coast Brunch Bets: Mama's on Washington Square

Throughout San Francisco a great brunch debate rages on. The source of this friction can be attributed to two restaurants: Mama's on Washington Square and Dottie's True Blue Cafe. Both restaurants serve up delicious brunch staples such as fluffy pancakes, french toast and countless varieties of eggs, and each morning legions of fans line up outside to get their fill. Since Dottie's menu doesn't change, coupled with the fact that we were staying until midweek, MW and I decided to try Mama's first and sample their brunch specials. Located on Stockton Street, Mama's is renown for their long lines, homemade jams and fresh seafood specials.

Brunch Bets: Char No. 4

Located in the Carroll Gardens neighborhood of Brooklyn, Char No. 4 is first and foremost a whiskey bar. Don't believe me? Just try selecting from their 300-plus selection that's sold by the ounce. Even their name is derived from the they way barrels are charred to age whiskey, giving it that characteristic smokey flavor.

So why am I writing about a whiskey bar as a brunch destination? I'm glad you asked. While the front of the restaurant may celebrate this fine spirit, the kitchen in the rear turns out some serious smoked meat. Chef Matt Greco knows his way around a kitchen after having spent time at the likes of Michelin-stared Café Gray and A Voce. Here, Greco focuses on a small but well executed menu that prominently features pork.

Brunch Bets: Clinton Street Baking Company

Part of what makes brunch so appealing to many people is the amount of options available. Not confined to only breakfast or lunch choices, brunch is that perfect hybrid combining the best from both meals onto a single menu. I usually find that people fall into one of two camps: the savory, or the sweet camp. I've been firmly entrenched in the savory camp for my entire life, preferring a salty chip to a sweet cookie, but have on occasion changed my mind if something particularly appealing presents itself. This was the case when MW and I found ourselves waiting in line on the lower east side one Saturday morning.

Brunch Bets: Pies 'N' Thighs

For weeks I had read countless reports about the re-opening of the beloved Pies 'N' Thighs that specialized in serving crispy fried chicken and homemade pies. Forced to close due to concerns from the Department of Health about their smoker; I wanted to experience first hand what all the fuss was about. But it wasn't until MW and I passed the restaurant's new location under the Williamsburg bridge before we decided to eat there ourselves. Originally it was our intention to eat dinner there; but after reading on Pies 'N' Thighs ever-evolving website that they serve brunch we quickly changed our minds and prepared ourselves for some chicken and waffles.

Brunch Bets: Egg Restaurant

Brunch...the under-appreciated meal that borrows the best from breakfast and lunch menus. But often we're too tired or hungover from last night and have to settle for some greasy eggs or pancakes that taste of cardboard at the nearby diner. It is for exactly this reason that we are starting the Brunch Bets segment. Our goal, to explore New York's better (and sometimes poorer) brunch experiences in hopes that you can at least have something to look forward to after your walk of shame.