Breakfast for when the date turns into a sleepover
this is a terrible time to not know where to go
Sorry grandma!!!!!
Let’s just…paint a quick picture. You’re awake at the first glimpse of sunlight poking through askew curtains. You reach for your phone and it’s 7:20am. You’re not sure you ever fell asleep, but you must have because how else would the last six hours have passed. You’re trying to do that thing where you don’t move for fear of causing a too-early wake up, and maybe if you are still enough you’ll fall back asleep. Probably not though—you can’t fix the window shade, your morning breath is freaking you out, and your stomach is making insane noises.
Whether you are in your own bed or in uncharted territory, the unplanned sleepover after a better-than-expected date that just didn’t quite end is enough to make anyone disgruntled. Even if you are the kind of person that always has a spare toothbrush in your purse.
Best-case, you trick yourself into falling back asleep. Worst-case, you have to slip out of bed as quietly as possible for a little reset. Get a cold glass of water, wash your face, brush your teeth. Think about breakfast…panic about breakfast, wonder how quickly you can mainline caffeine. It’s rude not to offer, and it’s overzealous to offer to cook. If you’re LUCKY, you have remnants of a baking project lying around and you can casually offer up a scone. This is unlikely—so now what? Surely this isn’t the moment for quick problem-solving and is where this week’s letter comes in handy. This might be my favorite thematic suggestion I’ve gotten. It is important to have a few last-minute breakfast options in your back pocket…just in case.
Between first date red flags, apology date night, a guide to the first ten dates, or a special downtown dinner…roF is setting you up for never-ending dates and, for that, I say you are welcome!!!
Here are the baseline requirements for this meal: no lines, not fancy, nearby and preferably en route to a train…we’re looking for a place that requires no effort but is still very, very good. It’s a good moment for the oh this old place? Bonus points for anywhere you have the option to sit or to collect your goodies and get the hell out of dodge. I’m going to run down the spots near me I would suggest, and will throw a bunch of similar ideas organized by general area at the end of the letter. That means you have to read the whole thing sorry :)
The best option, behind perhaps a breakfast sandwich from your trusty bodega, is a bagel. Olde Brooklyn has been my favorite bagel stop since long before I moved to the city. The bagels are soft and pillowy, not too cakey, and have just a little bite on the outside. The line typically wraps around the store, which gives you plenty of time to peruse their beverage fridge and map out your order. Things move quick, though if you are feeling like you are in a hurry to part ways, I wouldn’t suggest an egg sandwich on a Saturday morning. You might be waiting 20 minutes.
It is a blessing and a curse that Mado is within spitting distance from my apartment—fresh pastries every morning and a beautiful backyard for when the weather is behaving. Beyond the great treats—the financier is my favorite—the breakfast sandwiches at Mado have absolutely no competition. On a fresh sweet potato roll is a barely-runny fried egg, a melty white cheese that rivals a white American (generally, the superior choice on an egg sandwich), and a hashbrown seasoned like a samosa. When asked if you want a side of harissa, the answer is always yes. There is a sausage version, too…but the veg counterpart is far and away my favorite breakfast sandwich I have ever had. Very high praise. Bonus points for a casual space with plenty of tables, so long as they aren’t fully booked for brunch.
The croissants and scones at Winner are among my favorite in the city. The all-day cafe/restaurant on the edge of Crown Heights is the perfect, relaxed breakfast spot. Bar stools, window seats, or a full table in the back—you are guaranteed seating options (if you can spend more time together), fresh coffee, and a really good breakfast burrito. Pastries and coffee always do the trick if you are less committed to a full sit-down situation.
The only acceptable line to wait in because there is nothing sceney or pretentious about it. The New Mexican brunch spot has won its accolades over the years, and it is because their breakfast burrito is worth any wait. Cafe tables and backyard seating give options for full-service, but counter service is an option too. Green and red chile are both musts, and the daily pastries are always worth trying.
One of the easiest, most unfussy breakfasts in Brooklyn. Even with the small space, FATG is reliable. It couldn’t be easier to pull up a chair for tetelas—a triangular masa pocket filled with beans and cheese, or a tlayudita—akin to a tostada—topped with an egg and salsa macha. Throw in a horchata latte and you will surely forget how poorly you slept.
North Brooklyn:
Nem’s - A smoothie counts as breakfast!
Oh Mercy - Very good breakfast sandwich, I am partial to the potato and egg with calabrian chiles. I also really like their trout toast.
A & C Super - I’ve heard high praise for the breakfast sandwich but I would go back for the donut alone. You will not be sitting here. It is the size of an above-average closet.
Campbell & Co - Great summer sidewalk seat with a window for ordering and good provision shopping inside.
Lella Alimentari - I don’t know why no one talks about piadine. A little Italian tortilla-flatbread hybrid wrapped around cheese, cured meats, and veggies is good for any time of day. Slightly more sophisticated options include a soft-boiled egg plate or a poached egg bowl which require a bit more set up.
Downtown:
Little Canal - If you are in LES, this is going to feel like the least abrasive coffee destination. Breakfast sandwiches, a mean cappuccino, a croissant if you need.
FiDi Apollo - Do not go to any other location on the weekend. FiDi is empty it is so awesome.
Mah-Ze-Dahr, Frenchette - Very good pastries and coffees. Nothing too long-winded.
Uptown:
Isle of Us - A very good breakfast burrito, with lots of yummy toast and bowl options. Counter service—very lowkey. A bit on the healthier side?
Daily Provisions - Hot take I love Daily Provisions’ matcha and I am a HUGE sucker for a cruller. I am kinda indifferent on their breakfast sandwiches but I really like their avocado toast… lol
Breads, Tal Bagels, Crumbly Cafe - Carbs for breakfast. Crumble Cafe crumb cake is out of this world.
Somewhere in the middle:
Juice Vitality - A smoothie counts as breakfast part 2. Really good acai bowl and totally unassuming.
Brooklyn Bagel, Fabrique - Brooklyn Bagel makes an egg everything bagel which I will travel to midtown for. Fabrique makes my favorite cardamom bun I have ever had…
Did I miss your neighborhood???
Next week! More! Thank you for being here :)
you might be the only person on planet earth who MIGHT have A SPARE FRESH SCONE lying around 😭😭😭
Bagel shoppe is so the right call