Recovery Sundays

On this sunny Sunday morning we found our recovery in the delicious form of the $10.95 brunch special at the East Village gem, Flea Market Cafe.  The decor reflected the name perfectly; a collection of antiques, collectibles and garage sale finds that made the room feel more like your grandmother's basement than a New York restaurant.  It was cozy and fun to look around as we sipped the complimentary coffee and fresh squeezed orange juice--pondering everything from vintage signs to a bike tacked up on the wall.  We settled on brioche french toast with fruit, tomato/spinach/chedder omelet with home fries and salad and a hot baguette with jam.  As the days grow colder we will definitely return to Flea Market--for the unbelievable deal and mouth-watering meals--next time we're trying the carmelized apple pancake!

Flea Market Cafe is located at St. Marks and Avenue A...and also boasts a sunset menu from 5-7 every day; $15, $17 or $19 for 1, 2, 3 courses respectively, plus a glass of wine or beer!  There's no missing your old cafeteria when you can get the delicacies of this foodie flea market for under $20... MSS

Flea Market Cafe Menu

Recovery Sundays

As a newly certified Manhattanite, I love exploring all the things this island has to offer. From the featured “Friday’s Bite” to the trends of “Tuesday’s Fad”, the options for entertainment, culture, and fun are seemingly endless. This week, however, I decided to take a trip across the Brooklyn Bridge to enjoy brunch with family and friends at one of the most celebrated breakfast spots ‘outside the island’, Downtown Atlantic. 

The service and food were just what I wanted on a lazy Sunday afternoon, and with some good company and conversation mixed in, I found myself in utter brunch bliss.

Complimentary Spiced Carrot Bread

A hearty, garden fresh Bloody

Fancy Eggs and Buttermilk Biscuits

The meal started with a basket of fresh, warm spiced-carrot bread – just the treat for our cold, winter hands. From there, we ordered the restaurant classic “Downtown Eggs Atlantic”, which boasted two perfectly poached eggs layered over a toasted English muffin, smoked salmon, and dill hollandaise. My sister tried the down-home family special - “Fancy Eggs and Buttermilk Biscuits with Southern Gravy”. The gravy was a hit with the whole table, featuring a special, spicy kick that is part of the Downtown Atlantic secret sauce. The Bloody Mary’s tasted garden fresh, and the bakery situated perfectly near the exit gave us something sweet and savory to nibble on as we ventured out into the Brooklyn cold.

Brooklyn Beers on Tap

Downtown Eggs Atlantic

Homemade Cookies

A quick subway home and I was back in Hell’s Kitchen, but Brooklyn’s charm stayed with me the whole ride. Next time you're in search of some old fashioned fun, quiet tree-lined streets, and a break from the hustle of Manhattan, look no further than across the Brooklyn Bridge, and be sure to check out Downtown Atlantic while your there. 

XX MC

Downtown Atlantic