Prune

       Fifteen deep at Fifteen 'til. Thats what you can expect the line to be at this LES brunch hotspot on any of the crisp weekend mornings you decide to venture out for some of the best brunch this city has to offer. Doors open at 10am, and if you want any shot at all, i suggest you be there before then. I was fourth in line, braving the cool winter winds that were stirring up this January morning. My other half was running late, and I knew this wouldn't fair well when they opened the doors, as I was figuring that they wouldn't seat incomplete parties, no matter how cold it was and how much I pleaded. So, when it came time for me to enter, to no avail, I was wait-listed. Boo.

Jake Russo

Jake Russo, my now infamous other half, arrived 5 minutes after 10, and we waited for the next available table. By this time the sun was beaming and the day was looking brighter already, but we were getting hungry. The turn time was extremely fast for the wait and the hype of this place, i would think people would want to savor it a little more, but we were seated in about 40 minutes, right in the middle of the small 36-seat restaurant and despite a fleeting audience, we were in for the long haul. For a cold winter day, the tightness of the floor plan and the seating, was actually comforting. The ambiance was that  of a warm country style eatery, only this eatery was serving an eclectic selection of savory breakfast dishes, and featuring a musical selection of Fugees: The Score.

Stewed Chickpeas with
Crispy Poached Eggs

Sausage and Oysters 

    Being that we were inhibited from enjoying anything from the cocktail list because of New York's "Blue Laws", we started with two cups of their fantastic coffee, and didn't waste any time with our multi coursed breakfast voyage. The first course was something of a match made from an online dating site. Two extremely different dishes, that came together beautifully with out any formal introduction. The Sausage and Oysters were simply just that. 3 Malpeque Oysters, glistening in a sauce while still nestled in their half shell and paired with a house-made lamb sausage that had just the right amount of smokiness to it, to compliment, but not overshadow the clean, refreshing salinity provided by its bivalve counterpart. Also on the plate was a ramekin of stewed tomato concasse, that lent a brilliant sweetness to the dish and provided a bath to soak the aptly named peasant bread in. Vying for attention in the opposite corner was the bowl of Stewed Chickpeas with two Crispy Poached Eggs and Kalamata Olives. This too, was served with a tomato puree that accentuated the sweetness of the dish and beautifully highlighted the Kalamata Olives and brininess that is unique to only the olives themselves. The chick peas were lightly stewed and while still had a bite to them, seemingly melted in your mouth. The dish was accompanied with a pressed Kalamata bread that personally I could've done without, but all in all the first course left nothing unanswered, and left me salivating for what was to come.

Steak and Eggs

"Medium-Rare"

      When what to my wondering eyes should appear... but a 7oz strip steak and and an ice cold glass of...water. Blue laws, still in effect. But the second course was still on its' way, and this one brought to us all of the flavors of meats, liver and fish that one (or two in this case) could want to start their day off with a smile. The Steak and Eggs was a plate of perfectly cooked, sunnyside up eggs, with toasted english muffin, half of a potato galette, and a 7oz Prime Center Cut Strip Steak with Parsley and Shallot Compound Butter. It was intimidatingly large and perfectly cooked. It is a very welcomed surprise when this cut of meat is cooked as nicely as this one was without the aid of a double broiler that would be found in a steakhouse setting. Perfectly cooked, and rested to perfection gave this steak a melt-in-your-mouth tenderness that felt like a filet, with the taste of a strip steak. Bravo. And what better to compliment a large piece of steak at breakfast, than liverwurst and Danish Fish pastes. I agree, Nothing. This English Hostel Breakfast, was a plate of House made liverwurst, chorizo sausage, a selection of Danish Breads, and a tin of Fish pastes to round the palate. The richness of the plate was a bit overwhelming, however, the components were technically sound and presented beautifully.

English Hostel Breakfast

     All in all, Prune was a great brunch destination. Not much room on the floor, but its compact quaintness, delivers a warm feeling and a tightly knit, sort of "familial" experience in the end. The service was very attentive, and accommodating to all of our needs. Whereas, they are not seemingly going for any kind of four-star designation, they definitely achieve what they are attempting to be, and will remain on my list of top spots in NYC. The food selection is very aggressive, and while that is completely up my alley, it may not be for some. Where there are some lighter options, all of the food that I saw passing by throughout the meal, seemed very large, and filling. So, get there early, go there hungry, and get ready for a very warm and welcoming portion of New York's elite (#72).