The Breslin
Sa-Su Brunch 7am-4pm, Dinner 5:30pm-12am; M-F Breakfast 7am-11:00, Lunch 11:30am-4pm, Dinner 5:30pm-12am
After the hard work comes the reward. Having opened the Michelin-starred Spotted Pig, head chef April Bloomfield decided that she wanted to change things up a bit. The Breslin, named for the hotel that once inhabited the space, features a menu of foods prepared a la Bloomfield, the dishes from her “ideal world.” For Ms. Bloomfield, this world looks something like an old-style British pub updated with modern chic; large mirrors and intricate glasswork decorate the wooden interior. We visited and sat in a comfortable booth tucked away in the corner, but options were also available in the sound and the fury of the more open central seating area. Watched over by animal busts and sculptures, we ate to a soundtrack of Jay-Z and Erykah Badu. The food was great, but it was the dessert of strawberry pie with pecorino ice cream that stole the show. The combination worked wonderfully. Upstairs, a mezzanine bar offers an extensive wine list drawn largely from smaller-scale vineyards.