Noodlebot

"I can't think of a single other place in NY where I've had to wait more than 10 minutes with a reservation. If there are too many bookings, they shouldn't give a same day 8:30 pm reservation." Really? I can think of many places I've had to wait past my reservation--Strip House, Thor, and Artisanal to name a few. I think the most was just under an hour. It annoys me when it happens, but it's pretty common.

Eleven Madison Park

For the Chelsea breakfast, go to Murray's for bagels, La Bergamote for croissants, or one of the eateries in Chelsea Market.

Beacon is solid but unexciting.

For lunch, Burger Joint or La Bonne Soupe, depending on your mood.

I have heard good things about Ruby et Violette but have never been. I like the cookies at Levain, but be advised that they're very thick (they look more like little scones) and gooey.

It's in the W Vill off of Hudson St. FWIW, there was a favorable review on nycnosh last week.

I loved the sweetbreads when I had them, but that was about 4 years ago.

I went a couple of weekends ago and also had a great meal--scallops, cod, pork, beignets (agree that they were a little heavy), and apple crumble. Everything was very good. We got our reservation on opentable and were surprisingly seated on time. I was also happy to see that service hasn't suffered for the popularity--everyone we dealt with was incredibly friendly and accommodating.

It's actually The Waverly Inn & Garden according to the Bruni review. I've mostly seen it referred to as The Waverly Inn (including on menupages).

Just a technical observation--it's Waverly Inn, no "e"

Bruni just announced on his blog that Waverly Inn will be reviewed this Wednesday. To my knowledge, he's never made this kind of advance announcement, but there it is.

I once called a restaurant for a problem (it was a birthday dinner and they'd written the wrong name in chocolate on the dessert plate). Meanwhile, I also wrote a review on chowhound. When the manager returned my call, he mentioned seeing the chowhound review (under an assumed name--he pieced it together himself). In the end, he offered me an unsolicited $100 gift certificate to the restaurant and discussed my problems with some of the dishes I'd eaten on my first visit.

Boyfriend and I went tonight and had a lot of very good food. It's hard for me to recall the details since the √menu online isn't up to date and we'd enjoyed some happy hour drinks beforehand. But, from the best of my recollection, we had: steamed buns, banh mi, chawan moshi (a custard w/sea urchin, edamame, and scallions), seafood hot pot, and the mochi sampler. The restaurant was almost full at 7-ish on a Monday night--it didn't seem to be hurting for business.

Eater is now reporting a joint review of EMP and the Bar Room tomorrow: http://eater.com/archives/2007/01/brunibetting_el.php

There was talk of the double review on chowhound: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/357557

Just wanted to note that I went to brunch on Sunday, and the $24 lunch menu was being served, along w/I believe one brunch entree (pancakes). I had the mushroom and avocado carpaccio (a little lackluster), sea bass in a truffle and potato broth (great), and apple profiteroles for dessert (very good). My boyfriend had the mozarella salad (excellent), tuna burger (great, perfectly cooked), and chocolate pudding (again, very good). Dining room was empty (about 4 other tables at any given time), as has been reported.

It's there now: http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/

Go to Rocco's for both cannoli and lobster tails

I haven't had the almond croissant at Patisserie Claude, but the chocolate croissant is excellent. I have had the almond croissant at La Bergamote, dating back about a year now. It was very good, but I'd give the edge in terms of dough and overall excellence to PC.

Looks like they've changed it. Opentable says they offer the prix-fixe lunch menu 7 days a week. I just called again and was told that on Sat and Sun they serve their standard lunch menu with about 2 breakfast choices.

The prix fixe is actually available 7 days a week--I'm going to try Perry Street on a couple of weeks from now on a Saturday. I believe that the restaurant advertises brunch on Saturday and Sunday, but when I called, I was told that the brunch menu is the lunch menu with a few brunch-y additions. I can't wait to go!

I missed the "out of this world" part. None of my recommendations are that--just good versions of your standard brunch. I went to Eleven Madison Park once for brunch under the old chef. Not sure if Chef Humm is doing a brunch menu as well.

If you can't, you can try Balthazar's trendier and cheaper sister restaurant Pastis. I also like Blue Ribbon Bakery, Deborah, Five Points, Cafe Orlin, Jane, Extra Virgin, and Petite Abeille, Prune among many, many others. Clinton St. Baking Company, 9th St. Market, and Prune are also very good, but very crowded and no reservations taken. You might want to also take a look at what's available at www.opentable.com

I've enjoyed Nyonya in the past.