Brunch in the city

Sex and the City was so 2004. Real New Yorkers’ know brunch is where it’s at.

Being the ultimate ‘brunchers’ that we are, we know a great spot when we see one. This week’s picks are some of the cutest and most unique spots to enjoy a leisurely breakfast followed by some great Instagram content.

L Room

This brunch spot in Chelsea is referred to as a ‘lifestyle experience’. We had no idea what that meant until we saw some of the creations available on the menu. Almost too pretty to eat, this cute café serves desserts in the shape of flowers and the Instagram famous, 24-carat gold latte (which taste pretty darn good!). Among the delectable flower waffle cone on the menu, the “Sweet Fantasy” honey toast made with pink cotton candy and its towering egg waffles with fruit and cream make this café a place of art rather than cuisine.  Xue Ling, the company’s founder, travelled to different countries to find the right ingredients like lemon from Japan, chocolate from Venezuela, hazelnut from France and fuchsia espresso in Seattle.

She teamed up with pastry chef Carla Di Virgilio to create the desserts. Di Virgilio, originally from Italy, has worked at a Michelin-starred restaurant and at hotels in Paris.

LROOM is open 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; and noon to 9 p.m. on Sundays.

Maman

THIS IS THE HOME OF OPRAH’S FAVOURITE COOKIES! Yes, we shouted that because we feel as if it needed more airtime than it already has. This cute coffee shop in Soho stole our hearts the moment we walked in. This bakery featuring a retail market opened its doors in SoHo in October 2014. Quickly embraced by New York locals and international visitors, the café, restaurant & event space has flourished with multiple locations across Manhattan, Brooklyn, & Toronto. Maman (mother in French) is a melding of the founding partners – Benjamin Sormonte and Elisa Marshall – fondest childhood memories in the kitchen – especially recipes from their mothers – combined with their mutual passion for delivering quality food and a flawless experience within an artful and warm setting.

Maman brings to life childhood favourites, both savoury and sweet, from the south of France and North America. The dishes focus on the highest quality, locally sourced ingredients and highlights twists on classic French techniques. The menu changes every day to ensure an inspiring, ever-evolving menu.

Open seven days a week, Maman offers a selection of delicious baked goods, coffee, fresh breakfast and lunch options, and seated lunch, brunch, and a full bar at selected locations. Items include hearty farm fresh salads, quiches, sandwiches, soups, an assortment of pastries and desserts, including their famous nutty chocolate chip cookie, named one of Oprah’s ‘favorite things’ for 2017 and one of the best chocolate chip cookies in New York from NY magazine.

Diu Tea

This hidden gem on orchard street is as novel and Instagram worthy as they come. This tea store offers unique blends of tea, with the most famous being the ‘Selfie tea’. Served nowhere else in New York, Diu offers patrons the chance to print their selfies on their coffee foam (best believe we needed a picture of Passports and Perignon herself in her pizza pyjamas).