NYC Tastes

It was another crazy and amazing year that seemed to go by way too quickly as always.  Things got off to a great start with the return of  Founders CBS  one of my favorite beers of all time.  I really didn't think this would ever be brewed again so I spent the first two months drinking it as much as humanly possible.  Fried Chicken Sandwiches became all the rage; Fuku , Delaney BBQ and the Brooklyn Shake Shack continue to have epic lines for these crispy creations.  The Blue Hill pop up WastED  was also a huge highlight of the year.  It was amazing to see the community of chefs, farmers and retailers come together to shine light on the extreme waste of food in the industry and celebrate these "leftovers" by incorporating them into incredible new dishes.  And as a personal success it only took me two full years but I finally got a  Cronut !   Of course as time passes the culinary landscape must change and...

There's no stopping me when I find something I love and I  love  brunch at Elan.  The most recent trip I began with the Smoked Trout Salad... ...a bright summery blend of greens with that wonderful ocean flavor and just a hint of smoke.  I really enjoyed the croquettes  last visit  but this was even better and I didn't feel quite as full heading into my entree. I couldn't pass up the incredible omelet again; this time stuffed with bell peppers, carrots, chicken sausage and Gruyere cheese (we actually requested the cheese to be added :). They also changed the brunch cocktail from the Blueberry Cobbler Mimosa to Peach which looked just like a sparkling sunset.  What could be better than this relaxing Sunday start. Elan 43 East 20th Street between Park & Broadway New York, NY 10010

A good neighborhood brunch spot is a thing of beauty and I finally have a couple to call my own.  The most recent addition Elan, the elegant eatery from Chef David Waltuck of famed restaurant Chanterelle. Elan offers both an a la carte menu and prix fixe during brunch and the two course set menu is hard to beat.  To begin an order of piping hot Mushroom Truffle Croquettes. I tried to limit myself to only one or two, knowing their dense delicious innards would ruin me for the rest of the meal but stopping is just so hard sometimes. I could only make it about halfway through the incredible Omelet stuffed with two kinds of squash, creamy mozzarella cheese and diced tomatoes.  Next time I will have to do better. Of course when it comes to drinks the limits are endless; the prix fixe includes unlimited Bloody Marys or Blueberry Cobbler Mimosas. I really can't think of a better way to enjoy a glorious Sunday afternoon. Elan ...