Review courtesy of Brunch With My Baby
We were driving this weekend to have brunch at Diner in Williamsburg (I was quite intrigued by the eggs with pea puree and cornbread crumbs on the menu), but like many plans involving a toddler, this one was soon scrapped for another. Minutes before we pulled up to the restaurant, Little J fell asleep. And like most kids, he doesn’t really do the transition thing from car seat to stroller nap so well. So where to go? Luckily my husband is really good at devising alternative food plans on the fly, so he suggested we pick up sandwiches to go at Egg on North 5th Street.
The restaurant was C-R-O-W-D-E-D (honestly I was surprised so many Williamsburg folks were even up and at ’em before 3pm), so I was kind of glad we were stuck with a sleeping kid in the car. There was quite a crowd waiting outside, and the wait list seemed a bit intimidating. But everyone waiting outside seemed pretty stoked about the promise of individual French press coffees and fresh-baked biscuits that awaited them once they were seated.
Our coffee and biscuit sandwiches were made fresh to order. Everything at Egg is either from local purveyors or from Egg’s very own farm in Oak Hill, New York. So even though a lot of the menu is stick-to-your-ribs type fare, at least you know you’re eating quality ingredients.
We had each ordered the Country Ham Biscuit (country ham from a farm on Kentucky, served on a homemade biscuit with homemade fig jam, Grafton cheddar, and a side of grits, $9). I was a little disappointed — given the restaurant’s name — that the biscuit didn’t come with an egg on it. But the ham was really delicious — really thinly sliced — and almost prosciutto-like. I loved the blend of salty and sweet from the fresh fig jam. We ordered our grits “cheesy” (cheese grits add $1.25), so I got to enjoy more of that yummy Grafton cheddar. It was a great meal to have on the go. But the next time we go, I’d like to have a sit-down meal so that I can experience some of the other yummy things on the menu, like the Eggs Rothko (easy-cooked egg in a slice of brioche and topped with Grafton cheddar. Served with broiled tomatoes and a side of meat or seasonal vegetables, $11).
Photo courtesy of Ryan Page
The interior is nothing to write home about: It is long, narrow, with nothing on the walls. Every table, however, has fresh flowers and crayons. Even though I didn’t see any kids eating there at the time, every single table (once again: of adults) was happily coloring on the paper tablecloths. It was pretty funny. One couple’s art in particular caught my eye: He had written “I love you” on his side of the table, and she had written “I love you too”, with a big heart drawing. Wish I had snapped a pic.
The choice table is outside on the sidewalk, because there, you can enjoy all the great people watching.
I love all the sights in Williamsburg. There’s so much energy there, so many interesting-looking people, and inspiration from street art, to home design, to fashion. I snapped a picture of these colorful bikes (above) because they were so different from the more formal rows of Citibikes that populate my neighborhood.
Little J decided, after all, to only take a cat-nap, so he was up right as our food was ready. We entertained him by letting him pretend to drive the car (his favorite car activity), but after we inhaled our biscuits he was in need of some play time. McCarren Park (776 Lorimer St ) is right around the corner, so we walked there in search of a playground. It was hard to find the playground at first, but we enjoyed the lovely greenmarket there that really beats the one in Borough Hall near us. Right now is the height of the season, so everything is on display — all kinds of stone fruits, beautiful wildflowers, ripe melons, and juicy tomatoes.
The Vincent V Abate Playground (on Lorimer St. and Driggs Ave.) was the only playground we could find in the park but it had everything you could want in a playground: Multiple swing sets, jungle gyms, and slides; plus, a sprinkler area.
Last Bite: For a hearty farm-to-table brunch in a lively atmosphere where every table is coloring with crayons (or for a great sandwich to take to nearby McCarren Park), head to Egg Restaurant. Try to get there early as the wait list fills up fast. Bonus: Breakfast is served up till 6pm!
Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Very tight and narrow space. No.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.
135 N 5th St.
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Price: $$
Phone: (718) 302-5151
Prices: $$
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm; Sat-Sun 8am-6pm
Lunch is served after 3pm on weekends and after 11:30 during the week. All day breakfast until 6pm.
Cash Only.
Featured image courtesy of Ryan Page.
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About the Author, Alexis Barad-Cutler:
Alexis is a children’s book writer, publishing veteran and food-lover. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband, her furry Havanese dog and her very “spirited” toddler. Her latest book, Who Are We?: An Animal Guessing Game (Scholastic) is available in stores now.