Bottom line:  You can't go wrong with Mexican for brunch at this BR Guest Hospitality chain.

Tips:

• There are multiple locations throughout the city, all with similar if not identical menus
  
• Get a free drink with your meal - even if it isn't on the brunch menu

About:  Dos Caminos is one of those restaurants that you know will be good, regardless of which one you go to or what time of day.  Part of the BR Guest Hospitality family, Dos Caminos is subject to high standards in food and atmosphere.  While the restaurant is generally thought of as a lunch, dinner or cocktail spot, don't rule it out for brunch - they have a great special and a delicious Mexican-inspired brunch menu.

Food/Drink:  Overall the food was very good, albeit a bit greasy.  Definitely not an every weekend type of brunch, but worth the occasional splurge.  (Or just order healthier than we did!).  Also, we loved the drink special - a free frozen prickly pear or traditional margarita, or classic brunch cocktail, plus coffee or tea - with your entree.

• El Mexicano Burger - ground beef (8oz) with jalepeno chili elleno, guacamole, and roasted tomato mayonnaise.  A fantastic beef burger with an obvious Mexican influence.  Filling and tasty - and comes with fries.  ($13)
  
• Smoked Chili Fries - Not a huge fan of cheese fries, but liked the chili spice on top - gave the fries a nice kick.
• Breakfast Quesadilla - handmade thick tortillas filled with scrambled eggs, chopped up bacon and chihuahua cheese.  Very good but very greasy.  Could only finish half the plate - but it was a delicious half.  ($14)
• Mimosa & Screwdriver - chilled and delicious, pretty standard brunch drinks
  

Atmosphere:  I love the atmosphere at Dos Caminos, which has a more trendy, upscale vibe than that of a traditional Mexican establishment.  Whether you are seated at the bar, in the front room or the large back dining room, you can take advantage of the interesting decor (including metallic hanging lanterns with different cutout patterns) and solid service.

Dos Caminos Park:  373 Park Avenue South, 212.294.1000

About:  Inside this quaint restaurant, you will feel like you are at a family-owned cafe somewhere out in the country.  The mismatched coffee cups and salt/pepper shakers give it a Grandma's house feel, and the comfort food (biscuits are amazing) definitely adds to the cozy dynamic. 

Food:  The $12 make-you-own omelette option is always reliable.  I recommend gruyere and mushrooms, but you can mix and match your favorite ingredients.  Omelettes come with a light, buttery biscuit instead of traditional toast - sooo good!  The potatoes are cut into little cubes which have a nice crispy skin.  The brioche French toast is another must-have, drawing attention to all nearby tables.  This dish is huge and looks like a big slice of birthday cake.

Drink:  Brunch includes a small OJ or cranberry juice, and cocktails are about $6 each.

Atmosphere:  Very casual and homey, this restaurant caters to locals at all life stages who are looking for a good bite to eat in a relaxing, quaint environment.  The place settings are different at each table (coffee cups, salt and pepper shakers) which makes for a homey feel.

Bluebell Cafe:  293 third avenue (between 23rd and 22nd streets), 646.649.2389
Brunch:  8AM - 4PM

Food:
It's hard not to fill up on the delicious biscuits and jam that come to the table as soon as you're seated.  But knowing what's still to come, pace yourself!  So much goodness, so little space in the belly!

As a Foursquare check-in special, we selected a side order of the homemade brioche French toast with bananas, walnuts and dried cranberries - perfect French Toast!  Not too thick, syrup on the side, and just the way I like it - crunchy on the edges.

The presentation of my Huevos Rancheros with red and green chili and black bean refritos was nice (see pic below) but it soon became a mish mosh of eggs, tortilla, beans, and chili on the plate.  Probably not the best choice on a brunch date, but if you don't mind asking for extra napkins and owning the messiness, go for it!  Just a hint of spicy, too!

Omelette of Braised Greens with goat cheese was described by my friend Kathleen as "one of the best omelettes I've ever had" - and she is even more of a brunchaholic than I am!  She did ask to have the dish without the tomatoes, but the braised greens and fluffy eggs were cooked to perfection.

Drink:
No drink specials, but an extensive wine list!

Atmosphere:
Rustic, casual, spread out.  Even as it gets crowded, there's always room to move about - even in the coveted outdoor space, you won't feel crammed in.  The billiards room adds a special charm that you can't find everywhere.

Almond:  12 East 22nd street, 212.228.7557