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Bottom line:  Pizza for brunch works at Pulino's on the Lower East Side.

Tips:

• Get a brunch pizza (funghi & eggs or spinaci are delicious options)
  
• Check out the bathroom!

About:  Whoever created the song "pizza in the morning, pizza in the evening, pizza at suppertime..." knew what they were talking about.  Who said pizza is reserved for lunch or dinner when it makes a perfectly acceptable and delicious brunch meal?!  Pulino's specializes in brunch pizza creations that are de-lish!

Food:  The brunch menu covers all bases - from traditional eggs and granola dishes to a variety of pizza options.  I would definitely recommend the pizza, here are some highlights:

• Funghi & eggs pizza:  Topped with eggs, mushrooms, pancetta, mascarpone + grana - probably my favorite of the pizzas, almost like eating a thin omelet on delicious pizza crust!
• Spinaci pizza:  With eggs, spinach, mozzarella, mascarpone + grana, a great vegetarian option.
• Pancetta affumicata:  Covered in eggs, bacon, crème fraîche + caramelized onions - definitely the most flavorful with a smokey, sweet and savory blend.
  

Atmosphere:  Loved the whiskey bottle-lined walls throughout the restaurant (where did they get all those bottles... and who drank them?)  The LES restaurant has a lofty feel with high ceilings, yet also feels a bit like an old school diner with white tiles and booths against the walls.  Great service and overall very good atmosphere.

Pulino's:  282 Bowery, 212.226.1996
Saturday & Sunday brunch:  10:00AM - 4:30PM

Bottom line:  You can't beat a $13 brunch special that includes one of many food choices and a cocktail!

Tips:

• This is the place to go if you don't feel like waiting for a table at other neighborhood eateries
• Check out the decor - "cavatappo" means "corkscrew" and there is a large collection of unique corkscrews lining the walls

About:  My mom recently moved to the neighborhood and has enjoyed lunches and dinners at Cavatappo, so she said I needed to come check it out for brunch some time.  So, I do as my momma says!  I'm used to a packed house at 1PM on a Saturday, but there were only a few other customers in this residential neighborhood restaurant while we were there.  We enjoyed the un-rushed brunch, the unique corkscrew decor, and the affordable brunch special!

Food/Drink:  Overall, the food and drinks were good, but nothing was overly spectacular.  This seems like it would be a good neighborhood spot for a quick meal any time of day where you can get a solid meal at a good price.

• French toast - The French toast comes as three thin slices with a bowl of fresh fruit.  The taste was nice but we didn't love the choice of bread and could probably have used a few more slices since they were so thin.
• Eggs benedict - A solid benny.
• Vegetable omelet - We enjoyed the assortment of veggies that included eggplant, zucchini, mushrooms, onions, squash, and more.  Definitely a unique variety of veggies that you don't find on every menu.  Also liked that it came with a salad and potatoes for a complete meal.
  
• Cocktails - The bloody Marys were a bit weak, but the mimosas were delicious with freshly squeezed OJ

Atmosphere:  Love the decor at this restaurant!  The front wine bar area is cozy with two large tables and a wall of wine bottles (would love to come back one evening for a drink!).  The restaurant area is painted red and has dozens of unique-looking corkscrews hanging on the walls.  My favorite was the horn (see photo below)!

Cavatappo:  1712 First Avenue, 212.987.9260
Sat & Sun:  11AM - 4PM

About:  This Italian restaurant in the heart of Murray Hill is home to a popular neighborhood brunch special.  There are many options on this block on third avenue, but La Giara is among the best - with competitive pricing, attentive service and good food.

Food/Drinks:  Overall, a very standard brunch menu, with the delicious spaghetti frittata being the most unique item.  The portions were just right to fill you up without overstuffing you, and making you feel like you are getting a great value for your cash.

• Pancakes:  The classic pancake dish comes with strawberries, blueberries and banana slices and is beautifully presented.  It comes with only two pancakes, because these are the thickest pancakes we've ever seen - so fluffy!  They taste great, the only drawback is because of the amount of pancake in each bite, you really need to drench with syrup so it will soak all the way through.
• Tomato and basil omelette:  Loved the basil flavor in the omelette which wasn't overpowering.  The ingredients are mixed into the egg batter just the way I like it (vs. folded inside like a crepe) and the portion is just right.  It needed salt, and I think adding fresh mozzarella to the omelette would have made it just right (but I'm no chef!).
• Two eggs any style:  Simple dish done right.  We got it scrambled and the eggs were cooked perfectly - not too runny and not too dry.  Also, it was just the right amount of food so you aren't stuffed but feel like you get a good value for your money.  Comes with bacon, toast and potatoes for an extra dollar for a total of $9.
• Eggs benedict:  Honestly, pretty standard and nothing special.  Wouldn't order again with so many other delicious things on the menu.
• Spaghetti frittata:  We don't know who thought of mixing these ingredients together, but they deserve a medal.  This pasta / egg concoction was actually really really good.  It is made with parmesan cheese and tastes almost like a fettucini alfredo - but much lighter.
• French toast:  Another well-done classic that comes with berries to complete the meal.  
• Mimosas:  The mimosas were tasty, and had a good balance of champagne and OJ.  They were constantly refilled, without us having to ask, but they were refilled with pitchers of the mixture which almost cheapened the drink experience.  Of course, we know that it is quicker this way, plus we are only paying $6.50 for the bottomless mimosas, so we'll let it slide.
• Bloody Marys:  The bloody Marys are a lot of fun because you get a class with the classic mixture, and then you receive a bucket of spices and sauces to create to your liking.  Celery salt was not among the ingredients which was a bit odd, but all the other classics were readily available.  Only drawback, in order to not water down the bloody Mary mixture, there is no ice in the pitcher, so the drink is lukewarm every time your glass is refilled.  Easily fixed with a cup of ice, but something to keep in mind.

Atmosphere:  When the restaurant fills up around 1PM, it gets LOUD so be prepared especially if you are at a large table because it may be hard to hear one another.  The decor of the eatery is nice and definitely seems like a romantic dinner spot with a large wine selection.  Love how the wine bottles, barrels and cases are integrated into the interior design.  The service is a bit slow but attentive overall, and we didn't feel rushed to leave.  In fact, our cocktails were refilled even after our plates were cleared.

La Giara:  501 Third Avenue (at 34th street), 212.726.9855

About: A gourmet eatery and bakery, with two locations on Staten Island and one in Manhattan.

Food/Drinks:  A $19.95 brunch special fills you to the brim with an entree, a non-alcoholic beverage, a glass of champagne, and most impressively, a platter of fresh pastries and fresh fruit. 

The mushroom omelette (caramelized onions, fontina cheese and mushrooms served with home fries and toast) had some truffle oil drizzled on top and was so creamy and delicious.

The French toast was sweet – but not too sweet (I think I tasted a hint of ginger) – and filling! The amount of fresh berries on the side made syrup optional.

If you’re tired of mimosas and want to mix it up, The Galileo was our favorite drink – Champagne with a hint of strawberry – very light and refreshing. The Bellini was good as well but nothing to rave about. All of the food was very fresh – the fruit and pastries included. The apple puff and cheese pastries were especially good.

Atmosphere:  The atmosphere is elegant without being stuffy. Indoors, you will be seated to the right of a large – and tempting – bakery full of delicious specialty treats, so you may want to save some room for dessert! Outdoors, you will be shielded from the sun with the large canopies – but not from the heat. Just order a nice drink to cool you down. The seating outside isn’t as formal, but the lanterns and greenery in front of the restaurant make for a pleasant outdoor scene.

Pasticceria Bruno:  1650 Hylan Boulevard, 718.987.5859