Help! Early Midtown Manhattan Breakfast

I'm working in Midtown Manhattan most of this week and I'm trying to figure out a place for me to sit, have a good breakfast, and read the paper before I go to work each day.

My (expensive) plan was to spend as many mornings as possible at Barney Greengrass (in spite of the 30-block trip), but I've learned that they don't open the restaurant until 8:30am, far too late for me.

My breakfast preferences skew away from the standard U.S. breakfast. I'm not too interested in pancakes, bacon, eggs, and french toast. My default choice is smoked fish of some sort, but I'll take anything that's good and not "two over easy, bacon, and a short stack".

Does anyone know of a spot that will satisfy my tastes, be open by 7am, and let me sit for an hour while I eat and read the paper?

Thank you,
Michael

Are you familiar with Norma's at the Parker Meridien? I've never been, but it's been on my NYC trip list for a while because it seems to get some good reviews. They open at 6:30 am on weekdays and have a menu that covers the gammet. Probably a bit on the expensive side, but might work out for what you're looking for. Definitely report back, whereever you end up going.

http://www.parkermeridien.com/eat1.php

kithat wrote:Are you familiar with Norma's at the Parker Meridien? I've never been, but it's been on my NYC trip list for a while because it seems to get some good reviews. They open at 6:30 am on weekdays and have a menu that covers the gammet. Probably a bit on the expensive side, but might work out for what you're looking for. Definitely report back, whereever you end up going.

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll add it to the list of possibilities, although the menu seems very eggs-pancakes-frenchtoast oriented for my tastes. The saving grace might be the duck confit hash.

And don't worry, I always report back.

Best,
Michael

The Cupcake Cafe has apparently now moved into its new (larger) venue at 545 Ninth Avenue (on the west side of Nineth Avenue, between 40th and 41st Street) and is called Casa Cupcake. They open at 7:00 a.m. I know that it is a larger venue, but I couldn't get a sense from their webpage whether it serves coffee or has places to sit (although I would think that it would be likely). Their phone number is 212.465.1530.

The link to the webpage is Cupcake Cafe Webpage

Great cupcakes.

eatChicago - we were in NYC last July and found Cafe Duke just down the street from our hotel - I think the address is 134 W. 51st St. It's on the south side of 51st street between 6th and 7th Avenues. This may be a little too far north to be considered midtown (technically it's the edge of the Theater District) but the breakfast food was pretty darn good and it was inexpensive (for NYC). Not only is there a seating area but they do a HUGE carryout business and it was busy every time I went. Our hotel breakfast was a joke (the Michelangelo at 7th and 51st is a nice hotel but the "continental breakfast" consisted of pastries off the truck and weak coffee) so I was there every morning. Hope this helps.
Davooda

When I'm dashing into midtown on day trips my breakfast concern is more of a place that has free wi-fi so I can get some work done before a 9am meeting. Current go-to place has been Juan Valdez Cafe in Times Square (also at 57th and Lex), and sometimes Starwich on 38th between 5th and 6th although they don't open until 8. Neither have memorable breakfast items, although the coffee at Valdez is pretty good.
>>Brent

After continued research, the leading contender is ess-a-bagel for a bagel with sturgeon, sable, or pickled herring.

Best,
Michael

ess-a-bagel is a good choice. It is not Barney Greengrass, but it will do. I recommend the trek to Casa Cupcake one day.

Pick up a Zagat's to see what places they recommend for breakfast. I'm sure that you will find places for Asian breakfasts - either on 32nd and 6th (Korean) or Lexington and 28th (Indian).

i'm throwing in another recommendation for norma's. it is excellent! hubby and i went to nyc for a week a couple years ago and we liked it so much we ate there twice. it would be easier to eat there if you have reservations, fyi.

When I worked for a firm that had a NY office that I visited occasionally, I hit ess-a-bagel whenever I could.

so...i'd say go for that.

Plus...NY bagels are things I crave here in Chi Town...get as many as you can.

S

earthlydesire wrote:Plus...NY bagels are things I crave here in Chi Town...get as many as you can.

No bagels for me.

I'm a bialy guy 'til I die.

Another thought would be the Dean & Deluca outlet in Rockefeller Center. You might be able to pick up some odds and ends in the deli dept, if they open early enough.