Visited this great restaurant last Saturday and am pleased to say we loved it. My husband and I rarely go out to eat because we own restaurants, so we usually will only go for a special occasion, my husband picked Bonafini because it's, like him, it's Italian. We had a delightful dinner, service was great, the owner herself waited on us, she is fabulous. The restaurant is very cute, it's really like a neighborhood trattoria where all the locals eat, casual and relaxed. The place had a great vibe, lots of people enjoying themselves. We had a bottle of wine, apps, mains, and the most moist olive cake I've ever had, all at a great value. We will be coming to this restaurant often since we live close by. read more

Visiting Brooklyn, we were in the mood for brunch and stopped by Bonafini, an Italian spot. Even though it's primarily Italian, that didn't matter -- we went straight for American brunch classics. I had the pancakes, which came with blueberry compote, Greek yogurt, and hazelnut spread. My dining partner went for what I believe was the Sicilian Shakshuka -- tomato and vegetable stew, olives, bread, and eggs. The pancakes were solid: just the right amount of maple syrup. They were a little on the dry side, but still tasty, helped along by what seemed like Nutella or another chocolate-hazelnut sauce. Not mind-blowing, but satisfying and definitely hit the spot. Overall, a pleasant brunch -- we left full and happy. I'd be glad to come back the next time I'm in Brooklyn. Last visited: August 23, 2025 read more

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I came here for dinner with my friend on Friday night. It was pretty busy inside and dimly lit. Although we were late for the resy, we were still able to be seated right away. Our waitress, Vivian, was really sweet and friendly. We started with the Henny piña punch. It wasn't as sweet as I was anticipating, but it was tasty. For food, we tried the following: Cod fritters- 6/10; a little bland and underwhelming Baby kale Caesar salad- 4/10; tasted bitter and very dry. Requested additional dressing, which made it salty Lasagna- 5/10; tasted like only salt and black pepper were used to season this dish Pappardelle- 6.5/10; underwhelming Whipped ricotta- 5/10; not what we were expecting. Dry and hard Unfortunately, the food tasted like gentrified Italian food. The flavors were not doing it for either of us. I did appreciate the good service and yummy Henny piña punches! read more

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Tried the Montrealer breakfast sandwich for takeout... the croissant was perfectly crispy and buttery and held up surprisingly well over delivery, bacon was thick cut but I didn't mind. I thought the combination of mustard and syrup was interesting, kind of odd but I liked it, and the sandwich overall was very tasty with a nice little salad on the side and super crispy shoestring hash browns (I added them into the sandwich and it was delicious). The egg was actually runny which I love and is hard to do with a brek sammie. Expensive for what it was, but hit the spot and would try other things here for sure. read more

Bonafini - Montrealer Breakfast Sandwich - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Now this is brunch done right. We had the Montrealer sandwich with scrambled egg, thick maple bacon, cheese on a croissant, scrambled eggs, pancake, avocado, greens and hash browns which were more like shoestring fries, with a side of French toast and a latte. All terrific. Simple yet perfectly balanced and totally satisfying. I have to say that Montrealer sandwich had a great medley of flavors and the croissant tied it all together beautifully. I'm sure I will be craving this soon. The staff were very attentive and sweet, making us feel right at home. The customers were also very friendly and down to earth, making the overall vibe of the place really comfortable. All in all we enjoyed the food and atmosphere very much and will certainly return. read more

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Popped in for Saturday brunch and left pretty impressed! We ordered the Montrealer and the Panino breakfast sandwiches--both were solid choices. The hashbrowns weren't your classic kind--they were more like crispy shoestring fries, and honestly, I wasn't mad about it. Super tasty. The side salad was simple: just arugula with oil and vinegar, but it worked. The Montrealer had great flavor, though the bacon was cut a little too thick, which made it a bit of a workout to bite through. On the flip side, the ciabatta on the Panino was perfect--crisp on the outside, but still soft enough to bite into easily. Tried the mimosa too--it had a nice, fresh-squeezed OJ taste, but the pulp threw me off a bit (not a pulp person!). The food came out fast, and while the service wasn't over-the-top amazing, it was solid. We sat out back on the patio--super cute setup, but it got a little warm and the airflow could've been better. Still, I'd definitely come back, maybe next time for dinner! read more

Super cute hole in the wall spot! Ask to sit on the back patio if there's room. Got the hot italian sandwich and it was so delicious and filling. I would've never thought to have put broccoli in a sandwich but they made it work! Solid coffee as well. Great brunch spot and would love to come back to try their other items! read more

Bonafini is such a lovely spot! I went with my partner and dad who came in from out of town and we all really liked our food. We each got different pastas and shared, and they were all great but the mushroom was my favorite! We also finished the night with tasty gelato for dessert. read more

Came for brunch and it was pretty good. Will definitely come back. The ginger cocktail was really good. Loved the hash browns. The shakshuka was okay - felt like it could have been a bit richer in flavor and thicker in consistency but it was still enjoyable. Best brunch I've had in this neighborhood. The server was incredibly friendly and helpful. read more

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Extremely slow service. We waited about 50 minutes for our food to arrive. It seemed like it was a busy night since all the tables were full, but honestly it might have just been because the kitchen was slow with the food. We got the mussels, cavatelli, and parpardelle. The mussels were pretty good and nice to start as an appetizer. Both pastas were cooked to al dente and tasted fine. Nothing really stood out as being "really good" or "amazing" but they definitely got the basics down. Honestly, vibes were pretty good here but because of the slow service, I probably wouldn't come back. This is definitely a place where you would need to grab a drink to wait for your food or you might get bored. read more

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Stepped into this little spot on a whim and left pleasantly surprised. Service was warm and attentive - they checked in without hovering. I tried the rigatoni and a rum punch; both were flavorful and well-seasoned, portions generous. The room feels cozy with rustic touches and a relaxed hum, perfect for a casual night out. Prices are refreshingly low, great value for genuinely tasty comfort food. read more

Rigatoni was delicious. So was the rum punch. The restaurant itself is cozy and inviting, with exposed brick walls that give it a warm, rustic feel. The service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. All around, a great experience. I'll definitely be back! read more

I've been here for dinner and brunch and both were delicious! I will say that the rating for each are different though in my opinion. Dinner: 5 stars--the lasagna and really everything are absolutely fantastic in every way. Brunch: 3.5 stars--the breakfast panino and patty melt were pretty good but the star for me were the hash browns that were unlike any I'd ever had! Both have phenomenal drinks and really romantic and intimate ambiance for a cute date. The service was ok--we had to ask for things several times because they were forgotten on occasion. That said all waitstaff were still very kind and may have just been busy the times I stopped in. Overall this is a great spot and I would definitely be back! read more

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I ordered an Italian grilled cheese sandwich with 3 cheeses. It also came with arugula and anchovies. I don't like anchovies so I planned to give them to my husband. I was dismayed that the anchovies were actually big squirts of anchovy paste draped generously over a delicious looking sandwich. I scraped off as much as I could but it tainted the entire sandwich. Halfway thru our meal the server stopped by and offered to make a new sandwich for me but it was too late for my tastebuds. I ate less than 1/4 of the sandwich and wish they had offered to cut the price of it. Anchovies and anchovy paste are not the same to me. Very disappointed read more

Cute genuine Italian restaurant. They have a special sharing menu for two with a reasonable price, it includes appetizers, desert and a drink - it includes three of the best dishes on the menu. Everything is fresh. Ambience is intimate and quaint. Staff is extremely attentive and very kind. Can't wait to go back read more

Bonafini - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I regret eating the patty melt at Bonafini. That is a compliment. I offer a rave. If you like this type of sandwich, this has short rib, and it is wonderfully juicy and rich and filling. That, however, is why I need to avoid it. As a middle aged male, I have to take pills for cholesterol and blood pressure, respectively. I can indulge only intermittently. In this case, I picked the right restaurant for this menu item -- this may be the best patty melt I have ever eaten. The French fries were not bad either. My friend and I had run a 7 mile race in Prospect Park before brunch. That is my excuse. When we got to Bonafini, it was full. They had a nice table toward the back, and they did not rush us. They have a less desirable table right at the front, and they were so busy they had to put folks there. My friend, with a third person who joined us, enjoyed the meal. I rarely am in this area. If I were and hungry, I would remember this restaurant. It is casual and priced well. read more

The tagliatelle was so so. It had peas in it and the pasta was mushy. Not my favorite. The montepuciano wine was the beat part of the meal. That's it. The service was okay, but had to remind the waiter to bring things. Kale caesar salad was pretty good. It does have a nice ambiance. read more

Came for a brunch on Sunday! The food was great, ordered the Montrealer Breakfast sandwich and the pancakes. The breakfast sandwich was in a croissant and was sweet and savory due to the mix of maple and the eggs/bacon inside. The pancakes where good the right amount of sweetness with the chocolate chips and blueberries combing well. The margarita was very bitter having less simple syrup than the typical margarita. Service overall was great and the staff was attentive to my allergies. read more

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First time coming here for brunch. Called 30 mins prior and was able to score a reservation. Staff welcoming and friendly. Ordered a crossiant sandwhich that came with the best bacon ever ! Can pick your style eggs. The pancakes were a must !! Very fluffy and had an Italian bakery flavor to them. Family friendly bring the kids ! read more

Bonafini - Chocolate blueberry pancakes - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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First thing's first: Reserve ahead of time if you can -- they can get pretty crowded, as this is one of the popular brunch spots in the area. We came on a gloomy Sunday afternoon after Brooklyn Pride and were excited to have snagged a reservation for outdoor seating. The outdoor space was really cute and well-lit, naturally, and the muraled background made you feel transported somewhere warm and tropical, minus the humidity -- perfect for me! The waitstaff came around a few times at first to ask about food/drinks, but it didn't feel pushy. We ordered shortly after and made conversation. And more conversation. And more conversation. Although our drinks came pretty quickly, we didn't receive any check-in or attention for a good half-hour when we realised we hadn't received an update about our food (a simple eggs/sausage/salad plate, french toast on the side, and veggie burger platter). I had forgotten that the food can take a while, but it was disappointing that it took 30 minutes to even see if we needed a refill on drinks. We were told the food would come out shortly, but only when it became apparent that the tables around us -- larger parties, at that -- had ordered after us and received their food before us. Finally, 45+ minutes after ordering, our food arrived. The veggie burger was an alternate meat kind, which I didn't hate, but it definitely needed some sauce. The hashbrowns were good, as always. However, the egg/sausage/salad plate was underwhelming. The eggs looked tired, and my partner said the sausage and french toast were just meh. I'd been to Bonafini many times so I was a bit ready for the wait, but in the past it had come with better fare (Montrealer sandwich; Italian sausage + broccolini sandwich; Frittata). This time the food didn't save the establishment from the slow service. It also took a long time to close out, so overall, it was just a very confusing experience in terms of service. I'd come back, but only for takeout to avoid the hanger. read more

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Way overpriced for quality and quantity. Very average pasta. My dish arrived lukewarm in spots and warm in others. My dining companion was equally unimpressed by their dish (which at least was hot), calling it a $15 pasta at best, certainly not a $25 dish. Drinks were priced averagely, service was attentive, and the dessert was good. However, for what our bill was it's just not remotely worth it. We won't be back. read more

Went here with my bf today for brunch. Glad we made a reservation - there was definitely a wait we when got there at noon. We sat out back in the patio which was super comfortable and shady with plenty of fans. We both had lattes and got the montrealer which was delicious. Love their hash browns and how thick the bacon was. Server was prompt and courteous! Giving it 4 instead of 5 stars because I wish the pizzas were also available for brunch read more

Bonafini - The montrealer breakfast sandwich - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

If you want some good Italian eats you gotta come to here. This cute restaurant in Flatbush section of Brooklyn can truly make some good food. I'm in love with that Gnocchi made with a Hot Italian Sausage Ragu, I highly recommend it. Their cocktails are good and they do $9 happy hour and at this time a date night special menu for only $60. (I went in the summer). The Brooklyn after dark drink was very strong. Their mussels and bread were delicious as well. The staff was also super friendly. I heard their brunch is good as well. Tell them I sent ya and you won't be disappointed. read more

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3.5 (Brunch Review) Nice place, inside was a bit dark, but I reserved the Enchanted Alley and it seems like I got the less enchanting side of the alley. There was a part of the back patio that had a beautiful leafy green mural, and I got the part with a boring pink wall lol. I wish they extended the mural to the rest of the back. There was nice lights, but this was a brunch, would've probably looked better if I went there for dinner instead. The frittata looked good, steak was cooked to my brother's liking. French toast seemed dry, and really sweet. I got the breakfast chilaquiles, which I thought was the best out of everything because it was really filling and had a good amount of sausage and beans. Tasted very good as well. The only thing that I was confused by were the hashbrowns. I have to respectively disagree that what I got were NOT hashbrowns, but thinly sliced potato fry-chips. They were messy, went everywhere and nobody knew how to eat it correctly because it would just fall apart. Now that I think of it, these were more like home fries. I was expecting a potato pancake, crispy on the outside and fluffy. My boyfriend enjoyed the mimosa and my mom really liked her cappuccino. I thought my matcha latte was just ok. Overall meh food, but loved the service. Would probably not come here again for brunch. read more

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The pasta boiler had just gone down right when we arrived, which was unfortunate. I was very much looking forward to trying the gnocchi. Not docking stars for that, but rather the burger was meh. I did find it amusing that the host mentioned the boiler was down but the rest of the menu "including the entrees" (all three--3--of them) were available. He should get 5 stars for his marketing skills. The chicken Milanese was breaded well and quite flavorful. The ricotta appetizer was honestly the highlight of the meal. the prosciutto burrata was also only decent, wouldn't necessarily get again, although the bread was delicious. Ambience was cute, nice exposed brick, but acoustics could make it hard to hear even from across the table. Waiter was attentive in refilling our water, which is always appreciated. Would've wanted to try the pizza but wanted variety from the appetizers. Need to come back to review the pasta, since that seems to be the main attraction. read more

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Great food and lovely intimate brunch experience. The service was not pushy but very knowledgeable and felt welcoming. read more

Overall rating: 4.6 I remember coming here for dinner once and to be honest I didn't love it. I thought it was overpriced for the location & while the pasta was good, it wasn't anything special. THEN, I went for brunch! Oh, my, god. I am obsessed with the French toast. Like obsessed. Like best I've ever had. I also got these "fries" or hash browns and it was a bit overwhelming tbh. But I will definitely be coming back just for the French toast. It is SO good. Their juice is also really good! read more

Bonafini - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Overall, solid place to go for brunch. Food was tasty; would come here again. I ordered the breakfast sandwich, which I definitely recommend if you're in the mood to pig out on a greasy, savory, all-American breakfast. The salmon pastrami toast my friend ordered also looked very good and he enjoyed it a lot-- would probably try that next time. Don't recommend the orange juice; it may be "freshly squeezed" but the tiny amount they gave def wasn't worth the price. Also service was iffy. I'm not normally one to nitpick about that but our waitress could not have made it more obvious she didn't want to be there. read more

When picking up a brunch order for a friend nearby, I realize that the item was much smaller than imagined. Thus I needed to find an alternate for our brunch at home Bonafini saved the day. And since I was in the area looking for dinner recently I decided to go back to try them out again for this meal. The inside was relatively empty on a Saturday night with a few people hanging on the bars seats and one or two people at the tables. but I remembered that they had an outdoor area and indeed a lot of people were coming to or from there (especially in the summer time it makes sense). Brunch on the other hand was popping indoors and outdoors. The person at the front gladly took my order for takeout and allowed me to sit at the bar to wait. I originally ordered the taglierini with clams the calamari/zucchini and the broccolini. However omitted after I ordered she notified me that the last plate of the clam pasta was already served so instead I went with the pappardelle with braise beef short rib. I was also thinking about the lasagna however I already had some earlier this month plus according to the person working with me it would take a longer time to wait. I appreciated that info. Because I was waiting I also decided to have a glass of Lambrusco while I was waiting. Overall I waited just a short while to pick up my order. And I went straight home with it. Overall I had an enjoyable time eating my options. The pasta with the short ribs was definitely a good treat, there were a bit more zucchini in the calamari/zucchini dish but they tasted great especially with the squeeze of lemon and I really enjoyed the broccolini. I believe it would've been even better if I had them at the restaurant but tonight was not my night for that. Overall I can see myself definitely coming back to this restaurant and eating there in person or for takeout. read more

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Its like going to your Nonna's house for Sunday supper. You dont often get home, rustic Italian cooking in NYC. I was throughly impressed with the restaurant from the Resy booking to the greeting to the wait staff everything was treated with the highest regards. They had a seasonal Hot Cider cocktail that really fancied. The food was fantastic at all levels. We had the charcuterie board which had some spicy meat, acidic olives, creamy cheeses, and salty meat. It definitely needed a sweet element like a honey but still wonderful. The entrees we had the Lasagna (jumbo portion), Chicken Milanese, and Cauliflower Gratin. All were superb. I heard brunch is even better so i might need to visit again very soon. During the pandemic- booking was simply with Resy. They even allow you to pick the specific parts of the restaurant to sit. They have heated lamps and overhead tent to avoid the elements. read more

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The quality of the food was outstanding! The lasagna was perfect and the pepperoni pizza was excellent. This is an elite chef in the kitchen. I highly recommend! read more

Honestly I've wrote 2 reviews in the past about this place and it's still amazing all these years later. The staff is always friendly, the food is always delicious, their bathroom is still the same spacious and clean. It's still one of my favorite goto restaurants all these years later! I'm always brunching there and always forget to update my review lol. Today we had a birthday dinner and the last time we had dinner here was 11/2020. But today we had to do a do over and come here to celebrate my bf's birthday again (if you want the information on that head over to ViaRoma's Yelp page you'll see my review about that place) We tried some different items from last time so let's get in to it! Appetizers! Cheese Plate: Please do yourself a favor and get this! You get to choose between the meats and cheeses. So my bf and I got Salami & Prosciutto with a cheese I unfortunately can't pronounce lol. I think it was called Piave Vecchio it's a firmer cheese and the others are softer. But either way it was delicious! It comes with soft bread olive oil to dip it in and on one side of the plate has honey you can dip your bread in and the other side has some kind of balsamic vinegar and let me tell you that it complements the dish SOOOO WELL! I can already predict that this will be a staple for us whenever we come back for dinner lol. Main Dishes! Pappardelle: this is what my bf got and as of now it's a popular dish at the restaurant. I can totally see why because it did not disappoint! It's a nice tomato sauce with short rib so tender it melts in your mouth! And to top it of parmesan cheese! He literally rated this a 4.5 out of 5 only because he wishes it was cheesier which can be easily corrected by asking for more cheese. I told him that but he had already finished his meal at that point lol. Also I helped him finish his meal because once again I was eating from his plate. Lol Kale and Ricotta Tortellini was my choice of the night and it was so light and yummy! The sauce used for this dish was a sage & butter sauce topped off with you guessed it parmesan cheeseeeee! I asked for extra cheese because I already know myself lol. I never had kale before and I always hear people say how it doesn't taste that good. However; it was delicious to me and I had the best experience with it. Drinks! Aperol Spritz: Always my goto summer drink when I come here because it's fruity, bubbly, and refreshing! Henny Rum Punch: was equally refreshing it had Hennessy, rum, and Hibiscus and it was everything I never knew I needed in a glass lol At the end they wished my Adorkable guy a happy birthday with this chocolatey/creamy desert which I already forgot the name maybe I can find a pic someone posted on the page and add the name later. Anywho they had remembered I mentioned it was his birthday earlier. It was a surprise for me as well because usually you have to request your server or whoever to do that and with them I didn't even have to. But I expected nothing less from them because they are the best after all. Located right on Flatbush close by the B12 and not too far from the Q Train this is the best Italian restaurant in that neighborhood hands down! read more

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My friends kept talking about Bonafini and how they are becoming regulars so I finally decided to try it out and this burger is pretty amazing - it has such a unique taste. Bonafini truly put their own spin on the classic burger while not doing too much. My friend ordered the Gnocchi and that was very very good also. I feel like you can't go wrong with experimenting at Bonafini tbh. If you're a burger lover or want some great eats - definitely try. And the staff was so friendly and I'll forever appreciate that read more

Bonafini - Burger Gnocchi - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Bonafini is still my go to spot in the neighborhood. For brunch or dinner I have never had a bad meal here. It's my favorite place to take friends or people visiting. The Montrealer breakfast sandwich is my go to order. They also have a butternut squash tortellini that is wonderful. It's not hard to get a reservation so it's worth making one so you don't have to wait because they get pretty busy! read more

Bonafini - Bloody Mary - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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I stopped by solo for a late brunch on a rainy Saturday. I was greeted immediately upon entry, and guided to a table. I requested a seat at the hightop bar instead since it was just me and I got the seat of my choosing. It was easy to get comfortable here. It was my first time and I found it cozy, and the staff very warm. I ordered the Montrealer breakfast sandwich, side of french toast, cappuccino and a ginger beer. Moment of silence for the hashbrowns I ate with a smile- they were amazing! Everything was delicious (drinks included). Everyone seemed to chip in to attend to customers, it was nice seeing the collective effort - all ran smoothly. The service was great and I never felt rushed. I recommend, and would come back to also try their dinner menu. read more

Bonafini - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

My son and I strolled in here for breakfast around 9:30. There were only 2 other couples so our meals came pretty fast. The hot chocolate was yummy. I wasn't crazy about my cheesy eggs that came with my steak. My son son loved his croissant sandwich with eggs, bacon and hashbrowns. He's still talking about it to this day saying it was the best he had. I would give them 3 stars but I threw on an extra 1 since my son devoured his smh read more

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Super sweet ambiance and delicious food. Staff was very nice to my 10 year old and made her special night really special. We will definitely be back. read more

The perfect Italian comfort food spot. I love bonafini so much I'd go every day if I could. The pizza dough is so soft, and the pizza itself is the perfect size. The service is always amazing, especially if you get Karli. The restaurant has the coziest vibes and a covered backyard dining. My menu favorites are the Brooklyn Queen, the broccoli rabe (it's spicy and crunchy), and the arugula salad (I didn't know I could love a balsamic so much). I would also not skip dessert-- tiramisu or olive oil cake, literally no wrong choices here. read more

Happy to have found this gem in the neighborhood! From the food to the service Bonafini delivers. My first time here I came for happy hour, I was in a very specific mood for wine and cheese. They have a lovely cheese plate offering with accompaniments that include bread, jams, fruits and nuts. While most of the cheeses were on the creamier sharp side the accompaniments brought the board balance. For dessert I ordered both the chocolate salami and the marscapone which go very well together! Weeks later I came back for brunch and again they did not disappoint! We were seated promptly and I was happy to see so many vegetarian options. I couldn't decide but went with the tomato soup, grilled cheese with a side of eggs. The tomato soup was great and not overly acidic, the grilled cheese was not as cheesy as I would have liked but still good and the side of eggs were perfect. I look forward to coming back to try more of the brunch menu! read more

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This is a gem. A place in my hood where I can be myself. Its an atmosphere of lightness. The staff is attentive and friendly. They went above and beyond to resolve my minor issues of being a bit confused with the menu and gave me the item anyway. I like that they have the option of mimosa's by the glass or pitcher. We opted for the pitcher and we're very satisfied. They had great music and it's a place where you can sit back, laugh til your gut hurts with your friends, eat good food and receive no judgements. I had the breakfast platter. It came with eggs, chose of salad or hash browns, toast, and you could add on bacon, avocado, vegan/vegetarian meat substitutions, etc. The hash browns are bomb! It's a large pile of super thinly shaved crispy potatoes. Please feel free to use your hands. It's okay. We're all doing it. That's literally the only way to tackle that mountain of delicious starch. The bacon was perfect. The fat melted in my mouth and it was crispy but meaty af. The salad had a light dressing. The avocado was so fresh and delicious. It was so much frikkin food. It was great! I'd definitely go back. And the prices are affordable. Check it out for brunch, lunch, din din, whatever! Check out my foodie adventures on insta! @saltandsavor read more

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