Of course it was her choice, so we :gasp: left Brooklyn and headed on down to the East Village and checked into Permanent Brunch. In a only-in-New-York twist of fate the most bizarre Indian restaurant in the world Panna 2 is housed next door. That's a post for another time. Sarah?
PB is tiny. That's half the fun. Its adorable, semi-secret and cramped. We choose the one booth that took up the whole front window and looked backed into the rest of the space, including a half revealed kitchen. PB is only open for dinner (brunch) during the week, we went on a Tuesday, just as they were opening. And then it filled up. Completely. With a short standing line by the door (and our table). For such a small space, that many people with so much brunch excellence was almost overwhelming.
Regardless, the food.
Bacon Tasting Menu
That's four orders of bacon for $3 each!We ordered, the New Braufnel's Smokehouse Comal County Peppered Bacon, Texas / Hungarian Smoked Kolozvari Bacon, Illinois / Swiss-Sugar Cubed Cottage Bacon, Wisconsin / Bruger's Smokehouse Country Bacon Sugar Cured, Missouri. Ouch! Every bite was excellent but the bacon bliss wiped away any thought of note taking. I do remember however singing the praises of the Hungarian style from Illinois. The texture was a lot tougher, almost like jerky. Highly recommended.
We also all ordered "entree" dishes. Let's start with Matt and his classic . . .
We also all ordered "entree" dishes. Let's start with Matt and his classic . . .
Steak and Eggs
Roasted Skirt Steak, Rye Panzanella, Sunny Side Up Egg, PB Steak Sauce
Roasted Skirt Steak, Rye Panzanella, Sunny Side Up Egg, PB Steak Sauce
Matt seemed to think the meat was decent but underseasoned. The PB Steak Sauce was a little weak but tasty. The egg, however, was cooked perfectly. The tomato salad was a little too acidic--he would have preferred more astringent greens.
Buttermilk Pancakes
Carmelized Plums, Creme Fraiche, Vermont Maple Syrup
Carmelized Plums, Creme Fraiche, Vermont Maple Syrup
Lexi adored this dish. She made us each try it, and I dug in happily. I almost never order sweet at brunch, because there are so many great savory options. I have a good friend who always orders short stacks of pancakes at diners, and it similarly baffles me. But really. Carmelized plums. Holy cow. They were delicate, almost jellied but still so fresh tasting against the creme fraiche. The pancakes themselves left something to be desired, a denser bite perhaps? A little too much fluffiness for me.
Ham & Cheese Stuffed French Toast
Five Spoke Creamery's Tumbleweed, Vermont Smoked Ham, Dijion Maple Jus
Ham & Cheese Stuffed French Toast
Five Spoke Creamery's Tumbleweed, Vermont Smoked Ham, Dijion Maple Jus
I fell instantly in love. Maybe it was my extra spicy Bloody Mary (with three ENORMOUS garlic stuffed olives), or just the smell. I was ready to eat and I destroyed this dish. The beans, frankly, stole the show. Not the first vegetable I'd think to pair with french toast but it does make sense with the ham. Perfectly cooked, crispy and fresh against the heaviness of the french-toast-sandwich. The cheese! The bread! The ham. The ham could have been better. The cheese was so thick and gooey--not stick to the roof of your mouth gooey, but like a hot creamcheese filling substitute. But its from VERMONT! Huzzah. I can't think of anything bad to say. I would and probably will order this dish again.
On a final note, I just want to thank our waitress for being fantastic. As former waitstaff, it looked like hell to try and serve the way this place was set up. She was flawless, constantly there when needed, offered us great recommendations, everything a waitress should be. So Paige Shlo, cheers. Thanks a lot.
On a final note, I just want to thank our waitress for being fantastic. As former waitstaff, it looked like hell to try and serve the way this place was set up. She was flawless, constantly there when needed, offered us great recommendations, everything a waitress should be. So Paige Shlo, cheers. Thanks a lot.
