Boka
1010 1st Avenue

A few years back, I used to 'do' Sunday brunch at Boka every single week.  I had not been back in a long time but recently read they currently have my all time favorite - Croque Madame - on the menu so I put it on the list pronto.

Food:  I'll start with the bad.  The Croque Madame arrived looking like she had had a horrible Saturday night.  And it got no better.  In my book, it should be crispy, crunchy grilled bread centered with special ham and wonderful cheese melted in the middle covered with hot bechamel sauce and a sunnyside up fried egg.

This was a very soggy not very hot, not melted entirely couple of slabs of bread with sad ham and unmelted cheese in the middle in a luke warm mediocre sauce with two sad over easy eggs falling off of it.  It was actually a worse eating experience than it was to look at.  Sad sad sad all around.

My dining companion, on the other hand, totally raved about is omelet which did look good and was thrilled to get veggie sausage.

He had never been before and said he will definitely be back.

Service:  The service was excellent for the most part.  The waitress was perky and friendly and attentive.  She took at little long in getting us our bill and said nothing about my half eaten breakfast.  I would have hoped she would have asked if there was a problem.

Everything else:  The Boka is a beautiful beautiful room and an elegant place to dine. Just walking in the door makes you feel special and important.  And the price of their brunch, considering the elegance of the surroundings, is a steal.  If you go, do do do stop in the restroom - it's across the lobby (of the Hotel 1000 where the restaurant is located) and well worth the trip, I promise.

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Four Spoons Cafe
850 Northwest 85th Street

As often happens, I was on my way to another place on Saturday. I'd passed this place many times but for some reason thought it was just a coffee shop.  This morning, however, I spied the Breakfast Served All Day sidewalk sign and made a u turn.

Food:  While there were several things that sounded good on the menu, I went with the usual - 2 eggs over easy, bacon, etc.

It was a good choice.  The potatoes were nothing to brag about but the rest was excellent.

The english muffins were particularly nice - well toasted and buttered and offered with a very tasty blackberry jam.

Service:  The service was excellent.   The place is tiny and they had more than sufficient staff all of whom were on the ball.

Everything else:  This place is just cute and cozy and lovely.  I'd go back in a heartbeat and surely will.

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