On a weekend in New York City, my absolute favorite things to do are
1. find a reason to get dressed up
2. go to brunch.
Saying that the brunch culture in New York City is a big deal is an understatement. Most places won't even take reservations for parties smaller than 6, so your estimated wait time ends up around 46 moons and a donation of your left leg and unfortunately there might not be a way to avoid that most weekend days.
Half of the city is on the same mission.
The best neighborhood, in my opinion, to have brunch is Lower Manhattan.
Not only does Lower Manhattan have some of the most impressive restaurants and cuisine, you will NEVER leave the neighborhood without a couple good Instagram-worthy, "outfit of the day" shots. The exterior of Grey Lady makes the perfect spot for a street-style photo even if you are just walking by.
It's something about those brick walls that add a certain grunge to your photos!
The windows on the side of the building reflect the street behind you during the day, giving the shot a cool contrast against the brick.
Outfit details: Rumble Red British Camo Pants,
Boots: Aldo, Shirt: Poshmark, Bralette: F21
The Grey Lady is actually a nickname for the fog on Nantucket. Considering this painting is on the wall behind the bar, I thought the three owners were just really into mythical creatures. It turns out they are all from Nantucket and decided to open a seafood restaurant with a name that represents their hometown.
Callum McLaughlin is the brains behind their bar menu and while I was waiting for the rest of my party to arrive, I got the Caliente, Caliente cocktail. Grey Lady is known for their unique drink menu, so do not leave without trying one of their signature cocktails.
Caliente, Caliente •Mezcal, el jimandor tequila, lemon, habanero shrub, chili salt•
After many tries, I've come to the conclusion that there is just something about mezcal that I just don't quite love. However, when I see a spicy margarita with mezcal as an ingredient, I never ask the bartender to leave it out. Instead, I just ask for more lemon juice to mask the smoky taste a bit.
My rule of thumb when going to brunch is to ALWAYS get the bottomless mimosas. ALWAYS.
For starters, it is typically reasonably priced. At Grey Lady, you get 2-hours of unlimited Mimosas, Bloody Mary's, and Screwdrivers from the time they bring you your first glass for just $20. Since just one of their cocktails alone is $15, it's best to not skip out on the bottomless deal.
Since I go out for brunch a few times a month, I noticed that I only order Eggs Benedict if there is absolutely nothing else on the menu that excited me. Grey Lady's brunch menu is probably one of the best I've seen in a long time. On Sunday, I opted for their Shrimp and Grits entree with Andouille sausage and shaved almonds. The menu described the sauce used as a "BBQ sauce," and I almost let that deter me from ordering. However, the sauce tastes nothing like your typical BBQ, so I definitely recommend this dish despite the bbq reference.
I hope you enjoyed my review! If you've been to Grey Lady share your favorite dish and cocktail with me!
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@brunchwithsam
