Category: greenwich village

Sunday Brunch : Elephant & Castle

Menu says it all.

Elephant & Castle was a place that my husband and I had planned to go but never got around to it. Two years to be exact. And since we had a long weekend and hardly any definite plans we decided on this place for brunch.

Located in the Greenwich Village, actually near Tea and Sympathy, Elephant & Castle is small so be sure your entire dining company is present and prepare for a wait.  But like Tea and Sympathy they use every inch of their space to accommodate as much people as they can allow – there was a two-person table in that could only be classified as a nook.

Elephant teapots.

Since it was just us, we actually never waited and were seated right away.  True to it’s name there was elephant paraphernalia on shelves.  And it’s name is actually named after a pub name after the voyage Charles I made to marry the “Enfanta de Castile.” The marriage never happened, but the pub stayed and eventually the English pronunciation became Elephant & Castle.

No handles neccsessary. A Spanish Latte: latte with condensed milk.

The food is very simply but rich. And we both decided to get different versions of Eggs Benedict. He went straight for the Eggs Benedict with Apples (instead of Ham) on top of French Toast. As bizarre as it was good because of the sweetness of the apples balancing out the creaminess of the hollandaise.

As you can see there are utensils waiting to dig in

I went with a more classic Eggs Benedict but with Potato Pancakes instead of English muffin. Again rich and extremely filling.  The potato pancake was more like a potato patty but still good nonetheless.  Be prepared with an empty stomach; I was barely able to finish with only two bites left.

Eggs Benedict and Potato Pancakes

They take credit cards and the price was pretty average for New York City. The only suggestion I have is to never go with more than a group of four.

Elephant & Castle
68 Greenwich Avenue
New York, NY 10011

Sunday Brunch: Tea and Sympathy

A very royal wall.

Tea and Sympathy is one of those places you know about and have always wanted to go, but for some other reason something always comes up.  Our story is set in the Greenwich Village and getting there is a lot like finding Neverland walking several side streets. And even then you have to wait for your own taste of authentic British food.
The big thing you should have to know is that Tea and Sympathy is very quaint and very small. As such they’ve posted several rules on the door and you will have to wait a bit — longer if you have a large party. Speaking of large parties, this place is very much a “tea for two.” I’ve visited with parties as small as two to as big as five, but I recommend no larger than four. And no matter how small you will feel cramped.  But the food and tea will make up for it.

Nothing says British like beans and toast. Any better would be a toad in a hole.

Like Alice’s Tea Cup, Tea and Sympathy has a large selection of tea served in a various novelty teapots.  Tea flavors range from floral and fruity like Black Currant to more traditional like English Breakfast and Earl Grey (of course).

Can’t tell if this teapot is from London, can you?

The food is pretty good, and the wait staff is pretty prompt with service (especially when it comes to water for tea and more cream for scones).  If you are going for Afternoon Tea prepare yourself because it will take you an afternoon to finish.

Afternoon Tea for One (and 3/4)

There are two versions (single and two-person) but there honestly isn’t a difference, except maybe a few more sandwiches.  What’s good to know is they are very accommodating if you want a vegetarian version. All you need to do is ask.

One of these cups are not like the other.

However if you aren’t willing to wait for a table or feel weird just standing outside like a dog in the window, they do have a shop adjacent to the restaurant that has enough goodies to satisfy any Anglophile.

These teapots are not for sale, but the ones next door are.

Not able to head down to the Village? Then you can at least visit their blog for recipes, contests and various British things Americans find funny and odd.

Tea and Sympathy
108 Greenwich Avenue
New York City, NY 10011

Also feel free to check out my list of tea rooms in NYC if Tea and Sympathy is not your cup of tea.