Thanksgiving is over which means you have yet to get a jump on that extra long holiday list. Instead of worrying about not taking advantage of the Black Friday deals start decorating that tree you just put up.
These ornaments were found at Mary Arnold Toys, the oldest toy store in New York City. We stopped in on our way to a brunch at Hi-Life. And if our tree wasn’t so small it would definitely be on our tree.
Hi-Life is a restaurant that has two faces depending on the time of day. By night it is a restaurant that caters to the looking-for-a-good-time-involving drinks crowd; by day it is a family-friendly place for an Upper East Side brunch.
Last Sunday, a good friend had been aching to catch-up and my husband wanted to try their breakfast version of a bread basket (blueberry muffins and cinnamon toast) so we decided to meet up at Hi-Life.
The east side location of Hi-Life was closer to meet up so it was a natural fit.
With the 1930s decorating, Hi-Life seems more suited to a dinner crowd than brunch. However the restaurant was still pretty full with strollers and small children, as well as young twenty-somethings trying to recollect their Saturday night. And unlike most brunch places if you arrive at noon you need to be prepared to wait, but we were quickly seated at Hi-Life.
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| Bread baskets at its sweetest. |
I do like the idea of complimentary muffins and toast in addition to a meal, but I felt the basket kind of lacking. Perhaps in a less economy-strapped time, these muffins would’ve been bigger and there would be more toast. Regardless everything tasted as it should – the muffins were cakey sweet and the toast was cinnamon sugary. The butter was actually a berry-flavored butter which was something different that I liked about Hi-Life.
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| Paul Bunyan needs at least two of these. |
Hungrier than normal, I ordered the Paul Bunyan brunch special which consisted of scrambled eggs, bacon, and three silver dollar pancakes. The silver dollar pancakes were more like regular-sized pancakes and was skeptically whether I could finish it all. Surprisingly I did – a rare feat that happens once in a blue moon. Clearly this Paul Bunyan meal should be made double or triple if it’s to be suited for a man who dug out the Grand Canyon.
Prices weren’t outrageous, which seems right with all the families and young foodies; actually very reasonable for the amount of food and the so-so brunch satisfaction.
Overall Hi-Life is a restaurant is okay for a quick brunch before starting your day of shopping and walking around Central Park, but only if you are in the area and unable to find another restaurant.
Hi-Life Restaurant – East Side
1503 Second Avenue
212-628-5433
I’m thankful to have a myriad of Lolita and (non-Lolita) friends, who have inspired me to continue this strange but frill-filled fashion.
I am thankful for my readers for continue to read my blog. It still astounds me when I meet someone new and they say they’ve read Lolita and the City.
I am thankful for being able to begin a new career. It’s scary and new but good.
Vietnamese Coffee is known to be strong and good for a nice kick of caffeine. Imagine if it was in cupcake form? You can find it at Spot Dessert Bar in the St.Marks area.
Coffee cake, coffee frosting, chocolate espresso beads, and a surprise liquid coffee-flavored molten center. It’s satisfies your sweet tooth and gives you a much needed pick-me-up something to get you through the day.
We bought this as a welcome to the neighborhood gift for friends of ours who recently moved nearby. I actually sampled this wine during this year’s Fashion’s Night Out. It’s a white wine that’s very sweet. Great for desserts or just treating yourself!
Have a cupcake you’d like to share? Feel free to email me at lolitaandthecity(at)gmail(dot)com. Just put CCWK in the subject line and what it is and where you found it (preferable anything that is accessible in NYC or the internet).
