Brunch Report

JACK & NELLIE'S

108-25 Ascan Avenue

Forest Hills, NY 11375

(718) 268-2696

One of my favorite places in the zip code is Jack & Nellie's, but for reasons that I can't yet come up with, I have yet to go there for brunch. This has been a mistake which Myna and I sought to remedy this afternoon. We arrived around noon and were promptly seated. The music began shortly after.

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At night, Jack & Nellie's is a chill urban wine bar/restaurant. It's the kind of place I'd been drooling over opening since I moved the neighborhood after I graduated from college ten years ago. During the day on weekends, it's the kind of brunch spot that might make a West Villager pissed. Awesome food, live jazz, no line to get in. If there is a downside, it's that it's somewhat pricey. Bottomless mimosas are nowhere to be seen. But at only $4 a glass, you're not likely to blow all your rent money, either.

My breakfunch was the Eggs Benedict, which they turned into an off-menu non-vegetarian eggs Florentine (they added spinach but kept the bacon in) for no up-charge. Score! It came with a side of potatoes which were very good (and better with hot sauce) and I ordered an extra side of bacon. They serve the super thick kind that feels like biting into four diner slices at once. Fantastic. Admittedly, the plate was somewhat full and so my photo doesn't make it look all that good. But trust me, it was delicious. Myna chose the Egg White Omelet made with spinach, goat cheese, and tomato. It came with a small side of fresh fruit and toast. She also ordered a side of the sausage. I traded her a bacon slab for a sausage but never thought to steal a bite of her omelet. She wants me to tell you that she thought it was great.

For drinks we ordered a round of coffees plus an IPA for me and a sake bloody Mary for her. The coffee was served French press style, which is not only more chi-chi but tastes better than drip coffee. A gripe here: the menu quotes $4 per cup of coffee and the French press pot cost $10. With the two of us, that's $5 each. Sure there were a number of refills in the pot, but it did rub us somewhat ill.

That said, it's not a big enough complaint to keep us from returning. The bloody Mary was very good, the food was great, the live music was awesome, and Myna left with a big beaming smile. "Now that" she said, "is how brunch is supposed to be."