Apparently, the brunch scene in Bushwick is pretty fierce!
Last month, we decided to move Best of Bushwick 2018: Brunch up in our schedule following the surprise closure of last year’s winner, Terra Firma.
Our call for nominations led to a surprisingly narrow field. Only 14 spots, half the number from last year, were nominated, and some notable restaurants, like Roberta’s, failed to get the nod from any of our readers.
Despite the relatively small selection, our Brunch poll had more votes than any other this year. And boy was the voting competitive — the three frontrunners were separated by just a small handful of votes each.
The Runners Up…
Coming in third place, snagging a very respectable 14 percent of the vote, is Mominette. This French spot, at 221 Knickerbocker Ave., focuses on bistro classics. The brunch menu, offered Saturday and Sunday, offers staples like Eggs Benedict and Eggs Florentine, and French favorites like the Parisian omelette and the Croque Madame.
Our second brunch runner-up, with 17 percent of respondents for it, is 983. Located at (where else) 983 Flushing Ave., 983 will celebrate six years of being “Bushwick’s living room” this summer. This joint focuses on American classics with a twist, focusing on fresh produce; their brunch offerings take on a slightly Latin slant and include plenty of options for vegetarians and vegans.
And the Winner Is…
Without further ado, whose brunch reigns supreme in Bushwick this year?
Grabbing a full 20 percent of your votes, Sally Roots is a Caribbean-American spot opened in September 2016 by Johnny De Piper and James Freeman (with interior design by James Beard award-nominee Matthew Maddy). Located at 195 Wykcoff Ave., Sally Roots brings the tropical vibe with their food, their drinks (many of which feature “all the rums”), and their light, airy atmosphere.
“Hells yeah. Thanks, Bushwick,” said De Piper when we let him know of Sally Roots’ win. “We love you, too! Trying to give y’all a stay-cation with every bite. Just wait till our back yard opens! #benevolence”
Sally Roots offers their brunch menu every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 pm. It brings an Islands flair to Bushwick, with Caribbean classics like braised oxtail and curried chicken, but they don’t neglect stateside favorites such as Eggs Benedict and hash (theirs is made with pork belly and Brussels sprouts). They also throw in a few creative fusions, like shrimp and grits featuring shrimp grilled in garlicky mojo sauce. As an added bonus, all of their brunch-only cocktails are $10 or less.
Cover photo courtesy Sally Roots
