3 new brunch restaurants in Amityville
A Margherita omelet is served at Cornucopia's Noshery in Amityville. Credit: Newsday / Joan Reminick
When it comes to eating breakfast out, Long Islanders have their favorites. Old favorites. For decades, it seems, the same places have been serving breakfast (and often lunch, too) to an entrenched crowd.
So you have to sit up and take notice when three new breakfast/ lunch upstarts open not only within the same year but within the same town. Suddenly, Amityville is pancake and panino central. Meet its three newcomers.
178 Park Ave.
INFO 631-598-4618, parkavenuegrill.net
THE SCENE What used to be Rebecca's Cafe is now a renovated space with a marble counter and some cozy booths.
THE FOOD Go organic or not -- the choice is yours. An organic Spanish omelet stuffed with chorizo, bell peppers, jalapeños, Monterey Jack cheese and wisps of sauteed onion deserves attention. So do the light and wholesome organic pancakes studded with mixed berries. At lunch, there are house-made soups, sandwiches, quiches and salads as well as a 10-ounce Black Angus burger. Also gluten-free and vegan choices.
194A Park Ave.
INFO 631-608-4580, cornynosh.com
THE SCENE A sun-splashed breakfast and lunch cafe with counter and table seating.
THE FOOD Chef-owner Erica Reichlin's breakfast menu features fluffy corn cakes (like a good corn muffin only in pancake form). Try her Margherita omelet made with three organic eggs and filled with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil, served with tri-color (white, red and purple) home fries. The lunch menu lists sandwiches (such as a grilled vegetable and herbed goat cheese), salads (like the "Bobby Cobby" with egg, mushrooms, figs, goat cheese, avocado and Bermuda onion) and a soup of the day.
55 Merrick Rd.
INFO 631-608-8627
THE SCENE What used to be just a coffeehouse has been remodeled as a proper table-service restaurant. It has clever decor (one wall is done up to resemble the front of a 1930s theater) as well as a full breakfast and lunch menu.
THE FOOD For breakfast, there are omelets and frittatas. A big hit, named "As the Romans do," features eggs baked with diced potatoes, prosciutto, fresh basil and shaved Parmesan. Lunchtime, the panino and soup combo might feature a bright and briny Manhattan clam chowder, along with half a grill-pressed sandwich. A fine choice is the flatbread 9th Street panino -- grill-pressed ciabatta enclosing juicy lemon-herb-grilled chicken breast, Fontina cheese and sauteed broccoli rabe. There are also burgers and salads.
