FOOD & DRINK
WEEKEND BRUNCH DINING IN THE CITY YOU LOVE By Patricia Canole
here are so many things to love about a weekend brunch, a meal where you can order breakfast bites like eggs (any style), pancakes, bacon on the side, or even savory dishes like burgers and BLTs. Add a Bloody Mary or Mimosa, and you have the fixings for the elements of a good meal—even in this age of pandemic. With indoor dining banned indefinitely, restaurants have been creative in their outdoor dining presentations. Heaters, enclosed greenhouses, bubble-like igloos make dining a more pleasurable experience for any New Yorker. So be adventurous and hit the brunch scene on Valentine’s Day weekend (or for that matter any weekend!). Here are two offerings that will not disappoint.
AMALI Located on the Upper East Side is Amali Restaurant. Former General Manager of Resto, James Mallios, opened this favorite farm-to-table Mediterranean restaurant ten years ago. Since then, it has received critical praise for its outstanding cuisine and sustainable practices from the James Beard Foundation, The New York Times, and most wine publications. The curated wine list consists of over 400 labels to please all tastes. The name Amali is inspired by a region encompassing much of the modern-day Mediterranean. It signifies the cultural commonality shared by many countries in the area. And although Amali’s indoor dining experience captures a comfy and modern-designed feel with rustic woods and a warm atmosphere, the outdoor space is just as inviting with a soothing ambiance and a menu to match. Executive Chef Alex Tubero’s menu draws its influences from classic ingredients such as seasonal vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, cheese, meat, and fish. What’s unique about Amali is it sources food the way they do in the Mediterranean— locally. It makes a difference in the food and dining experience. 46 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | FEBRUARY 2021
Executive Chef Alex Tubero
