We were really excited to try Prune – especially after hearing it is a favorite among chefs/restaurateurs (Bourdain and Ripert swear by it) and seeing the crowds that form outside on any given Saturday and Sunday for brunch. Critics have been heaping praise upon chef Gabrielle Hamilton (Prune apparently was her childhood nickname) for years now. This past Sunday in particular was a frigid, windy Fall day, but that didn’t stop us and our friends Amber and Andy from huddling with the masses to wait for a table. For those who haven’t been, Prune is a pint-size restaurant in the E. Village that is quite charming in that old French country kind of way, with worn walls, antique mirrors, and open French doors. To say the place is tightly packed is an understatement. Tables are close together, just barely letting a person fit in between each table and inundating diners with lively chatter from neighboring tables. What we thought after the jump…

We got to Prune right around 2:30 and we were seated by 3:00. Much better than we expected. One of the reasons the line appears so long outside is that there’s no waiting by the bar. Typically, we would chill inside with a drink and wait for a table to open. Those seated just before us had been waiting closer to an hour and a half and we hear that a two hour wait time is not unusual. We actually got lucky and were able to skip a four-top ahead of us because they did not want to sit in the semi-private nook downstairs…are you kidding me? That’s the only spacious spot in the house. We were already off to a good start. Things were about to get better. The server came over to take our drink order and I was about to order my typical extra spicy bloody mary before realizing there was a full bloody mary menu (see below for the bloody choices). I went with the Southwest (Herradura Anejo tequila, smoked chipotle, peppers, limes), Jill opted for the Chicago Matchbox (homemade lemon vodka, pickled brussels sprouts, baby white turnips, caperberries, green beans, and radishes), Amber chose the Classic (Absolut vodka, celery and lemon) and Andy #2 ordered the Green Lake (Absolut vodka, wasabi and a beef jerky swizzle). I think the Green Lake won with the wasabi and beef jerky swizzle, but Jill’s was great, too. Best part is that every bloody comes with a side shot of beer. Great idea. 

For our meals, Andy and I ordered the huevos rancheros (though I was dying to try the burger, but it’s not on the brunch menu), Amber got the Spaghetti a la Carbonara (mixed w/ egg, bacon, and pepper) and Jill the spicy stewed chickpeas nestle on eggs coated in buttered bread crumbs. I was struck by how small my huevos was, but it was pretty solid…nothing insane though. I thought Jill’s was delicious…mediterranean flavors blended nicely in the spicy stewed chickpeas with coddled, butter-crumble-crusted eggs sitting amid the stew. Definitely something you can’t get at any old diner. Jill and I also got a side of the lamb sausage, served pinwheel style and secured with a toothpick…a little pricey at $5 but pretty darn good.

I think Amber’s breakfast spaghetti took it though. I love going out to eat with Amber cause she always lets me clear her plate…and this was one plate I enjoyed clearing.

The carbonara sauce was nice, not too greasy or eggy, and the bacon bits were crispy and very flavorful. Only thing is I couldn’t really tell there was an egg component to the dish. Oh well, it was really good so it didn’t bother me too much.

THE VERDICT

To me, for a brunch place to be worth the wait and the higher cost (slightly overpriced + no free brunch cocktail = higher cost), the dishes have to be something different and amazing… definitely has to be more special than you would get from any old place on your corner. Like, for example, Norma’s ‘super cheesy’ french toast with applewood bacon is something different and special. At Prune, the bloody mary’s are the main draw. Unfortunately, they come with a price tag. For one bloody mary and one dish, we each paid $28. With all of the wonderful brunch places in the E. Village that offer up at least one free cocktail, Prune’s not worth it to me. I’ll take the chicken fried steak w/ eggs + 3 drinks for $16 at Essex over my $28 Prune brunch any day. We will be back to try dinner, though. Have heard great things about the roasted marrow bones.

I also don’t get all the rules, which I find strange for a place that seems so chill and easy-going…no cell phones, no substitutions, no free coffee refills, etc. Didn’t happen to us, but I’ve heard people complain about being pushed to pay and leave. Makes sense though with a place that small.

—–BLOODY MARY MENU—–
\\served w/ a shot of light beer as a chaser//
$9

Classic (Absolut vodka, celery and lemon)

Danish (Aquavit, fresh fennel and a whole marinated white anchovy)

Bullshot (Absolut vodka, beef bouillon, Worcestershire, Tabasco)
(Bloody Bull Bullshot w/ Bloody Mix)

Mariner (Absolut citron vodka, clam juice and obires)

Southwest (Herradura Anejo tequila, smoked chipotle, peppers, limes)

Caesar (Boodles British gin, clam juice, and a pickled egg)

Maria (classic w/ sangria tequila)

Deadly (classic w/ Absolut vodka and a splash of sangria tequila)

*Green Lake (Absolut vodka, wasabi and a beef jerky swizzle)

*Chicago Matchbox (homemade lemon vodka, pickled brussels sprouts, baby white turnips, caperberries, green beans, and radishes)

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