After recently hitting up the very budget friendly boozy brunch at Roberto Passon, we decided to hit up another New York City Restaurant Group all-you-can-drink brunch spot this past weekend.  We were headed to the west side for the Cochon 555 event, so we decided to first check out Il Bastardo in Chelsea (191 7th Ave btw 21st & 22nd).  Did Lauren and Whitney’s visit on the Hills and all the recent attention to this neighborhood staple change the brunch scene, or more importantly the brunch prices?

First of all, we noted that it was a lot more crowded than normal.  Our friend Leena had introduced this AYCD brunch to us a couple of years ago and it used to be only really packed on those beautiful sunny days when you can take full advantage of their al fresco dining.  We were happy to see it doing so well, even if the place was packed with Lauren Conrad wannabees. 

Secondly, the add-on all-you-can-drink option is now $15 (I vaguely remember it being less) and all of the menu items seem to be a couple dollars more.  This is certainly more than Roberto Passon’s $8 AYCD and brunch entrees under $12, but it still could be a deal (depending on how many mammouth size glasses of bubbly, mimosas, screwdrivers, or bloody marys you can put back).

I had the Chicken Caesar salad for $10 and Andy had the Omelette with Virginia ham, sauteed mixed mushrooms, and he added on mozzarella for $9.  We both had the AYCD special at $15 a person and we tried a side of broccoli rabe at $7.

Jill's Caesar Salad

I love their Caesar salad- there is a ton of the chicken paillard and it is pounded perfectly paper thin  and topped with freshly ground black pepper.  The parmesan slices are also fresh, thin, and plentiful.  The dresssing is not overly creamy and has nice acidic balance.  Andy’s omelette was awesome!  Strangely, it came out looking more like a frittata than an omelette, but the flavors did not disappoint.  He never eats the potatoes (watching out for those pesky carbs) but he finished them all this time- either he was very hungry or they were VERY good. 

Andy's Omelette Frittata

Lastly, our broccoli rabe was lovely- great garlic potency without being too oily.  I don’t think the serving size was necessarily worth $7 for a brunch side, though.

All in all, we were very happy with the food but we were even more happy with the service.  Everytime I put a dent in my giant (and I mean giant- no flutes here) glass of champagne, our waiter came by, bottle in hand, and topped me off.  You can’t go wrong on a relaxing Sunday afternoon at a place with the background music of corks popping ever few minutes.  Now, for our next AYCD brunch… any ideas?

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