Sure, there are more wallet-friendly all-you-can-drink brunch options out there.  But if you’re looking for something more than just cheap champagne and mimosas, I’m fairly certain you’re not gonna do better than Agua Dulce (802 9th Ave).  For an additional $20/person (brunch items from $9; menu here) you get 2 hours of unlimited, potent, tropical brunch cocktails, including 3 varieties of frozen margaritas (pomegranate, regular and passion fruit), 2 varieties of frozen martinis (apple and watermelon) and 2 varieties of frozen mojitos (traditional and passion fruit).  If you fancy the typical brunch cocktails, they have those, too.  Add to the mix a modern, sleek space with a fun South Beach vibe, a lively bar scene and Exec Chef Ulrich Sterling’s delicious Pan-Latin food and you’ve got yourself a damn good Sunday-Funday brunch spot. We went a few weeks back to check it out for ourselves, and in the process stumbled upon what is perhaps NYC’s most overlooked burger.

Over a period of two hours and several brain-freezes, we sat outside on the sidewalk patio and drained just about every frozen brunch cocktail on the list.  See how we sacrifice for you guys.  I would say we had about 5 cocktails each.  Which leads me to a point — if you’re not going to be having at least 3 drinks, then this may not be the right brunch deal for you.  Anything more than 3 and you’re definitely getting good bang for your brunch bucks.  The traditional mojito (non-frozen) and pomegranate frozen margarita were our faves.  For my meal, I ordered the Agua Dulce Burger (Chef Sterling’s LaFrieda burger with house-pickled chiles, red onions, fresh avocado and chihuahua cheese).

This was one helluva burger! Even without all of Chef Sterling’s Pan-Latin flair, it would have been one of my top ten burgers of the year.  But the extra flavors from the pickled chiles and fresh avocado took it to the next level for me.  The combination of the acidity of the pickled chiles and the sweetness of the bun really helped bring out the delicious flavor of the beef, and I didn’t want this burger to end. 

Jill ordered the Steak and Eggs (two eggs cooked to order, char grilled skirt steak, chilaquiles).  The skirt steak was expertly prepared and the chilaquiles provided nice texture and flavor, as the yolk from the eggs seeped through.

We  hear that next time we have to try the Agua Dulce Benedicto (braised pork, fresh jalapeno cornbread with a chili lime hollandaise) as well as the Panqueque de Chorizo (crunchy chorizo pancakes w/ bacon maple syrup).  I have a feeling “next time” is not too far off. 

BEST TABLE: The tall communal table for 6 on the sidewalk patio

APPROX COST PER PERSON: $40 (which includes tax + tip)

Agua Dulce, 802 9th Avenue, bet 53rd St & 54th Sts, 212-262-1299. Open Monday through Friday for lunch, Saturday and Sunday for brunch, and seven days for dinner and late night (until 4 am). All major credit cards are accepted.

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