Barbounia - a mediterranean affair

If you call yourself a true "Brunch-inista" then you have to go at least once to Gramercy or "Glamercy" as I like to call it.  And tucked neatly into Glamercy on Park Avenue South at 20th Street is Barbounia. 

The restaurant has a Mediterranean theme that permeates into their brunch, but they also offer traditional items like omelettes, French toast, pancakes, benedicts and granola.  And as long as you are seated at your brunch table, you can enjoy a never ending flow of champagne cocktails for $18.95.  A little pricier than some of my other fave spots but let's face it -- Glamercy.

When in Rome, forget the traditional omelette and go for the specialties is our opinion.  And that means Baked Eggs in these adorable little iron skillets or shakshuka.  If you are a carnivore, try the Foie Gras Sausage Shakshuka or the Merguez which has homemade lamb sausage under the baked eggs.  If you want to go a little healthier to offset all of those champagne cocktail calories, go for the Turkish Eggs, baked in spinach, lean ground lamb and chick peas or the Green Shakshuka in creamed spinach with mozzarella and parmesan cheese. The little bites of heaven inside these skillets will set you back about $18 but they will be worth it in the end.

Reservations are a must. Barbounia is a decent size but the location makes it trendy and popular, loud and bustling.