Brooklyn Diner - The Finer Diner

During a recent trip to New York City, our hotel was centrally located in Midtown on West. 57th Street. This meant we were close to top attractions such as Central Park, Time Square, and some of the best restaurants in the city. NYC has no shortage of places to eat at every price point. You can eat at a five-star restaurant or any of the dozens of food trucks on nearly every corner. On our last day in the city and with a long day ahead of us, we wanted a breakfast that would hold us over through dinner once we were home in Cincinnati.

The retro Brooklyn Diner sat in the middle of sprawling high-rise buildings; the exterior was adorned in neon signs and bright colored patterns with black and white checks. We arrived shortly before they opened and were greeted by Alexis, their maître d'. The moment Alexis ushered us inside, it felt like we were transported to the 1950s; if not for the flat screen tv hanging by the bar, it would have been convincing. The interior had beautiful old mosaic tiles on the floor, and dark wood booths, tables, and chairs provided a warm, authentic feel.

The Brooklyn Diner serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktails, beer, and wine. I advise anyone visiting NYC to include Brooklyn Diner in your itinerary. I have had breakfast worldwide, but the breakfast at Brooklyn Diner was one of the best I have ever had.

I ordered the New Yorker breakfast, which included eggs any style, crispy corn polenta with Pomodoro sauce, challah bread or everything bagel, a choice of meat, fresh squeezed orange juice, and coffee. The highlight of the plate was the crispy polenta; sure, I've had polenta before, but their polenta felt like an out-of-body experience. The most incredible part is that the New Yorker Breakfast was only $28.95, which is unheard of in Midtown, especially for the quality and quantity of the meal. We ordered their single Old Fashioned Buttermilk Pancakes served with all-natural pure Vermont maple syrup as an extra treat. One bite and it felt like I was falling in love for the first time.

Just as Alexis welcomed us, our server Rafi was just as gracious and attentive. I know most places try to make you feel welcome, but the hospitality here was different; it was genuine. I left breakfast yearning for a return trip to NYC solely to relive the experience and food at Brooklyn Diner, The Finer Diner at 212 West 57th Street, New York, NY.