Greca’s riff on eggs Benedict. Photo by Sabrina Sucato
Looking to switch it up from your standard omelets, pancakes, and scrambles? Head to these restaurants for brunch treats from around the world.
Who doesn’t love a good brunch? In the Hudson Valley, brunch menus abound at some of the top restaurants in the region. They’re filled with temptations like loaded omelets, classic BECs, and everyone’s favorite chocolate chip pancakes. But what if you’re looking for something besides your standard brunch options?
Never fear! If world flavors are what you seek, these Hudson Valley restaurants are the way to go for brunchtime dishes with international flair. Ready to dig in?
Greca Mediterranean Kitchen + Bar
White Plains
You love Greca for its mouthwatering Greek cuisine, but did you know that also extends to brunch? Restaurateur Dino Kolitsas has found a way to perfectly harmonize American classics with Greek ingredients to create a brunch menu that you need to try to truly appreciate. Start off strong (literally) with one of the Bloody Marys, all of which are made with a handmade mix. Bonus points if you order the Maria Me Ta Kitrina, a Bloody Mary that uses Greek-made Stray Dog gin for an added kick.
@hudsonvalleymag Let’s do brunch! @grecamedkitchen in White Plains has so many scrumptious options! // #greca #whiteplains #whiteplainsny #brunch #hudsonvalley #hudsonvalleyny #Westchester // @sabrina.sucato ♬ smiles & sunsets – ultmt.
As for what to order, you can’t go wrong with any of the Greek-inflected dishes. The gyro & egg skillet is a must if you’re craving something hearty, while the tarama toast is a fun riff on avocado toast, with two poached eggs over taramasalata-spread multigrain toast.
P.S. Keep an eye out for DJ brunches, which add music to the mix on select weekends.
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Essie’s Restaurant
Poughkeepsie
With menu inspiration drawing from Caribbean and Southern flavors, a meal at Essie’s is always a memorable experience. Unsurprisingly, that extends to the weekend brunch, which delights with a range of sweet and savory dishes. Start things off right with a spread of appetizers that should include the jambalaya croquettes, jerk ribs, and crispy plantains. From there, you can’t go wrong with chicken n’ waffles as your entrée. This version adds special touches via buttermilk fried chicken, vanilla butter, and local honey.
Pro tip: Don’t skip out on the hand-cut potato wedges, which come in varieties like classic, parm, and bagel (yes, really).
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Dolce
Kingston
Admittedly, brunch at Dolce is something of a choose-your-own-adventure plot, since the eatery is open for both breakfast and lunch. The menu embraces European influences, with crepes serving as a central feature on the menu. Keep it savory with the mushroom, spinach, and goat cheese crepe or the crammed croissant, the latter which comes with an egg over medium, Swiss cheese, avocado, and fresh tomato. If sweet breakfasts are more your thing, make a beeline for the Nutella and banana crepe or the sugar crepe, which pairs homemade infused orange butter with a drizzle of pure maple syrup.
To drink, the hot cocoas at Dolce are a must (the spicy hot cocoa is an essential in the winter), and the organic French vanilla and maple cinnamon lattes aren’t too shabby, either.
Related: These Hudson Valley Diners Serve up Scrumptious Comfort Food
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Divino Cucina Italiana
Hastings-on-Hudson
Divino Cucina Italiana does so many things right, and one of those is most definitely its brunch menu. On the lineup are a number of Italian-influenced entrees that diners who adore il bel paese will love. For pasta aficionados, the gnocchi and eggs will induce eye rolls of delight, while the breakfast polenta with sausage and escarole will have oatmeal eaters rethinking their morning staple.
On the lighter side, the avocado toast caprese is an Italian twist on the Instagrammable breakfast order, while the Italian toast tempts with a pairing of prosciutto, broccoli rabe, roasted red peppers, and melted provolone.
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Royal Crepes
Beacon
With a prime location in Beacon, Royal Crepes leans into European offerings across its menu, which is ideal for brunch. Crepes are the focus here, and diners will have a hard time choosing between French-inspired sugar and lemon crepes, Italian Nutella crepes, and Eurocrem and ground biscuit crepes. Savory crepes run the gamut from grilled chicken to salmon to veal, with breakfast-specific varieties like BEC and spinach, egg, and cheese available, too.
While crepes are the core of the offerings (if the eatery’s name didn’t give that away), visitors would be remiss to skip out on the Balkan stews. The white bean and beef stews are incredibly comforting, while the Balkan goulash over mashed potatoes with parsnips is just the sort of comfort food you’d want to eat on a chilly day in the Hudson Valley.
