Balthazar Restaurant

• Located in SoHo, Balthazar Restaurant sits just one block from the International Culinary Center, Children's Museum of the Arts and Spring Street/Lexington subway stop. The restaurant offers a European bistro-like atmosphere, complete with red banquettes, hung mirrors, distressed walls, ceiling fans and marble counter tops. The weekend brunch menu includes such items as brioche French toast, sour cream hazelnut waffles and seared organic salmon. The restaurant does not serve alcoholic drinks, including mimosas, before noon on Sundays.
  
  

Aurora Soho

• Aurora Soho serves up Italian cuisine amidst a shabby chic decor. The setting includes rustic wood furnishings, candlelight, hardwood floors and exposed brick walls. During the summer months, the tables near the front of the restaurant offer natural light and light breezes. Brunch items include such fare as grilled chicken breast paninis, baked egg skillets and spinach and herb frittatas. Located in SoHo, the restaurant sits just three short blocks from the Tribeca neighborhood and the Art Institute of New York.
  
  

Great Jones Cafe

• Located in the East Village, just north of SoHo, the Cajun-based Great Jones Cafe sits within walking distance of Washington Square Park and NYU's main campus. The casual setting comes outfitted with brightly colored walls, faded hardwood floors and wooden furnishings. The weekend brunch menu features such fare as smothered eggs in sausage gravy, buttermilk pancakes and huevos rancheros, complimented alongside drinks like mimosas and Bloody Marys. The on-site jukebox spits out a mixture of contemporary alternative rock and country music. Although wait times remain lengthy, the restaurant does not accept reservations. Diners with plans should arrive early.
  
  

Public

• Situated just east of SoHo, in the Nolita neighborhood, Public also sits near NYU and the Spring/Lexington subway stop. The upscale setting comes complete with exposed brick walls, slate stone floors and a full bar, as well as outdoor patio dining. The cuisine originates from culinary inspirations as varied as Asia and New Zealand, while the wine menu features an extensive selection from Australia. The Saturday and Sunday brunch menu provides such unique offerings as Turkish eggs with Greek yogurt, coconut pancakes with ricotta and ginger spiced lychee French toast.