The Ultimate Brunch in Midtown West

Imagine an autumnal Sunday afternoon in New York City. Despite the fact that it is not a working day for many, it would not be unusual to see a multitude of New Yorkers venturing out from the comfort of their Midtown West apartments. What drives them from their well-appointed luxury homes, like those at 555TEN? What pulls them away from the comforting bliss of an afternoon Netflix binge? The answer is simple: brunch. 

Everybody loves, and is willing to go out of their way for, a great brunch. But what if you could have something more than your average brunch? What if that brunch could be a brunch tasting, prepared by some of the finest chefs in the city, and you could catch a performance while you sampled your farm-fresh eggs? If eating omelettes with a drag queen or munching on biscuits and gravy with a Broadway star sounds like your dream come true, then the New York City Wine & Food Festival has a treat for you. 

For 11 years, the NYCWFF has gathered the best chefs, food, and libations to raise funds for the Food Bank for New York City and No Kid Hungry. Guests get to indulge in amazing meals knowing they’re helping a good cause. To make the deal even sweeter, this year’s lineup is loaded with fun and original brunch tastings, many of which are right around the corner from the 555TEN luxury rentals. 

Start the weekend off right on Saturday, Oct. 12, with the Farmer’s Market Brunch at The Standard High Line. Embrace fall in all its flavorful glory as you savor dishes featuring the freshest local flavors. Chef Geoffrey Zakarian is your host. He picked the lineup of chefs for the brunch, which includes Anita Lo and Dale Talde. If you’ve ever watched Zakarian as a judge on “Chopped,” you know his taste is top-notch, so your experience will be, too. This is sure to be a culinary afternoon to remember. 

Prefer a little more flair — and a little shade — with your pancakes? Head over to the Highline Stages where you can experience what promises to be the most “fabulous” of meals. At Barilla’s Drag Brunch, presented by Absolut Juice, a squad of drag performers takes the stage to dazzle you while you sip your mimosa. With guests like Downtown nightlife staple Joey Arias and host Debi Mazar, you’re sure to be entertained. There will be dancing. There will be donuts. There will be decadence. What more could you want on a Saturday?

The next day, Sunday, Oct. 13, offers more chances to experience some spectacular food and entertainment. Go ahead and sing along with Tony Award nominee Alex Brightman at Four Roses Bourbon’s Broadway Tastes at Metropolitan West. Just make sure you’ve finished that bite of bacon first. With fan favorites Big Daddy’s, The Flying V food truck, and the world-famous Sylvia’s soul food restaurant on hand to create their best Broadway-themed dishes, you’ll be the one singing their praises.

Oysters might not be quite as flashy as Broadway performers, but at the Oyster Bash, they steal the show. Learn how to shuck your own at The Standard High Line, or skip the hassle and try samples from some of New York’s finest restaurants, such as Docks Oyster Bar and The Standard Grill. Wash it all down with bottomless beer, wine, and cocktails.

This is just a sample of the fun that awaits festival-goers. Other events include a pizza tasting, a dumpling tasting, and an epic brunch finale featuring 30 restaurants. So get out there and eat, New York! You owe it to yourself to make all your brunch fantasies come true. And eating waffles while you raise money to end hunger? That sounds like a delicious combo, indeed.