Brunch at Locanda Verde

Frickin' cold day to venture to Tribeca but I had brunch plans with Violet. Met up with her at Locanda Verde just before noon. Settled in with a pot of Earl Grey tea only to find that they'd steeped it too long and it was bitter. I had to add milk and sugar to cancel that flavor out and no hint of bergamot was there. The three pastries of the day were a apple cake donut with glaze - good, not too sweet nor dry, a pumpkin bread - moist but better with the butter, and a lemon herb scone - nicely firm with a light golden outer edge and the favorite of the bunch. I had the Wood Fired Uova Al Forno but the eggs were overcooked and the entire dish needed to be served much hotter. The fava beans were perfect. Violet's dish looked much better; Uovo Modenese which is like an Italian eggs benedict - two perfectly poached eggs, hollandaise, spinich, tomato and hash. Finished things off with so-so coffee. Violet asked for half-and-half and got milk instead. So many waitstaff yet such slow and imprecise service this visit. I'm rethinking this spot as a fav brunch place.