Locanda Verde

I have a new favorite brunch place but unfortunately for me (I live on the UWS) it's in TriBeca. Located in the beautifully appointed Greenwich Hotel (you must pop over and check out their lobby, lounge and courtyard spaces), the restaurant is a vision of wood, mirrors and steel. Surprisingly the space is lofty enough so the sound doesn't bounce-back too much and you can comfortably carry on a quiet conversation.

J and I had the pastry selection - pine nut and zucchini bread, a danish/scone like treat, and a sugar cake in the form of a muffin. All three were fabulous! Perfect crusts on the danish and sugar cakes, moist but not go

oey centers, well balanced use of sweet and tart ingredients. The pine nuts were a lovely treat in a nicely earthy zucchini bread which was solid but not dense or heavy. Best pastries I've had in a long, long time.

We both had the Uova Modenese with cottechino hash, spinich, and tomato hollandaise. Spectacular! It looks better than the bowl to the left which looks like the fried eggs dish. Ours were poached sitting on the hash and spinach. Wonderful blend of flavors. I worried that the tomato would add too much acidity but it was used sparingly and was the hollandaise. My taste buds were so happy to have ann the flavors of green spinach, rich eggs, and slightly spicy meat dancing around in my mouth. Add the classic rustic bread toast and my teeth joined in on the dance.

Wonderful, wonderful meal. Thanks for the bday treat, J!!!!