NY Early Riser Brunch with Kids: Gallow Green

Green street signage for Gallow Green

Sleep No More could be a description of parenting. It also, of course, the name of the immersive theatrical experience at The McKittrick Hotel.

This site specific rendition of Macbeth moves throughout the hotel, much like parents chasing kids at the playground.

But if you are one of those beleaguered, sleep-deprived parents, you can have some fun at Gallow Green, the rooftop garden at The McKittrick. 

Magical setting

Planting at the kid friendly event

Potions & Planting, held on several Saturdays during the spring and summer, is for families who aspire to hip child friendly experiences.

In addition to the ‘High Tea’ (which is served at 10am) kids learn about both potions and planting. We saw happy children leaving with their plants. Officially, the event ends at 11:30am, but there is some lingering. [Note: grown up brunch starts at noon].

Each kid can bring a doll or teddy bear, which gets its own place setting.

Magical garden setting for brunch

The food includes mini sandwiches: melted cheese, jelly, cucumber and cream cheese for the adventurous.

Have you read The Secret Garden with your kids?

There are plenty of sweets, from chocolate croissants to cupcakes and jam tarts. And pink lemonade to drink.

Potions & Planting is designed for kids ages 5-10, and each adult can bring no more than 3 young guests. So no surreptitiously holding your kid’s birthday party.

Quinoa salad for a healthy brunch

Grown up brunch

Though my kids are too old for Potions & Planting, we did go to the regular Saturday brunch. This vegetarian friendly buffet includes unlimited food and live music.

The buffet includes fresh fruit, Greek yogurt and granola, croissants, cinnamon buns and bread. There was shrimp cocktail, quinoa and kale salad, marinated beets and tomato with teeny mozzarella balls. Plus another tomato salad with pomegranate and a bulgur and greens salad.

The band

Hot foods included meat and baked salmon. Coffee and tea are included; brunch cocktails are extra.

Fresh berries and granola

After the summer

Gallow Green remains open even in rain. There is a canopy, and the sides drop down. The rooftop becomes The Lodge at Gallow Green in colder weather. There are heat lamps and blankets, but dress for the weather.

For both Potions & Planting, you have to buy tickets in advance, and check in before getting on the elevator. There is one flight of stairs up to the roof.

The next Potions & Planting is June 8.

Note: Gallow Green offered me a complimentary brunch. Opinions expressed are my own.

Not Your Standard Brunch: The Standard Grill

Soft scrambled eggs at The Standard Grill

The Standard Hotel is known for its late night shenanigans, but even party goers need a place to have coffee. The Standard Grill, an expansive restaurant on the ground floor, is actually a good bet for out of towners and locals alike.

High Line view from cousin's hotel room at The Standard

My cousins stayed here and had us join them for brunch. It was one of those brunches where you could dog breakfast-y or lunch-y. We went for the savory side of breakfast, sharing the avocado toast (of course) and soft scrambled eggs.

First I had the potent Big Green juice, a refreshing tonic with romaine, spinach, parsley, tarragon, mint and agave. If you spent the wee hours in the Meatpacking District, this will set you straight.

Avocado Tast

The avocado toast came with perfectly poached eggs and an herb salad. Quite tasty.

I had originally ordered the Turkish poached eggs, with aleppo and greek yogurt. It sounded great until the waiter warned me that it was the most returned dish. The eggs are cold. Don't know how he pegged me for a cold egg hater, but it was a well-heeded warning. Instead, I had the soft scrambled eggs, with gruyere cheese and a mixed green salad.

The Meatpacking district, from The Standard Hotel

We almost ordered some grits, but the sommelier, a friend of y daughter's recognized me and sent over a plate of pastries. Not the healthiest sub for grits, but spiced pumpkin muffin and scones were delicious.

On the lunch side, there was a veggie burger, grilled tuna, and a few meat choices.

If the rest of your Sunday plans are to crawl back into your bed upstairs, the "Contrary Mary" is a loaded Bloody Mary, with jumbo shrimp, olives, celery, onions and tomato garnishes.

We were heading out to walk on the High Line, so stuck to coffee.

Restaurant Blooms in Brooklyn: Yellow Magnolia Cafe

Fall at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Museums have long been savvy about keeping their visitors for the day: high quality restaurants and gift shops keep peckish guests from leaving in search of sustenance.

House tacos with mushrooms

It has taken the Brooklyn Botanic Garden awhile to get up to speed. The seasonal cafe had some decent fare, but in cold weather there was nowhere to eat, so you had to leave the premises. Now, the Yellow Magnolia Cafe nourishes visitors with a sit-down, vegetable focuses menu.

Yellow Magnolia even takes reservations. The outdoor canteen, open in warm weather has some of the same food, and both places have a children's menu.

Eggs with a hot sauce dropper

At a recent brunch, I had the house tacos, which came with either fish or hen of the woods mushrooms. The mushrooms were a great option, served on homemade charred blue corn tortillas with shredded vegetables.

Everyone else at the table had the scrambled eggs, served with greens, potatoes and either avocado, sausage or bacon. These are no bargain, at $17, but they were delicious and it was nice that vegetarians could have something instead of just paying for meat and no having it. [Members get 10% off at the cafe]

I should note that our guests, both of them meat eaters, opted for the avocado.

The eggs came with individual dropper bottles of hot sauce. My tacos, oddly, didn't come with hot sauce, though I didn't need it; there was a flavorful cilantro sauce.

For brunch, note that there are no Bloody Mary's. Our out of town guests made do with mimosas, and the coffee is excellent.

Also, the kitchen ran out of biscuits. Be sure to go early, and order biscuits as soon as you sit down.