Profile

"E," as it's known among locals, is swarming with polished gay men and young, hetero finance workers on most weekends. This is a snapshot of the new Hell's Kitchen, a moneyed, fashion-conscious crowd who nurse their hangovers with sparkling bellinis and seven-grain toast in E's stylishly spare environs. It's also the neighborhood’s best brunch spot: the poached eggs in the signature "E-Benne" are perfectly wobbly clouds atop vegetable-potato cakes that encourage delusions of healthful grandeur; it's not unheard of for patrons to schlep all the way from the East side just to indulge in the thick, juicy burgers and tangy homemade pickles. It's pricier than its Ninth Ave. neighbors, but you can't live on souvlakis and pad Thai alone—especially on Sunday afternoons. — Carla Spartos

Sat.—Sun., 9 a.m.—3:45 p.m.

Eatery burger, $10.95; “E-Benne” (poached eggs on a vegetable potato cake), $10.95