1. 1. Prune

   54 E. 1st St., nr. First Ave.; 212-677-6221

   As genuinely New York as Barney Greengrass, but facilitated by an exhilarating Bloody Mary menu.

2. 2. San Domenico

   240 Central Park S., nr. Broadway; 212-265-5959

   San Domenico’s brunch is thoroughly Italian (even though Italians don’t do brunch) and downright luxurious, from the carafes of prosecco and orange juice to eggs blanketed with basil-scented tomato sauce.

3. 3. 202

   75 Ninth Ave., at 16th St.; 646-638-1173

   The jaunty café inside Nicole Farhi’s Chelsea Market boutique fuses a seasonal spirit, a global pantry, and the best of British cuisine (that’s no longer an oxymoron).

4. 4. Queen’s Hideaway

   222 Franklin St., nr. Green St., Greenpoint, Brooklyn; 718-383-2355

   If Mom is a freewheeling sort, take her to this quirky spot where the chef-owner cooks from the heart and follows her culinary muse from Mexico to the American South.

Related:

• Archive: “Food Features”
• Articles by Robin Raisfeld | Rob Patronite
• Table of Contents: May 15, 2006 issue of New York | Subscribe!