Restaurant Review: Sarabeth’s

If you’re like me—God help you—sometimes all you want is pancakes. Pillowy and sweet and lots of ‘em. I found myself in this state recently while in Manhattan. My husband and I had gone into New York to walk the Highline and museum hop.

Luckily New York is the home of eight Sarabeth’s locations—the latest is about to open in Tribeca. In fact, Sarabeth’s are New York’s go-to restaurants for breakfast. We were in need of lunch and, praise the fates, Sarabeth’s can deliver on that too. We went to the Central Park Sarabeth’s location. It’s just around the corner from The Plaza Hotel. No doubt Eloise is a frequent patron.

So I got my pancakes, with strawberries and real maple syrup from Doerfler’s Farm. I’ve never met a Doerfler, sampling their syrup it struck me that I’ve never met a Doerfler I didn’t like! And Sarabeth’s serves breakfast ‘til 3:30 p.m.! [expand]

Buttermilk Pancakes with fresh strawberries. A lot of pancakes. Mission accomplished. With that out of the way, I was better able to take in my surroundings. To a Long Islander this Sarabeth’s location seems huge—and full of happy people. ‘Love the brown zebra pattern upholstery.

Husband ordered up a Sam Adams Boston Lager and a Jumbo Lump Crab Cake Sandwich. His sandwich came with French fries and a salad of frisée, watercress and apples. All was well with him. He really dug the salad, “very fresh.”

The service qualified as “quick.” The chandeliers seemed like a lovely bonus in this light-filled space. The ceiling is painted with vines and trellis as if you’re looking up at a conservatory ceiling. This location faces Central Park. It’s easy to see why Sarabeth’s appeals to native New Yorkers and tourists alike.

Maybe the next time we’re there I’ll order something other than fluffy buttermilk pancakes—it could happen. I’d like to try Sarabeth’s “Extraordinary Eggs & Omelettes” and Sarabeth’s Famous Velvety Cream of Tomato Soup and the Central Park South Cobb Salad and the Green and White, which is scrambled eggs, scallions and CREAM CHEESE! Oh my.

How cute is it that porridge is served “Baby Bear, Mama Bear and Papa Bear”-style? Too cute. Of course “Popeye’s Eggs” feature sautéed spinach. Love it!

You can meet Sarabeth Levine at Dan’s Taste of Two Forks this Saturday, July 16, at Sayre Park in Bridgehampton! Check out all the yummy details at www.danstasteoftwoforks.com. Tickets are selling like hot cakes!

Sarabeth’s Central Park South, 40 Central Park South, New York. 212-826-5959. www.sarabethscps.com. [/expand]