Not Your Typical Market

Hidden above Eli’s Zabar’s Market on 91st Street, between York Avenue and 1st avenue, you wouldn’t know there was a full service restaurant that existed just upstairs, unless you read the sign, “Eli’s Vinegar Factory located upstairs – open Saturday & Sunday,” taped on the swinging doors of the market.

Upon walking in, the market seems like a smaller version of Whole Foods in the Upper East Side of New York City; however, not every fancy market has a restaurant upstairs.

In the market to the right, there is a tiny café for those who just want to grab a quick bite to eat. If you walk farther into the grocery store, there is a wide wooden staircase in the middle of the market leading up to Eli’s Vinegar Factory.

Once at the top of the stairs, the floor opens up to a lofty high ceiling room with simple wooden tables with metal chairs. Surprisingly, the mixture of metal and woodsy décor works well together; almost like a cozy warehouse.

The room isn’t completely filled with people, since there are some empty tables; however, it might be a slow weekend or the rush hasn’t hit yet. Nonetheless, the aroma from cooking French toast and pancakes lures you in.

With a long silver bar to the left and under tall gated cabinets, there is an open view of the kitchen where patrons can view the fire from the brick oven where pizzas are made. Straight ahead, there is an ice cream bar with a table full of temptingly sweet toppings from rainbow sprinkles to chocolate chip cookies.

Further into the room, towards the right, there is a buffet style salad barrel, which consists of a massive selection of pastas, salads and an out of place bowl of buffalo chicken. At the very end of the floor, there is a room for private parties, which overlooks a garden in the back.

At the table, there is a complimentary basket arranged with a variety of freshly baked breads placed next to a small plate of butter and a jar of homemade jam. When combining all three, let’s just say the basket may need more bread even before your food arrives. It is that amazingly addictive – you’ll be quickly asking for a refill and the recipe.

Only serving on Saturday and Sundays from 8 am-4 pm, the restaurant is open for breakfast and brunch for those who like to sleep in on weekends. Their brunch menu is essentially the same as their breakfast menu, except for the additional sandwiches, soups of the day and personal pizzas.

Whether you’re in the mood for eggs, a sandwich, or pick and choose from the all-you-can-eat salad barrel, there is enough to satisfy any craving.

However, the food may be overpriced for some tastes.

The omelets range between $12.50 to $14, depending on what’s in it, and $15 to $17 if you wanted egg whites only. Although the eggs are organic, those are some expensive omelets.

Although the Vinegar Factory is typically traditional American diner style food, they don’t serve French fries, burgers, or sausage, which is disappointing news for those who would rather have sausage instead of bacon or ham.

Shortly after being seated and given a glass of water, you are greeted by a cheery waitress who politely asks what you would like to drink. On the menu, it says the juices are freshly squeezed but that doesn’t mean it is “squeezed” to order; it means they are made in the morning, put into containers, and then served in wine glasses. Whether it was made in the morning or not, the strawberry orange juice is delicious.

Who would’ve thought that strawberry and orange juice that taste so good together?

The prices may be outrageous, but that doesn’t make the food any less amazing.

With a warm brioche bread bun on the bottom, two layers of sliced grilled ham, two perfectly pouched eggs and hollandaise sauce on top, the Eggs Benedict are the King of all Benedicts.

Unlike IHOP, the Vinegar Factory pancakes are fairly healthy – they’re whole grain. You can even customize the three stacked plate-sized pancakes to your liking by adding strawberries, blueberries, bananas, raspberries, or chocolate chip. Served with Eli’s homemade syrup, these pancakes beat Aunt Jemima’s buttermilk pancakes any day.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Whether you get the Eggs Benedict or the monstrous French toast made with homemade challah bread, this breakfast will either energize you to take a walk around Central Park or crawl back into bed for an afternoon nap.

It is the weekend, after all.