Please note that this meal was complimentary. However, I was not obliged to post and the opinion expressed in my blog are 100% my own!

I was recently invited to try Leonetta’s brunch and, as I was checking out the menu and information about the place, I realized that the Chef and owner is also the Executive Chef and partner at Jack & Charlie’s no.118, and is not unknown: it is Ed Cotton, who was at some point the sous-Chef of Chef Cat Cora on Iron Chef America and participated in Top Chef season 7 among other TV appearances. So, I was really looking forward to going there. The place is big, bright, with a beautiful bar dominating the dining room where a tree stands alone, highlighting further the wooden decor around it, that gives a peaceful and comforting feel to the place.

For brunch they have a prix fixe that, for $50 per person, includes 2 spritzes (they have a creative selection), black garlic hummus and one entree, marked by a “PF” on the menu. In that spritzes section was the Cavaillon Melon Kir ($20), made with Maison Artonic Melon Liqueur, Contratto Bianco and White Wine, that I found quite refreshing and unique. Of course, if you prefer tea ($4) or coffee, they have a good selection as well.

Now, I mentioned the black garlic hummus ($16): this is a must have! Some may think that the garlic would be overpowering, protecting one for days if stuck in a vampire convention, but it was not the case: it was creamy, flavorful, the black garlic adding some sweetness. Served with a deliciously fluffy pita, I had to stop eating it as more food was coming. In fact, with it, we got to try their baba Ghanoush ($15) that was also superb, the smokiness of the charred eggplant pairing perfectly with the pickled onions and sun-dried tomatoes that added some texture to the dish.

Black garlic hummus at Leonetta in New York City

I also wanted to try some seafood as I noticed a seafood display in the back, full of crab, shrimp and scallops, and settled for their Jumbo Lump Crab Ceviche ($24), composed of a perfectly cooked crab, avocado, cilantro, radish and a Sofrito Vinaigrette that gave a nice acidity to the dish.

For entrees, we could not not have their babka French toast ($22 and part of the prix-fixe), that was amazing and is another must have. It was topped with berries and whipped cheesecake, and accompanied with an orange blossom syrup (I just wished there was more syrup). This is a very decadent dish that will certainly make you fall into a sugar coma later on. With it, Jodi got their Wild Mushroom Scramble ($25 and in the prix-fixe), that was very good, the eggs being perfectly cooked, moist, a large amount of mushroom and some black truffle that filled my nose, wanting me to dive in right away. This luscious mix topped a nice sesame crostino that added some texture. On my side, I decided to try their version of steak and eggs with their Steak & Eggs Kebab ($31) that was composed of black garlic marinated filet, potatoes, baby spinach, curry butter and two sunny eggs. Beautiful presentation with the color contrast between the eggs and the kebab, it was superb: the runny eggs added richness and velvetiness to the meat that was perfectly cooked medium and nicely charred on the outside. I did not care much about the spinach, but these potatoes were amazing! Crispy on the outside, fully cooked inside, like I love them.

We left full and satisfied, happy to have tried Leonetta, that is a great place for brunch in Murray Hill, and that I would definitely try for dinner soon!

Enjoy (I did)!

If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!

Leonetta - 181 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY

Brunch at Leonetta in New York City

Trying Israeli Wines for the Holidays