Surfish Bistro (Peruvian); Fifth Avenue between 4th/5th Sts., right across the street from the Old Stone House

Keep in mind though, that this review is about brunch. Talde's dinner menu is much, much different. I am far less enthusiastic about their brunch than their dinner, and I have friends who feel the same. (I do think the pancakes with ham is a great brunch dish, however).

The Korean-style version at Talde is my absolute favorite.

Could also be Rose Water... or Get Fresh

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Get Fresh
370 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Rose Water
787 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Are you serious about the Cuban place... Cubana Café? Because I've been to the restaurant of the same name on Smith St. and it's awful & not even Cuban. I want to believe there is actual Cuban food in my neighborhood but I'm highly skeptical about this place.

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Cubana Cafe
272 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

They have some regular items such as pupusas (have not had), fish & grits (OK) and steak & eggs (good). But then there are entrees that they rotate week by week such as wild boar hash, rabbit, and marinated pork; all of these are delicious. They usually offer a duck confit hash too. And often there's a cactus-filled corn quesadilla which is quite satisfying. It should be mentioned that this is not a boozy place... mimosas & sangria are what to expect for brunch.

You mean the Cocotte spot. No, that was Primo Atto - no relation to the others.

Regarding burgers, I'd nominate Bonnie's, Stone Park Café, and AOC Bistro on a good day. Possibly Sidecar too. Does that little French place Canaille serve a burger? If so I bet it's good.

OK, you present a good case & I'll have to give the place another shot some time. First couple of times I went there (shortly after they opened) I tried their burgers, which were much-hyped at the time. Neither the lamb burger nor the regular one impressed me much - I felt they were pretty average by neighborhood standards. The next time I tried their moussaka - a disappointment. I've visited Greece once before, when I was much younger, & ate plenty of moussaka. Perhaps my tastes have changed since then & I only THINK I still like the stuff. Not trying to discourage anyone from checking them out. If they're good they're good & let's get the word out.
It's true assumptions make a difference. Decor makes a difference too. And, looking at their menu once more, it still seems like a lunch-oriented place, though maybe that's just my prejudice again... but I mean about 2/3 of the menu is sandwiches (do I have an old menu? maybe).

It's a diner in the sense it has diner stools & a counter with a few extra tables. You're right, the menu is more diverse than a typical diner menu. They don't have a turkey club but they have a turkey burger & a chicken club... no disco fries but "savory fries." Onion rings; grape leaves; spinach pies... If they serve something special someone wants to recommend, I'm open to try it. Just
haven't had good luck there myself. If their hours were more generous I'd be more likely to give it another chance.

I have always wondered why a place like Helios, which is obviously a diner - or based on the diner model - is only open for dinner. Not lunch; not late night; not brunch (or is it?).

On special at Fanny on Graham Ave. last night. Looked good.

Do you mean Pampas on Graham Ave. or is this another Pampas? The one on Graham recently closed.

You're right, my bad.

If it's Saturday afternoon those places will be serving brunch, keep in mind. (Maybe Al di La gives you the option, I'm not sure). Rose Water is another spot that fits the description & it's closer to the Museum - they'd be serving brunch also.

Or Barrio on 7th Ave. & 3rd. There are two Mezcals on 5th, by the way. Not that there's any real difference.

Cookies. And Scandinavian kitchenware. Boxes of Swedish pancake mix. I'm a little disappointed. It strikes me as a very odd business model.

I've eaten at the Latin place, Revolucion, a couple of times. Once I had the carnitas or some kind of steak dish that was quite heavy & suprisingly highly flavored (very garlicky, I think); all in all it was satisfying. That same time there was some strange problem in the kitchen & the dish took over 45 minutes to arrive - they need to get that together considering they're serving to time-pressed air travelers - but I'm thrilled that there is this dining option now (and others).

Where was OAK?

Stone Park's always nice, but bear in mind that their lunch menu is considerably different than their dinner menu. I'd say Al di la's lunch menu resembles their dinner menu slightly more closely - you can get the saltimbocca & sometimes the malfatti at lunch, for example.

Ha ha - that quote from the manager is classic. Unfortunately it's true; the place has a much different, quieter vibe during non-brunch hours. Sometimes the volume bothers me too - other times it's more the kind of music they play that annoys (grunge/alternative rock typically). I think the sound level varies between different spots in the restaurant, so there is the strategy of switching tables, though that wouldn't be an easy thing to do at their usually jam-packed brunch.

It's a spin-off of Barrio - same owners - with an emphasis on seafood. The bar is open now; kitchen set to open in three weeks, as I was told.

I would start you off with Stone Park Café, Palo Santo, Convivium Osteria, and Rose Water. I'd be surprised if you didn't love at least three of those four. "Hidden gems" is trickier since the Slope is full of chowhounds & good new places don't go undiscovered. Plus you're getting into a realm of wild subjectivity. Nevertheless I'd mention Ghenet, an Ethiopian place less well known because it's on 4th Ave. and Canaille, a French place overlooked by many because it's tiny.

Nobody's saying Barrio, so I'll say it. 7th Ave. & 3rd St. Best I've had in the area.

Yes, I noticed. Used to like it but the last couple of times it's been disgusting. Something's different. Membranes, yes, and gristle. Go at your own peril.

It's great, just go. Far, far better than Bonita. The fish tacos are wonderful; so are the ezquites (corn in a cup); so is the nopales salad. I went to a birthday party there with a bunch of Mexicans and everybody was happy & thought it was authentic. The service? Well, it's about five times better than the service at DiFara's, plus there are Mexican movie posters on the wall.

Yes, Palo Santo should've been included in my list of consensus choices.. I think most people who've tried it really like it.

The consensus choices for best in the neighborhood will be Al di la; Applewood; Blue Ribbon; Canaille; Convivium; Rose Water; Stone Park Café; Taro Sushi; and Tempo. All other nominations will be down to personal tastes. They're all on 5th Avenue except Applewood (11th St.), Rose Water (Union St.) and Taro Sushi (Dean St.). Someone is bound to suggest Franny's for pizza, but that's technically in Prospect Heights. Likewise, Geido is a good Japanese restaurant, but it's in Prospect Heights. Someone will mention Bonnie's, a hole-in-the-wall lunch counter that serves a very good hamburger. There's also a new Ethiopian place called Ghenet on 4th Ave. and an old place called 12th St. Bar & Grill that someone might mention. Beyond that, it gets controversial. Every other place in the hood is either your kind of place or it's not - it all depends on what you like.

AOC Bistro (opens at 4pm); Bonnie's; La Villa; Tacos Nuevo Mexico; maybe certain Thai places like Beet or Thai Sky (not sure about those); Chip Shop

Olea is my dependable standby for lunch. Such a relaxing atmosphere, too.

ICI for lunch is a good idea, though it can be heavy.

No one's mentioned Madiba. I had one... interesting meal there. Would like to investigate again some day.

There's also the Vietnamese sandwich shop Nicky's down at Atlantic & Bergen. Try it!