Arriba, Arriba (w/ Guest Reviewer Davis Cox)

After a groggy Saturday morning filled with my typical Saturday morning rituals - cartoons, Guitar Hero, and general laziness - I met the ladies at Arriba Arriba for a bit of Mexican brunch. I’ll have to preface this by saying that I’m allergic to eggs, so reviewing brunch isn’t exactly my forte. I do, however, enjoy any excuse to have a drink or two before noon on a weekend, so take that as you will.

Through rigorous testing, Amanda and I have found one of the simplest methods to deciding if a Mexican restaurant is going to be worth your time and money. If the name of the place is easily translatable for your average gringo, or if it’s a catchphrase from a cartoon character, it’s most likely not going to be good. While Arriba Arriba didn’t completely shatter The Rule, it did show it’s not an absolute.

They charge $11.95 for an entrée and a drink (screwdriver, mimosa, or bloody mary) for brunch, which isn’t cheapest you’ll find in the city, but it’s certainly not a bad deal. Also, free chips and salsa is a major bonus in New York; it seems most Mexican places just skip out on the free appetizer. It was incredibly fresh and was a great start to the meal.

I had the Mexican Sandwich - a well-seasoned breaded chicken breast with potatoes and a small salad. The breast was well cooked, generously sized (I’m pretty sure only about 3/4ths of the thing was actually covered by the bun), and all around pretty tasty. The potatoes were kind of an afterthought, and the salad served its purpose well enough – that is, to give me something other than just the sandwich.

I won’t say I loved Arriba Arriba, but it was pretty good food at a reasonable enough price for brunch. If your brunch needs some spicing up, give it a shot and you’ll be pleasantly satisfied. - Davis

I found this place ages ago, when Laurel and I ended up just going to Vynl, so I was glad to finally give it a try. I've never enjoyed Latin/Mexican breakfast, as I'm not terribly keen on pico de gallo in eggs, but I was way excited about trying something else. At the prix fixe price of $11.95, my Arriba quesadilla with chorizo and screwdriver were pretty tasty. I will say, however, it wasn't the best I've ever had. The company, however, was great, as usual. Forcing Davis to spend time with the ladies is always worth the effort.

The waiter was extremely attentive, and I felt like we were the only table in the joint. In fact, to be fair, we were only one of a few, but he had pretty much all of them. By the way, I'm watching Pulp Fiction right now, and Travolta's really high, so I'm a tad distracted in this entree (er, entry, see what I mean?).

Arriba, Arriba is worth it and I suggest a visit. A bad note, though - the one drink that is included with the meal is tiny and it's unfortunate if you want to get a little drunk in order to improve (ruin?) your day. I suggest that you drink more, because we simply didn't do it up right. Apparently (and from what we could see), their drinks are GIGANTIC, but the ones that come with the prix fixe simply don't cut it. I was definitely full, but I wasn't drunk enough. Oops, now Uma's high, too. - Jennifer

Address: 762 9th Ave (@51st Street)

Website: http://www.arribaarribawest.com/

Open Late: 1am on weekends

Delivery: yes, 42nd to 59th st (11th ave to 6th ave)

Take Out: yes, yes

Bar/Happy Hour: yes and yes, 4pm-7pm drinks are buy one get one half off, and on Mondays 4pm-close Margaritas are buy one, get one half off

Chelsea Grill of Hell's Kitchen

This time when my parents came to visit me, they didn't want to see the sights. They had seen them all at least five times, and were finally aware that they never change. So instead, we went to my favorite neighborhoods - Soho, Lower East Side, Astoria (I love my neighborhood), Brooklyn Heights, Upper West Side, and Hell's Kitchen. Notice, I did not put Chelsea on that list. I love Chelsea, don't get me wrong, but I've spent far too much time around there since I first moved here that I'm much better off staying away. However, a Chelsea Grill in Hell's Kitchen? Sure.

We had just watched Spamalot and they were tired and just wanted something delicious. The only problem is that my father doesn't really like to step outside the box. He doesn't want Greek, Indian, Thai and the like. That's a problem in New York. That's why when we found the Chelsea Grill, it was heaven sent. Not overly expensive comfort food that's yummy.

For $16.95, my father and I enjoyed two one-inch thick thyme and pepper spiced porkchops, garlic mashed potatoes and sauteed asparagus. My mother chose the chicken with a barbeque glaze and vegetables with rice - I didn't try it but it looked really good. Overall, we were all satisfied. My mother, however, hated the vodka pomegranate concoction she was served, and was absolutely appalled at the price, simply because she thought it was disgusting ($10). But then again, my mother doesn't really drink.

Either way, if you want a little bit of fancy without all the fuss, go for it. Just keep in mind it's in Hell's Kitchen, not Chelsea, and as a suggestion, don't take the porkchops home with you. They start to stink really bad if they sit out too long. - Jennifer

Address: 675 9th Avenue (between 46th St & 47th St)
Website: n/a (http://www.yelp.com/biz/chelsea-grill-of-hells-kitchen-new-york)
Payment: Cash, Cards
Take Out: yes
Open Late: yes, til 3am
Delivery: yes, but not after 5pm
Large Group Friendly: it's possible, but you'd have get there at a non-rush time
Bar/Happy Hour: bar, yes. happy hour, not sure

Vynl

Orignally on the Upper East Side and now in the Hell's Kitchen area, Vynl has the artistic expression and awesome music of a local record shop mixed with fantastic brunch, a friendly staff, and themed bathrooms. That's right, you can empty your bladder with your choice of Elvis, Dolly, Cher, and Nelly (yes, "Country Grammar" Nelly). And not only are there murals and action figures, but their music plays while you wee wee.

In the Upper East Side location, I hear there is also an Elton John bathroom (which is pretty ironic if I do say so myself). I'm definitely going to have to make a trip up there and check it out.

Either way, from the disco ball adorning the ceiling and the LPs as menus, to delicious food and excellent service, I was all together impressed by Vynl. It's definitely a New York original, and well worth stopping by! In fact, you'll probably see us in there someday soon. - Jennifer

I am a total sucker for brunch--I love everything about it. The foods (the best of breakfast and lunch), the time eaten (don't have to get up early), the drinks that go with it (mimosas and smoothies). And Vynl was pretty excellent brunch. Jennifer and I shared two dishes: "make your own omelet" that came with toast and hashbrowns, and the brioche french toast with cooked apples and caramel sauce. They were reasonably priced at about $8 each, and plenty of food. The omelet was fluffy and generously filled, and the french toast was just plain tasty. The service was also very attentive.

I'd suggest Vynl for brunch or breakfast (served all day) to anyone who loves brunch as I do, and/or likes popular music kitsch. It's a nice blending of both worlds. -Laurel

Address: 754 9th Ave (at 51st Street) or 3 other locations--see website.

Website: http://www.vynl-nyc.com/

Payment: credit, cash

Take Out: no

Open Late: 1:ooam on weekends

Delivery: no

Large Group Friendly: Yes

Bar/Happy Hour: bar: yes, with occasional drink specials.