A Delicious Bite of the Big Apple: New York City's Most Lavish Sunday Brunch

Sunday brunch has become a weekly ritual enjoyed by millions of people throughout the world. From the smallest cafes to the most luxurious hotels, food establishments go to great lengths to cater to the Sunday brunch crowd. None, perhaps, offers a more inviting setting than Peacock Alley Restaurant at the Waldorf Astoria.

Supervised in meticulous fashion by Director of Culinary David Garcelon and Executive Sous Chef Peter Betz, Sunday brunch features seasonal specials that change each week. The most popular dishes remain the classics; Eggs Benedict, which are made to order on house-made English muffins, Beef Wellington, carved by one of the friendly chefs on hand, and chilled North Atlantic lobster and oysters. The pastry chefs' display is always a big hit.

Peacock Alley has been the place to be seen in Manhattan for decades and the lavish Sunday Brunch extends the restaurant into the lobby and around the historic clock. As such, there is always a crowd watching which offers a great atmosphere as people enjoy the food and make multiple visits to the stations.

"The buffet is quite impressive in our lobby so it attracts a lot of attention from our in-house guests," explains Garcelon. "From a culinary perspective we try to give a stunning visual display on our buffet and friendly service from the six chefs at the buffet. Of course, everything needs to taste spectacular as well."

Park Avenue Lobby

On average, 400 to 600 guests enjoy the festivities each Sunday, about half of whom are hotel guests with the other half being tourists or locals. Attire is a mix of business, chic and elegant. The origins of Sunday brunch at the hotel can be traced to the 1970s and the Waldorf remains the only New York City hotel to offer such an elaborate affair week after week.

With a storied history of culinary innovation, the Waldorf was the first hotel to offer 24-hour room service to guests. Also, the concept of hosting others in one's lodging did not exist prior to the opening of the Waldorf as it was the first hotel with a ballroom circa 1893. Before that time, hotel dining facilities were strictly for guests. Also, the Waldorf was the first to popularize the Red Velvet Cake and the legendary Waldorf Salad of apples, walnuts, celery, grapes, and a mayonnaise-based dressing, to more recent favorites such as Spicy Asian Chicken Salad and Seared Scallops with Osetra Caviar.

The Waldorf became one of the first 'grand hotels' to combine elegance with luxurious amenities and services and the hotel has been renowned worldwide for over a century. An official New York City landmark since 1993, the Art Deco property occupies an entire city block of prime, mid-town Manhattan real estate on fabled Park Avenue. Recent renovations have renewed the splendor that has long made The Waldorf Astoria New York a global icon.

The world's literary giants have gathered here to discuss their prose, while dignitaries and celebrities are a common sighting. Rock and Roll fans will be struck by a picture in the lobby of Billy Joel, Paul McCartney, and Bruce Springsteen together at a Waldorf event.



The hotel has been immortalized in popular culture by movies that have been filmed here, such as "Scent of a Woman" and "Coming to America." Sports fans may recall that tennis star Maria Sharapova exits the hotel in the 2006 Nike commercial "I Feel Pretty."

It's sound advice to pace yourself when partaking in Sunday brunch. With a seemingly endless array of food, guests often don't know which way to turn first. Brunch includes a delectable garden vegetable soup made from scratch that morning using a rich vegetable stock garnished with mixed seasonal vegetables. One of three available salads uses Heirloom tomatoes, fresh sliced mozzarella, sweet basil, red wine vinaigrette and Micro arugula which is delightfully presented. Bourbon pepper salmon, Scottish smoked salmon and Tequila cilantro salmon -- along with smoked rainbow trout -- head the appetizer selections.

"We have smoked salmon custom smoked for us by a company in the Catskills that is very popular," says Garcelon. "For brunch we add several different flavored smoked salmon such as bourbon peppered, pastrami salmon and vodka dill along with smoked sturgeon, smoked trout and smoked mackerel."

Guests are well advised not to fill up on the traditional breakfast items of made-to-order omelets or crepes. Sumptuous chicken apple sausage, prepared from ground chicken thighs mixed with spices and diced apple stuffed into sausage casings, were pan fried for a golden brown color. Crispy applewood smoked bacon offered a welcomed meaty texture. A side of red bliss breakfast potatoes complemented the breakfast portion. But why limit oneself to breakfast foods when a raw bar featuring caviar, clams, oysters, shrimps and crabs was only a few steps away? The temptation is just too great.

Carving stations received a lot of attention from guests, and the aroma of Beef Wellington and roasted leg of lamb permeated the room. Other entrees included a tender Airline chicken breast with spaghetti squash, and duck breast with Broccolini, each cooked to perfection. A majestic chocolate fondue fountain is surrounded by over 100 gourmet desserts. Don't miss the Croissant Bread Pudding, a custard made with milk, eggs, honey, cinnamon, and rum.



Despite the large number of people being served, which included families with youngsters, couples, friends, and one affable husband and wife who were there for a romantic weekend as a Christmas gift to each other, the brunch operated like a well oiled machine. True to the Waldorf reputation, impeccable service accompanies the meal.

The chefs are able to accommodate special dietary requests with gluten free breads and pasta and there are items for guests who are lactose intolerant as well. Peacock Alley has a strong local following of regular guests and many that come for family occasions, such as birthdays. However, they always have space reserved for their hotel guests.

Brunch is presented every Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. which is the final seating. A Mimosa or Champagne glass is served to each guest, but not until noon according to state laws. Cost is $98 per adult and $68 per child (ages 5-11), plus taxes and gratuity. Themed Sunday brunches are held on Valentine's Day, Easter, Mothers Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.

Sunday brunch doesn't necessarily have to be a feted event. However, the Waldorf Astoria wouldn't have it any other way.