Bad housewife, bad! I wrote this post a looooong time ago, all the way back in the summer when Mr P and I went to NY. It would be a shame for me to not give you the goods on such a New York institution. So, better late than never, here goes:
If you don’t have a Jewish mother to cook you breakfast, you might want to try a visit to Barney Greengrass in NYC’s Upper West Side. This place has been around over 100 years now (and it kinda looks it too, time for a bit of a face lift daaaahlings). Still, despite it’s peeling wallpaper in the dining room, you can’t deny that Barney Greengrass certainly has its share of old world charm. Inside the atmosphere is friendly, bustling, and quite cozy.
The original Barney Greengrass at the American Museum of Natural History. Yeah, they’ve been smoking fish for like evaaaa!
This is not the first time I’ve been to Barney Greengrass, I actually went once before, on my own. I remember that day was so cold, I almost started to loose feeling in my hands. I got lost looking for the place, and by the time I got there, I was so cranky and ruffled up, that I had a hard time enjoying my food (yeah, can you believe it? Me??? Not enjoy my food?). I remember getting the bill for my hot cocoa (yucky by the way- you could tell it was made with some horrible synthetic tasting syrup rather than actual chocolate) and scrambled egg with a side of sturgeon and feeling a bit pee’d off. No Jewish mother would charge you $30 for breakfast! Maybe she’d annoy you a bit and ask you why you haven’t called her lately, but $30? No. Still, there was something about the place that warranted another visit. So on our recent visit to NYC, I decided to give Barney Greengrass another try. I’m glad I did.
Mr P ordered a dish that Barney Greengrass is very famous for: Nova Scotia Salmon with scrambled eggs and onions. You can find their actual recipe for it here (it’s not exactly rocket science- in fact, I bet you can guess all the ingredients from the title of the dish LOL). We both liked it. I mean, what’s not to like? It was savoury, comforting and very satisfying, and sometimes that’s just what you want. It came with a toasted bagel, a healthy size portion of cream cheese, and plenty of buttah.
Admittedly, it’s no visual masterpiece, but it was tasty.
Some yummy accompaniments
Moi had the blintzes, something that you really don’t see in the UK, so for me, it was a real treat. For those of you who aren’t familiar with this Eastern European breakfast treat, blintzes are crepes that are typically filled with either some sort of curd like sweetened cheese, potatoes, apples, cherries, or blueberries. They are normally served with sour cream, and they happen to be absolutely delicious. I love the little crispy bits that form on the outer side of the crepe when they are fried with butter after being filled and wrapped. The one I had here had a lovely cheese filling, a light dusting of powdered sugar (or what I like to call “fairy dust”), and a nice amount of crispy bits. This came with a bit of sour cream and strawberry preserves. Ah… happiness.
Mmmm… blintzes 
Alright, now that our bellies are full, it’s time to hit the town and get my shop on, ya know? Oh, wait… did I mention that half of Barney Greengrass consists of a little deli? Yep, and inside that deli was a baked good that caught my eye. Ah yes, leave it to me to find the baked good. I am like one of those piggies who finds the truffles, except that I find fatty carbs. What did I spy with my beady little eyes? A babka muffin!
I bought this to have for later. Knowing me, you can probably guess that this little beauty came out of the bag five minutes after leaving the store. I am sorry I didn’t take a picture of it on the inside, with all those beautiful flaky layers and chocolatey swirls. Babkas, in case you’ve never had one, are like a cross between a croissant and a cinnamon roll in texture. They are flaky, like a croissant (though significantly dryer in texture), and inside there are little swirls of chocolate waiting to be unfurled (like the cinnamon inside a cinnamon roll). This is the first time I’ve seen a babka muffin, they are normally in the form of a loaf. I know the thing to get when you go to Barney Greengrass is one of their smoked fish specialties, but this would be my pick if I could only choose one thing. It was an absolute delight … good thing I remembered to pack my super strong slimming undies, this trip was definitely a girdle-buster!
Overall, I really enjoyed my breakfast at Barney Greengrass, but except for the babka muffin, there was nothing I ate here that I felt was particularly extraordinary. Barney Greengass, to me, is all about comfort food, and it is good comfort food, but the thing is most of the stuff on the menu I could make myself with minimal effort. You also really pay a premium. That being said, this is an absolute NY institution. If you like smoked fish, you’d have a hard time sourcing such a plethora of goodies under one roof. Barney Greengrass won the James Beard Award in 2006, being called an “American classic,” and counts Anthony Bourdain as one of their patrons. If you like old delis, and you want to experience NYC old school style, it’s most definitely worth a visit.
Overall score for Barney Greengrass: 8/10
Those cheese filled crepes look heavenly! Are you sure 3 were enough?
)
Didn’t you say that you were on a diet?
I really love this kind of traditional and authentic places to eat. It doesn’t have to be spectacular, not everything needs to be. I have to try those babkas and blintzes.
When I visit New York I’ll make sure to drop by though I’m afraid it will be detrimental to my waist line… eh, who cares!
Magda
Great review. And you’ve definitely caught my interest with Babkas. I’ve never tried one but that won’t last long!
I do like smoked fish, so I’d love to visit. The babka muffin looks incredible. Your description of the texture being like a croissant/cinnamon roll is making me very hungry this morning!
This place reminds me of Manny’s in Chicago!! Looks less than impressive from the outside but the food is delicious-and surprisingly expensive.
Goodness that babka muffin looks EXTRAORDINARY. I want to try to recreate the for my blog. Thank you for sharing your dining experience (once again, I wish I lived closer to NYC!)
I wonder if this is the same Barney Greengrass we have here, on the top floor of Barneys? Or is it Saks? Anyway, I went a couple of times and it was good but so expensive! You are totally right HH.
Blintzes, babka, sturgeon…you are one high maintenance wife. Kind of like me. I know we’d get along fabulously, as would Ali and Mr. P. They can chat about how expensive we are while we spend spend spend. Now if only I could find a ticket to London that didn’t cost me my left arm??
Have a wonderful Thursday HH.
look at those blintzes! damn. what i wouldn’t give for one of those now.
These look TOO GOOD. I definitely need to make a trip to NYC and sooN! Never heard of blintzes but they look so good! Hope you left a little for the rest of us *wink*.
Oh my…HH, darling, you read my mind! This morning I woke up literally dying for a bagel with lox and cream cheese…and of course it made me miss NYC! And I have to tell you, after I read your donut post last week I had a little donut encounter of my own. I was out shopping and all the sudden a fresh, hot, amazingly delicious (yet extremely naughty) donut jumped into my hands…ok, maybe I walked into the bakery and bought it, lol.
I’ve never been, but have walked by MANY times. Delis and diners aren’t usually my thing. I’d rather pay a little more for something I CAN’T make found at a restaurant. HOWEVER, I think I will stop by soon to try one of those muffins. (It IS near my ‘hood after all.) Thanks for sharing!
I’m a PB piggie. But that salmon egg thing looks awesome!
So funny, you? High maintenance expensive wife…. Neva
I have never been but do believe its been somewhat name dropped in the odd movie, so kinda familiar. Interesting to know its all about good comfort food though, thanks for the review HH.
Oh my those blintzes look absolutely perfect! I shouldn’t be left alone with them!
Fairy dust! I love that! My girls insist on havng it on everything
I had blintzes for brunch this weekend at Telepan, and they were wonderful! I love cheese filled crepes fried in butter.
Sounds like a fabulous breakfast here! Yummy looking blintzes!
Ooh interesting! I’ll make a mental note to hit this place up next time I visit NYC. I know what blintzes are, but have not tried them before. I wonder why?
I’m not a fish person, but I would definitely go there for that muffin!
I’d also love to see the old charm of the place. You’re right, it’s not always about the most amazing food styling, it’s about the comfort of the place like an old & stretched jersey that’s warm and snuggly.
Great write up, you’re one humorous lady!
I’m visiting the big apple at the end of the year, I must be sure to eat here!
Reckon I can get them to send me a blintz?
I usually just get fish and bagel there… skip all the rest. Now that I see those blintzes I see I have been missing something.
I see that you also have little orphan posts from warmer days waiting to find a home… I’ve been working on a Valentine’s # that has taken a lot of time and popped in an orphan just in time for Superbowl and the dire need for comfort food (we have had about 4′ of snow this winter). It made me feel warm just looking at it and remembering that I was sweating taking the pictures. How I miss it… these days my fingers are always cold and the food gets that way in minutes!
PS love the smoking picture… very decorative… perfect for World of Interiors, don’t you think??
Delicious! I’m so glad you shared this
I have a couple old posts that I forgot to get up on my site too. I might have to get around to sharing them…haha.
I’ve never heard of Barney Greengrass before and really enjoyed your review. I think I would prefer your breakfast of blintzes to the smoked salmon dish. That being said, I think I would prefer that heavenly babka muffin most of all!
That muffin is a beauty.
Every dish look delicious but yes babka muffin is heartilisious!
Barney Greengrass seems to be a great place to hang on!
Muffin looks killer.If you had posted this earlier I wud have certainly checked out this place on my trip to NY in December.I just feel that NY caters to all backgrounds and cultures…from foods to neighbourhoods to availability of goods.I am so glad that you shared your thoughts and this post.Have a nice weekend.
That is some breakfast, and I so want to try that salmon dish…very nice!I also adore blintzes and really need to make them, been ages.
Have a beautiful weekend my darling
The crepes look incredible! And so does the babka muffin! I might have to recreate them this weekend. If only I had smoked salmon so I could get the full experience. Have a great weekend! xoxo
Blintzes are just about my most favorite thing! And these look divine. Although we can get pretty good ones in Florida.
I’ve never been to Barney’s….next trip maybe.
I love Barney Greengrass! I do have a Jewish mother who loves to cook breakfast, but Greengrass is better! I love a good grilled bagel sandwich with egg, cheese, and smoked fish! Yum!
I read this post last night and dreamed of breakfast. So, I got up this morning and knew I would be hungry forever if I didn’t make these eggs. It was DIVINE!
The babka does look divine- think I’d skip the $30 breakfast and fill up on babkas and coffee. Typical NYC for you. Can’t even imagine how mere plebians live there anymore. Oh wait- they don’t. Pretty much only the extraordinarily rich can afford to live there now. Sad.
I missed that place while I lived in New York (2 months in Soho near Washington square) even though i had a Polish jewish uncle to show me around! Oh well, this visit was entertaining and these blintzes looked sinfully delicious/
Ooooh, babka muffin! I wants one. HH, one day (hopefully soon), I’m going to get to New York and eat through your list
I have a Jewish mother, but she lives in Seattle, so that’s not much help.
BUT I am going to NYC in March to meet up w/my twin for our bday and this is SO going on the list!!! I’ve never had babka, so must try that.
thanks for recommendation, darling!
Oh that salmon dish, what a good idea! I will have to try that for breakfast next week.
Just briefly stopping by to wish you a great week ahead! Unfortunately so super, super busy all the time now! Sigh!
XOXO Lola & Nora:)
HH, you are killing me….I am now so hungry for this I won’t be able to focus on anything until I can have it!!
I love your reviews they are always so honest and fun to read!! I’m heading in the city tomorrow, I can’t wait! but sadly I won’t have time to visit BGreengrass.
I have a ton of leftovers from the weekend, none of which I want to eat tonight..so I’m heading to the store to buy some excellent smoked salmon and this will be my dinner tonight. My husband and kids can finish off all the food from over the weekend!! I love breakfasty food for dinner especially when I get home late and don’t have a ton of time to cook which will be the case tonight. So thanks for the link and inspiration for a meal that I will be dreaming of all day long!!
xx
Bunny
We watched a show on modern marvels last night about cold cuts…they showed a deli sandwich in NY…I was THRILLED by the amount of meat!
Wow, nice review…I love your quote ” not visual masterpiece”…the blintz look yummie
HH
The salmon and egg scramble sounds very rich and tasty for a cood New York City day. I know what you mean when you write “there was nothing I ate here that I felt was particularly extraordinary.” I often feel that way when we eat out. We’ve been talking about it a lot with friends lately and are starting to think that cooking at home makes you more aware of food, ingredients and flavors, which affects your dining experience. What do you think?
OK – It’s on “the list” I have never heard of it – but love your ability to research everything great food lover-wise!
valerie
Thanks for the great info, I would love to visit BGreengrass, glad you chose to feature this, yummy info is always welcomed!!
sweetlife
have a great week
I have been a bad housewife too…staying away from here for faaar too long, and now you’ve gone and written about one of my favorite NYC institutions…love! So happy I popped in today, even if you are making me do some math now:)…
Love grabbing a bagel and lox from this spot! Don’t get there as often now that we live 20/25 minutes outside the UWS. Again, you are such a fab writer!
I get the feeling that most of us, if not all…have a multitude of unfinished, yet brillant posts to share ;o)
Everytime you bring up New York…I keep asking myself when will I make it back there? The last time I went was years ago in the Fall season and just had a blast.
Now, I also realize how many eateries I missed out on. A few notes have been made since you’ve been sharing your adventures with us
Therefore, no matter when you decide to post about it…you’re always a pleasure to visit
Ciao for now,
Claudia
Now how is it that I guessed you’d have something like blintzes! LOL! Okay, so as the resident Jewish Mother, does that mean that I can bill my sons $30 each time I make them breakfast? Yay! I love and soooo miss NY Jewish delis and now I want to go back… I’m hungry now.
Now I am feeling homesick, although to be truthful – despite knowing the place – I have never eaten there myself. And the babka muffin…wow
this is a great post HH, i’ve always wanted to visit Barney Greengrass but somehow, i never did.. thanks for sharing this … i will make a visit over there sometime soom.. i can hear that muffin calling my name:)
Love the look of the blintzes – just fantastic! Once again you are giving me NYC envy.
My goodness, isn’t that salmon scrambled egg looks delicious! I must make that one day. Probably, turning my house into Barney Greengrass for a day! haha… Thanks for sharing. You’re forgiven…. because you’re a good girl! For posting these mouthwatering food.
Kristy