Breakfast at Penelope

I met a friend at Penelope on Monday for some breakfast.  Penelope is a spot that usually has a line out the door for brunch.  I did not know much about this restaurant before this week because I don't dine much in the Murray Hill area. 

Penelope is somewhat adorable looking.  It definitely looks like a large breakfast nook in a country kitchen.  The deconstructed elements of the restaurant, including mismatched coffee cups, are very reminiscent of sitting at the breakfast table in Monica and Rachel's non-existent NYC F-R-I-E-N-D-S apartment.  Reflecting on the space, I totally understand why people want to snuggle up here for brunch.  Some people like the luxury of eating out with the feeling of staying in.  You want to feel like you are eating at home, but you actually do not want to do the work to make the meal, so you go out.  It is definitely a desirable environment for some, and I could see why people choose it.  

The menu is fine.  The breakfast options are pretty typical.  I ordered the omelette with tomato, goat cheese and spinach.  It was a nice and hearty omelette.  My friend got the waffles, which were enormous.  There was so many of them!  Overall, the food was good, but not line out the door good.

My favorite part of Penelope was two-fold:  the coffee is bottomless and they did not rush us out.  So, I drank a ton of coffee and we were able to sit and catch up for a long time.  

Although this is not a restaurant I would wait in line for, I can understand why some people do.  If you like a countryside environment, where you feel like you are a dining at a tiny restaurant near your vacation home, Penelope fits the bill.  It just depends on what you want out of brunch!  And for breakfast, this is probably the best choice in that area.

Have a delicious day!

NYC Menu Girl