I love a cute brunch spot – someplace bright, airy, and cheerful to sip my coffee and eat some French toast.  Atmosphere should never win out over flavor, though, so I need seriously delicious options for a place to get the Curvily Eats stamp of approval.   Bocaditos Bistro has been a local favorite since it opened last year, but their latest tweaks to their brunch menu just made them a destination-worthy pick.

The moment you walk in to Bocaditos, the cutesy shabby chic theme is evident, with a variety of prints on the mismatched plates and cups lining the walls.

With a mix of light and dark wood accents and the opposite wall covered in rose striped wallpaper, the whole effect is that of a sunny cottage, tucked into an modern new building on Broadway.

The kitschy decor extends to the tables, and you never know just what you are going to get.  Yesterday we had a slightly judgmental-looking bird join us for brunch 🙂

I usually skip coffee at brunch, preferring to save my caffeine budget for a coffee shop where I can pull out my laptop and blog, but the way Bocaditos Bistro serves theirs gets me every time.  All coffee drinks come with a tiny grater, nutmeg, and cinnamon, and it is such fun to grate your own spices.

I’m usually a latte drinker, and while Bocaditos Bistro makes a strong espresso, their house brewed coffee is actually the star of the show: Rich, delicious, and half the price of the latte!  I may or may not have stolen my husband’s brew because I loved it so much.

Coffee alone does not a brunch make, however, and the dishes did not disappoint.  I ordered their Croissant Croque Madame (no tomatoes), and Nigel got the French Toast.  We both were making happy nom sounds from our first bites.

The French Toast is served with fresh fruit, perfectly crispy bacon, and a heavenly orange-zest infused syrup.  We both have had their French Toast before and loved it, but this new syrup is truly next level.  I was really tempted to literally lick the plate at the end – it is just that amazing.

Bocaditos’ twist on the Croque adds a hint of sweetness, but otherwise maintains the indulgent symphony of flavors that make this French classic shine.  Their bechamel sauce is wonderfully rich, and the egg was perfectly runny.  My only critique was that the ham was a tad overdone, but not enough to be noticeable while eating (only while trying to cut a new bite).  Please note that this dish usually comes with tomatoes (my one food aversion), and a generous amount, at that, so unless you LOVE tomatoes I recommend asking for them on the side.

The serving sizes were just right, leaving us both very full without feeling sluggish – quite an accomplishment given the richness of the meals.  We also noticed that Bocaditos has begun offering bottomless mimosas ($18 for two hours of AYCD), so we will definitely be back with friends to take advantage.

We sat on the first floor, but Bocaditos also has a second level mezzanine, and I see a lot of people having celebrations here, so definitely keep them in mind for showers or birthday brunches too.  I really enjoy the whole vibe of this spot, from the decor to the food to the considered details, so I can definitely give it the Curvily Eats Brunch stamp of approval! It is worth the trip uptown too (for all my downtown readers) – and you can always explore Fort Tryon Park and the Cloisters afterwards 🙂

Bocaditos Bistro, 4863 Broadway (between Academy and 204th Street)