Brunch opens in Sayville
Brunch in Sayville. Credit: Newsday/Marie Elena Martinez
This teacup of a restaurant evokes something out of "Alice in Wonderland" with its storefront signage in the shape of an overflowing cup of cascading flowers and the word “Brunch” above the door. Welcome to Sayville’s newest all-day spot serving the beloved weekend meal of champions.
Bay Shore resident Michelle Panciarello, owner of the popular Eat Me, Drink Me catering trucks, has finally opened the doors to her latest, a brick and mortar that has been three years in the making. The itty-bitty breakfast space is a trippy, accidental homage to the Wonderland theme of her trucks, with details like a golden bee knocker on the restroom, 3D wall art with mushrooms growing out of moss, and hanging teapot ceiling lights. Gilded walls are chock full of pictures of eccentric-looking dogs, butterflies and ghouls without names — creatures you could see materializing and conversing like the Cheshire Cat. Sliding barn doors add to the charm, and a lone portrait of Biggie Smalls gives you an idea of Panciarello’s cool factor.
Prepare for a wait, as there are only four tables and some window bar seating — 12-15 seats at any given time — but once seated, you will be happy you invested your time. Whether it’s the countertop blueberry pop tarts that taste like summer or the whimsical oversized chocolate Ring Dings, most everything made at Brunch is made in-house or sourced locally; coffee is from Hampton Coffee Company.
There are mini pancakes in silver dollar-sized shapes ($15.50) that are light as air, made sweet by maple syrup for dipping; there are corn cakes smothered in fresh grape jam ($11); breakfast sandwiches ($13.50) on warm, crumbly biscuits layered with locally sourced, free-range eggs and in-house sausage made with fennel pollen that Panciarello imports from Italy. Bread is made daily for toast that accompanies the "A Smattering" plate ($19) loaded with eggs, bacon and breakfast hash. Don’t miss the funeral potatoes ($5), an au gratin indulgence topped with cornflakes and baked in cast iron.
Spring will unveil a massive yard and outdoor patio seating that will more than triple the indoor capacity, as well as an exclusive partnership — also made in Wonderland — with local Down the Rabbit Hole wine shop, which will be on-site selling single serving wines and Champagne. Brunch will sell the mixers to complement.
“I’ve always cooked, always baked,” explained Panciarello. “Everyone was always telling me how good it was, and since I’m not really great at working for other people, the trucks felt right to me.” First one Eat Me, Drink Me truck more than a decade ago, then two, then three — all of which are still happening — preceded Brunch. “After the trucks were featured in Newsday, we blew up.”
Brunch, 32 Foster Ave., Sayville, brunchsayville.com; Open Wednesday-Sunday 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. (or sellout).
A global freelancer who has checked her suitcase to raise her young daughter on her native Long Island, Marie Elena will always make time for good mezcal, even better tacos and killer conversation. Preferably, in a corner bar seat. She can be found on Instagram at @mariesworldeats.
