All Photos By Gail (Except Where Noted)

Do you love a delicious, leisurely weekend brunch? I sure do. While my tastes lean towards a sweet Brunch (pancakes, waffles, French toast — bring it on) others often prefer a juicy burger or hearty salad entree, so it’s important to find a place whose menu covers all the bases, which can be easier said that done. You might recall our glowing review of Osteria Accademia after dining there this past winter, so we were thrilled to be invited back to sample their new brunch menu, which truly offers a tempting dish for every appetite.

At Accademia, Consulting Chef Massimilliano Convertini (Cipriani, Barolo) and Chef de Cuisine Mehmet Kabayuka (Leyla) have created an Italian-inspired brunch menu, as their cuisine does not typically lend itself to what have become classic brunch offerings.

Photo Courtesy of Osteria Accedameia

The Italian twists on brunch begin with using house made focaccia in place of English muffins or biscuits. Uova in Camicia, two poached eggs over focaccia, is served your choice of two ways: with spinach, bacon, and tomato sauce (pictured above), or featuring smoked salmon with cream cheese and pickled red onions. Delightful!

Photo Courtesy of Osteria Accedameia

Omelette Neri, blackened with squid ink and filled with wild mushrooms, mozzarella, and Pecorino (pictured above) is another specialty you won’t find anywhere else; and Uova al Ragu, an Italian take on shakshuka composed of two poached eggs in a traditional meat sauce with freshly grated Pecorino cheese round out the Italian-inspired egg dishes. There’s also a classic Steak and Eggs, with a 6-ounce skirt steak and a side of hash browns.

Photo Courtesy of Osteria Accedameia

Also making an appearance on the brunch menu is an absolutely gorgeous presentation of  Vitello Tonnato, a delicacy of cold, thinly sliced veal topped with a dollop of tuna sauce, dressed with capers. I confess that I have not had Vitello Tonnato since the eighties, so I will surely have to make another trip to try this dish, because it looks amazing.

I was able to satisfy my sweet tooth with the Caramel Banana French Toast, topped with a flambé banana and sliced fresh strawberries, and drizzled with caramel sauce. Add a side of crispy bacon drizzled with maple syrup et voila, a brunch masterpiece!

Another way to try the homemade focaccia is with the Braised Short Rib sandwich, served with a generous side of crispy fries and natural beef jus for dipping. These guys know how to do short rib!

Craving an Italian favorite? You cannot go wrong with Academia’s Chicken Parmesan. This dish is served with a small salad, but if you feel that no Chicken Parmesan dish is complete without some pasta, you can add a side of Rigatoni with Marinara, which is large enough to share. Other house-made pastas include Gnocchi in a four-cheese sauce with walnuts; and Paccheri, with fresh tomatoes, arugula, and ricotta. Mouth-watering.

Did somebody say Burrata? Check out this beauty, with red and golden beets plus white asparagus in a light balsamic dressing. It’s almost too beautiful to eat!

For an after-brunch treat, guests can indulge in house-made desserts such as a duo of Cannoli (the best into city); Cheesecake topped with a berry compote and whipped cream; gluten free Chocolate Amaretto Tortino served a la mode; or a rotating selection of gelato and sorbet.

You can see that single scoop of Lemon Sorbet is simply huge!

Along with the new menu, brunch at Osteria Accademia includes well-priced, unlimited Bellinis and Mimosas, which are also available in Blackberry and Elderflower flavors. While did not get a photo, the Elderflower Bellini I enjoyed was an extremely generous pour! Other beverages include a selection of Italian beers like Birra Italia Lager and Manabrea, as well as assorted Lurisa Italian Sodas.

Brunch is served on weekends from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, which is the ideal window for guests to enjoy Osteria Accademia’s sunbathed Streetside Gazebo and Sidewalk Café outdoor dining areas.

Osteria Accademia is Located at 646 Amsterdam Avenue (Between 91st and 92nd Streets) in NYC. Make Your Reservation Here.