Restaurant Review: Paprika

PAPRIKA, 110 St. Marks Place, New York, NY 10009)

In New York City for an overnight visit only, Thordis thrilled Cafe Drake with an invitation to brunch at Paprika, a restaurant so tasty and economical it took a back seat only to the pleasures of a VERY pregnant Thordis A, beaming and glowing with good health and excitement over the imminent new tot. [Yes, we felt the baby kick, just slightly, in suspected annoyance over a wailing street minstrel in Astor Place.]

$11 buys a full brunch at Paprika, including a bottomless cup of rich and inky rocket fuel and either a fresh juice or Mimosa, the latter actually prepared in our preferred 3-1 alcohol ratio and utilizing GOOD champers. Poached Eggs with Sourdough Toast were quite adequate and an omelet stuffed high with sauteed mushrooms and sliced fontina cheese was superb, as were the sidekicks - a lightly dressed green salad and crunchy, greaseless home fries.

Eating for at least two, Thordis strolled across St Marks Place (#115) to double dip at Australian Homemade ($5 for two scoops of small-batch, gelato-style Strawberry Cheesecake and Belgian Chocolate ice cream). Cautious of an ever-expanding waistline, Cafe Drake bitterly passed on a homemade dark chocolate bar filled with honey cream ($4 each).