Looks Good: French Toast at 202

French Toast with Maple Syrup.

Last June, New York Magazine featured Nicole Farhi's retail-eatery, 202, in a breakfast roundup. The article revealed the secret of chef Annie Wayte's French toast: brioche wedges absorbed in a vanilla pod-infused mixture of heavy cream, confectioners’ sugar, and free-range eggs.


I recently visited 202 for brunch (and some homeware browsing). The French toast ($12) was recommended by our server, and though it was good, it didn't blow my socks off. This was perhaps due to my vegetarian diet -- I had to forgo the bacon strip topping that, I imagine, adds the perfect contrast of texture and flavor. That said, there still wasn't a crumb on my plate when the server cleared the table.


As I finished my hot chocolate, I spotted the Buttermilk pancakes with blueberry compote and creme fraiche ($11) across the room, and made a mental note of what to order next time. After sampling my companion's sourdough toast piled high with scrambled eggs and mushrooms ($13), I came to fully understand the hype around this Chelsea Market spot.


Open seven days a week, 202 is located at 75 Ninth Ave., NY, NY (view map).