Brunch At Old Monk In NYC

Popping open a brunch menu in NYC can be a predictable affair—one filled with breakfast potatoes, mimosas and five versions of eggs Benedict. It's why Navjot Arora, the chef at Old Monk in the East Village, is offering the city a morning roster of "Indian soul food" that's sure to redefine your standard concept of Sunday brunch. 

For instance, naan takes the place of brioche in a cream cheese-filled French toast, served with a refreshing pineapple and mango chutney instead of a pool of maple syrup. Meanwhile, a morning hangover cure can be found in the Indian take on chilaquiles known as kuttu parotta—soft scrambled eggs layered with crispy whole-wheat flatbread, green chiles and curry leaves.

More adventurous eaters can spring for the bheja fry, a dish in which goat brains are scrambled in a tomato, chile and onion relish. But even if it's just the crowd-pleasing chicken kati roll with masala-spiced sweet potato fries, anything you choose from the menu is sure to be a stimulating change from the typical stack of pancakes.