Breakfast at BarBossa

[Photos: Ashley Muir Bruhn]

The tiny restaurant BarBossa evokes its Brazillian heritage with tell-tale soccer motifs: a tiny alter to the national hero, Pelé; jerseys strung behind the interior windows; and a match on the television by the bar. It's an attractive spot, with blue and white tiles, and—when we stopped by—a steady rotation of attractive regulars.

Lucky for us the space wasn't completely full, as the tables are tiny—more suited to Caipirinhas, perhaps, than to Crostini Poached Eggs. With the right pacing, however, one can manage.

We started with Fresh Cut Fruit ($7), which comes in a giant latte bowl and might be worth ordering for the smell alone. Strawberries, mango, papaya, pineapple, apple and banana are made especially fragrant with the addition of passion fruit juice, mint, and a splash of sweetened condensed milk. Some of the fruit was slightly under-ripe but, overall, this is a sweet taste of summer.

The Fritatta Barbossa ($8) is a freshly made, personal-sized portion with mozzarella, basil pesto, and tomato. It's a nice contrast to so many in the city which tend to be cut from pre-made rounds and then re-heated. The spicy mix of watercress and other greens that comes on the side add a pepperiness to the egg-dish and complement it well.

Sausage Egg Scramble ($8) is a creamier egg dish, which might suit some more than the slightly drier fritatta: it's a satisfying mix of thick-cut breakfast sausage, caramelized onions, and parsley, served with the same side-salad.

One could also choose to have Organic Granola and Yogurt or a simple Tartine (with raspberry preserve and butter), but we opted for the more decadent Banana and Nutella Panini ($8). It's hard to go wrong with Nutella, but this was really wonderful. The baguette is thoughtfully sliced to make it thinner, so you never have too bread-y a bite. Instead, the pressed bananas, Nutella, creme fraiche, and toasted baguette combine at the perfect ratio.

As is their bar menu at night, the breakfast drink menu is extensive: We chose to try the Vitamina Batida ($5), along with Fresh Mint Iced Tea and a Cappucino. The Batida could be a breakfast to-go all on its own. Thick and creamy, and made with bananas, honey, papaya, and whole milk, the Latin smoothie feels wholesome and filling.

BarBossa's full breakfast menu is available along with brunch on weekends. And for those still mourning the loss of Cafe Colonial: rest assured, there are pão de queijo on the bar.

BarBossa

232 Elizabeth Street, New York NY 10012 (map) 212-625-2340

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