The Garage, 99 7th Ave. (btwn W. 4th & Bleecker)

For my mom's birthday one year, the family all headed down to the West Village for jazz brunch at The Garage. There are a lot of places in New York where you can have brunch, and there are a lot of places where you can listen to jazz. . . and there are a lot of places where you can partake at both at the same time. But nothing says summer in the city than sitting outside, with the widows open, listening to jazz and having a constant flow of alcohol to your table.

I've been back to The Garage numerous times with friends. It's delicious food, they take reservations, and it's an affordable boozy brunch. Whether I've sat at the bar, at a table inside, or out on the sidewalk, it has been a truly wonderful experience. It's also a great place to take out of town guests because you can walk off your breakfast in just about any direction, especially now that the West Side greenway is open!

WHAT TO BITE? The French Vanilla Bean Soaked French Toast, $15.95 (+$6 for unlimited mimosas, screwdrivers or bloody marys)