UPPER WEST SIDE — After opening its doors in early November, The Smith, a popular new restaurant at Broadway and West 63rd Street, is now serving breakfast.
The eatery is now open starting at 7:30 a.m. on weekdays and serves meals all day until midnight. The breakfast will run until 11:30 a.m.
Jeffrey Lefcourt, who owns three Smith restaurant locations in the city with partner Glenn Harris, said breakfast has always been part of their vision.
"It goes into the whole concept of The Smith — this accessible, neighborhood spot that you can always count on being there for you, whatever time of day," Lefcourt said. "They can always count on that welcoming experience."
The breakfast menu is hearty with eight different egg options as well as a few lighter options like the yogurt parfait.
"We do have the best French toast around," Lefcourt said. "It’s really good; it’s like this brioche bread in crème brulée batter. They’re fluffy and sweet."
The French toast also comes with maple butter and caramelized bananas.
Lefcourt said he sees the restaurant, at 1900 Broadway, as a meeting spot, but he also hopes that its free Wi-Fi will encourage solo diners, or those just seeking a cup of coffee, to stay and relax.
"I think people will get breakfast before work and also come in after dropping their kids off at school," he said, adding that he also expects a fair amount of early business meetings, and in some cases, "the late riser who is in the mood for French toast."
Lefcourt confessed he almost made a serious gaffe when determining what to include on the Lincoln Square location's menu: He initially didn't include bagels. He realized his error after sharing the menu with an Upper West Side resident a few weeks ago, and when he witnessed the resident's shock, he promptly enlisted Zucker's Bagels from TriBeCa.
Diners can order a bagel with lox and traditional garnishes for $13.
"We should probably call it the Upper West Side sandwich," Lefcourt said.
The breakfast also includes bloody marys, mimosas and bellinis for $6.
"We’re also doing half-price morning cocktails if people are taking the day off work," Lefcourt said.