The Boy Behind Brunch Boys

Yesterday, I was lucky enough to score an interview with Jeremy Jacobowitz, the legend behind Brunch Boys. For those unfamiliar with Brunch Boys, it is an Instagram account and blog that focuses on... you guessed it... brunch! Brunch Boys has over 451,000 followers on Instagram and a large following on YouTube, Snapchat, and Facebook. Jeremy is a Brooklyn native and has been in the media industry for years. He has had some pretty awesome career experiences along the way. Here are some of the questions I was able to ask Jeremy during our call:

Me: When did you start blogging and Instagramming?
Jeremy: They both started simultaneously four years ago. Back then there really was no food
                Instagram accounts. At first, I thought I was just going to do a [one time] thing just
                for Brunch Boys, but then I got the idea that maybe I'll own the account altogether.

Me: Where did your love for food come from?        
Jeremy: I was always around food since I was working for Food TV. I worked on a bunch of
               different shows but first started off working as a personal assistant on Worst Cooks
               in America. I moved on to other roles and was even a personal assistant to Bobby
               Flay. I was doing Brunch Boys on the side from what I had already been doing for
               years.

Me: What was it like working for Bobby Flay?        
Jeremy: It was great. Honestly, best job ever.

Me: Which do you prefer more, blogging or posting on Instagram?       
Jeremy: Majority of my content is on Instagram. When I blog it's usually pretty general. I
                prefer Instagram since all of my content is visual and pretty video heavy.

Me: Although it's a fairly new term, do you consider yourself to be an
        influencer? If yes, why?       
Jeremy: I do. I am paid because I am an influencer. That is where all of my money comes
               from.

Me: What is your favorite food?       
Jeremy: Definitely sushi.

Me: What is your favorite restaurant in NYC?      
Jeremy: Gato. It's on Lafayette.

I am super thankful that Jeremy took time out of his busy schedule to let me interview him. He was a pleasure to speak with and insightful into the world of influencers. I look at the Brunch Boys Instagram frequently for blog inspiration and restaurant recommendations. I look forward to checking his favorite restaurant, Gato, which happens to be owned by his former employer, Bobby Flay. If you are not already following Brunch Boys on Instagram, click here to explore the page. For more information on Jeremy and Brunch Boys in general, take a look at the blog here.

How to Snag a Reservation at These Trending NYC Restaurants

How annoying is it when you want to dine at a specific restaurant but you can't get a reservation because they're all booked up? Well here are some tips and tricks that I have learned to get reservations at the following restaurants.

           1.     Le Coucou

•       This upscale and elegant French restaurant is located on Lafayette Street. Le Coucou is constantly booked up and requires advanced reservations. The trick to getting a reservation is to check OpenTable every morning at 10:00 am. At 10:00 am each day, Le Coucou releases upcoming reservations for 24 days in advance. For example, if you would like to dine on August 24, you would need to book that reservation on August 1.

           2.    Carbone

•       This old school Italian restaurant takes classic dishes and refines them by adding a little bit of a twist. If you are looking to try out their infamous spicy rigatoni, you must know how to make a reservation. Carbone is part of Major Food group, a company that owns various restaurants in NYC. The key to making a reservation here is to avoid OpenTable as there is hardly ever any availability. To make a reservation, email reservations@majorfoodgroup.com. They will be able to give you reservation dates and times that are not listed on OpenTable. 

           3.    The Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare

•       This sought-after spot combines French and Japanese cuisine for its 25 course dinners served at a price point of $395 per person, plus tax. The Chef’s Table is one of the hardest restaurants to get a reservation at because of its limited seating. The first seating is at 6:30 pm and the second is at 7:45 pm. In order to get a reservation at this exclusive spot, you must call on Monday’s at 10:30 am as you cannot make reservations online. Be sure to have your phone in close proximity when the time hits so that you can call immediately as spots book up at the speed of light.

There are many NYC restaurants that require reservations months in advance. Follow my tips to score reservations at the restaurants I’ve mentioned, as well as others. If you are interested in a particular restaurant that always seems to be booked, give them a call and ask when they release upcoming reservations. With a little bit of persistence and conversation, you can get a reservation where ever you’d like. Enjoy!

Everyone Deserves a Second Chance

On Saturday, July 7th, I gave Smorgasburg a chance to redeem themselves due to the mediocre experience I previously had. You can read about my Smorgasburg Prospect Park experience here. In my earlier post, I concluded by saying that I would be giving Smorgasburg another chance by visiting the Saturday event held at East River State Park in Williamsburg. I'm glad I said that because the second chance was definitely worth it. The array of food and beverages was off the charts!

Here are a few vendors exclusive to the Williamsburg location that deserve recognition:

• Himalayan Horizon
• If you are looking to try a new street food, Himalayan Horizon has got you covered. They serve a Himalayan dish called Shabaley, which is similar to an empanada. Shabaley is a circular shaped pocket of dough that can be filled with either beef, buffalo meat, or potatoes. The sealed balls of dough are then fried until crispy, golden perfection.

• Bread & Monkey
• Started by a 15-year-old boy named Jack, Bread & Monkey serves strictly banana bread and banana chocolate chip bread. I was a fan of the banana chocolate chop bread. Jack says that his delicious breads always sell out before the end of the day. So make Bread & Monkey your first stop on the way in!

• PopdUp
• This tea vendor made its first debut on the East Coast for Smorgasburg's 2018 season. PopdUp sells cold brew teas, rather than typical cold brew coffee. The tea leaves come from a farm in Taiwan and are typically brewed for a full 24 to 48 hours before being served. 

Those three vendors are just a sampling of the 100 vendors Smorgasburg in Williamsburg has to offer. I highly recommend planning a day to explore the Saturday event because you won't be disappointed! If you are thinking of checking it out, be sure to take a look at my previous post here to read my tips on how to prepare for the event.

Welcome to Eats and Treats in NYC!

Hey! I'm Kayla, a Long Island-er with a passion for food and exploring amazing restaurants located in NYC. Restaurants have always fascinated me because of how food can bring people of all backgrounds together in one place. Growing up with two working parents meant that my family relied on ordering take out or dining out frequently. Both of my parents had rather long work days, which allowed for me and my brother to choose what we wanted for dinner almost every night. Eating out may not always be the healthiest option but it allowed for a lot of exploration. 

This blog will serve as my vehicle of exploration as I share reviews of restaurants that I have already enjoyed and those I plan to try. I plan to explore a plethora of different restaurants that range in cuisine, price point, and atmosphere. The sky is the limit! Recommendations are crucial, so please comment if there is an eatery you would like me to check out!