A Great Pub Brunch
Sidetracks Restaurant and Lounge
45-08 Queens Blvd., Sunnyside
(718) 786-3570
www.sidetracksny.com
Cuisine: Fine pub fare
Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Credit Cards: Yes – All major
A birthday can be a good opportunity to try a new restaurant. So the occasion of a friend’s birthday gave me the opportunity to head into Sunnyside to try the brunch menu at Sidetracks Restaurant and Lounge.
The restaurant and bar are separated by a media wall of flat screen televisions. The restaurant has three areas – a front area that has booth alcoves, a central space for communal seating and a back area separated by clear glass that can fog up with the flick of a switch for private parties. On the other side of the media wall is a 40-foot bar with seating space.
Sitting at a table in the back of the bar area, in view of the bar staff, the service was attentive as the party waited for the last of the arrivals. For brunch, Sidetracks offers diners a complimentary mimosa or Bloody Mary. While some of my friends sipped mimosas before eating, I opted for a cup of coffee. Once everyone showed up and ordered more java, the waitress brought over a carafe so we could refill our own cups.
While she didn’t have to bring us more coffee, the waitress was on top of bringing more water and mimosas to everyone at the table.
The brunch menu is filled with a mix of fine breakfast items, salads and sandwiches. Our party was partial to the breakfast items on the menu, including eggs Benedict and eggs nova. The French toast and Belgian waffles – both served with fruit – were also popular choices at our table. I opted for the Sidetracks steak and eggs – steak well done and eggs over easy – served with home fries. I also got a side of bacon, because the sign of a good breakfast place is the quality of the bacon.
The food was on the table pretty fast considering we were a big party that ordered a lot of food. My plate was delivered last, so I got to watch everyone else’s food come across. Watching the delicious selection of brunch go by made me hungrier for my own meal. I almost regretted my selection when I saw how good the French toast looked.
When I order eggs out at a restaurant, I find that I’m disappointed a lot more often than not. I almost always order my eggs over easy. Usually, the eggs come back anything but. The eggs at Sidetracks came back perfect, the yolk running over my plate as soon as I pierced them, making a good dipping sauce for the delicious steak that came with them. Even the home fries were done well, seasoned just enough to not be overpowering.
The steak and eggs was just right to meet my appetite, and the rest of my party seemed satisfied, too. A good happy birthday brunch was had by all. With such a good brunch selection, I’m looking forward to trying lunch and dinner at Sidetracks.
–Steven J. Ferrari