Ninth Street Market

I loved this place. I planned to return and came here to get the address, and it’s closed?!
I know there are plenty of brunch locations in NYC, but I really wanted to dine here again. The pancakes were to die for. Light and fully. I didn’t mind waiting for the scrumptiousness. I hope the owners can open a shop somewhere else. I’ll be the first in line.

R.I.P 9^th Street Market.
This amazing little restaurant totally defined the East Village dining experience for a decade and much to the disbelief of the neighborhood it is gone now. From the working fireplace to the daily fresh-​cut flower arrangements and of course the delicious comfort food, this gem was not only the #1 brunch spot in the city but will leave a void on E. 9^th st that will be very difficult to fill. Todd the owner should be proud of the incredible run his restaurant had and the good will it created in the neighborhood. I was shocked when I went by and saw that all the tables and chairs and art work had been cleared out, seemingly overnight. An utter classic is gone. Just one more reason to move to Brooklyn. Hopefully Todd will grace us with his culinary magic somewhere else.
9^th street Market will live on in legend. Bravo Todd!

Best brunch and value in New York City. I am heartbroken that it closed. Does anyone know what happened??? Did they move somewhere else?
Every time I wanted a guaranteed solid brunch experience I used to come here. The food always tasted super fresh, yummy, home cooked and even felt like it was healthy. I tried pretty much everything on their brunch menu over the years that I went here. Their dishes never tasted greasy or overly gourmet. I don’t know what I’m going to do now. There’s really no other brunch quite like this one in New York.

My favorite brunch place in the EV. the wait usually takes around 45 mins, but the food is well worth it. i think the best thing i’ve had here was their french toast. it’s loaded with fruit and somehow, it doesn’t get soggy! it’s very good standard breakfast food!

Maybe I came at the wrong time on the wrong date. Perhaps the kitchen and floor staff were having an off day, or perhaps the stars just weren’t aligned in my favor. I had heard quite a bit of hype about Night Street Market’s brunch, and maybe I should have stuck with that instead of coming here for dinner. I really wanted to like this place, but I was underwhelmed by the experience and i’ll give it the benefit of the doubt.
Upon entering the cozy but a little cramped dining room, we were seated by the host, who turned out to be the waiter, busboy and, judging by the speed of the food, was probably pulling double duty in the kitchen. Perhaps the garde manger or fry station?
We were presented with the menu and told that the pork chops and salmon were both sold out. Resisting the urge to walk-​out (the pork chops looked fucking delicious) we ordered up a starter of salted cod croquettes and mains of roast chicken and the skate wing special.
The cod croquettes were simply awesome. Lightly breaded and fried, they had a great flavor without being too salty. We finished these off with gusto and then began our uncomfortably long wait for our main courses.
I must say with regret, that the main courses were not worth the wait. The chicken w/​mashed potatoes was ok, but nothing memorable. The pan fried skate wing was slightly sub-​par (i’ve cooked better skate wing at home) and went unfinished by my dining companion. After the disappointing experience, we skipped desert and asked for the check.
I can say with confidence that I will not be back for dinner, and will need some serious convincing to return for brunch.

Were it not for the fact that the bang/​buck on brunch, $ 12 plus tip, were so high, I’d probably have given this place three stars. In other words, I wouldn’t have been surprised to pay $ 16 for what I got and because of that, an experience that would have been three stars at $ 16 becomes four stars at $ 12.
What I did get was the chorizo omelette special, a lot of coffee, and a glass of surprisingly good grapefruit juice. The omelette was good, though not unbelievable. There’s a certain art to making an omelette fluffy, with a little moisture from the other ingredients while not quite solidifying the eggs all the way through. My omelette tended to err toward the latter, which is the conservative route (as this is probably better than undercooking the eggs) and still quite good, but it’s not likely to be an award winner. Still, the ingredients and the omelette were just what I needed (see my review of Jules, from the preceding night, and you can probably infer why), and the grilled potatoes (fries) were very good.
Some reviews have complained about the service and I can’t say I shared that experience. I was pleased with the service. It was prompt, courteous, and kept the caffeine coming. It’s the inclusion of above average juice, coffee, and excellent toast that make the meal an excellent value and push a good, if unremarkable, meal to something worth checking out. Likewise, I enjoyed the décor and atmosphere as well; very mellow, I thought.
I won’t harp too much on the wait time, largely because I went on Mother’s Day. There is a wait though and depending on your timing, it could be an hour or so. That might be a big negative for some, but didn’t bother me under the circumstances. Maybe if I weren’t expecting it, I’d be more irritated about it.

9^th Street Market really has turned out to be my favorite place to go for brunch. Yes, it’s small. Yes, it’s a long wait. But after going to brunch to other places, which are good in their own right, I really love this place. I love that it’s casual and chill and not a place where people are trying to be seen. And more importantly, I love their food. Their fare offers a selection of good ol’ breakfast items done well. Every dish comes out looking scrumptious and makes you wish you ordered that instead. Until you get your dish and you couldn’t be happier and wait to dig in whether it’s pancakes, french toast, fluffy eggs, or even just the oatmeal.
It’s cozy, yummy and is an awesome way to start off a leisurely Sunday.

I did not get the brunch experience, but came for dinner. I had a wonderful time, and would highly recommend it to someone who wants to just forget about the outside world awhile.
I was not rushed, I felt relaxed… and the menu has a no cellphone rule printed on it (although my friend and I both broke the rule without being scolded — oops — perhaps it was just more lax because it was a quiet night with a great rainstorm outside).
There is a nice fireplace, and the waiter will keep it roaring, and the décor is rustic and woody. Really cozy.
Great wine list — I believe there were several organic varietals on the list. The food is very comforting (had a splendid vegetable pot pie) and pretty large in portion. All the ingredients were fresh and probably also organic.
The price is a little high, but not too much for a protected space such as this one.
Come here for a relaxing and comforting meal — preferably when the weather is colder to experience that fireplace.

Once again, it’s all about the brunch. And per usual, it’s all about places within walking distance of where I live.
The food here is always very good. Their bread is amazing. Everything tastes like it’s been soaked in butter — just how I like it. Their waiter is efficient and a pretty cool guy, even if he looks like he hasn’t slept in 15 years or so. And the music they play is totally kick-​ass. You get a little hip-​hop, a little 80s, a little whatever sounds good after hip-​hop and the 80s. It’s all good.

WTF? Did the «friendly, patient, attentive» servers all the other reviewers are talking about somehow get abducted between the last review and my brunch yesterday? I have rarely, if ever, experienced the rudeness I experienced here at 9^th Street Market.
After waiting for almost an hour in the pouring rain with my parents, who were visiting this weekend, and after being told to wait under the leaky awnings instead of by the door («my neighbors will yell at me») we sat down and looked at the menus. Lots to choose from — hard to decide what to have! After all, I’ve been waiting a long time and I do not want to order the wrong thing…
The guy with the beard and the HUGE attitude comes over and tells us the 3 specials in 3 seconds flat (which means none of us can tell what he said… something about omelettes… maybe)
He comes back a few minutes later to take our order and I make a split decision to have pancakes, and a side of grits because brunch never seems to satisfy without something savory. He starts to walk off before I can even order the grits, but I catch him, and he says «oh we’re out of grits.» and practically RUNS back to the kitchen without a second look at me.
2 minutes later I flag him down to say «is it possible to change my order from the pancakes to this egg thingy, and he says «NO THOSE PANCAKES ARE ALREADY ON THE GRIDDLE!» and looks at me like I’m a freak of nature. whatever, dude.
15 minutes or so later, I receive said pancakes. Then I realize that they don’t even have real maple syrup. In all of New York City, I pick the one place that doesn’t have maple syrup.
What a let-​down. I don’t care if you serve the greatest food known to man (which they don’t), or if you have ambiance and a cute little fireplace. If you can’t pop a smile or even consider accommodating a very simple and rational request from a guest, you are in the wrong business.

We came here for brunch around 2:30PM and hurrah, we only had to wait about 20 minutes! This place is super cute, super tiny (as in, eight tables with only two that fit more than two people), super cozy, and super «Yes, we were discovered by Unilocal.»
Brunch is a *steal* for NYC: $ 12 for bottomless coffee or tea, a glass of juice, and your choice of an entrée. I was in love with the French toast: fluffy, pillowy, eggy brioche slices with mountains of fresh fruit! If we had ordered two of these, this review would have been a five for sure. The breakfast taco dish was unfortunately lacking: the tortillas were dried and the potatoes were burnt.
Service was wonderful and it was fun watching the waiters chow down as we neared the end of the brunch crowd (note: they ate the bagel dish). I’d definitely come back for brunch, and maybe for dinner, though it seems Unilocalers weren’t too happy with dinner…

Three girlfriends and I had a great midweek dinner here. The tiny, cozy restaurant was about half full at 8:30pm. The fireplace was blazing. The smell of the adjacent table’s molten chocolate cake was permeating around our table. I was starving. The complimentary cornbread was very yummy, moist, and crispy at the edges. I had the chicken fried steak, which came with a side of mashed potatoes and corn (I love corn). It was very well flavored and as good as anything fried can be. The pecan-​coated catfish with bourbon-​maple butter and duck breast special were also very good. Portions are huge and well-​priced.
Their brunch is supposed to be amazing, but I have yet to time it right/​wait in line…

I had dinner here by the fireplace and I say to you that it was is a good thing:
1-​tasty food – fish and soup and salad
2-​warm fireplace
3-​good wine
4-​nice staff
I had not been to the ninth st. market in a long time and was glad to stumble back upon it before a show at ps 122. The last time I went was for brunch in the summer and it had a very different (but good, but crowded) vibe. This time not so crowded and probably an even better experience. Oh and I was there early in the evening to beat the rush.
Certainly a good place all year round, but really nice in the winter with the fire.

I’m a fan.
This is not the place to take a group of people to although they will accommodate you-​keep in mind unless you get there at the start of brunch you may be waiting. It is democracy in action-​write your name down and wait-​out of courtesy do not block the door to the dry cleaners or the apartment building where people actually reside. Do not leave to go get a coffee at Mug or stroll through Tompkins Square Park-​if the bearded proprietor calls your name and you are absent –you will have to write your name down once again.
Brunch is one of my favorite meals and here is no exception-​my main dilemma is always savory or sweet? The sweet brunch is oh so yummy but ca render you comatose for the rest of the day. The savory brunch ca. be satisfying but is not the sweet brunch.
On my visit this past Sunday savory wins out as I have to teach a yoga class that afternoon. Breakfast tacos with mushrooms and i opt for the mixed greens. The coffee leaves me jittery enough to leave my students somewhat dubious about the serene path to enlightenment.
The wood burning fireplace is just what the doctor ordered on a super cold January morning.

Been coming here for brunch on-​and-​off for over 7 years…
Yes, it’s crowded during peak Brunch… but if you time it right (check the sign in sheet outside), you’ll be rewarded with:
–excellent, fluffy buttermilk pancakes with real maple syrup!
–bottomless cups of delicious coffee!
–fantastic egg dishes (the omlettes… delish, the huevos rancheros. divine)
–fresh orange or grapefruit juice!
–fast, efficient service!
–inexpensive prices!
–a real working fireplace!
–funky music to drown out the crowded chatter!
Hands down, best brunch in the East Village (north of Houston Street) !!

April edit: Visited again this weekend. Food was very good, but the servers were tense and overtly non-​friendly. Then, to top it all off, mid-​meal I glanced toward the kitchen only to catch my server SMOKING A CIGARETTE, ASHING IT IN A DRAWER AND BLOWING THE SMOKE INTO THE KITCHEN… yep, you heard me right, folks! Later he cleared a bottle of Pelegrino off a table and carried it to the back where he proceeded to swig it right from the bottle. So bizarre… and gross.
I guess I liked this place… as a friend. Not the best brunch fare I’ve ever encountered, but decent and reasonably priced. I run into problems when I try to justify the super-​lengthy wait though… An hour? Really? Ok, but the food better blow me away. Ninth Street Market’s simply didn’t.
If I were walking by and noticed that there was no wait, I’d absolutely give it another go. Under any other circumstances, notsomuch.

9^th Street Market? That’s just the most cocky, sarcastic, self conscious name ever claimed by a restaurant. YOU my venue, are sexy.
Let me explain: 9^th Street is ridden with lotsa beehives, whether they are nooks or mall-​courts (read Veselka), wherever you eat you feel as in a market; buzz, buzz, buzz and elbow rubbing.
9^th Street Market is coquettishly hiding in the midst of it all; a blue canopy purposedly lowered so that you CAN’T see the fullness of the window and into the interior. NO NAME annoucing itself at said canopy, door or window (You have to enter the townhouse and see the glass window to your left to read the black emblazooned 9^th Street Market letters) This place is giggling at their comrade in arms because hey, everyone knows me, and they come. Oh yes. 9^th Street Market *wink*
The place is a hole in the wall of sheer cuteness; a real fireplace receives you (what a way to retrofit an old townhouse), and a most amazing arrangement of bric-​à-​brac and second hand store antiques arranged in such a way as to actually convey a sense of ELEGANCE? Brilliant.
I ordered chicken for main course (Rosemary laden, hearty and big in proportion) and a Duck salad for appetizer (it was OK); but heck, you come here for the intimacy of the experience; sip some wine while eating a standard fare of food at the fireplace while you laugh… at the market outside, on 9^th Street.

I almost want to grit my teeth and mumble sorry for giving 9^th Street Market just 4 stars. Everyone else gave it 5 stars.
Jess M, Gregory Z (who has no reviews so far) and I arrived at 9^th Street Market in sheer confusion. We saw a tiny window filled with plants and the inside was very dark. Was it even open? Was it a florist? Was it really a restaurant? We poked our head through the open door and the place was empty. And then a guy lifted his head from lying down on the side bench and said, «Hi.» «Umm, are you open?» We asked in confusion. «Sure. Come on in. Sit anywhere you like,» the man said invitingly. We walked in and chose the table right in front of the warm lit fireplace.
9^th Street Market was such a cozy dining experience. We may as well have been sitting in our own dining room. The room was small and intimate. It’s perfect for a romantic date or any cold winter night. At first I was a little worried that we were the only diners in the restaurant but soon the place was filled with people and I was glad we had avoided the rush since we didn’t even have a reservation.
Our waiter, the same guy who was the host was a one man show. He recited the specials of the day, waited on us hand and foot, provided humor when we asked for his suggestions, and gave equal time to every table in the room.
Our meal began with a complimentary plate of crumbly golden cornbread. It was delicious. I loved that they give cornbread here instead of slices of French bread. Gregory Z ordered the scallop appetizer which was so tiny it was more of a nibble than a bite’s worth. The scallops were the size of quarters.
After carefully deciding our main courses, Jess M ordered the seafood risotto special, Gregory Z got the vegetable pot pie, and I chose the chicken fried steak. Jess M had also somehow managed to score a free side dish of mashed potatoes. Her dinner choice depended on the potatoes and the waiter said if she ordered the seafood risotto (the special of the day) he would give her a bowl of mashed potatoes. I might be a little presumptuous in saying that this offer made Jess M’s day but I’m sure it did. She was a happy little bee. We all cleaned our plates to the very last crumb and drop of sauce. It was a pretty good meal. I will say though, that the vegetable pot pie looked the most scrumptious and that the ambiance of the restaurant really makes you wanna lounge, eat slowly, and savor every bite. Good company, good friends, good service, and a warm toasty fire. Sounds good to me.

good prix fixe ($ 11.95) brunch. the wait is pretty long, but just put your name down on the list, head over to urban outfitters, and come back 45 minutes later.
my friend had the french toast with fresh fruit & i had the «eggs in a basket». the french toast was excellent, made with 2 types of bread — challah & raisin brioche. it was covered with a crapload of fresh fruit (including berries, blood oranges, and apples) dusted with powder sugar. my dish was basically buttered sourdough with the middle cut out and replaced with a fried egg. i really like sourdough and i really like butter and i really like eggs so i was really satisfied with my dish. i opted for mixed greens as a side instead of homefries (though the fries did look good).
service is good. the place is really small (don’t come with a group larger than 4 or you’ll have to wait forever) and basically manned by 2 waiters who are always ready to refill coffee cups. i would definitely come here again.
side note: brunch is only served til 3:30, and you have to get your name in before 2:30ish. i saw them turn away a bunch of ppl who lacked foresight.

Time: Saturday night, 7pm
Setting: A small and narrow dining room, much like a raiilway car. No more than 10 tables occupy the entire space. Votive candles flicker at each table, the fireplace burns at a gentle simmer. Conversation at the two other occupied tables, foursomes at either end of the room, are at respectful volumes with bursts of liveliness every so often.
K and J are seated and order a glass of wine each — red for him, white for her. A slow, sexy Barry White song plays in the background and K’s feeling pretty hot… :record scratch:
Oh, that’s because I was sitting right next to a heat pipe. And okay, there was no Barry White playing. But there could have been, right?
So dropping the pretense now… Our dining space was intimate and cozy, until about halfway through our meal, when a couple of French guys were seated to our right. Quite chatty, they were, but fairly unobtrusive. By the time we were finishing our dessert, a young hipster couple was seated to our left. «Cozy» would have turned into «cramped» had we not beaten the Saturday night dinner rush.
Our waiter was casual cool — not overly familiar or attentive. He didn’t have much time for that, as he was serving the entire restaurant. We gathered from his charming and easy-​going persona that he was an actor. He said things like, «Are we ready to have a conversation about dessert?» Yes, unnamed struggling actor, I think we are.
Now the food. Ah yes, that’s what we came here for, after all. For starters, Maryland crab cakes and New England Clam Chowder (a special). Neither dish really «had me at hello» but I was satisfied. The crab cakes were a bit on the light side (not like the thick chunks of crab I used to eat in my college days in Baltimore), although the accompanying sauce was flavorful. The chowder was not as thick as I like, but at least the clam and potato were plentiful.
Next up, a «cornbread intermezzo,» a fancy way of saying «plate of cornbread.» And what a plate it was. Three pieces of toasty, crumbly moist cornbread topped with a generous pat of butter. Just how my bf, who grew up in the South, likes it. When the waiter came back with our entrees, he picked up the unfinished plate of cornbread and put my bf and me in a state of temporary panic. «Where you going with that?» my bf asked worriedly. Turns out, the waiter was just making space and putting it on another spot on the table. He kinda chuckled as we both exhaled a sigh of relief.
Our entrees were fantastic. I ordered a special, seared cod with red potatoes, bacon, almond slivers, cabbage and capers. The capers gave the cod that extra pop of tartness and I enjoyed the layers of flavor in each bite. My bf was especially excited to try his chicken fried steak, another Southern classic. He gave me a generous bite of steak and mashers, and my taste buds swooned. My bf called it «sophisticated chicken fried steak» and we wondered if perhaps the meat was actually veal since it was so thin and tender.
Our «conversation about dessert» led to us ordering the apple blackberry cobbler with a scoop of homemade vanilla bean ice cream. My bf will order a cobbler any chance he gets since they’re rare to come by in the city. He was not disappointed. Mighty chunks of sweet apple intermingly with the slightly tart blackberry under the thick sugary crust. We may very well have interrupted a lurid romance between the apple and blackberry when we penetrated the cobbler with our spoons. But thankfully, the love affair continued in our mouths…
K and J assembled their winter gear amidst the now crowded and bustling restaurant, still in a daze from their superb meal. It was the loveliest of date night dinners… with or without Barry White.