Although breakfast options can sometimes seem limited, there is a whole unexplored world of early morning possibilities that lies just beyond the established borders of Port Washington. These options include OatMeals and Chobani located in Manhattan, just a train ride away. Yes, they are completely worth the trip.
When many people think of oatmeal, they cringe at the thought of that often bland breakfast item with a rather strange texture. OatMeals, located at 120 West Third Street in Manhattan, just south of Washington Square Park, defies this stereotype. This unique café has reinvented the face of oatmeal, offering customers almost thirty oatmeal-style dishes.
The story behind OatMeals is just as noteworthy. When chef and founder Sam Stephens moved to New York City her freshman year of college, she developed a passion for healthy eating, eventually discovering the endless benefits and possibilities there are to oatmeal.
That was twelve years ago. Today, OatMeals serves Quaker Steel Cut oats exclusively, offering a range of options that is hard to imagine. When visiting OatMeals, you can choose your size: an 8 ounce “Baby Bear” size, a 12 ounce “Mama Bear” size, or a 16 ounce “Papa Bear” size.
Next, under their “signature bowls,” OatMeals has divided its staple combinations into four categories: the “Comforts,” the “Hot and Bothered,” the “Savory, Spice, and Everything Nice,” and the “Happy Endings.”
“The Comforts” include traditional oatmeal combos such as Brown Sugar Cinnamon Raisin. As the menu progresses, however, the bowls evolve into more alternative options.
Under “Hot and Bothered” lies “Pomegranate Pistachio,” made with dried pomegranate seeds, pistachios, honey, and almond milk. “Fig & Gorgonzola” is listed under “Savory, Spice, and Everything Nice,” and is topped with crumbled gorgonzola, dried figs, and a balsamic vinegar glaze. One of the more popular items of the menu is the “S’mores bowl,” listed under the “Happy Endings” section, which is topped with the traditional s’mores components and drizzled with chocolate syrup. However, if none of these heavenly choices float your boat, you can always build your own by choosing from a selection of dried fruit, fresh fruit, nuts, seeds, “sweet stuff,” “savory stuff,” types of milk, and spices.
Obviously, OatMeals has taken your everyday oats to the next level. So if you decide to venture out to New York City and are near the New York University campus, stop by OatMeals for a warm bowl of oatmeal that is sure to provide your day with a “Happy Ending.”
The alternative breakfast possibilities don’t end there. While many people know Chobani as the brand of Greek yogurt which they can snack on guilt-free at home, many may not know that Chobani actually has its own café. Conveniently located in the heart of Soho, Chobani has made a name for itself as one of the trendiest cafés in that neighborhood.
Just to clarify, this Mediterranean-inspired cafe is not a frozen yogurt store. It sells the same type of yogurt that you would find on shelves at the supermarket. But anything sold at this café is much cooler than anything you would find at an average supermarket.
What makes eating the yogurt here different than eating their packaged yogurt at home is that they sell the yogurt with pre-created combinations of toppings and flavors. The yogurt is then beautifully presented in a glass bowl, which makes for a tasty and Insta-worthy treat!
On their menu, they have both sweet and savory yogurt creations. One of their more popular sweet options is their peanut butter and jelly flavor. This consists of their original Greek yogurt base, topped with creamy peanut butter, fresh grapes, grape jelly, and roasted peanuts.
Their savory Meditteranean creations have proved noteworthy as well. While these might sound a little bit strange, they are choices anyone would be tempted to try.
Their mango and avocado flavor served with mango, avocado, jalapenos, olive oil, sea salt, cilantro, lime juice, and blue corn tortilla chips stands out. For something simpler, their cucumber and olive oil flavor may be a better introduction to the savory Greek yogurt world.
While their yogurts are an absolute must when visiting this location, they also offer Mediterranean sandwiches and soups such as their spiced chicken and pomegranate onion sandwich and their Turkish red lentil soup. And even though selling coffee and tea might seem too mainstream for this location, they do of course have typical drinks that any café would have.
Unique breakfast places in New York are certainly not limited to just unordinary yogurts and oatmeals. Bagels are another traditional breakfast food undergoing an incredible transformation at Tompkins Square Bagels.
While the name may not sound extrodinary, the bagels sold there most definitley are. Say goodbye to plain bagels and cream cheese and hello to french toast bagels and birthday cake or cookie dough cream cheese.
Yes, you read that right. This bagel place actually does serve these unique cream cheese flavors. While one of their most popular happens to be birthday cake cream cheese, they also have pumpkin and apple cinnamon flavored cream cheese as well.
If their impeccable cream cheese flavors have’nt yet sold you on this place, they have other interesting bagel options such as the mac and cheese topped bagel, banana and nutella filled bagel, and bagel with peanut butter and jelly.
So try to venture out and try something new. Breakfast is arguably the best meal of the day, so why not make it as fun and intereesting as possible? Do not be afraid to experiment with your palate at breakfast. The creations you may find are truly endless.