The 3 P.M. Brunch With the 4 A.M. Vibe By BEN DETRICKNOV. 16, 2011 Continue reading the main story Share This Page Share Tweet Pin Email More Save Photo An enthusiastic reveler parties to a performance by Roxy Cottontail, a promoter, at Eat Yo Brunch at Yotel on 10th Avenue, where the $35 brunch allows patrons to eat and drink for two hours. Credit Deidre Schoo for The New York Times BRUNCH, an occasion for flapjacks, Bloody Marys and meandering conversation, is traditionally the most sluggish of meals. But a smorgasbord of clubby New York restaurants have transformed lazy midday gatherings into orgies of overindulgence with blaring music, jiggling go-go dancers and bar tabs that mushroom into five figures. No, boozy brunches aren’t new. Inspired by the daytime debauchery on Pampelonne Beach in St.-Tropez, where jet-setters arrive by Ferrari and yacht, early iterations began at Le Bilboquet on the Upper East Side in the early ’90s, and spread to meatpacking district flashpoints like Bagatelle and Merkato 55 in 2008. But more recently, these brunches have been supersized, moving from smaller lounges to brassy nightclubs like Lavo and Ajna. The party blog Guest of a Guest has taken to calling it the “Battle of the Brunches.” “Not everyone gets to run to the beach or jump on a plane,” said Noah Tepperberg, an owner of Lavo in Midtown, which started its brunch party a year ago. “If you want to leave your house on the weekend, brunch fills that void.” On a recent Saturday, Mr. Tepperberg stood in Lavo’s basement kitchen, surrounded by meat slicers and employees readying confectionary “poison apples” for a Halloween party for a pre-split Kim Kardashian. Upstairs, patrons in costumes danced atop tables and chairs, bobbing to the carnival syncopation of Jay-Z and Kanye West’s “Paris.” Confetti and blasts of fog filled the air. Continue reading the main story Related Coverage slideshow The Brunch Party Takes Over Clubs NOV. 16, 2011 Advertisement Continue reading the main story It was 3 p.m. “People walk in and say, ‘I can’t believe this is going on right now,’ ” Mr. Tepperberg said. The brunch bacchanalia shows no sign of running dry. The Mondrian SoHo is starting Scene Sundays this month at its Imperial No. Nine restaurant. In Las Vegas, the original Lavo started a Champagne brunch a few weeks ago. Similar affairs have bubbled up in Boston, Los Angeles and Washington. For those looking to replicate the formula, here’s a guide to some of New York’s frothiest. Day and Night Ajna Bar (25 Little West 12th Street, dayandnightnyc.com); Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. This extravagant French-themed party landed in October at Ajna Bar in the meatpacking district, after dousing the Hamptons, Art Basel in Miami and the Oak Room in the Plaza Hotel with rosé. Beneath an industrial skylight and fluttering flags from the United Kingdom, France and Israel, well-heeled patrons pumped their fists and posed for purse-lipped Facebook photos, racking up huge tabs every Saturday. “I understand there’s a lot of people out there going through hard times,” said Daniel Koch, the promoter who helped start the Day and Night parties at Merkato 55. “But what you want to do with your money is your business.” SIGNAL TO DANCE ON TABLES “If you’ve been sprayed with Champagne, make some noise!” a hype man will shout between piercing dance tracks from Robyn, Calvin Harris and Oasis. Dancers in orange bathing suits will emerge; pipes will blast jets of fog. In a dangerously drunken take on a bar mitzvah ritual, a man spooning dessert out of a giant bowl will be seated on a chair and lifted high into the air by his cronies. BRUNCH SET Club-savvy guests seem piped in from Miami, Monaco and Merrill Lynch. “I’m from the South, so drinking during the day is not new to me,” said a woman who wore a Diane Von Furstenberg dress but not the necessary wristband to enter the V.I.P. area. Outside, near a black Aston Martin coupe, a young man wearing paint on his face and sunglasses delved into socioeconomics. “We’re the 1 percent,” he said to a woman, matter of factly. THE BUFFET The Nutella-stuffed croissants ($12) cater to Europeans, while a gimmicky $2,500 ostrich egg omelet (with foie gras, lobster, truffle, caviar and a magnum of Dom Perignon) is for aspiring Marie Antoinettes. Champagne bottles start at $500; packages with several bottles of liquor and mixers for mojitos or bellinis are $1,000. The check can be sobering. “You didn’t look at the price of the Dom bottle!” a man barked into his iPhone, to a friend who apparently ditched before paying. “It’s $700!” STILL-HOT ACCESSORY Slatted “shutter shades” live on at Day and Night. DID THE D.J. PLAY “WELCOME TO ST.-TROPEZ”? Yes. Lavo Champagne Brunch Lavo (39 East 58th Street, lavony.com); Saturday, 2 to 6:30 p.m. Smog guns. Confetti cannons. Piñatas. Masked masseuses. Dancers in Daisy Duke shorts (some on stilts, obviously). Since last November, this Italian restaurant has roiled with the energy and pageantry of Mardi Gras. At the recent Halloween party, Slick Rick, an old-school rapper with an eye patch and glinting ropes of jewelry, lethargically performed several ’80s hits. Some of the younger “Black Swans” in attendance were unsure of his identity. “Is he big in London?” asked an Australian woman wearing a top hat. SIGNAL TO DANCE ON TABLES Caffeinated anthems like Pitbull’s “Hey Baby” and Roscoe Dash’s “All the Way Turnt Up” are accentuated by processions of bouncers carrying women above them in tubs, like Cleopatra on a palanquin. Polenta pancakes taking up precious square footage? Just kick them aside with your stilettos. Newsletter Sign Up Continue reading the main story Open Thread Newsletter A look from across the New York Times at the forces that shape the dress codes we share, with Vanessa Friedman as your personal shopper. You agree to receive occasional updates and special offers for The New York Times's products and services. See Sample Privacy Policy Opt out or contact us anytime BRUNCH SET Share Champagne spritzers with willowy model types and inheritors of wealth. The scrum on an October afternoon included the son of a Mongolian dignitary, six scions of Mexican plutocracy wearing novelty somberos, and at least one supermodel. “She’s everywhere,” said Mr. Tepperberg, as the nymph, whose name he couldn’t remember, disappeared into the jungle of merriment. THE BUFFET With the emphasis on tabletop dancing, Italian trattoria offerings (margherita pizzas for $21, and lemon ricotta waffles for $19) are often abandoned underfoot and sprinkled with confetti. Proving alcohol reigns supreme here, ice buckets are carefully shielded with napkins. Bottle service rules: Moët Brut is $195 and liquor starts at $295. Balthazar and Nebuchadnezzar sizes surge toward the $10,000 mark. RISKY ROSé Alcohol and high-altitude dancing can be perilous: there was a brief hullabaloo in one corner when several women took a tumble. DID THE D.J. PLAY “WELCOME TO ST.-TROPEZ”? Yes. Eat Yo Brunch Yotel (570 10th Avenue, yotel.com); Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. If spending thousands of dollars makes your stomach turn, this newish party at Yotel is more easily digested. This affably cartoonish affair, held at the space-age hotel in Hell’s Kitchen with the design aesthetics of a Pokémon, draws a gay-friendly crowd lured northward by Patrick Duffy, a promoter. “There’s a lot of pressure in night life,” Mr. Duffy said. “But I feel like Sunday is a comedown. It doesn’t have to be perfect.” SIGNAL TO DANCE ON TABLES These connoisseurs of brunch wear designer shoes too stylish for tromping atop omelets. With a D.J. spinning dance tracks from LeLe and Earth, Wind & Fire, guests sip bellinis at the bar or banter at long communal tables. The performers are looser. One afternoon, Roxy Cottontail, a pink-haired promoter, vamped around the sunken dining area with a microphone. “Don’t make kitty pounce,” she rapped, before climbing atop a table. BRUNCH SET Clusters of trim men wear leather motorcycle jackets or shroud themselves in patterned scarves. “It’s an eclectic, downtown vibe,” Ms. Cottontail said. “We have the most fabulous gays in New York City.” When a platinum-blond waiter in skintight jeans pranced in front of a wall decorated with pictures of sumo wrestlers riding Japanese carp, it seemed straight from an anime cell. THE BUFFET For an egalitarian $35, patrons receive unlimited grub — options include chilaquiles, halibut sliders and seaweed salad — and a two-hour window of boozing. “It’s not bougie,” said Mr. Duffy, who bounded across the room hugging guests and hand-delivering shots. “You could be a poor, starving artist or someone that doesn’t take a client for under $20 million.” COLOR CODE Wear purple if you hope to be camouflaged by the staff outfits, chairs and ceilings. DID THE D.J. PLAY “WELCOME TO ST.-TROPEZ”? No. Sunset Saturdays PH-D Rooftop Lounge at Dream Downtown (355 West 16th Street, dreamdowntown.com); Saturday, 5:30 to 10 p.m. Despite a happy hour time slot, this sunset party atop the Dream Downtown hotel is not for pre-gaming. After funneling in brunch crowds from elsewhere, 8 p.m. has the frenzied atmosphere and intoxication of 2 a.m. The offbeat timing may deter conventional weekend warriors. “No matter how cool the place, some people feel Friday and Saturday nights are for amateurs,” said Matt Strauss, a manager of PH-D. “We’re not for amateurs.” SIGNAL TO DANCE ON TABLES The D.J. rapid-fires through tracks from C+C Music Factory, LMFAO and Rick Ross, but booze-lubricated guests scramble on couches with little hesitation. Those grappling with bursts of existential angst after six hours of brunch can gaze pensively at the spectacular views of Midtown Manhattan. BRUNCH SET Attractive women and affluent men knot around tables; hotel guests gawk from the bar. On a recent Saturday, Mark Wahlberg danced with a few friends, and David Lee, a former New York Knick, enjoyed downtime provided by the N.B.A. lockout. “We saw an angle,” said Matt Assante, a promoter. “People spend more money than at nighttime.” THE BUFFET Brunch is thankfully over, but crispy calamari ($17) and guacamole ($12) could constitute a light dinner. A bottle of Veuve Clicquot is $475. Cîroc vodka is $450. Cocktails like the Cloud Nine (Beefeater gin, Campari, grapefruit) are $18; a Bud Light is $10. WINDING DOWN After the rigors of daylong gorging, relax with the help of an on-site masseuse. DID THE D.J. PLAY “WELCOME TO ST.-TROPEZ”? Obviously.

L2O PRIVATE DINING HIGHLIGHTS:
● all guests attending a private event at L2O are invited to take a behind-the-scenes tour 
of our kitchen
● L2O can host corporate events, birthdays, rehearsal dinners, upscale bridal showers, 
intimate weddings, cocktail receptions, pharmaceutical programs, incentive dinners, 
product launches, retirement parties, business meetings and more
● chef matthew kirkley 2013 James Beard “Rising Chef of the Year” Nominee
● 2 Michelin star rating
● all-inclusive menu pricing available
● built in audio visual, high-speed internet access
● competitive valet rates at $14 per car
● complimentary coat check
ENJOY YOUR EVENING IN OUR KITCHEN: 
an interactive affair
In addition to three intimate private dining rooms,
L2O has an event space like no other in Chicago. 
Distinct yet simple, our beautifully-designed 
display kitchen adds a sophisticated touch to 
any event. Guests can mingle against the 
backdrop of live seafood tanks that house Chef 
Kirkley's blue Brittany lobsters, langoustines and 
California red abalone, Not only can guests 
interact with the chef and his line, but they can 
also observe the careful orchestration of the 
evening's menu while enjoying canapés. 

TRANSFORM L2O INTO YOUR OWN 

PERSONAL RESTAURANT 

every tuesday every tuesday tuesday & wednesday wednesday

As the dining room is typically closed on Tuesday and 

Wednesday evenings, L2O is available for you to host 

any event in our main dining room and display kitchen. 

Take advantage of the minimal food and beverage 

requirements to turn L2O into your own personal 

restaurant for the the day or evening.

L2O Private Dining Menu Selections - L2O Private Dining Menu Selections - Design Your Own Design Your Own

three course • 95 

(1) beginning, (1) main, (1) dessert

four course • 120

(2) beginnings, (1) main, (1) dessert 

five course • 145

(2) beginnings, (1) meat, (1) fish, (1) dessert 

chef’s tasting (available for parties of 15 or less) s tasting (available for parties of 15 or less) • 190

favorites, eight courses 

additional choice per course • 12

wine pairings available

beginning 

(*bread service: housemade wheat roll & sourdough baguette)

pastoral salad • fines herbes, sherry vinaigrette, parmesan crisp 

beet salad • hazelnuts, clementine vinaigrette 

ahi tuna ahi tuna tartare tartare • avocado mousse, frisée, torn basil

scallop gnocchi scallop gnocchi • brown sage butter, parmesan

artichoke risotto • black truffle

smoked potato bisque • bacon, chive

prawns • yuzu butter, black lime 

main

lobster risotto • black truffle

striped bass • turnip puree, clam, chive fumet

seared salmon • pinot noir reduction, morel

loup de loup de mer • bouillabaisse broth, fennel, tomato confit

butter- butter-poached lobster poached lobster • grilled potato, hollandaise de mer 10

beef tenderloin • creamed spinach, maitake mushroom, natural jus

herb-crusted lamb loin crusted lamb loin • carrot confit, rosemary 15

surf and turf • beef, lobster tail, brioche, sauce civet 20

dessert

chocolate cr chocolate crémeux • lemon, brioche

lime parfait • cara cara orange, tarragon

seasonal sorbet • cherry, mint

enhancements 

caviar • brioche, crème fraîche, egg 115 + up

selection of three cheeses 25 selection of three cheeses 

mignardises • sweet bites to finish the evening 10

We may occasionally substitute a similar fish to provide the highest quality available. 

Any substitutions for dietary restrictions and allergies will be accommodated. 

Private Dining Canapé Private Dining Canapé Selections Selections

Service staff to hand pass bite-size canapés prior to your dinner

2 hot, 1 cold – 3 pieces per person $21 (recommended for 30 minute reception)

3 hot, 2 cold – 5 pieces per person $32 (recommended for 45 minute reception)

4 hot, 3 cold – 7 pieces per person $46 (recommended for 1 hour reception)

cold canapé cold canapés 

ocean trout • citrus confit, chartreuse ocean trout 

hamachi • jalapeno, mango hamachi

oyster • honeydew, nori oyster 

tuna tartare tuna tartare tartare • apple, olive

foie gras foie gras tartelette tartelette tartelette • strawberry

celery salad • noilly prat vermouth, caviar celery salad

basil velout basil velouté • cream

warm canapé warm canapés

crispy fish crispy fish • yuzu, braised red onion

risotto croquette • champagne, parmesan risotto croquette

gougères • cheese puff

cider bisque cider bisque • almond, maitake

crab cake • aioli crab cake

beef wellington • mushroom, savory pastry crisp 

Reception-style events can be customized to suit your particular needs and

preferences. Menu items are priced per person and require a 25 guest minimum.

reception stations 

teppanyaki • seared beef on hot rock, dipping sauces teppanyaki 24

raw bar • fruits de mer, shrimp, oysters, crab, horse raw bar radish, wasabi 38

risotto • artichoke, black truffle 22 risotto 

cheese • fresh baked breads, nuts, fruit compote 20 cheese

cheese & charcuterie • cured meats, relish, olives, c cheese & charcuterie ondiments 32

sweets & savories • macarons, canelés, tartelettes, s sweets & savories orbet action station 18

full dinner stations starting at 115 per person

sample menu sample menu

salade gourmande • mojama, almonds, haricots verts, w salade gourmande alnut oil

beef tenderloin beef tenderloin tenderloin carving carving carving station station station • balsamic glaze, royal trumpet, potato mousseline

wild striped wild striped striped bass • bouillabaisse broth, green olive, tomato confit

imported cheese & charcuterie • nuts, fruit compote, imported cheese & charcuterie accompaniments

sweets • miniature desserts, mignardises, sorbet acti sweets on station

three-course menu package course menu package course menu package • 95

menu includes select beer, sommelier selection of red and white wine, ed and white wine, 

soft drinks and coffee service

15 guest minimum

add 30 minute reception with passed canapés • 24

chef’s selection of three passed canapés, beer, wine, soft drinks 

beginning (select one)

potato bisque • potato bisque • smoked bacon, chive

pastoral salad • fines herbes, sherry vinaigrette, pa pastoral salad rmesan crisp

artichoke risotto • black truffle artichoke risotto

main (choice taken at table)

wild striped bass • wild striped bass • bouillabaisse broth, fennel, tomato confit

beef tenderloin • beef tenderloin • creamed spinach, maitake mushroom

***groups over 25 guests, select one entrée to be served 

dessert (select one)

lime parfait • cara cara orange, tarragon lime parfait

chocolate crémeux • chocolate • lemon, brioche 

seasonal sorbet • seasonal sorbet • cherry, mint

main dining room

Upon entering the restaurant, guests are drawn 

into a gathering of floor-to-ceiling macassar

ebony columns, which create a subtle yet 

dramatic transitional space between the 

building lobby and the dining room. Gently 

etched glass panels and stainless steel cable 

screens glow and shimmer, defining more 

intimate spaces within the main dining room. 

White leather chairs and caramel-hued settees 

beckon guests to unwind for the evening 

around complementary macassar ebony tables 

and blond Sen wood-paneled walls. The 

restaurant is a dinner-only venue open Thursday 

through Monday, making the main dining room 

an ideal option for larger groups for daytime or 

evening events on either Tuesday or 

Wednesday, as lower food and beverage 

minimums are available during these times. 

75 guests for a seated dinner

85 using the semi-private Tree Room 

150 guests for a cocktail reception

tree room

A few steps from the dining room, our Tree

Room offers the perfect setting for larger

gatherings of up to ten guests. This intimate

area has been named for the rectangular

table designed specifically for the room. A

single, vertical slice was taken from a fallen

walnut tree to create this stunning, naturally

flowing table. Guests in the Tree Room are

invited to order from our evening’s full menu

or pre-select a format prior to arrival. 

dining room & custom menus 

available upon request 

accommodates 7-10 guests

no audio visual permitted due to its

semi-private nature 

private dining rooms | lake & shore | tree

L2O’s private dining rooms are sequestered from the main dining room and offer space that can 

be personalized to suit any event. Guests have their own entrance and private restrooms. A special 

catering menu can range from three courses to as many as you would like. The private rooms 

decor echoes the dining room aesthetic with blonde Sen wood paneling, frosted glass columns, 

leather-swathed chairs, and chocolate-hued drapes. The room is outfitted for all audio visual 

needs, including drop-down screens and projection systems that can be hooked up to laptops 

with individual audio capabilities.

shore room

•14 guests seated at one long table

•24 guests seated at 3 round tables

•25 guests reception style 

•30 guests seated with rented chairs 

lake room

•26 guests seated at one long table

•32 guests seated at 4 round tables

•36 guests reception style 

•40 guests seated with rented chairs

lakeshore room

•34 guests seated at one long table 

•56 guests seated at 7 round tables

•65 guests reception style 

•70 guests seated with rented chairs

semi private tree room

•6-8 guests seated at one long table 

•extension of main dining room

main dining room / display kitchen

•75 guests for a seated dinner

•85 using the semi-private tree room 

•150 guests for a cocktail reception

additional amenities and charges

•custom room décor, floral centerpieces, specialty 

linen-please inquire about pricing

•gratuity at discretion of guest, 10.5% sales tax

•3% event planner service charge

•customized menus, $2 per guest 

•valet parking available, $16, inclusive of gratuity

•audio visual needs gladly accommodated - pricing 

upon request

•minimum food & beverage expenditures may be 

applicable