The first time we met, she said: “you’re with me”. And indeed I am. And will be, for the rest of our lives.

We got married in New York this fall (Well, only two of us. Brunch for three, Wedding for two..) . Both because we love the city, and due to the paperwork in Germany being much more a pain in the ass than anything else. It also gave us a great opportunity to continue a now three-year-long tradition of breakfasts at the place we consider to be heaven on earth: Good Enough To Eat.

 Though it’s on the other side of the pond, and despite only visiting New York a total of three times, we’ve managed to sample the better part of their menu and get many Good-Enough-hours under our belt. By the end of each visit to the city, the staff would already recognise us with a smile and a nod in the morning. Some people like to be recognized at their local bar or coffee shop, but for me the epitome of the “Cheers” fantasy lies in Good Enough To Eat.

Looking at the menu, you’d think it’s just another typical American diner: Apple pancakes, eggs Benedict, French toast from a cinna-bun, Waffles, BLT sandwich with home fries, omelettes and the mandatory free coffee re-fills. But it’s only once the smell hits your nostrils, your pupils get dilated at the sight of your plate, and your taste buds sizzle after the first encounter with the food – that you understand why the place has been around for over 30 years (and why its name is the understatement of the century).

Oh, and don’t get us started on the fluffy, divine strawberry butter that accompanies almost every dish..

Bottom line: best place on the upper west side. Of the world, that is.

The plate test: portions are more than generous, but we never leave a crumb.

SoundTrack: diner-chatter

Kids: very friendly

Pets: only outside

Service: The best. We still owe a big “Thank You” for the manager, who made our wedding day even more special. Need we say more?

Price: 9-12$ for most main dishes

Crowd: mostly local, well-informed tourists, and two addicts from Berlin

 Good Enough To Eat

http://goodenoughtoeat.com/

520 Columbus Ave (At 85th Street), Manhattan, New York

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Ho America!

Everything in Nalu diner screams America: Two big spaces with white walls, covered in pictures and posters of american icons, such as Steely Dan; Booths with red leather-like upholstery; Tables with pictures of all the U.S. Presidents; And in the background, american ‘70 and ‘80 music, such as Steely Dan. A soundtrack that gets you dreaming about the big road-trip you’re gonna take, scorching the wide open highways of America in a convertible.

Our breakfast also screamed America. No brunch on the menu per se, but a few breakfast deals that would qualify. Two of us went for the veggie and the third one took the direct approach – straight for the pancakes. The veggie breakfast had a choice of eggs, 2 pancakes and hash browns. After all, it’s not like America to worry hungry stomaches with anything green or fresh. The eggs were standard, the pancakes fatty and round and the hash browns slightly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The black coffee, re-filled by the waiter just like you’d expect, was surprisingly good compared to its American counterpart. More than anything, there was much of everything.

Just do yourselves a favor and don’t use the junk wannabe-maple sauce on the table. Ask the waiter for REAL maple sauce. They have it, but charge extra for it.

The plate test: neither was empty. Torn pancakes and egg leftovers

Music: wonderful (Steely Dan was joined by Van Morrison, Rod Stewart, Billy Joel and the Boss)

Crowd: young and unified. The presence of only one child was noted

Price: reasonable. Mostly around 8-9 Euro

Breakfasts: array of combos which include eggs, pancakes, hash browns and bacon

The bottom line: Okish +, for Americana lovers

NALU DINER

http://nalu-diner.com

Dunckerstraße 80a, Berlin