Citizens Of Chelsea — Restaurant in New York

I went in with a mission to satisfy my pancake craving and I didn’t expect much. I walked in alone on a Sunday morning and I was seated at the bar facing the window. It was actually quite unexpectedly comfy and secluded. I was even able to work on my university notes while I waited. The waiter approached me within three minutes of sitting down to take my order. He was very attentive and brought me a bottle of water without request. He also noticed that I needed the wifi without me even asking! I ordered a flat white to drink which was so perfectly made. It was a good ratio of espresso to milk and steamed to a perfect creamy consistency. I also ordered the “Pancakes Your Way,” for my main. Which allowed me to choose the number of pancakes I wanted, as well as the choice of two toppings. I decided on one blueberry pancake, the chicken sausage and some scrambled eggs. It’s was also extremely affordable and costed me $12! When my food arrived, I dug into the savouring offerings first. The chicken sausage was pretty good and moderately sweet. The eggs however desperately needed some salt or seasoning. The pancakes really surprised me! They were nothing like I’ve ever had! Super fluffy with a beautiful buttery flavour! The warm blueberries inside gave it pops of freshness. I loved that they used real maple syrup! When I was done my meal, another waitress came over to help me pay. She was so incredibly sweet and we got into a lovely long conversation. She convinced me to come back to try out the vegetarian breakfast burrito next weekend. Then before I left, she offered me a token for a free coffee that I could use during my next visit! I’ve NEVER had a BETTER experience at any establishment anywhere. Thank you so much to everyone at Citizens of Chelsea, genuinely you guys...

WARNING: don’t be scared by the looks from the outside. Food - 5stars Outside look - 1 star Cutlery and plates - 1 star

Okay, based on looks alone we would definitely not walk in. The place from the outside looks nothing like the inside. We would recommend renovating the outside, it looks totally beat up. On entry, you get a better feel. Ambience is nice, cosy, kitchen is open, so you feel that the food will be good. We opted for the breakfast. The menu is extensive and offers great choices. From Vegetarian Big bowls to French toast to Yoghurts and Overnight Oats. Plenty options all looking amazing. We checked the dishes from the neighboring tables and the size of the dishes is impressive. Since we were not that hungry, we opted for toast, scrambled eggs, and avocado. All sides that you can order separately. Toast is a sourdough bread, very tasty. Scrambled eggs are not scrambled as you’d expect, they are like a rough softish omelette. I liked it a lot, no soggy raw runny egg to be found in it. The avocado was fresh and soft. The coffee we had, flat white with oat, was delicious. Well made. The oat milk they serve is Oatley. We wanted to end with French toast, but were too full to order more food. Point for improvement, the outside, it lacks love. It looks old and dodgy. You’d never expect good food in a place looking like that. The cutlery, it drastically needs attention. It’s that cheap cutlery that is only used in very very cheap diners. It needs to go. The plates, they don’t work with the fresh food dishes, they feel too rough for the food. We know what they were trying to go for, but these are not the plates. Overall, for a good breakfast, I can highly recommend this place. The staff was great. Super helpful and knowledgeable...

Oh. My. GAWD! Listen up, queens! Your girl just sashayed into Citizens of Chelsea for some brunch realness, and let me spill this piping hot tea! 💅✨

The LEWKS were absolutely SLAYING, honey! We ordered the Morning Glory Bowl and Big Brekkie that were serving such FIERCE presentation I nearly death-dropped right there! That Morning Glory Bowl with its perfectly poached egg, avocado slices, and that dramatic beetroot sauce? Visual OPULENCE, darlings!

But when it came to flavor? Meh. Just... meh. The taste was giving very much "I showed up to the party but forgot my personality." Not terrible, but certainly not gagworthy. It's like they put all their energy into the Instagram moment and forgot we actually EAT the food! THE AUDACITY!

Now let's talk about the DRAMA with my matcha latte! Menu says it comes with almond milk, server asks if almond milk is "okay with me" like she's doing me a favor, and then PLOT TWIST - they charged extra for it! The SHADE of it all! But I will say, that matcha flavor was SICKENING - the good kind, not the throwing-up kind.

The ambiance was serving "Plant Daddy Goes to Brunch" realness with that STUNNING "Home for the Holidays" neon. Very that.

And hunties, I need to clock this tea - for all the instagrammable fierceness, this place was EMPTY! Reservations a week in advance? WIDE OPEN, mama! You could literally walk up on a Saturday morning before 9 AM and strut right in! No lines, no waiting, no drama! In New York brunch culture, that's either the best-kept secret or a RED FLAG, darlings!

So should you go, kittens? If you're hungry for Instagram content, YES GAWD! If you're hungry for food that tastes as good as it looks? Maybe sashay away to another establishment.

And that's the tea, no sugar...