In the brunch hierarchy, Jacks Wife Freda kills the game. Consistently rated at the top of the Village brunch warriors list, coming here between 10am and 2pm on a Saturday or Sunday was a necessary step to solidifying my standing as a tried and true NY bruncher. Our party of 3 arrived at 11:30 on a Sunday and was told the wait would be only 20 minutes or so. Unfortunately due to the inclement weather outside, the wait was more than uncomfortable as multiple parties kept entering, waiting, and leaving the non-existent front foyer. Being seated thirty mins after our arrival (and only 10 minutes longer than we were quoted), we were greeted at our table with warm Nana tea, garnished with fresh mint. After so many instances of waiting significantly longer than estimated, and nothing to show from the restaurant to make up for it, this small, thoughtful gesture went a long way. Our spirits immediately lifted, receptive to the hurried atmosphere, and no-doubt, soon-to-come delicious food.

The brunch menu combines with its sister meal on weekends offering anything from eggs benedict to salads and sandwiches. Be sure to read over the menu carefully as the fun icons can distract from some star dishes, such as the smoked salmon and avocado toast, a star-favorite on Instagram.

After helpful input from the friendly waiter, our table was served in record time. For myself, a Madame Freda – the venue’s fun take on a Croque Madame, consisting on duck prosciutto, cheddar béchamel, gruyere and a sunny-side up egg. For my friends, the green shakshuka and latke eggs benny drizzled with beet hollandaise completed our table.

There’s little not to like about a pressed breakfast sandwich covered in cheese (pictured below), but the duck prosciutto added a tang of flavor that was unique and addictive. The bread was fluffy and soft, perfect for sopping up the egg and letting the cheese take the flavor lead. Both the shakshuka and eggs ben had good reviews as well. An earlier visit, in which I ordered the Mediterranean Breakfast, was also fresh and delicious. Comprised of two poached eggs, chopped salad, labne, avocado and pita bread, this option adds a healthy alternative to the heavier menu options.

In a nutshell, Jacks Wife Freda is a scene that will leave you with a great looking food-gram, but mimics a quality of food that you can easily find elsewhere in the city. I enjoyed the fast, friendly service, and tasty mains, but would opt out of a prime time brunch here in the future.

3/5 stars.