URBAN DAILY REPORT SPECIAL -- BEST BREAKFAST IN TOWN (EASTSIDE)

We never have enough time to catch up with friends. Schedules are too busy; work is too hectic. So we came up with this great idea. Take advantage of the time that New Yorkers almost never use. It's that little meal you never eat that's supposed to come before lunch. Yes. It's breakfast! Now that the weather is good, try waking up 45 minutes early and grab breakfast with a friend (or whoever you just rolled out of bed with). Of course, we'll key you in on the best spots. This week we're covering the eastside. Next week we'll look west. The best part is that you'll have the place nearly all to yourselves. And at some of our picks, that's really saying something.
Know the perfect spot? Click here to fill us in.

(OUR FAVORITE) EASTSIDE BREAKFAST JOINTS

CLINTON STREET BAKING COMPANY -- LES (Clinton St. b/w Houston & Stanton)
Site + Breakfast Menu + Map
Our Take: On Saturday or Sunday anything less than a 2 hour wait at this place looks great. But on a weekday morning you might see just one or two other tables with people. Clinton Street is famous for its pancakes (blueberry or banana walnut), but the focus on fresh ingredients really pays off in anything on the menu. Skip the waiting and ease into the day at Clinton Street. It's our top breakfast pick for the eastside.

Recommendations: The farmer's plate with soft scrambled eggs, farmhouse cheddar, roasted tomatoes and sourdough was great. High quality ingredients. Perfect execution. The OJ was as fresh squeezed as it comes. Or try the light option and go for the yogurt with fresh fruit and granola. And there's always the pancakes.

Breakfast Details: Open from 8am Mon-Fri. Breakfast options $7-11. Fresh squeezed OJ $3.50.

ATLAS CAFE -- EAST VILLAGE (2nd Ave. @ 4th St.)
Breakfast Menu + Map
Our Take: Atlas is a tiny Mediterranean/vegan-friendly place with solid breakfast offerings for less than $6. We like it because it has character. And $4 pancakes. A front patio in the warm months doubles its seating capacity to about 8 tiny tables. This place is much loved by the neighborhood crowd. And although they are vegan friendly, they have plenty of non-vegetarian options.

Recommendations: Banana-strawberry pancakes. The "Atlas pancakes" are actually more like crepes. They're good too. But the regular pancakes are better. Fresh squeezed juices are all very good too.

Breakfast Details: Open from 7am Mon-Fri. Breakfast options $4-7. Large Fresh squeezed OJ $3.50. CASH ONLY.

71 IRVING PLACE COFFEE & TEA BAR -- Gramercy (Irving Place b/w 18th & 19th Sts.)
Breakfast Menu + Map
Our Take: This comfortable subterranean cafe is a great spot to grab a light breakfast and coffee. They roast their own beans on their farm about 90 miles north of the city. So count on this spot for the best coffee of our breakfast picks today. But the menu is also the most limited on our list. Choose from thick Belgian waffles, a great selection of granola with different yogurts, bagels and baked goods like muffins and scones etc.

Recommendations: Belgian waffle with fresh berries. The coffee is very good.

Breakfast Details: Open from 7am Mon-Fri. Breakfast options $3-8. Fresh squeezed OJ $2.50.

CAFE SABARSKY -- Upper East (86th St. @ Central Park East)
Site + Breakfast Menu + Map
Our Take: One of our continuing favorites. Grab a classic Viennese breakfast in one of the city's most charming cafes inside the Neue Gallerie. And avoid the 45 minute wait that you'll find on weekends. This is the most picturesque of our breakfast picks.

Details: Open Tues - Fri from 9am. CLOSED Monday. Breakfast options $5-20.