Norma's Restaurant At Le Parke   

Bagel stands and paper cups have their gritty allure, but sometimes you just have to be honest: The only thing that will really make your morning tolerable is a breakfast of Hudson Valley duck-confit hash a Cheval. Just south of Central Park, the stylish Le Parker Meridien hotel is home to Norma's, which is often cited as one of the top brunch destinations in the city (just check out the sublime banana-macadamia nut flapjacks). Once your senses acclimate to the design (the antithesis of a greasy spoon) -- sleek beige wood, leather chairs and high ceilings -- your eyes and mouth will focus straight on the innovative New American menu. Under appropriately titled headings like "Mom Can't Make This" and "Eggs Cellent", sample haute breakfast stuffs like foie gras brioche french toast, lobster macaroni and "Waz-Za?" -- a waffle, fruit and brulee arrangement. Your greasy spoon doesn't carry any of those ingredients, let alone the combo. The crowd is runway-ready (both fashion and jet plane), and the price reflects it. It's worth mentioning they boast a Sevruga caviar frittata with a $1000 price tag. IHOP it ain't, but an International House of Power Players it just might be.