PRECINCT

By LAURA DARGUS | PHOTOS BY TAYLOR SEIDLER

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Previously Toast Lounge, Precinct looks and feels a lot different than its earlier incarnation. Gone are the lounge's mod furnishings, replaced by a mahogany bar/interior and plush leather stools with ample seating to go around. In fact, I was a bit miffed I hadn't checked out Precinct sooner, especially when photographer Taylor and I arrived for our inaugural visit on a Saturday afternoon (they serve brunch on weekends from 11:30am-4pm) to find the underground bar fully lined with Sox-watching, brunch-hungry, day-drinking patrons. There was a mix of country and folk (Bow Thayer!) on the sound system, with Union Square's Urban Country Fair going on above. I'll repeat, why haven't I discovered this place earlier?

Drink 1: Gin and tonic ($7). Had she not been slinging drinks, Tanya, our bartender, would have been drinking this. Made with Hendrick's and garnished with cucumber and three olives (most of Tanya's drinks featured either three or four—for nutritional value, of course), this was certainly a boozier way to start the day, but for 2pm, it was late enough to seem less obscene.

Drink 2: Bloody Mary ($7). Most everyone had one in front of them, and I can see why. The perfect complement to my Cobb omelet—an excellent base of bacon, tomato, spinach, onions and blue cheese—this hand-mixed treat with hints of horseradish and Worcestershire, accompanied by Tanya's signature olives, is one I would sit and drink all day. One can, I realized, cigarette in hand, on the bar's front patio, as my afternoon went from pleasant to stellar.

Drink 3: Mimosa ($6). A slight departure from the traditional, with a splash of pineapple juice added, this was a welcome relief to what was looking like a daunting task. Light and fruity, just as you'd expect.

Drink 4: Guinness ($5.50). Without hesitation, Tanya served this to me as the quintessential Precinct drink. Given the number of regulars who were camped along her bar, I trusted her judgment. Hint: They're also partial to the grilled cheese and tomato basil soup combo, which we tried ourselves at the end of our flight and can attest to its deliciousness and speedy arrival from the kitchen.

Drink 5: Bloody with Tanya's jalapeño-infused Absolut ($7.50). Though it had shifted from proper brunching hour to an early dinner crowd, I wanted to try Tanya's spicy infusion for myself. It was a perfect finale, with a pleasing heat I felt all the way down.

Drink 6: Spencer. Before stumbling onward, the evening staff started to show, including Spencer, who offered up his eponymous shot of limoncello, Stoli Vanilla and a splash of Stoli Raz. The proper dessert to one heady, liquid brunch.