Openings

First Look at the New Meatball Shop, Now Open (and Soon Serving Brunch) on the UES

That's the Balls Benedict: two poached eggs, bacon, your choice of meatballs, and hollandaise on a brioche bun.
That’s the Balls Benedict: two poached eggs, bacon, your choice of meatballs, and hollandaise on a brioche bun. Photo: Matt Dutile

Last night, Michael Chernow and Daniel Holzman opened their fifth outpost of the Meatball Shop, and this one’s sentimental: They met and became best friends on the Upper East Side when they were kids. With 116 seats and a 40-seat back room that you can rent for private parties, this is the largest location yet. The restaurant’s going to liven up the neighborhood: It’s the first Meatball Shop location to offer weekend brunch, with a beverage program of 40-ounce pitchers of cocktails. Note that it’s only open from 6 p.m. to midnight right now, but brunch and lunch service will launch next week — and a 2 a.m. closing time soon after. Check out a few of the new dishes, straight ahead.

Balls, biscuits, and gravy.Photo: Matt Dutile

Smash bun French toast, served with housemade apple sauce and maple syrup.Photo: Matt Dutile

Huckleberry lemonade pitcher.Photo: Matt Dutile

Chernow spent months sourcing antiques.Photo: Matt Dutile

The Meatball Shop, 1462 Second Ave., btw 76th and 77th Sts., 212-257-6121

First Look at the New Meatball Shop, Now Open (and Soon Serving Brunch) on the