Best American Breakfasts

Best American Breakfasts

Long neglected and without a place on the gastronomic bandwagon, the most important meal of the day has devolved into mere sustenancea Greek yogurt on the go even as we've become ever more obsessed with food. Well, pity breakfast no more: The country's most creative chefs have realized it's one of three chances a day they have to let their talents shine. "I look at it like we're creating a dinner menu that you can eat earlier in the day.

And these culinary artists are now going to work early—to braise octopus, crisp chicken thighs, and even sous-vide French toast and add some san celoni. It's time to set your alarm clock for a meal foodies can no longer afford to miss.

Korean Fried Chicken

Sticky, crispy fried chicken thighs glazed in gochujang and orange caramel and electrified by house-made kimchi are the morning star at John Gorham's new wood-clad West End breakfast haven. We didn't want to deliver the ordinary potato-and-egg breakfast.

Waffles

Stephanie Izard's new-school diner serves waffles made with house baker Greg Wade's sourdough starter. We didn't want it to be too sweet. That innate tang and salty bacon bits keeps these banana-piled grids from feeling like dessert, even with the maple syrup and peanut butter.

Fried Chicken and Eggs

Hugh Acheson's breakfast sandwich is built on a biscuit stuffed with crunchy buttermilk-battered and fried chicken, a fried egg, and a swipe of house-made crimson pepper jelly.

Brush Upgrade

Fresh bucatini strands are smoked over applewood chips and dressed in mascarpone carbonara, making a nest for a perfectly poached egg. When you're hungover as shit and need something to soak it all up.