Breakfast toasts and tartines have been on the rise for the past few years, but now seems to be the peak of this food fad’s success. What started off as a basic treat for hipsters has evolved drastically since the first origins of avocado toast. Butter and jam are being thrown out the window and being replaced by almond butter, ricotta, figs, and radishes, to name a few.

While many coffee shops are home to this breakfast/brunch trend, few have executed the originality and quality with their toasts and tartines as well as ForGround, a café, wine bar, and kitchen located on East 41st street.

I happened to visit ForGround on their one year anniversary, September 5. To celebrate, they were giving away free Underwest Donuts — an unexpected, yet much appreciated bonus.

The Spot

An Insider Food video featured ForGround and its extensive menu, claiming that it was home to the best Nutella toast in the city. Tempting, but I decided to play it safe with two old-time favorites: PB&J toast and avocado toast.

Yes, the avocado toast was a classic hipster move on my part, but I believe you can adequately judge a restaurant by its avo toast. I was impressed with the freshness of the avocado slices, but it was lacking in flavor despite the crumbling of feta cheese on top. Forget heart disease — everything is better with more salt.

My Order

butter, bread, avocado, toast
Jen Gouchoe

Considering I used to eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich every day for lunch, I am a self-proclaimed PB&J aficionado. ForGround did not disappoint, as the toast was thick and had a slight crunchiness to the crust. In addition to the drizzle of concord grape jam, slices of banana topped off this breakfast treat, making me wish I could eat this toast every day for lunch just like the good old days.

sandwich, avocado, bacon
Jen Gouchoe

ForGround is far from basic, despite my basic selections. Their menu includes a breakfast toast reminiscent of Hawaiian pizza, topped with bacon, pineapple, ricotta cheese, and honey. Even though the toast is the main attraction, this midtown café also has a selection of chia seed pudding bowls and strong coffee (ForGround’s latte: 10/10, with lovely coffee art as well).

Amidst the plethora of coffee shops and cafés in New York, ForGround has established itself as more than just a go-to spot for a quick cup of coffee. With its unique toasts, this café transcends the latest food trends with fresh, reliable breakfast options.