Foodie Call: 202

Photo by Shanna Ravindra

With the economy perched more precariously than Milanese models in next spring's stilettos, most businesses are scrambling to cut costs. Nicole Farhi, however, had the foresight to consolidate from the very start. Her restaurant 202 caters to that special strain of New Yorker who prefers one-stop splurging. Mannequins draped in Farhi's latest designs adorn the hardwood floors, allowing gourmands-on-the-go to browse the garments from their brunch tables. By the time dessert arrives, you'll realize you'll have to send it back to fit into the dress you decided to buy halfway through your salad.

Photo by Shanna Ravindra

For fashionistas who prefer to keep their foods as far from their fabrics as possible, 202 also has a general shopping area off of the main dining room, which features Farhi's line of housewares and furniture.

And for those New Yorkers whose bank accounts aren't recession-resistant, feel free to simply ogle the clothes and drop in for the wallet-friendly brunch menu (and drop-in you must, as 202 does not accept reservations for the mid-day meal). My fellow foodie and I each opted for the Full English Breakfast: a substantial platter--by Chelsea's manorexic standards--of bacon, a single sausage, tomatoes, a stemless Portabello mushroom, and two poached eggs on toast for $13. I followed up my entrée with a pumpkin-flavored cheesecake garnished with pecans--a much more affordable indulgence than the blazer I had been eye-fucking across the room. Note the epicurean porn below:

Photo by Nicholai Joaquin

The verdict? Clear your calendar. Just don't drool on the displays. You know what will happen if the gays working the floor will have to dry clean your dribble off the damask.

202
75 Ninth Avenue between 15th and 16th Streets