Palm Room at the Plaza (6th Ave and 59th St) 01/2017

The Plaza was once owned by Donald Trump. It's a classy old hotel in a fantastic position across the road from Central Park.
In their basement they have a restaurant and food halls serving everything from the most expensive caviar to hot dogs. 
On the ground floor, designated as 1 in America, is the Palm Room which gets its name from the substantial palm trees in the room.

It's an elegant hotel and this is an elegant breakfast room with an impressive entrance.

It is attractively furnished 

and lit by a huge skylight.

There is a choice of a $48 buffet with all the usual things, very nicely presented, 

or an a la carte menu

Eggs Benedick 

always popular (the salmon cost an extra A$10)
Shakshuka, pretty traditional 

and very spicy with plenty of tomato and two eggs hidden in the centre.
Pancakes are popular with the kids.

Child friendly too.

Comments: Breakfast for the well heeled.

Score: 14/20

Jams (Midtown, Manhattan) 01/2017

On the corner of 6th Ave and 58th St. this vine covered building houses an unembellished  ground floor eatery serving breakfast, lunch and dinner plus a weekend buffet brunch, for a deceptive set price of $45. Children under 12 are half price. 
Beverages cost extra and 15% is added to the bill
They discourage BYO wine with a $30 corkage fee. 
The place is light and spacious.

Tables are large 

and there is enough space so it is possible to talk without having to shout.
There's plenty to eat and plenty of variety with a chef making omlettes or scrambled eggs to order. Eggs any other way are not available. 

This was their menu

Jams Signature Brunch Buffet

House made pastries vernont butter seasonal jams

assorted vine and tree ripened fruit cups

maple roasted granola, tuscan yoghurt dried fruits

french toast skewers, chocolate buttermilk pancakes

avocado toast, peanut butter banana toast

kale salad, quinoa salad, little gem salad 

kossar bagels, smoked salmon and the works

devilled eggs, scrambled eggs, eggs any style

smoked local ham bacon and sausage

jams chicken and grilled local steak

JW potatoes and local market vegetables

A build your own omelet station

and a daily selection of assorted desserts

There was a lot of food but the presentation was very ordinary.

It's a very decent buffet without being outstanding in any way.

Score: 13.5/20