It’s been a long time since I dined at Upland, chef Justin Smillie’s California-inspired cuisine in the Flatiron District. Generally, this Stephen Starr location was a reliable and crowd-pleasing restaurant. Would it still be?

We stopped in for their Sunday brunch, starting with a cocktail. My dining partner had their Green Marjorita ($16) a smoky, yet not too sweet margarita made with Milagro Silver tequila and Del Maguey Vida mezcal plus arugula, fennel and lemon. I’d recommend. Skip the plebeian bloody Mary that tasted merely like spiked tomato juice.

Brunch items are worth the trip. We shared the flavorful “Eggs In Hell,”  ($19) with  two poached eggs cooked in a Fresno chili-flavored tomato sauce served in a cast-iron casserole with grilled bread.

Also good — and quite filling — is their jalapeño biscuit sandwich ($18) spread with kewpie (a mayo made from egg yolks — not whole eggs — and vinegar) and filled with bacon, eggs and pepper Jack cheese with a lightly dressed mesclun salad.

Don’t miss their crispy smashed potatoes ($12).

Worth a visit.

Upland
345 Park Ave South (entrance on 26th)
New York, NY 10010
(212) 686-1006
uplandnyc.com