Skip The Brunch Line: Under-The-Radar Dining Options Right Near The Trendy Spots

Everyone secretly harbors the desire to be a lady who lunches. But we all know the real dream is being a lady who shops and lunches. Weaving your way up the escalators, taking the occasional ready-to-wear inspired pitstop, working up the type of hunger only a $32 salad can satisfy. You and every other Upper East Side woman have this Barney's dream. And no matter how slowly you browse around the stationary and decor sections, there may be no hope at the end of that wait, hope of course being aforementioned $56 salad. But, there are still other options for those daring to leave the building - though if you're too far down the rabbit hole dream of a completely Barney's day, there's always the $20 salads on the 8th floor at Gene's Cafe, which are somehow pretty similar to their 9th floor $73 counterparts. Fred's at Barney's, 660 Madison Avenue [Photo via @fredsatbarneys]