Breakfast At Tiffany's: A Timeless Classic

do they have breakfast at tiffany

The iconic 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany's, adapted from Truman Capote's 1958 novella, features Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, who eats a croissant and sips coffee while gazing into the window of Tiffany & Co. on Fifth Avenue. This famous scene has inspired many to recreate it, and now, visitors can dine at the luxury jeweller's Blue Box Café, which offers breakfast, including the Breakfast at Tiffany option, comprising coffee or tea, a croissant, and seasonal fruit salad, with various entrées.

Characteristics Values
Film Breakfast at Tiffany's
Year of release 1961
Main character Holly Golightly
Actress Audrey Hepburn
Food Croissant and coffee
Location Tiffany & Co. flagship store, Fifth Avenue and 57th Street, New York City
Café The Blue Box Café
Menu Breakfast, lunch, and tea
Price $29-$39
Payment method Debit and credit cards

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The opening scene of the 1961 film adaptation

The 1961 film adaptation of Truman Capote's novella opens with the iconic Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly eating a pastry—reportedly a croissant—outside the Tiffany & Co. flagship store. Hepburn's character is dressed in a little black dress, sunglasses, and jewels, eating her breakfast from a paper bag.

The opening scene sets the tone for the film, introducing Holly's unique, glamorous personality and her fascination with Tiffany's. Holly's love for the store is such that she would have breakfast there every morning if she could. The scene also establishes the film's setting of early 1960s New York City and its themes of excitement and glamour.

Director Blake Edwards' specific choices for the opening scene create a mesmerizing and arresting visual. Holly is first introduced from behind and in profile, with her back to the Tiffany's window. We then see her through the window, as if she is a jewel on display. The scene adds a touch of humour to the film, with Holly's dime-store breakfast a fun joke about having breakfast at Tiffany's.

The opening scene also hints at a deeper layer of loneliness and seriousness beneath the surface of the film. Holly's extravagant appearance and breakfast choice create a sense of contrast, suggesting that there is more to her carefree existence than meets the eye.

The impact of the film and its opening scene was such that it turned Hepburn into a cinema and style icon. Hepburn's little black dress from the opening scene is considered one of the most influential dresses of the 20th century, selling at auction in 2006 for over $900,000.

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The meaning of Breakfast at Tiffany's

The title "Breakfast at Tiffany's" is derived from Truman Capote's 1958 novella, which was adapted into the iconic 1961 film of the same name. In the opening scene of the film, Holly Golightly, played by Audrey Hepburn, arrives at the Tiffany & Co. store on Fifth Avenue in New York City at dawn, eating a croissant and carrying a cup of coffee.

The phrase "Breakfast at Tiffany's" thus refers to this iconic scene and has come to symbolise the fusion of luxury, calmness, and happiness that Holly Golightly associates with Tiffany's. As she says in the novella, "When I get really hungry, I go there because it's the only place that calms me down. Nothing very bad could happen to you there." Tiffany's represents an ideal that Holly is drawn to—a place of serenity and happiness amidst the chaos of life.

The title also serves as a metaphor for Holly's character and her unique perspective on life. She is a free-spirited young woman who marches to the beat of her own drum, much like having breakfast in front of a luxury jewellery store. Holly is an "American Geisha", a romanticised companion who offers her company and discretion in relationships. Her unconventional lifestyle and outlook on life are reflected in the unusual act of having breakfast outside a jewellery store.

Furthermore, the title hints at the underlying themes of aspiration and social status present in the story. Tiffany & Co. is synonymous with luxury and wealth, and having breakfast there symbolises a desire to ascend socially and partake in a lifestyle usually reserved for the upper crust. This desire is reflected in Holly's character, who is determined to transcend her humble roots and find her place in high society.

In conclusion, "Breakfast at Tiffany's" is a multifaceted title that captures the essence of the story and its protagonist, Holly Golightly. It evokes the idea of finding solace and happiness in unexpected places, much like Holly's unconventional breakfast choice. It also hints at the themes of aspiration, social status, and the allure of luxury woven throughout the narrative.

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The Blue Box Café

The menu at The Blue Box Café is exclusively prix fixe, offering breakfast, lunch, and tea services. The "Breakfast at Tiffany's" breakfast includes coffee or tea, a croissant with Nutella and honey butter, seasonal fruit, and a choice of entrées such as truffled eggs with bacon, buttermilk waffles, avocado toast, or a C.L.T. sandwich (chicken, lettuce, and tomato). The prix fixe lunch includes the Fifth Avenue Salad with Maine lobster, grapefruit, and avocado, followed by a main course, such as olive oil-poached salmon with caviar and smashed potatoes. The "Tiffany Tea" service features teas by Bellocq, finger sandwiches, and bakery items.

The café has become a popular destination for fans of the film, with people lining up for hours outside to get a chance to dine there. The experience is fairly expensive, with the "Breakfast at Tiffany's" option costing $29, and the prix fixe lunch costing $39. The egg on avocado toast is an additional $5, and with state tax and tip, the total cost can add up. Additionally, the café only accepts debit and credit cards, so those who prefer cash may find this inconvenient.

Despite the cost and potential hassle of waiting in line and paying by card, many customers have expressed satisfaction with their dining experience at The Blue Box Café, particularly praising the delicious food and attentive service. For fans of the film, the opportunity to recreate a famous movie scene and channel Audrey Hepburn makes the experience well worth it.

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The Tiffany Tea

The cafe was opened in 2017, 56 years after the release of the iconic film "Breakfast at Tiffany's," starring Audrey Hepburn. In the film, Hepburn's character, Holly Golightly, steps out of a yellow cab and walks to the window of Tiffany & Co., where she eats a croissant and drinks coffee. The opening of the cafe allowed fans to recreate this famous scene and truly have breakfast at Tiffany's.

The tea menu features teas by Bellocq, a renowned tea company known for its high-quality, ethically sourced teas. The finger sandwiches are a variety of classic and innovative options, such as the C.L.T. (chicken, lettuce, and tomato), a nod to the founder of Tiffany & Co., Charles Lewis Tiffany. The bakery items include scones, cakes, and other sweets, presented on a tiered stand.

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The ring engraving

The scene in question takes place after Holly has brought her companion to Tiffany's to buy her a gift. She insists that the item must cost less than ten dollars, and a sales assistant offers a sterling-silver telephone dialer for $6.75. Peppard's character, a writer, is unimpressed and wants something more romantic.

The couple then decide to have a ring engraved, which is a much more affordable option. The ring is from a box of Cracker Jack, and it is not clear what they had engraved on it. However, this small, personal detail adds a romantic touch to the story and is a memorable part of the film.

The engraving adds a layer of sentimentality to the ring, which is otherwise a simple and inexpensive item. It is a creative way to make a gift more thoughtful and personalised, and it is a detail that has captured the imaginations of audiences, perhaps inspiring people to consider the power of engraving to transform an ordinary item into something extraordinary and unique.

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Frequently asked questions

Yes, you can. The Blue Box Café on the fourth floor of Tiffany & Co.’s Fifth Avenue and West 57th Street store serves breakfast. The menu includes American classics and new Tiffany-appropriate standards, like the Fifth Avenue Salad with Maine lobster, grapefruit and avocado. The café opened to the public in 2017, inspired by the iconic 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany's starring Audrey Hepburn.

Breakfast at Tiffany's includes coffee or tea, a croissant with Nutella and honey butter, seasonal fruit, and your choice of a selection of entrées ranging from truffled eggs with bacon to buttermilk waffles to avocado toast.

Breakfast at Tiffany's costs $29.

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