Sweet Maple Cafe
Location – 1339 W. Taylor Street (Taylor and Ada)
In one word – Biscuits
Food – Although Taylor Street is better known for its Italian restaurants, Sweet Maple Café has established itself as the place to go to for brunch in the UIC/Little Italy area. If you want some shee-shee version of eggs benedict, go to a Wicker Park yupster brunch place. At Sweet Maple, stick to the basics. The menu isn’t very extensive, but anything you order will be good. The french toast is second to none, the home fries are so good I stole them off my date’s plate. Oh, and make sure you get a biscuit (as a side if necessary). Do it now, thank me later. Sweet Maple also offers a decent sandwich selection if you’re in the mood for lunch – after what I ate, I think you’d be crazy to pass up the breakfast options.
Drink – The coffee is delicious; it’s Intelligentsia, but it tastes like it’s been brewed on site. Otherwise, it’s the basics: juice, water, tea, etc.
Service – The host is a busy guy, so don’t wait for him to come to you; get inside and put your name down ASAP. Once you are seated, your wait-person will be re-filling your coffee cup often enough that you can pretty much guarantee you’ll be taken care of.
Scene – This place attracts neighborhood folk, South Loop yuppies, and all comfort-food lovers. Sweet Maple Café is not very big; there are 12-14 tables total, and only two or three seat more than 4. This makes for an unfortunately long wait due to this cozy spot’s popularity. In the summer, it’s no big deal – they have a bunch of lawn chairs that they set up outside, so take a seat and wait for the nice gentleman taking names to call out your name. In the winter, you’ll have to squeeze into the entry-way while you pass the time. Regardless, the food is well worth the wait.
Occasion – A brunch for two. With the size and popularity of this place, you’ll be waiting forever if you have a party of 4 or more.
Cost – $12-$15 per person will set you straight for brunch.
If you like…, try – Original House of Pancakes
Written by RG
Shui Wah
Location – 2162 S. Archer (Archer and Cermak)
In one word – Omnivore
Food – Wanting to try out a new dim sum location, we ventured beyond Phoenix and Happy Chef and tried Shui Wah. Overall my eating partners and I were impressed. However, here’s the general tip for Shui Wah, if you have any eating restrictions, beware. The pork dumplings have shrimp, the chive dumplings have pork…you get the idea. My favorite selections were the pork and egg congee (it’s a Chinese take on Cream of Wheat), the lotus paste buns (sweet and super filling) and the steamed egg-yolk cream roll (best Chinese dessert I’ve had).
Drink – We chose the Jasmine tea, and I proceeded to drink 12 cups of it.
Service – Lucky for me, one of my eating partners spoke Cantonese, which definitely made ordering more efficient. It was a bit difficult to get the wait staff’s attention when we needed anything, but given how cheap the meal was, it’s hard to complain about that.
Scene – We were the only non-Chinese folks in the restaurant, which I took as a good sign. I always assume that in that situation, the food is more authentic and less Americanized. Also, we came on a Monday morning and it was pretty packed. I’d imagine that you’d have to wait to get in on the weekends.
Dress – Dim sum is really casual, so there’s no need to dress up.
Cost – For 8 dim sum dishes (enough to heartily fill 3 people), we each paid $11. Definitely a great deal!
If you like, try…Phoenix, Happy Chef
Bistro Zinc
Location – 1131 N. State (State and Elm)
http://www.bistrotzinc.com/
In one word – Balthazar-esque
Food – As yesterday was Bastille Day, it was only appropriate to indulge in French food. My eating partner and I started with the beet salad – greens with red and yellow beets. bleu cheese and this flavorful vinegrette. The plate was licked clean. Then I went for the onion tart, which is essentially caramelized onions and butter (i.e. deliciousness). The tart comes with a substantial salad (I wish I knew that ahead of time because then I wouldn’t have ordered my initial salad). My eating partner chose a special, the zuchinni pancakes with smoked salmon. I was envisioning stack of flapjacks being placed on the table. Instead, they gave her a plate of mini pancakes (read: REALLY small). Good thing she loaded up on bread at the beginning of the meal. Despite the small size, she seemed to like the zuchinni pancakes. We had to end the meal with dessert, after all it was a celebration, Vive La France! I sampled the creme brulee with Madagascan vanilla. Rich and sweet, everything you want from a creme brulee. My eating partner wiped out the chocolate crepe. I watched her head get dangerously close to licking the plate, so it seemed as though the dish was a hit.
Drink – I partook in the pinot blanc on the menu, which worked for me on that hot evening. My eating partner went for a champagne.
Service – I liked our server. He had a sense of humor and seemed quite honest with his recommendations.
Scene – Whenever I walk into Bistro Zinc, I think of two things 1) it looks like a junior Balthazar, the restaurant in NYC and 2) it feels very Parisian. Despite those two thoughts, I find that you can make the restaurant what you want. It can be a formal date location, good for a casual family brunch or perfect for a last minute dinner plan with a friend.
Dress – You could dress up (not to a suit level, but to a khaki pant level), but you’re also fine in jeans.
Cost – For all that food and wine, I paid $43. Yeah, not cheap, but we didn’t skimp on the meal. I think it’s possible to do a much more scaled back dinner at BZ if you choose.
If you like, try…Bistro Margot, Brasserie Jo
Mundial
Location – 1640 W. 18th Street (18th and Ashland)
In one word – Friendly
Food – I was really excited to visit Mundial as I had received so many recommendations to go there. Mundial changes their menu (which I loved), so my experienced eating partner had as new of a menu as I did. We started with the empanadas. I liked that the dough was really flakey! For my main, I got the squash ravioli. It was served with a coconut cream sauce, probably not the healthiest choice…but those are the sacrificies I make in order to report on good food! We then ordered two desserts – both full of cream and sugar. My favorite was actually the ice cream recommended to us by our server.
Drink – The place is BYOB. As you know, I’m a real fan of BYOB, it’s the easiest way to keep costs down in a meal.
Service – I think by the end of the meal, we were good friends with our server. She took pleasure in the fact that we enjoyed the meal. It was really refreshing to be in a place where the staff felt responsible for whether or not their customers had a good experience.
Scene – I thought it was going to be a lot more trendy than it was. On a Thursday night, the place was filled with 30 and 40-somethings. I noticed that the floor was linoleum, which gives the restaurant a more casual vibe.
Dress – No need to dress up, especially going into summer. You’d be fine in jeans and a nice shirt (for both men and women)
Cost – We ordered a lot and I tipped really well, as a result, it was $39/person. However, I think you don’t have to order as much and could eat for $30.
If you like, try…May Street Cafe
Rockit Bar and Grill
Location – 22 W. Hubbard (Hubbard and State)
www.rockitbarandgrill.com
In one word – Schwimmer
Food – I like Rockit. The menu is full of well executed American cuisine. I have a habit of sticking with the turkey burger with sweet potato fries each time I eat there. That meal consistently satisfies my comfort food desires. Overall the food isn’t immensely innovative, but there is always a subtle chic aspect to each entree. For example, they put pomagranete in the butternut squash soup (and it works!). I like the brunch at Rockit. It’s a chance to visit when the place isn’t packed.
Drink – Beer, wine, whatever you’re fixing for, you’ll get it here. They have their own brew on tap, the Rockit White Ale, which is similar to a Blue Moon.
Service – I always find the staff slightly ditzy but still capable.
Occasion – Rockit is sceney. That’s its MO. When we last went for lunch, David Schwimmer was in a booth (alone) with a glass of wine (awkward given it was Monday at noon). Rockit is one of the places that you can usually count on at least a D-List Chicago celebrity sighting.
Dress – At an off-peak time, it doesn’t matter what you have on. When the place is packed, bring your A-game. Look confident and hot.
Cost – For a burger and a beer, you can get in and out for $22. I think Rockit is actually a pretty good value.
If you like, try…the Gage
Feast
Location – 1616 N. Damen (Damen, Milwaukee, North Avenue)
http://feastrestaurant.com
In one word – Variety
Food – I am always impressed by the array of options I have at Feast. A standby is their macaroni and cheese, but this time I tried a moderately healthier option: chipotle barbecue salmon with hot cakes and avocado salsa. While good, I did think that the barbecue sauce was overpowering and rather thick. Reminded me of barbecue sauce I buy at Jewel. My eating partners had the turkey burger and the seafood cobb salad. Both seemed satisfied with their meals.
Drink – I like the selection of beverages at Feast. I tried a white wine on special from the French region D’Oc. It seems to be the wine fad of late. The selection I had was very enjoyable.
Service – Initially I was skeptical of our server, a bit pushy, didn’t pour my eating partner’s Duvel well. However, as the meal went on, I warmed up to her. She had a biting sense of humor, kind of like me. Maybe we could be friends…
Occasion – Feast is a place to go with friends. I always see large groups here. You sometimes see dates as well.
Dress – It’s Wicker Park, so you won’t be alone if you go indie-hipster. The place has a casual feel, and that allows you to get away with any attire. However, I decided to put some effort into my look as I was inspired by the new Bravo show, Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style. While this is neither here nor there, I must share what I learned while watching that show: “You cannot control how you are perceived, but you can control how you present yourself.” Tell me you are not inspired by that.
Cost – For a glass of wine and satisfying meal, I paid $30 even. Not a bargain, but not overpriced in my opinion.
If you like, try…Lula, Parlor
Milk and Honey Cafe
Location – 1920 W. Division (Division and Winchester)
www.milkandhoneycafe.com
In one word – Strollers
Food – This is a breakfast, brunch and lunch place. I was feeling healthy and got their granola (made by them) with fresh yogurt and fruit. I polished it off and would order it again. My eating partners had the huevos rancheros (very filling, comes in a casserole dish), the orange brioche french toast (it’s a bit too bready in my opinion) and the breakfast panini. All seemed very satisfied with their choices. Next time I think I’ll go for lunch and try their sandwiches.
Drink – We had coffee and orange juice. I was impressed with the coffee and appreciated the generous pours as it was early.
Service – You first stand in line and order and then your food is brought to the table. It’s the same way you order at Corner Bakery. I found that the service was good, they were pretty fast given the brunch rush, and didn’t make us rush through our meal.
Occasion – If you have a niece or nephew in town, this would be a fun place to try. Otherwise, you can catch up with your girlfriends or people watch to your heart’s content.
Dress – There were a lot of sweatshirts and other weekend morning wear. This is definitely not a fashion show.
Cost – My meal was cheap, $7 for granola and coffee.
If you like, try…Goddess and the Grocer, Bongo Room, Southport Grocery
Oaktree
Location – 900 N. Michigan (Michigan and Delaware, Bloomingdale’s Mall)
In one word – Comprehensive
Food – I come to Oaktree for standard, quality brunch/breakfast cuisine. You need to have the Little Miss Muffin. I don’t even like muffins usually, but often I crave these. They’re moist and perfect. Other than that I stick to the healthier options on the menu like the fruit plate with cottage cheese (more like a giant fruit platter) and the egg white scrambler.
Drink – They have some fresh juices and smoothies. I stick to the orange juice.
Service – Never have had any issues here.
Occasion – It is a place to stop if you’re shopping in the Gold Coast area. Also, the restaurant is quite big, so if you find that you don’t want to wait an hour to eat the skillet at Tempo, come here.
Dress – Shoes? Shirt? You’ll be fine.
Cost – You’ll probably pay about $15-16 per person here for an entree and beverage.
If you like, try…Ann Sathers
Southport Grocery and Cafe
Location – 3552 N. Southport (Eddy and Southport), http://www.southportgrocery.com
In one word – Cupcake
Food – You can get breakfast or lunch at SG, I came for breakfast. Upon the server’s recommendation, I ordered the steak and eggs. It’s basically scrambled eggs with beans and steak strips served over tortilla chips. Super filling and interesting combo. The cool thing about this menu is that there’s so many options, so next time I might deviate and try something else. Like the stuffed french toast. A friend ordered that and it was so indulgent! I heard good reviews on the whole wheat pancakes as well (with blackberry-maple compote and lemon mascarpone). Here’s the thing about SG, you really come for the cupcakes. Honestly? The best in the city. Get one (or a dozen) to go. I prefer vanilla (other option being chocolate).
Drink – I just got the fresh orange juice. Totally invigorating.
Service – Our server was great. He was relaxed but still attentive.
Occasion – There were a lot of small children here. Be prepared. Families, friends, wholesome looking people are the clientele at SG.
Cost – My juice, breakfast and cupcake (with tip) took me to $14. A totally acceptable brunch cost.
If you like, try…Orange
Hot Chocolate
Location – 1747 N. Damen (Willow and Damen)
http://www.hotchocolatechicago.com
In one word – Indulgent
Food – I do love Hot Chocolate. I would rank this place as having the best desserts in Chicago. They rotate their desserts, but if you find any of the banana desserts, get them. Usually they will caramelize the bananas with some sort of fattening cream concoction, it’s irrestible. The milkshakes are also worth it. I have never gone to Hot Chocolate for brunch, but it does get great reviews so I plan on going sometime soon.
Drink – They have a full service bar and an extensive wine list. In my next life, I’ll be a sommelier wannabe and be able to advise you on what to order. However, in the meantime, ask your server for a reco.
Service – With the exception that they’ll tell you that the wait is an hour and a half as if that’s normal, I like the staff here (make a reservation). They have personality and are helpful.
Occasion – This place is ideal for a “girls’ night out” (can I say that I hate that phrase?) or a 1st or 2nd date.
Cost – Depending on how deep you dig, you could spend $20 – 50 dollars. I try to stay on the low end of the spectrum because I like to come here just for dessert.
If you like, try… – Bongo Room, Chocolate Bar at the Peninsula
