BEST NEW BREAKFAST
FRED’S AT BARNEYS NEW YORK
When Fred’s at Barneys opened here in April, the ladies who lunch made it an instant see-and-be-seen destination. The breakfast served on the weekends—it’s technically a brunch, name- and hourswise—keeps the luxurious setting (and the price that goes with it) but carries a more casual vibe. A cocktail, a baked-goods basket, an entrée, and a dessert are offered for a prix fixe; our highlights were the firm-on-the-outside, yielding-on-the-inside potatoes and the cloud-fluffy three-egg omelet. The prix fixe meal runs $24 or $38, depending on whether you want the fancier Champagne. 15 E. Oak St.; 312-596-1111
RUNNERS-UP: We didn’t love the stark hotel atmosphere at LB Bistro & Patisserie (Sheraton Chicago, 301 E. North Water St.; 312-464-1000), but the cinnamon-batter-dipped, strawberry-cream-cheese-filled brioche French toast won us over. The banana-stuffed French toast with toasted pecans stands out on the affordable, British Isles-tinged menu at Bananas Foster Café (1147 W. Granville Ave.; 773-262-9855), but the portions reflect the prices.
http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/August-2009/Best-of-Chicago/Food/
FRED’S AT BARNEYS NEW YORK
When Fred’s at Barneys opened here in April, the ladies who lunch made it an instant see-and-be-seen destination. The breakfast served on the weekends—it’s technically a brunch, name- and hourswise—keeps the luxurious setting (and the price that goes with it) but carries a more casual vibe. A cocktail, a baked-goods basket, an entrée, and a dessert are offered for a prix fixe; our highlights were the firm-on-the-outside, yielding-on-the-inside potatoes and the cloud-fluffy three-egg omelet. The prix fixe meal runs $24 or $38, depending on whether you want the fancier Champagne. 15 E. Oak St.; 312-596-1111
RUNNERS-UP: We didn’t love the stark hotel atmosphere at LB Bistro & Patisserie (Sheraton Chicago, 301 E. North Water St.; 312-464-1000), but the cinnamon-batter-dipped, strawberry-cream-cheese-filled brioche French toast won us over. The banana-stuffed French toast with toasted pecans stands out on the affordable, British Isles-tinged menu at Bananas Foster Café (1147 W. Granville Ave.; 773-262-9855), but the portions reflect the prices.
http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/August-2009/Best-of-Chicago/Food/