Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro
3905 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 248-3905
www.irishbistro.com

For January's brunch, the Chicago gang headed to North Center to check out Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro.  We have been there for events, dinner and drinks by the cozy fireplace but we had not yet been there to try their yummy brunch.  The space is classic, but contemporary.  The service is friendly and attentive. 

Some of the favorite items were:

The Bailey's French toast with brioche, bananas, strawberries and Baily's cream ($8.50). 
"I REALLY liked my Bailey's French toast! I'll definitely go back!"

The oatmeal pancakes with fresh berries, orange marmalade and maple syrup ($8).
"It was really good, I am definitely going back again!  The oatmeal pancakes were delicious...a different texture than typical pancakes, and so good."

The Oscar Wilde omelet with cheddar, bacon, grape tomatoes and served with breakfast potatoes, toast and orange marmalade ($8).
"My omelet was the bomb, yo!"

The Lyndale Tap House
2937 Lyndale Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-825-6150
www.thelyndale.com

I've been to the Lyndale Tap House at least a half dozen times for happy hour drinks and food.  Always a good time, so we decided to head on over for January's brunch.  I had the cheesy grits with bacon and shrimp.  It was really good, if not "authentic" Southern grits.  They were creamy and cheesy, with chunks of corn -- kind of like a cheesy cream style corn.  Great compliment to the pit-spiced shrimp and bacon flavors.  The portion was so huge.  I couldn't finish it.  I also had the bloody Mary, which came with bacon, cheese, an olive and a lime wedge.  Yum!  Really spicy with a celery salt flavor, more than an overwhelming tomato flavor.  I had to let the ice melt a little to dilute it and then it was really good.  Next time, I really want to try the hard cider French toast with sauteed apples.  It looked fantastic!  Other items that the group ordered, included: the breakfast burrito, the Lyndale Scramble and the Tap House Slam... hard cider French toast with caramelized apples, sausage and eggs.