The Eaten Path

 
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(Corned Beef Hash and Eggs from Tweet)

Fantastic to see so many brunch entries on their list!  Here are a few.  :)


The best entrées we ate in 2009

By Julia Kramer, Heather Shouse and David Tamarkin. Photographs by Jeff Catt, Erica Gannett, Kate Gross, Brendan Lekan, Andrew Nawrocki, Jill Paider, Nicole Radja, Martha Williams.



BRISKET AND GRAVY | Southport Grocery & Café
Chopped house-smoked brisket, swimming in gravy, buried beneath two buttery, crumbling biscuits, crowned by two runny fried eggs. It’s gluttonous and insane, but the gravy gives off just enough red-pepper-flake heat to keep it all in check.

BUCATINI | Cibo Matto
Todd Stein has a way with pasta, and his bucatini is the best of them: tender, toothsome and just robust enough to hold its own against the sauce of creamy duck-egg yolk, meaty bacon and lots of cracked black pepper.

CORNED BEEF HASH | Tweet
We won’t lie—there’s a ton of stuff on Tweet’s brunch menu, and much of it isn’t worth the (at least) 30-minute wait for a table. But the housemade corned beef makes up for all that. Because not only is this greaseless, hearty version of a country classic delicious, it’s also insanely filling—so you won’t have to worry about food again for the rest of the day.

CURED-TROUT QUICHE | Jam
If Schwa served breakfast, it might look something like this: silky cured trout baked into even silkier custard in a buttery shell, paired with a salad of crunchy bagel chips, salty fried capers and pickled pearl onions.

LOX AND CREAM CHEESE ON A BAGEL | New York Bagel & Bialy
The best bagel in Chicago is not in Chicago: It’s in Lincolnwood, at a nondescript strip mall just off I-94. We’d borrow—nay, possibly steal—a car just to get one.

ORANGE BRIOCHE FRENCH TOAST | Milk & Honey
If you want to know what French toast is supposed to taste like, look no further than these oversize slices of brioche, mildly flavored with orange zest, crisp on the outside and custardlike on the inside.

WAFFLE | Lou Mitchell’s
We’re not saying this crisp and tangy malted waffle is the only reason Lou Mitchell’s has remained popular for 86 years. Just, you know, the main reason.


Read more: http://chicago.timeout.com/articles/restaurants-bars/81170/the-best-entrees-we-ate-in-2009#ixzz0Z9OSoVLo
 
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Kim Conte, Chicago Magazine: April 2009
From: www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/April-2009/Odyssey-Seeing-Red/
Photography: Anna Knott

Seeing Red: Chicago’s most extreme Bloody Marys stretch the definition to extremes.

What are the essential elements of a great Bloody Mary? A blistering tomato base, a formidable garnish, a healthy dose of vodka, and the ability to cure a mind-numbingly painful hangover are a start. Chicago’s most extreme Bloody Marys stretch the definition to extremes.


BEST
...ARIA
MERRY BLOODY MARY
$13
Fairmont Chicago, 200 N. Columbus Dr.; 312-444-9494

JUICE - Absolut vodka and organic heirloom tomatoes blended with fresh garlic, thyme, horseradish, shallots, wasabi, black pepper, cider vinegar, and freshly squeezed lemon and lime

GARNISH - Pickled green bean and asparagus spear, green olive, and goat cheese–stuffed hot red pepper

VERDICT - Fiercely spiced and mixed fresh daily, this is, hands down, Chicago’s best.



BIN WINE CAFE
BLOODY MARY FLIGHT
Weekend brunch only; $12.80 for four 3 oz. pours
1559 N. Milwaukee Ave.; 773-486-2233

JUICE - Standard tomato-based mix

GARNISH - The generic Bucktown Mary is straight-forward Tabasco and horseradish; Asian Mary has pickled ginger/ wasabi; Italian Mary sports shaved Parmesan, fresh basil, and aged balsamico; Consuela Mary is all about chipotle.

VERDICT - Skip the flight and go for a full-size extra-spicy Consuela Mary.

 
THE BRISTOL
BLOODY MARY BREAKFAST
Weekend brunch only; $17
2152 N. Damen Ave.; 773-862-5555

JUICE
- Prairie organic vodka blended with hand-crushed tomatoes and a host of other ingredients including dill, mustard powder, and homemade sriracha

GARNISH - You’ll need two hands to wield the mighty skewer of salumi, cheese, country pâté, pickled okra, preserved kumquat, pickled carrots, and olives. Served with a 7 oz. Miller High Life chaser

VERDICT - Impressive. This charcuterie on a stick is a gotta-see-it-to-believe-it gimmick that actually works. But more spice, please, unless it’s supposed to taste like a dirty vodka martini.

 
BISTRO CAMPAGNE
BLOODY MARY
Sunday brunch only; $8
4518 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-271-6100

JUICE - Almost everything’s organic: Rain vodka, fresh horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, caper juice, and Gordal olive tapenade.

GARNISH - Why bother with a cocktail onion, lime, and green olive when there’s a dehydrated serrano ham chip to be devoured?

VERDICT - Not even the bar manager knows how to make this top-notch concoction—only chef de cuisine Daniel Jacobs knows. If we had a secret this good, we wouldn’t share either.

 
UNCOMMON GROUND
UNCOMMON BLOODY MARY
$8; $5 on Sundays
3800 N. Clark St., 773-929-3680; 1401 W. Devon Ave., 773-465-9801

JUICE - Rain vodka infused in-house with poblano pepper, garlic, sweet onion, and roasted bell pepper blended with tomatoes and stout ale

GARNISH - Skewer changes depending on the season—we got slices of cucumber and green bell pepper.

VERDICT - There’s a reason this Bloody has a loyal following. It’s not spicy; it’s smoky, like grilled veggies hot off the barbecue in the summer.

 
MAYA DEL SOL
BLOODY MARIA
Sunday brunch only; $10
144 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park; 708-358-9800

JUICE - Negra Modelo beer and Cazadores Reposado tequila mixed with homemade ancho chile sangrita

GARNISH - A skewer to rival The Bristol’s—if not in quality, at least in size—this one has shrimp, ham, cheese, olives, and a whole pickle spear. Insanely spicy, even without the chile flake-salt rim.

VERDICT - Tequila for breakfast? We could get used to this.
 
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Could there be a better issue for me?  I think not!  57 yummy breakfast and brunch places to check out.  Where to start?  Where to start?  I was happy to see some favorites on the list, such as:
  • Hell's Kitchen (lemon ricotta pancakes, bison sausage bread and homemade peanut butter)
  • French Meadow (organic ingredients and a great sidewalk patio)
  • Yum! Bakery & Cafe (oatmeal brûlée, although I always have to get a cupcake or slice of coconut cake when I go)
  • Key's Cafe & Bakery (juicy sausage, caramel rolls and great egg dishes)
  • Victor's 1959 Cafe (delicious Cuban specialties like cafe con leche, plantains, eggs with black beans, guava jam and mango pancakes)
So, that only leaves about 52 more for me to try.  No problem! 

Check out the full articles at:  Mpls St Paul Magazine
 
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The Accidental Gallerists
Some of our favorite sources for art also do brunch
By Gina Bazer and Jessica Linn
www.chicagohomemag.com


No one doubts the benefits of buying artwork at a traditional gallery—the connoisseurship and professionalism offered by a serious dealer are hard to beat. But if you’re looking for works by under-the-radar artists at an accessible price, take a look  at some alternative venues. We found original artwork by local talents everywhere from restaurants and cafés to a bank and a spa. For the artists, these venues are a good way to get  additional exposure, even if they are represented by a gallery; for the customer, it’s an easy way to shop for art casually—in many cases, while waiting for a meal to arrive.

Chicago Diner
This Lake View veggie standby has been showing local artwork for years. The process is informal: Artists tell manager Del Nakamura that they're interested in displaying their work, and he makes the call. "We generally accept human interest topics, nature, and animal themes—nothing too busy or controversial," he says. Work stays up from one to three months and ranges from $100 to $500. 3411 N. Halsted St., 773-935-6696.

Lula Cafe
It’s fitting that this Logan Square favorite always has interesting art hanging on its walls—from the experimental comfort food served here to the bohemian ambiance, it’s simply an arty sort of place. The exhibits, which rotate every three months or so, are curated by Anders Nilsen and Marianne Fairbanks, a former cook and waitress, respectively, and artists themselves. 2537 N. Kedzie Blvd., 773-489-9554

Jane's Restaurant
This recently expanded Bucktown favorite displays pieces from local artists that range from $50 to $5,000. "We started doing it to change the look for the room from time to time," co-owner Julie Greenwalt says. "It kind of gives us a new atmosphere every three months." 1655 W. Cortland St., 773-862-5263 

Intelligentsia
This popular local coffeehouse displayed employees' art before deciding to open its doors to other local talent. Until recently, there was no systematic approach to finding the pieces (most of the work was by artists who simply walked in and asked the manager for some exposure). Now Intelligentsia has a Myspace page (myspace.com/intelligentsiacafeartists) where artists can submit work for consideration. 3123 N. Broadway, 773-348-8058; 53 W. Jackson Blvd., 312-253-0594; 53 E. Randolph St., 312-920-9332

HotChocolate
HotChocolate has displayed work from up-and-coming local artists since the restaurant opened in 2005. Owner/pastry chef Mindy Segal prefers to hang interesting and risqué pieces because "the edgy stuff goes along the lines of the food we serve." Segal has put up pieces worth several thousand dollars in the past, but prefers to showcase less spendy work. "I tell artists to price to sell," she says. 1747 N. Damen Ave., 773-489-1747

Images:

(above) from the series "Apples (Fish Creek, Wisconsin)," Leslie Schwartz, photographic prints, from $345; leslieschwartzphotography.com

(below) “Two Glazed Donuts,” Byron Gin, oil on canvas, 24 by 20 inches, $1,500; byrongin.com
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Reader's Choice Award for Best Brunch
Lula Cafe

There is nary a more iconic Logan Square scene than the hipster sprawl surrounding Lula on a Sunday morning—particularly when the sun is shining, the Ray-Bans come out in droves and Lula’s impressive seasonal menu is chock-full of farmers’-market finds. The laid-back front patio could nail this award on its own, but the scene only goes so far. It’s Jason Hammel and Amalea Tshilds’s fluffy omelettes (filled with constantly changing vegetables from the first stalks of asparagus to late-summer’s tomatoes) and whipped cream–topped stuffed brioche French toast that lure regulars. Anything from the rotating menu goes down that much more smoothly accompanied by a spicy black sambal (chile paste) Bloody Mary or a blackberry Bellini. 2537 N Kedzie Blvd, 773-489-9554

Other nominees: Bongo Room, m.henry, Orange, Over Easy Cafe, Tweet, Vella Cafe, Yolk

Read more: http://chicago.timeout.com/articles/restaurants-bars/73213/2009-eat-out-awards-readers-choice-awards/5.html#ixzz0RItNNODM
 
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FANNIE'S KILLER FRIED EGG SANDWICH
M. Henry
Now, this is the way to start your day. Fry two eggs, fluffy and over-medium, and encase them in slices of rustic sour boule (a round white bread). Throw in some smoky applewood bacon and perfectly ripened tomato slices. Crumble Gorgonzola and fresh thyme on your sandwich, and enjoy. Or just go to M. Henry and order one. 5707 N. Clark St.; 773-561-1600 [$8.25]

CHAI TEA FRENCH TOAST
Orange
This dessert-like breakfast doesn't skimp on the sugar. Golden, ricotta-stuffed slabs of chai tea-infused French toast are bathed in an intensely sweet chai-tea reduction sauce and topped with caramelized apples. Syrup is not only unnecessary—at this point, it's a liability. 3231 N. Clark St.; 773-549-4400 [$9]

EGGS BENEDICT
Prairie Grass Cafe
This version of the tired brunch staple is an excellent demonstration of how to update a classic. Two well-poached eggs wobble atop a layer of vibrant sautéed spinach; smoky-salty nuggets of premium Nueske's bacon season the dish from the inside out; and the roasted-tomato hollandaise hits a tangy, unifying high note. 601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook; 847-205-4433 [$10.50]

HUEVOS RANCHEROS
Milk & Honey Café
On weekends the line outside Milk & Honey is halfway around the block, but it's worth it for a crack at this steaming south-of-the-border brunch favorite. Scrambled eggs, black beans, tortilla strips, and salsa are served casserole-style under a blanket of baked Cheddar and Monterey Jack with a zesty side of chipotle crema. And order a fresh, crusty chocolate-and-toffee scone to tide you over while you wait. 1920 W. Division St.; 773-395-9434 [$6.25]

COFFEE AND DOUGHNUTS
Japonais
The pedestrian-sounding dessert seems out of place at a sophisticated sushi restaurant; but this playful take on traditional breakfast fare is a smart way to end the day. Channeling the best of both the East and the West, these doughy, chestnut-filled beignets are rolled in cinnamon and sugar and served warm alongside airy, mousse-like green tea semifreddo for dipping. 600 W. Chicago Ave.; 312-822-9600 [$9]

HALF & HALF
HotChocolate
Caffeine junkies and hot chocolate addicts are not always one and the same. But for those who can't get enough of either, this aptly named concoction—a 50/50 blend of espresso and dark-as-night hot chocolate—is like mainlining both. Imagine biting into a chocolate-covered espresso bean, but without the crunch. 1747 N. Damen Ave.; 773-489-1747 [$6]

APPLE FRITTERS
Hopleaf
You could drink at Andersonville's beloved Hopleaf for years and never know these deep-fried fellows existed. The reason? They don't appear on the menu. But once you've had the pleasure of biting through crisp batter into the sweet, steaming flesh of thick-cut Granny Smith apples, you'll be able to think of little else. 5148 N. Clark St.; 773-334-9851 [$7]

SCRAMBLED EGGS AND SHRIMP
Evergreen
This is not designed as a breakfast dish, though it would be welcome on a fantasy Chinese brunch menu. Eggs are softly scrambled in a little corn oil with lots of small peeled shrimp. That's all there is to it, but a visit for lunch or dinner is incomplete without a plate of these on the table. 2411 S. Wentworth Ave.; 312-225-8898 [$11.25]

BISCUITS
Daley's
We’re not going to give these warm, soft and buttery biscuits all the credit for keeping this diner in business for more than 100 years. Just most of it. 809 E. 63rd St, 773-643-6670 [$1.50]

UNCOMMON BREAKFAST MELT
Uncommon Ground
This decadent, messy combination of over-easy eggs, thick peppercorn bacon, cheddar and spinach on onion black bread is one of the best breakfast sandwiches in town, but because we’re inordinately inclined to brave the brunch lines to eat it. 3800 N Clark Street, 773-465-9801 [$14] 

SCONES
Shokolad
We’ve had so many bad scones around town that we were floored with the perfection of those from Halyna Fedus, a Ukrainian expat who opened a cute little café in Ukie Village this year. So what’s the secret to the lightly crunchy exterior and the featherlight interior packed with dried apricots, cherries and raisins? “Very cold butter, add cream slowly, don’t overwork the dough."  2524 W Chicago Avenue, (773) 276-6402

RAVIOLO, RICOTTA, EGG YOLK, BROWN BUTTER
The Bristol
Ricotta-studded egg bursts out of a brown butter–topped raviolo with the poke of a fork. 2152 N. Damen Avenue, 773-862-5555  [$11]

CORNED BEEF HASH
The Gage
Broken yolk flavors the house-made corned-beef hash below it.
24 S Michigan Ave, (312) 372-4243 [$12]



Compiled from Time Out Chicago and Chicago Magazine
 
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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/
 
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Breakfast
1. Keys Cafe
2. Hell’s Kitchen
3. Good Day Cafe
4. The Original Pancake House
5. Perkins

Brunch
1. Lake Elmo Inn
2. Jax Cafe
3. Ideal Diner
4. St. Paul Grill
5. Nicollet Island Inn
 
One of the silliest exhibitions at the State Fair is the butter sculptures.  Take 500 pounds of solid-state dairy product and turn it into art! Yippee!
More at: www.citypages.com
http://mnstatefair.org/