Sunnyside Up Cafe
2702 Lyndale Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55408


Let me just start by saying that I would really like to give this place 3 1/2 stars because it is actually better than a 3, just not quite a 4 for me.  Okay, now that that is out of the way...

I have been by this place so many times.  I have never really known what to make of it.  Looks a little divey.  Crazy painted murals.  There usually seem to be good crowds though, so I mentally bookmarked it.  My friend was in town for a visit and really wanted French toast.  I went onto Yelp and saw the good reviews, so we decided to give it a go.  We got there before 9:30, so we walked right in. By 10:30, there was a little wait, but only one or two groups.  Not bad.  

We were greeted very nicely at the door and our server was friendly, helpful, attentive and completely on top of it.  Our coffee and water were never empty. Our plates were cleared quickly.  Our check was brought before we finished with a "when you're ready" to let us know that we could still linger a little longer.  

Food:  We split the benny special with roasted tomatoes, spinach and ham.  Yum!  Everyone was right about the hash browns.  Delicious and a great combination of crispy and tender.  We also split the French toast.  The flavor and crunchy outside bits were great.  A little bit dry for me, but that didn't outweigh the positives.  We didn't love the coffee.  It was just a bit bitter.  Not horrible, but not great.  The prices were really reasonable for the portions and quality.  We were a little shocked that we were both so stuffed and had spent less than $18 (before tip).  

The atmosphere had a good neighborhood gathering spot feel to it.  Lots of families and obvious locals.  The colorful southwestern murals were simultaneously cheerful and bizarre.  I had a view of the fun coyote frying an egg for a tortoise.  My friend had a view of a hawk grabbing a lizard for a snack.  It just didn't gel with the gritty grandma's diner sort of vibe in the rest of the place.  

So, I guess my summary is: don't go for the ambiance or coffee, but do go for the food and neighborhood feel.

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

For October, the Chicago gang headed to Chalkboard in Lincoln Square.  The Thick Cut Nitrate Free Bacon was a crowd favorite! The coffee came from Julius Meinel next door and was delicious, as usual.  There was some disappointment that the Cured Salmon with Johnny Cakes were not available, but the Big plate of Roasted Potatoes, Chorizo, Chicken, Cheese and White Beans: "Breakfast Cassoulet" was a hit.  Two people got the Pound Cake French Toast with Lavender Yogurt and Mixed Berries. One thought it was so tasty that she practically licked her plate.  The other liked the dish itself, but thought the portion was skimpy for the price. 

A few mixed reviews...  The Whole Grain Blueberry Waffles with Real Vanilla Maple Syrup was noted as "good flavor and tons of fresh berries, but odd texture."  The Daily Egg Scramble had a decent combination of flavors, but far too many cherry tomatoes in proportion to the other ingredients, like the goat cheese that was barely included.

Overall, the group thought that the service was good and that the place has a nice ambiance.

Today was a crisp Autumn day, perfect for a lovely brunch at Cafe Twenty Eight.  The servers were so friendly and attentive.  They were very patient while we waited for the members of our party (a few of whom did not show up *ahem*).  I ordered the French toast with black mission figs & apples in a brandied pan caramel sauce -- Yum!  If you like Autumn ingredients and rich flavors, it is delicious!  My fellow brunchers had the huevos rancheros (good and spicy!), apricot and almond corncakes (great flavors, but slightly heavy on the apricot pieces), egg scramble with smoked bacon, chives and Monterrey Jack (really good) and the egg scramble with smoked salmon, spinach, cream cheese and dill.  Everyone was a fan a of the perfectly cooked smoked bacon and plentiful refills on coffee.  We also appreciated that so many ingredients came from local farms.  I thought that the price point was very reasonable for the quality of the food.  Can't wait to go back!

Yea!  I loved our brunch here today.  The patio was so cute.  I am sad that I won't get many more opportunities to enjoy it before Winter weather sets in.  

I got the cinnamon wild rice pancakes with nuts and berries... delicious!  The reviews made me stick to my gut instinct to get them (which I am so happy about!), but there were more than a couple of other options that were pretty tempting.  I got to taste a bite of the Mexican baked eggs.  Also fabulous.  The roasted potatoes had a great texture (a little crispy outside, but perfectly tender inside) and a yummy rosemary flavor.  

Our server was very nice and let us enjoy a leisurely brunch.  Our coffee cups never got empty, which made me very, very happy.  

I will definitely be back (even if it isn't patio weather).

www.millcitycafe.com

For Chicago's September brunch, the gang headed to Sushi Samba Rio in River North.  Known for its swank, loungey vibe at night, we were interested in trying their recent addition of brunch.

www.sushisamba.com

The deal:

$16 per guest $8 per samba kid under 12 years old (+ tax and tip) -- includes one specialty, sandwich or salad and 3 mimosas, bloody marys, caipiroska or mocktails.

The good:

- Mimosas were made with fresh-squeezed orange juice.
- Sunday morning sushi
- cast iron baked eggs roasted tomato, soft white polenta, manchego cheese with salad
- churrasco and eggs grilled hanger steak, two eggs any style with onion rings
- doce de leite french toast seasonal fruit (papaya and blueberries), powdered sugar
- blt sandwich grilled black tiger shrimp, lettuce, applewood smoked bacon, key lime garlic mayo


The bad:

- The bloody Marys were a little boring and the mimosas were on the weak side.


The service:

Fine.  Friendly and helpful.


(photos below: baked eggs, churrasco and eggs, shrimp sandwich)

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

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

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