June 2017 Brunch & Stuff Roundup

Hi there, happy July! We're gonna try something a little different, since we're all busy people and such. Every first Friday of the month, I will be rounding up my favorite brunches from the previous month for you in one handy post. No flowery language, no in depth analysis, just quick and dirty deliciousness. So, without further ado, here's where I've been and what I've eaten in the month of June. For more on the go info, make sure you're following me on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. Happy brunching!

Pink Taco

It's taken me a long time to really learn how to appreciate a good taco place. My upbringing in the Southwest left me with a lot of traumatic taco memories that involved shredded lettuce, colby jack cheese, and weirdly textured ground meat. The bright colors and eccentric art work inside Pink Taco immediately put me at ease, though. This place was obviously trying to give off a relaxed, fun-times kinda vibe, and I was digging it. It's hard to believe the space used to house one of my favorite gastro-pubs, Bull & Bear, because it now seems so much more open, sunny, and and spread out. Drinks wise, I had to order the Fro-Mosa (a frozen mimosa), which did not disappoint. The Street Corn was killer and the Ceviche Tostada was amazingly fresh. The Lobster Tacos were good, but not something I'd be craving in the weeks to come. On the other hand, the Veggie tacos, with mushrooms and caramelized onions, were so good that I considered ordering a second plate of them. I didn't, though, because the slab of carbs that was the Mexican Bread Pudding French Toast was way too enticing to allow anything even remotely healthy to take up unnecessary room in my stomach.

Nighthawk AM

This intriguing breakfast themed concept opened in Lincoln Park not too long ago. From their cereal themed decor to their cereal themed coffees, they've definitely got a clearly identifiable brand; indulging the inner children of the hungover masses. One of their signature items is breakfast themed scoops of raw cookie dough. They have three flavors available at any given time, and they usually come adorned with a variety of fruit, cereal, and/or candy. My favorites so far have been the Just Jacked (which tasted like apple pie) and the Yabba Dabba Dough (which combines Fruity Pebbles and fresh strawberries). As far as the savory side of the menu goes, there's a lot of options for soaking up any of the previous night's residual alcohol. The Triple Double Breakfast Sandwich is a nearly unconquerable mound of meat, cheese and carbs, topped with a fried egg and bacon fat mayo. I was also a pretty big fan of their sweet and spicy Morning Colonel sandwich, which featured a nicely crispy fried chicken breast and pickles on an English muffin. But my ultimate favorite pick? The AM Fries. They've got melty Swiss cheese, they've got crispy bacon, they've got peppery hollandaise sauce; literally they've got a little bit of everything. Even 100% sober, I found these things delicious, though I would image that they are total heaven when you're fully wasted too.

The Dawson

Every Sunday this summer The Dawson is hosting Camp Dawson; a sort of post-brunch-pre-dinner party on their patio, meant to evoke the joys of summer camp, but you know... with legal boozing this time. The cocktail line up is (of course) stellar, highlighted by the Bug Juices; three bottled cocktails in vivid colors meant to simulate the sugary drinks of our youth. The food menu is also on point, and is all made to be shared. The BBQ Chicken Sliders were my particular favorite, but their version of a Chicago Dog was also fantastic. The S'mores pie though... the S'mores pie... THE S'MORES PIE. Combine all of this with live music from local bands and you've got a Sunday afternoon well spent.

Rack House

It's not often that I venture out to the suburbs for brunch these days, but when I do, it's got to be for a good reason. Rack House provided me with a very good reason in the form of a MASSIVE Bloody Mary called the BAM (Bad Ass Mary). This monstrosity not only had a liter of cocktail and two pints of domestic beer, it came topped with basically an entire buffet. Brisket and pulled pork sliders, sausage, fried shrimps, chicken wings, smoked ribs, cheeses, Nashville hot chicken, even Nutella brownies and donuts! I took one look at this thing and was instantly full. If you want to tackle the BAM yourself, seriously consider bringing an army of friends. If you're in the mood to actually walk out of the restaurant unaided, I cannot recommend their Breakfast Waffle Nachos more enthusiastically. The Hangover Cure sandwich, which gives you all the comfort of a burger, but with tender slices of brisket, was also a standout.

Chicago Burger Company

How did I never know that hidden deep within the Sheraton Grand is a fantastic little burger place with a gorgeous patio right on the river?! I'm so glad I had the chance to visit the recently revamped Chicago Burger Company for a taste of their classic diner fair and cocktails. There is just no beating the views you get as a free side dish with your meal. The River Rum punch tasted like liquid summer, the battered fries were crispy perfection, and the signature CBC Burger was everything I hoped it would be. Best part of Chicago Burger Company's River views? You can't see Trump Tower!

Artango Bar and Steakhouse

I went to dinner at this Lincoln Square favorite a few months ago and had an absolutely wonderful time, so when they announced that they were launching brunch service, I was counting the days until I could go see what they had in store. Right off the bat, I'm gonna say that this is one of the most gorgeous restaurants in Chicago. The sculptural light fixtures, the industrial bar, the dark and broody art, all of it gets my blood going. The brunch cocktails are good, but pretty much what you would expect (passion fruit mimosas and the like), so my recommendation is to go for the hardcore stuff and get yourself a Caipirinha. After that, you're going to want to order empanadas. All of them. Order every single one, even whatever the mystery one for the day is. The day I went, it was rabbit and root vegetables and I have absolutely no regrets. I also ordered an Acai bowl, admittedly so that I could appease The 'Gram with a glamour shot or it's purpley goodness, but it actually was quite nice and I would absolutely get it again if I wanted something a little lighter. The Benedict had a nice South American twist to it, coming served on grilled corn arepa's instead of English muffins. I went out of my box a little and ordered the Cazuela, which was basically roasted portobello mushroom and tomatoes with a soft boiled eggs, some béarnaise sauce, and some rustic bread, and I found it's simplicity infinitely satisfying.

I was invited to dine free of charge at the restaurants mentioned in this post, but all opinions are my own.

Jerry Sandwiches or Grateful Bread

The Slow and Savory Review

There was a time in the 1960's when Brandy had occasion to visit a certain area of California known as Haight-Ashbury. She had been told there was a terrific tea shop in this particular intersection from which she could buy almost any variety of loose leaf tea she could dream of. At a time before the internet made the acquisition of rare goods almost instant, this was quite a prospect. "They did indeed have plenty of varietals that excited me greatly," Brandy later recounted, "But there was an odd smell in that shop I could never quite pinpoint." During her time there, Brandy also became an unlikely fan of the kind of music being produced by the free spirited residents. "I used to be able to sit on the steps of the building I was staying in and hear guitars and tambourines all the way down the street. It was very lovely, though I do wish they could have played a little more ragtime or jitterbug every once in a while."

Remembering this had been a particularly happy period of Brandy's life, her good friend Mama Bee decided to take Brandy on a little adventure to a restaurant inspired by that very same spirit of freedom and discovery: Jerry's Sandwiches. Named after the leader of one of the biggest bands to come out of the psychedelic era, Jerry's boasts a menu of over 100 sandwiches with influences in flavor and composition from all over the country. Mama Bee figured this would be just the kind of place where Brandy might be able to find something really unique among a huge variety of choices, much like she had all those years ago in that little tea shop in San Francisco.

The Jerry's in Lincoln Square had an open, welcoming vibe with a fireplace off to one side and pops of teal paint on the walls to liven up the space. Nothing pretentious or fancy, but this was also not some hole in the wall deli. "It feels like the perfect kind of neighborhood place," said Brandy, "Where one can come in for a drink, a bite, and enjoy a game. It's rare in this day and age to fine a place that offers that kind of feel without trying to be something else as well."

Speaking of drinks, Mama Bee chose the Abuelita's Old Fashioned to start off her meal. This fun twist on a traditional Old Fashioned was made with a Mexican vanilla bean infused syrup, chocolate bitters, and Mexican hot chocolate spices placed inside a cinnamon stick, so that when one swirled the stick around, the drink swirled into its final form. Both Mama Bee and Brandy (who was able to steal a sip while Mama Bee wasn't looking) loved this sweet and spicy concoction that had the aura of a spiced cider, but an almost creamy and smooth finish. Brandy went with the Leatherbone cocktail, as she has a great affinity for smokey drinks. This one combined bourbon, bitters, and a leather scented syrup in a bold, smokey cocktail that almost emulated puffing away on a cigar. "This is what you call a Sipping Cocktail," Brandy commented, "That is to say, it's something to enjoy over a long meal."

For their starters, Brandy and Mama Bee split an order of Fried Cheese Curds and the house special Corn Dogs, which every month were made with a different sausage at their core. The cheese curds were fairly standard for what they were, but well done with a melty interior and a lightly crisp exterior. The unique thing about them was that they could be ordered with a side of soup for dipping into, which in this case was a butternut squash bisque, working quite well for adding some more earthy notes to the experience. The corndogs were quite interesting, as this particular sausage was a Hungarian smoked sausage, which gave each bite a warmth and a burst of flavor. The sausage had been sliced into rounds and then coated in a cornmeal batter, deep fried, and served with a skewer in them, so they didn't exactly resemble fair ground corndogs, but thankfully, they didn't taste like them either. Brandy and Mama Bee got an extra joy from dipping them into a spicy honey mustard for an extra bit of kick.

After a meaty and cheesy opening to their meal, Mama Bee decided to stick on the side of vegetation and ordered a sandwich called the Jenny F. Brandy was actually surprised by this, as Mama Bee has a somewhat low tolerance for heat, and the sandwich mainly featured green chilies and sliced jalapenos along with fried onions, fresh mozzarella, avocado, shredded lettuce, and a southwestern mayo (Mama Bee also added on some bacon because, as she put it, "Bacon makes everything better! Even vegetarian dishes!") all on a potato bun. The sandwich certainly packed a subtle punch that sneaked up on Mama Bee, but the avocado and the heartiness of the potato bun helped to balance things out. The veggies were all nicely crisp, the unusual combination or which made for something one doesn't often see in a mainly vegetarian sandwich. "Usually you see some tomato, lettuce, cheese, and that's about it," said Mama Bee, "I'm always glad to see the new and exciting ways people come up with for giving veggie fans more exciting options."

Brandy went in the opposite direction and ordered the Western Burger with a side of Cider Slaw and Caramelized Potatoes.  This meaty option came saddled with fried onions, bacon, cheddar cheese, ranch dressing, a house BBQ sauce, and some crispy shredded lettuce on a pretzel bun. With the onions and bacon coming in to play, the burger had a nice bit of crunch to it, which Brandy greatly enjoyed. The flavors of the various toppings and sauces all sort of vied for attention at once, like an overly talented ensemble cast in a movie, meaning the beef was not the central focus of the burger. Though she usually likes to be able to taste the meat of a burger first and foremost, Brandy didn't mind this one so much, as the various bold flavors all sort of worked well together.

"Even though I greatly enjoyed my burger, I have to admit that I'm quite curious about the 99 other options on this menu," said Brandy, "That's the problem with such a variety of choices. You'll always end up wondering what could have been." "Did you ever wonder what you were missing out on at that tea shop in Haight-Ashbury?" asked Mama Bee. "Oh constantly," Brandy replied, "There were all these bearded fellows in denim jeans and fringed vests who used to come in and ask for the 'special blend.' Yet when I asked for the 'special blend,' the owner told me he didn't think I would like it. From what I saw, it seemed perfectly acceptable to me, though he sold it pre-packaged in tiny little plastic bags... I never did get to sample it."

The writers of this blog were invited by the restaurant to dine free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

The Short and Sweet Review

Miku Sushi or Crystal Japan

The Slow and Savory Review

"I've been feeling rather adventurous lately," Brandy told her good friend Bailey, "Perhaps it's that Bunny has transferred a bit of her wanderlust on to me, but I've just been wanting to explore some more exciting brunch alternatives."  "Well, you know what my vote is for!" Bailey said excitedly.  Brandy grumbled.  Bailey was referring to sushi, which she had been insisting was an appropriate food item for brunch for quite some time.  "You've said yourself, if a restaurant is open on a Sunday at 11:00, its counts as brunch," Bailey reminded her friend.  "Alright fine.  We'll go to sushi for brunch.  You're lucky I'm feeling adventurous."

Brandy chose Miku Sushi in Lincoln Square, a traditional sushi house with an extensive menu that not only included classic and signature rolls, but also bowls of ramen, shareable skewers and small plates, and very original fusion dishes.  The interior was sleek and clean, but with a modern feel to it, using a simple color scheme of earth tones combined with red, black, and white accents.  "I also like the sea of guitar players walking by outside, headed to the school of folk music next door!" Bailey noted.

They began their meal with a rather unusual sounding appetizer; the Goat Cheese Tempura.  The fried sticks of cheese came three to an order, displayed over a small salad of greens, candied pecans, green apples, and a sweet chili lime vinaigrette.  The cheese had a nicely light and crisp exterior, but a rich and creamy interior that was best enjoyed one slow bite at a time.  The salad was a great accompaniment, the freshness of it balancing the cheese nicely.  Both ladies were rather surprised by the spicy kick of the dressing as well, but loved the way it complimented everything.

Jumping right into the sushi rolls, Brandy let Bailey take the lead with the ordering.  First to the table was the Lava Maki, a beautifully plated tempura roll filled with cream cheese, avocado, and spicy shrimp and topped with a salad of marinated shredded crab meat and herbs, resulting in a bite that was just as unique texturally as it was visually.  The Smokey Bear and the Yuri Maki were next, the former being a creamy, smokey, and sweet combination of eel, salmon, cream cheese, and cucumber with a kick from some wasabi mayo, and the latter being a crunchy and interesting combo of shrimp, green apple, cream cheese, and lots of little salty pops of tobiko.  The show stopper, however, was the Flaming Dragon, a roll so spectacular that it actually arrived to the table on fire.  Once the special effects had disappeared, the ladies were left with a rather delightful roll consisting of salmon, white tuna, tempura shrimp, and red and black tobiko.  The flavor of this roll was rich and earthy with the perfect amount of sweetness and heat to it.  "The last time I saw an entrance that dramatic, it was at a Royal Shakespeare Company performance!" laughed Brandy.

Lastly, the ladies decided to split an order of the Spicy Roasted Garlic Ramen.  The broth of the ramen was so deeply flavorful that Brandy had to stop Bailey drinking the whole bowl before they could even taste the toppings and the noodles.  Speaking of the noodles, they were an absolutely perfect texture, and the abundance of toppings, like some fatty pork belly, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, and a soy sauce soft boiled egg meant that each bite was a new adventure.  "Bailey," Brandy scolded as she slurped up some noodles, "If you don't give me that broth spoon back I'll turn you into a flaming sushi roll."  Bailey reluctantly decided to hand back the spoon.

After their filling, exciting, and satisfying sushi brunch, Bailey and Brandy were practically ready to head for Japan.  "Do you think that's what every Japanese brunch is like?" Bailey asked dreamily, "Because I could literally eat sushi like that for every single meal."  The prices were fair enough, on par with most other sushi restaurants in the city at about $15 a roll, and the service was quick, attentive, and friendly.  "I have to admit, I don't mind the idea of having a sushi and ramen brunch every weekend," said Brandy, "But what if I start to miss some good old fashioned eggs and bacon?"  "Well, there is a form of nigiri called tamgo, which is a sort of sushi made from an omelette."  "Problem solved!" declared Brandy, "Let's pack our bags for Tokyo!"

The writers of this blog were invited to dine by the restaurant free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

The Short and Sweet Review

Baker Miller or The Cream of the Wheat Crop

The Slow and Savory Review

Mama Bee was on a mission.  "If I want to have the best bakery in the Midwest, I need to have the best ingredients," she explained to Brandy one day.  "But my dear, you already have command over the honey world.  No one rivals your hives," Brandy pointed out.  "Yes, but without the best of the best to augment my honey, what good is it?  We need to do some serious research here."  "What is this 'We' business?  I don't remember buying a stake in your bakery."  "But Brandy, you have all the best resources!  I know if you put your mind to it, you can find me what I need."  "Alright, alright, let me think on this.  But in the meantime, let's go grab a bite to eat."

Heading into Lincoln Square, Brandy and Mama Bee stumbled into Baker Miller, another brainchild from the couple that started one of Brandy's favorite unconventional brunch spots, Bang Bang Pie Shop.  While Baker Miller carried on the tradition of pies and their infamous biscuits, it added in a selection of other pastries as well as a short, but well curated menu of savory dishes that are perfect for breakfast or lunch.

The interior of Baker Miller was pretty reminiscent of Bang Bang, with its simple set up.  White walls showcased simple indie art in black frames, while bleached wood tables provided a bit of warmth to the space.  There was also a patio out back, which created a pleasant picnic sort of atmosphere.

Brandy and Mama Bee began by splitting an order of Summer Grits, which came dressed with crisp slices of cucumber, pickled red onion, scallions, and a soft boiled egg.  The vegetables were quite flavorful with a strong hit of vinegar coming from the onions, but also a soft sweetness that really brought out the pure corn flavor in the coarse textured grits.  "Such a different sort of dish to how I've usually seen grits served," Brandy mused with interest, "But I have to say, it does rather evoke summer in a very unique way."  The grits, Brandy noted, were in fact ground by Baker Miller themselves, who in addition to the restaurant, sold a whole line of premium quality flours and grains.  Mama Bee had noticed as well and was eyeing the various packages for sale on the counter with great interest.

Mama Bee went for the simple Ploughman's for her lunch, which came with a sausage patty, a soft boiled egg, some dressed greens, and a few slices of house made bread.  Though missing the typical slices of apple and hunks of cheese that would make for a true Ploughman's, the dish was enhanced a little by a trip to the Jam and Butter bar, where Mama Bee delighted over the selection of house made concoctions.  "As a baker myself, I can see how a simple dish like this is meant to showcase the brilliance behind these breads and spreads," she commented, munching happily on a slice of sourdough.

Brandy decided on the Peachy Keen Biscuit Sandwich, which came with pork sausage, goat cheese, caramelized onions, and fresh peach jam.  The biscuit was just as Brandy had remembered it: tender and buttery, but not too heavy.  The sweet peach jam and the soft onions were a perfect match for the peppery sausage with the creamy goat cheese providing a bit of tang.  "This is exactly how a late summer mid-day meal should be," Brandy sighed, "Fresh, well put together, and simple."




Not able to resist a few sweets, the ladies indulged in some treats to take home: some Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins, a couple of Confetti Cookie Sandwiches, and a slice each of S'mores Pie and (most exciting of all to Brandy) Blueberry Pie.  The cookie sandwich was perhaps the most delightful, not only because it was filled with colorful sprinkles, but also because the filling was a deliciously tart blackberry jam and what seemed to be a thin layer of a cream cheese like substance that balanced it out.  The muffins were a bit on the dry side with a very distinctive chew, but the fruit in them tasted fresh and lovely.  Lastly, the pies were the masterpieces that Brandy expected them to be.  The blueberry was every bit the Mona Lisa of pies that Brandy had remembered from her very first visit to Bang Bang, and the S'mores pie was rich, decadent, and perfect with a graham cracker crust and a bruleed marshmallow top that really reminded one of sitting beside a camp fire.

"Who knew having such control over the flours one uses could make everything taste so authentic!" Brandy exclaimed, "I suppose your quest for the best ingredients to use at your bakeries makes a little more sense now."  Mama Bee nodded knowingly.  Taking care to produce such quality dishes at Baker Miller not only made for a satisfyingly simple and relaxing meal, but it also kept prices very reasonable, as everything extraneous and frivolous had been eliminated, leaving only the finest bits to take their places as stars on the plate.  "Maybe what I need to do is take more control over producing what I need," Mama Bee said, "I already farm my own honey, so why not mill my own grains?  Grow my own fruit?  Why I could even sculpt my own dishes!"  "Now now, there is something to be said for knowing where your talents lie," Brandy replied, "And judging from that pottery class we took together, I'd say your skills at crafting coffee mugs leave something to be desired."  "That was a bud vase!" Mama Bee scoffed.  "Point proven," said Brandy.

The Short and Sweet Review