Yesterday, Man Repeller asked a great question: When it comes to brunch, are we in it for the food or the photos? Is brunch just another excuse to be seen or is it the gastronomic byproduct of a foodie culture?
In part, the post was sparked by a recent Time magazine article entitled “Millennials Spend More Time Planning Brunch than They Do Looking for a Date”. That title was meant to be shocking, I assume. It’s not. Let’s continue.
My answer: It’s both.
Few things bring people together like food. No meal brings people together better than brunch. For generations, Sunday religious services have served as the foreword to family brunch. A drink or two is considered customary for all the adults, juice for the kids.
Using our entire week to plan just one meal is only fulfilling if we plan to consume said meal in the company of those whose presence we truly enjoy. So, brunch is shared with only the most special members of our circle. This naturally begets lots of picture taking and loud talking.
With higher exceptions in mind, the spread is prepared to meet the challenge of a selective palate. We’ll eat Honey Nut Cheerios if we’re hungry but we eat corn flake encrusted French toast, salmon, and drink mimosas because it’s brunch. The entire thing is meant to be superfluous, purely for pleasure.
What is more? I don’t believe brunch is merely some pop trend. From the days of white gloved afternoon teas, to the heavy mid-day meals of Italy, brunch has always been around in one form of another. And we have always taken it a little too seriously.
Speaking of Italy…
Food is to Chicago what wine is to … Florence. Sure, here you can find the culinary fusion of any number of cultures but even for the purest motherland menu Chicago is the place to eat. What other city can say that? We do food better than any other place in the world from the street truck variety to the edible art of legendary Charlie Trotter. So, it’s no surprise that we take brunch to the next level.
Top 5 Places to Brunch in Chicago
Here’s a list of my top 5 favorite spots for brunch in Chicago. Each restaurant raises the bar on dining in their own way. I’ve listed my favorites from each.
- Flo, 1434 W Chicago Ave (Noble Square)
What I imagine brunch must be like at Rick Bayless’ home. Mexican staples reimagined and exaggerated. My favorite: Chilaquiles and a Cholula bloody mary.
- The Publican, 837 W Fultan Mkt (West Loop)
Farm to table, beer, and meat. You will never leave The Publican hungry. The menu rotates but my past favorites include: Buttermilk biscuits, Shrimp and Grits, and any German Ale on draft.
- Blue Max Coffee, 26 Lathrop Ave (Forest Park)
You know when you find something so perfectly untouched that you’re hesitant to tell others for fear it may become jaded by notoriety? This is that. A naively quaint breakfast place in what looks from the outside to be your grandmother’s house. Blue Max Coffee is the best place to grab a dry brunch with your family (including the kiddies). My favorite: Huevos Benedictos and fresh squeezed OJ.
- Winberies, 151 N. Oak Park Ave (Oak Park)
I know this choice will make foodies citywide cringe in their day pajamas, but Winberies is just too good not to mention. I don’t do buffets. Also, this is a buffet. For $20, sample from a layout including fresh salmon and capers, French toast, a beef or chicken entre, and made to order omelets and waffles brought to your table. Boozie drinks are extra but this is Oak Park so it’s not that much extra in price. My favorite: Salmon from the buffet, made to order omelets, and a mimosa that’s worth its weight in ‘secco.
- Embeya, 564 W Randolph St (Near West Side)
If eggs and waffles aren’t your thing, please consider Embeya’s Asian fusion assortment. We love this place for challenging our idea of what scrambles when it comes to brunch. I’ve never had anything here I didn’t rave about to my friends. Plus, the cocktails are suburb. My favorite: Sunday’s tasting menu and a Punch Drunk.