When I worked in River North years ago, I used to hit up Brett’s Kitchen for oatmeal in the morning and come back a few hours later for a Mexican chicken pita with avocado for lunch. Now I only frequent this great, hidden-gem lunch spot when I’m running errands in the area or if it’s a Friday and they’ve just pulled their fudge brownies out of the oven. The place still gets packed around lunchtime, and the ordering/paying/pick up process is still more chaotic and confusing then it should be, (mostly due to the small space and 4-5 cooks multi-tasking like nobody’s business from two large grills). And luckily, the menu hasn’t changed either: The Mexican chicken pita completely rocks, and they whip up a mean hamburger, killer Ruebens, as well as a bevy of healthy vegetable sandwiches and salads as well as classic deli fare. They have interesting lunch specials like turkey burgers with mango-papaya salad, some of the best French fries in town and a $4 grilled cheese sandwich. There are a few small tables with pretty quick turnover, so just eye one down until you score it. And grab one of their breads, massive cookies or said brownies on the way out. For a quick, not-so-greasy lunch spot, I think the menu variety and prices are Brett’s some of the best in the city, regardless of a couple chalkboard typos (can anyone spot ’em below?). Brett’s Kitchen 233 W. Superior St., 312.664.6354
Brett’s Kitchen
Filed under ..and more, quick lunch
Solly’s Grille
The Chicago Tribune recently reported that Jack in the Box Junior Bacon Cheeseburger is the most unhealthy value item you can get off a fast food menu. The story made me wonder if they forgot to take the Solly Burger into consideration. Technically more 1950s diner than fast food, Solly’s Grille is a Milwaukee institution, and the famous butter-soaked Solly burger has been recognized nationally for its saturated greatness. I actually love the soft egg bun the most, reminiscent of a McDonald’s burger bun. The rest of the flavor comes mostly from the grilled-to-order onions and scoop of butter that starts smack dab in the middle of the patty and ends up soaking the entire plate. Pair it up with a chocolate shake or malt, belly up to the bar (literally), take in the random Packer’s memorabilia on the walls and prepare not to eat for a good two days. Solly’s Grille, 4629 N. Port Washington Rd., Milwaukee, WI 414.332.0808
Filed under eliz-a-trip
On the table: The Publican
Water glasses, brown napkins, forks, knives, plates. 837 W. Fulton Market, 312.733.9555
Filed under on the table
Worth the wait?
I read a story recently about how along with restaurants in general, independent coffee shops and diners are getting hit especially hard by the economy right now. I noticed that Blend on Division closed up shop not too long ago (but may be reopening as Fuel?), and Sip Coffee House was strangely empty last weekend. It was after 1PM on a Sunday and my laptop and I had our veritable pick of tables and outlets to boot (note: I am hoping it was just an unusually slow day, if Sip closes I will truly cry). And while I’ve definitely noticed just a slight drop in the number of diners at restaurants around town, I believe Chicago will always have its fail safe institutions that never seem to slow down. These places are so consistently great in everything from the food to the service, that no matter how much people are spending, you’ll still be ousted you to a corner of the restaurant or to the bar if you try to drop in on a weekend. My recent two-hour wait before dinner at La Scarola had me thinking about it, and I wanted to give a shout out to the other steadfast institutions I still see going strong. Here’s a list of some places I’ve recently visited over the past few months with their respective wait times. Anyone wait longer or shorter than usual for a popular spot? Shout it out in the comments below..
1). Le Bouchon..reservation, 10 minute wait
2). La Scarola…no reservation..2 hour wait
3). Hopleaf…..no reservation..2 and half hour wait
4). Sushi Wabi…called day of for reservation, earliest available 9:45PM
5). Hot Doug’s….no reservation..45-minute wait (outside)
6). Rockit..no reservation..sat right down, but every table packed around us
Filed under ..and more
Bar Deville
My obsession with neon signs continues as I simultaneously rejoice a new cool bar in the ‘hood from the guys behind Empire Liquors and Angels & Kings. I had heard rumblings of Bar Deville coming to East Village/Ukie Village for some time, and I finally checked it out over the weekend. It was on the early side and I don’t know how crowded the place gets late night, but I imagine the plush antique couches and chairs nestled into groups in the back room fill up fast. Gritty brick walls give the back area a cozy, cavernous feel, while the simple front room has a speakeasy vibe with a refurbished art deco bar, large wooden booths, small tables and dim lighting unmarred by beer signs or large plasma screens (there are two subtle ones above the bar). So glad it won’t be ruined by cigarette smoke or Golden Tee, and I loved that they had a Dark and Stormy drink special. 701 N. Damen Ave., 312.929.2349
Filed under boozeworthy
The Bongo Room
Red corn pancake with fresh cranberries and pecan honey maple butter
Why is it about brunch at the Bongo Room that makes it simultaneously the best and the worst idea ever? While decadent stacks of pancakes doused in combinations of chocolate, banana and whipped cream beckon, long waits for a table are pretty much a given on the weekends, at least at the Wicker Park location. They give you coffee in cool thick mugs while you wait, but you still have to see the colorful mélange of desserts-on-a-plate swoosh by en route to other tables as you wait for what feels like hours. But when you do finally sit, as we did at the South Loop location on Saturday, it somehow makes it all worth while. I can appreciate the sweet stuff, but the salty always wins out and I end up getting a veggie omelet or salmon Benedict with dill Hollandaise sauce, and throw in a single pancake on the side to try. The restaurant is great about keeping their decadent classics on the menu, but also mixes things up with sweet and savory concoctions like white chocolate and caramel-covered pretzel, which in theory sounded amazing, but was a stomach ache waiting to happen. The red corn pancake with fresh cranberries and pecan-honey maple butter special, however, was way more my speed. I’m obsessed with red corn, which creates a slight cornbread texture while the fresh cranberries offer touches of tart sweetened out by the spreadable maple butter and powdered sugar on top. I ordered the side dish of one, but could easily have polished off a full stack. The Bongo Room, 1152 S. Wabash Ave., 312.291.0100.
Filed under cheap, tasty brunch, I like to eats
On the table: Province
Two black napkins, two white plates, two water glasses, two knives, two forks, cork table, shadows from trees hanging above. Province, 161 N. Jefferson St., 312.669.9900
Filed under new restaurants, on the table
ELIZABITES 