Tag Archives: brunch

This Pertains to My Interests

This image has nothing to do with the brunch you are about to receive, but I took it on Saturday night on my date with Justin. It is the closest thing we get to "big sky" in our hood. Don't laugh at me if you are from Colorado.

This image has nothing to do with the brunch you are about to receive, but I took it on Saturday night on my date with Justin. It is the closest thing we get to "big sky" in our hood. Don't laugh at me if you are from Colorado.

So this weekend, my brother, his friends, and his ridiculously nice camera came for a visit. You might ask,”Was he apartment hunting because he is moving here shortly?” No such luck. Yet. But I feel like we are making strides in the right direction.

Most of the trip was a series of mishaps and getting caught in the rain, but at least brunch didn’t let us down. Six of us trudged up to northern Andersonville, or “Wisconsin” as Justin would say, and waited for about 6 hours in 90 degree heat/steam before being seated. We were eventually lead to a table on the patio directly in the sun, in the same heat that we just waited in for 27 hours. On the bright side, a constant stream of condensation from our water glasses dripped on our legs, and Amber guzzled an iced coffee the size of her torso.

Sounds great, right? Well when the food arrived, all was forgiven. Just look at it!

Summer peach & almond bostock french toast: Two thick slices of home made almond crusted brioche french toast, layered with warm syrah poached summer peaches and vanilla creme anglaise.

Summer peach & almond bostock french toast: Two thick slices of homemade almond crusted brioche french toast, layered with warm syrah poached summer peaches and vanilla creme anglaise.

Let's just see that again.

Let's just see that again.

I am telling you, I am more of a savory breakfast person, but this is one of the best things I have ever eaten before noon.

I am telling you, I am more of a savory breakfast person, but this is one of the best things I have ever eaten before noon. I wish I could send this through your computer screen so you could taste it.

Casey's key lime and apricot brioche french toast: Three thick slices of french toast layered with homemade lime curd and fresh apricot.

Casey's keylime and apricot brioche french toast: Three thick slices of french toast layered with homemade lime curd and fresh apricot.

The awesome thing about having a six person brunch is getting to try all the other dishes that you were pondering on the menu. I had blackberry blisscakes, mango & sour cherry blisscakes, huevos borrachos, and my good friends–home fries.

We signed our bill just as the storm hit the patio, we congratulated each other on our perfect timing, then we ran/waddled to our buses and declared brunch a victory.

If you would like to try these delightful dishes, and you live within 10 hours of Chicago, go to M Henry on Clark. You will not be disappointed.

Surfacing

WELL, then. That was the longest I have gone without posting since this thing started and it hurt me more than it hurt you. I am sure of that.

Where to begin? Last Saturday was wine club at my place. Attendance was good. Twenty bottles of wine were consumed, games were played, prizes were won, fun was had. I didn’t take a ton of photos during the event; I was the hostess and I was just plain tired from preparing for the party all day. However, my brother was in town and filmed with his fancy pants camera (now for sale), so those videos might surface someday.

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Manikins enjoying the backyard

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Amber's wine glass is roughly the size of her head. As wine glasses should be.

I had to thank Mr. Honeybear for providing the wonderful honey on top of our various cheese and cracker combos.

I had to thank Mr. Honeybear for providing the wonderful honey on top of our various cheese and cracker combos.

Catch Phrase. No explanation needed.

Catch Phrase. No explanation needed.

What do you do after you drink twenty bottles of wine?

Brunch.

Le Brunch to be specific. Le Creperie is one of my favorite brunch spots in the city. From its storefront on Clark street, you wouldn’t know that there was anything good going on in there. It is kind of dark and dingy at first glance. But after walking through the cave-like interior, you will emerge onto the back patio and feel that you’ve discovered the Atlantis of the brunch world. There are little red and white checkered tables under a canopy of leaves and twinkly lights. Flowers and trees are not something that generally flourish near the intersection of Clark and Diversey, so this place is golden.

Le Lovely.

Le Lovely.

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This was Jordan's first time to Le Brunch. We took him there because he is being heavily recruited by me and my friends to move to Chicago.

This was Jordan's first time to Le Brunch. We took him there because he is being heavily recruited by me and my friends to move to Chicago.

This poor nutella and strawberry crepe had a very shot life. It was quickly dismantled and consumed for dessert. Because you should always have dessert at brunch.

This poor nutella and strawberry crepe had a very short life. It was quickly dismantled and consumed for dessert. Because you should always have dessert at brunch. The Splenda packet under the plate cracks me up. Who are we trying to kid?

I am really excited to post all about by trip to Austin, Texas. I was there for four days last week and had an amazing time. OMG THE FOOD. I can’t…even…

Here is just a sneak peek. You are witnessing a blurried furry of food ecstasy.

Here is just a sneak peek. You are witnessing a blurred flurry of food ecstasy.

Decked

I have been hearing good things about an Andersonville restaurant called M Henry. Justin and I tested it for Sunday Brunch, and it shall now be called Mmmmm Henry. It was packed, of course, and it’s reputation has clearly leaked out of this neighborhood. Looks as if Lakeviewers and Lincoln Parkers know about this spot as well. Maybe even Wicker Parkers.

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The food we ordered was pretty fantastic, but Over Easy may still be our favorite breakfast spot. Though I haven’t tried the M Henry Blackberry Bliss cakes yet, so I can still be swayed. However, I would kind of feel like I am cheating on these.

Our walk home (from Wisconsin as Justin would say…since we were a whole 12 blocks north *GASP*) was really nice since there wasn’t a cloud in the sky all day long. If you were in the direct sun, it was perfect temperature. Perfect for the deck. YES–the roofdeck and yard are done!

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The only problem is the pesky powerlines that need to be ducked until the electric company comes by to move them. They were supposed be be here about a month ago. Who do you have to bribe in this city to get someone from Com-ed to show up? Hurumph. Oh well. It isn’t really very urgent I suppose. I will just lay on the deck instead of walking on the deck. No problem.

I leave you with these two random weekend DPH’s:

My 3rd grade self was drooling over these pretty handle bar streamers as we waited outside for a table at brunch. This bike even had a pretty white basket on the front. Want.

My 3rd grade self was drooling over these pretty handle bar streamers as we waited outside for a table at brunch. This bike even had a pretty white basket on the front. Want.

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Mostly Photos

This was a pretty good weekend. The only thing that could have been better was the temperature.

Sorry for all the cat photos lately. But how cute is Schween?

Sorry for all the cat photos lately. But how cute is Schween?

She looks like she is walking upright on two tiny legs. I kind of want to put a bowtie and a top-hat on her.

She looks like she is walking upright on two tiny legs. I kind of want to put a bowtie and a top-hat on her.

I know I have talked about this before, but there is no prettier garbage than onion skins.

I know I have talked about this before, but there is no prettier garbage than onion skins.

I CAN'T stop eating these.

I CAN'T stop eating these.

Yes!!

Yes!!

These pretty much appeared overnight. And I like it.

These pretty much appeared overnight. And I like it.

Amber's Brunch! Easter cheesy potatoes. mmmmm.

Amber's Brunch! Easter cheesy potatoes. mmmmm.

Mimosa on the roof deck with fresh squeezed Ryamba juice. Heavenly.

Mimosa on the roof deck with fresh squeezed Ryamba juice. Heavenly.

This would have been perfect if you add ten degrees. Check out that skyline.

This would have been perfect if you add ten degrees. Check out that skyline.

This is actually a Joe Davis mug, seeing as Ryan is in fact a Dog dad. Still awesome though.

This is actually a Joe Davis mug, seeing as Ryan is in fact a Dog dad. Still awesome though.

flowers

Eggs and Puppets

My mom came to Andersonville for brunch this morning, and we decided to try Big Jones for the first time. As we walked up Clark Street we couldn’t help but notice the weather was a wonderful balmy 34 degrees!! Marvelous. Sadly, I am not being the least bit sarcastic.

The menu at Big Jones is “Coastal Southern Cuisine” and perfect for a winter brunch. Andouille & Sweet Potato Biscuits, Shrimp & Grits, a Creole Cream Cheese Omelet, and the Fried Green Tomato BLT are all options for you to gorge on before noon. I am not sure I could handle this in the summer, although there are some lighter options on the menu…kind of. The meal starts out with a little plate of fried dough pastries rolled in powdered sugar. Beignets perhaps? They are melt-in-your-mouth good, and have a sneaking hint of bacon grease….mmm. Like carnival food, without the nastiness of a carnival. The cups of coffee (and portions) are HUGE, the atmosphere is cozy but lively, and the music is vintage soul. I will have to go back with a huge appetite and try dinner.

5347 N Clark

5347 N Clark

Sweet fluffy deep-fried lump of good (evil?)

Sweet fluffy deep-fried lump of good (evil?)

XXL

XXL

Breakfast Burrito, Chicken-Fried Steak Special, and Eggs New Orleans (Lump crab cakes on fresh popovers with poached eggs, béarnaise sauce, and potatoes O'Brien)

Breakfast Burrito, Chicken-Fried Steak Special, and Eggs New Orleans (Lump crab cakes on fresh popovers with poached eggs, béarnaise sauce, and potatoes O'Brien)

Good peoples of Chicago eating good foods of Chicago

Good peoples of Chicago eating good foods of Chicago

I have rarely been to brunch where the conversation was lacking. Often the meaning of life, the future, and what your want to be when you “grow up” are topics. Something about the time of day, the extravagant dishes, and caffeine excitement I think. And nothing beats a multi-hour patio brunch in the summer. With a mimosa. 3 1/2 months to go I think.

On our walk home, we were lucky enough to see the Puppet Bike in midst of an always stellar performance. It is often spotted along Clark Street in Andersonville or downtown by Millennium Park. Always welcome sight. If  you haven’t seen the Puppet Bike, you haven’t really lived. If you take a picture of the Puppet Bike, or any street kind of street performer, give them a tip. Otherwise it is kind of stealing and you are most likely being a bad tourist. I am not one to preach, but don’t be an ass.

Happiness is a bike-towed mini puppet theatre with performing squirrels

Happiness is a bike-towed mini puppet theatre with performing squirrels

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Sweet ride.

Sweet ride.