Saturday Brunch at Backstreet Cafe

Every time I get to go to brunch I get really excited. There is something magical about the breakfast and lunch combinations that are on the menu. This brunch visit took my friend and me to Backstreet Cafe. Tucked away this quaint little has a shaded private patio that is a perfect way to enjoy a Saturday morning. After enjoying the mini muffins, scones, and an Italian mimosa, it was time to get to the main meal. Luckily for me, my friend let me taste hers so I got my little bit of sweet and a little bit of savory. She ordered the stuffed french toast with bananas, maple syrup, and a caramel sauce. There was just a touch of crunch on the outside and the bananas maintained their texture, so it wasn't just a melted blob. The caramel sauce added a interesting twist to the maple syrup. The bread was able to hold all the delicious filling without getting soggy.

I ordered the migas. This was a scrambled egg mixture with tortillas chips, peppers, black beans, bacon, a toasted tortilla and some salsa. This is a fun dish because you can mix it all together, eat it all separately, or make your own little tacos. I did a little bit of all those options. This way I got to try everything on it's own and then together. The salsa was spicy and fresh. I was surprised at how yummy the tortilla was. It was toasted so there is just a hint of crispiness to it. The eggs were some of the best I have had in a while. They were well seasoned and fluffy. The tortillas chips weren't at all soggy and the veggies in the eggs added some textural differences. I would definitely recommend this as a fun brunch place. But be sure to make a reservation as it gets pretty busy.

Horizon Cafe

During my short and sweet stay in Chicago, we managed to squeeze in a breakfast outing to Horizon Cafe. It was just a place where you felt at home. I love breakfast even though it is a constant struggle and seriously one of the hardest decisions I make, especially when I go out to eat. When I make breakfast at home, it's usually eggs and fruit. However, when I go out I have to decide between sweet and savory (a very tough choice). But sometimes you just need something simple and yummy. I used to eat cinnamon raisin toast all the time when I was little, so I decided to go old school and order a past time favorite. This cinnamon french toast was filling and there was plenty of it! The plump raisins and tender, but not soggy bread was the perfect blend of textures. I am not one of those people who drowns everything in syrup, but a light drizzle added just a touch of sweetness. Horizon Cafe is the go to breakfast for my Texans in Chicago, so it was fun to see their hangouts. This is a hopping place on the weekends and it was great to just sit around and enjoy a good meal.

Sunday Brunch at Norma's

Brunch is one of my favorite meals because you can have sweet, like pancakes and waffles, or salty, like eggs and hash browns. For me it's always a challenge to pick between the two. However, when I stopped by Norma's at Le Parker Meridien, I was in luck. I got to have a little of both in one dish. When we sat down, the chef sent out a blueberry mango banana smoothie. It was served in this cute little shot glass and was refreshing and light. I could definitely drink that every morning... if someone made if for me of course. The coffee was served in a french press table side, so it was definitely much better than the coffee made in big batches. But that was just leading up to the star of brunch. Super cheesy french toast. I know, I know it sounds odds and I was hesitant at first, but I am telling you it was so incredibly delicious! The bread used was not the traditional challah bread and there were caramelized onions in the middle. (I have no idea how them got them there, but it was such a surprisingly yummy addition.) It was topped with shredded cheese and pepper bacon and served with au jus and maple syrup. I have didn't jump on the maple bacon bandwagon a while ago, but I should have because it's so delicious! This dish was salty and sweet all in one bite - the bread and caramelized onions were slightly sweet, the cheese and bacon were salty, and the syrup was the ingredient that tied it all together. I would have to say that this is by far the most creative and best french toast I have had. If I had my choice, this would be my "go to" for brunch. If you are in the area make sure to pop in an enjoy a delicious brunch, but go early or make a reservation because it fills up quickly.

Benjy's Brunch

Brunch is a combination of sweet and savory, where I struggle to decide which direction I want to go. So for this brunch outing, I decided to try somewhere new. Benjy's, a modern American restaurant, focuses on local ingredients with a seasonal menu. It's quaint little place with white leather 50s style chairs that make you feel right at home. Though, I do have to admit that it was pretty crowded and slightly hard to get around because it was so full. However, the super delicious muffin sampler served with apple butter was a pleasant surprise.

Even though I have this weird relationship with tomatoes, I decided to order the mozzarella, basil, and tomato omelet. This omelet was served a bit differently than how I usually get them and I think I actually prefer it. The egg was made into a tortilla and then the filling was wrapped inside. The best part is that there was no shortage of deliciousness, with red and yellow tomatoes tucked inside. It was topped with pesto, so the combination was fresh and light with a hint of saltiness from the mozzarella. It was served with fruit and oven roasted potatoes. The potatoes had a crunchy outside and soft inside, which made them delicious and some of the best brunch potatoes I have had. 

One of the dishes that Benjy's is known for is their nut crusted french toast. I would have never put those two things together, but the crunch from the nuts added a great textural element. It had a berry drizzle and was topped with fresh summer berries. It wasn't an extremely sweet dish, which was surprising because sometimes french toast can be overly sweet. It was served with homemade chicken sausage. The sausage was touched with cumin, creating a very unique flavor profile. I can say that I have not had anything like it and it was definitely a winner. Overall, brunch was a success and I will definitely be returning to check out their lunch and dinner menu. Plus, I hear they have a to die for chocolate cake, so I will be trying that.