Brunch in the City

Over the last few weeks, I have taken the opportunity to hit some early morning brunch spots. Though I hit some old favorites, I have also tried some new places as well. Until this morning, I was solely smitten by Bakin' and Eggs (3120 N Lincoln Ave). B&E's menu offerings range from healthier options, such as the oatmeal with peach lavender compote, pecan streusel and brown sugar (ok, so not TOO healthy), to the clearly gluttonous options that include the bacon flight (7 types of bacon) and the Southern Comfort Bowl (basically cholesterol covered with sausage gravy... clearly delicious). Yesterday I had the caramelized onion frittata, was happy as ever, and couldn't imagine topping that breakfast, this weekend.

This morning, I woke up with a list of to-do's that I needed to fulfill. I figured a good breakfast was a no-brainer, so I hit up Google requesting the best brunch spots in Chicago. I weeded through the list, and came across the bar/restaurant, Old Town Social (OTS for short). Though I have passed this place a few times, I have never stopped in and have heard rumors of it being a little pretentious. At any rate, I took a glance at the menu and noticed the not-so-bar-food options. I liked what I saw and figured, what the hell.

When I arrive, the place is empty, or so it seems. I have no idea how many square feet the restaurant is, but it's big. I take a seat at the bar. Looking around, I notice an absence of TV's that usually adorn every square inch of the bar/restaurant combo that exists in Chicago. What OTS has done is smart. Most all of the TV's are either raised into the ceiling, or lowered behind the bar during typical dining hours. According to the bartender, once the facility goes into full-on bar mode, the TV's appear, the lights go dim and the music gets louder. To me, if you put time into a menu, and offer menu options that go beyond fried mini-tacos and cheeseburgers, it should feel like a restaurant, not a bar! I digress.

I glance over the menu. I am torn between two options: the cornmeal-bacon waffles with maple syrup and homemade grilled smoked sausage, or the pork belly benedict. A tough call, but I chose the waffles. After the first bite, I was immediately compelled to text a few foodie friends about just how good that bite was. Honestly, I am not a man that gets excited over waffles often, but this sausage/waffle combo was serious! After I finish my last bite, I glance over at a fellow patron who happens to have the benedict. I ask the status of his meal, and he he claims this pork belly benedict, is the best benedict he's ever had! Is this attestation debatable and overstated? Perhaps. But if they were anything like my waffles, then I think I believe him...

I will be back next Sunday to see for myself.