Chicago Restaurant Brunch Bites: Bistros, "Pink" Bacon, and Upside-down Cake

Tartines, "pink" bacon, and peach upside-down cake are some of the latest offerings on brunch menus around Chicago. Intrigued? You should be. In a world of stroller-packed pancake spots, it helps to have reputable brunch offerings that are unique, delicious, and accessible. LM Bistro, Tavernita, and Trenchermen all have new brunch happenings to get excited about.


LM Bistro just launched its new weekend gastro brunch, which sounds like a science experiment, and tastes like an A-plus. The menu features two sections, a cheval and les tartines, two items not commonly seen on most brunch menus around town FYI. A cheval are sorta like egg sandwiches, sans the bread. There are a few options to choose from, including the traditional made with caramelized onions, Gruyère, and a sunny-side up egg; the vegetarien made with portabella mushrooms, Brie, and truffle scrambled eggs (that will wake you up in the morning!); and the poisson with whitefish, tartar sauce, and a poached egg. Then there are the tartines, open-faced sandwiches eaten with a knife-and-fork. Enticing options include the Benedict 111, with cured ham, poached eggs, and cider béarnaise; and a steak and egg tartine layered with roquette, horseradish, and fried eggs. In case you want something a little tamer, LM Bistro still has a menu full of standard brunch fare, as well as a $25 mimosa and entree special.


Tavernita continues its monthly Bacon and H.A.M. Brunch series with a pink affair on August 25. That particular Sunday, the restaurant welcomes guest brunch hosts Melissa Forman and Jeanne Sparrow from WCIU's You and Me this Morning. As with past brunch promos with guest hosts, this one benefits a designated charity, Bright Pink, a non-profit specializing in the early detection of breast and ovarian cancers. Guests are encouraged to pimp themselves out in pink and enjoy four-course sharing menus with cocktails for $18.50 per person. And nothing says "think pink" like plates of French toast with ginger whipped cream and vanilla sauce, or Belgian waffles with fried eggs and candied bacon. The event will also feature a DJ and pink party favors for guests. Only thing missing is P!nk. Proceeds from the featured sparkling cocktail, Pink Elephant, support Bright Pink.


Trenchermen continues its monthly featured coffee and pastry pairing with pour-over coffee from Metric Coffee Co. and peach-pecan upside-down cake. A few months ago, the restaurant began featuring an individual coffee company each month for its weekend brunch, offering the coffee in pour-over format as part of a pairing with a special pastry designed to compliment the flavors in the brew. This month's coffee hails from Panchoy Valley, Guatemala, and it pairs marvelously with the summery, nutty upside-down cake. Doughnuts, eat your heart out.


LM Bistro
(Eat gastro brunch at LM Bistro)

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