Brunch Bites: FIG & OLIVE and MAX's Wine Dive

FIG & OLIVE: In this week's batch of brunch bites, FIG & OLIVE brings a taste of the Mediterranean to the Gold Coast and MAX's Wine Dive embraces childhood nostalgia. 

(Waffle at FIG & OLIVE)

Thanks to FIG & OLIVE's illustrious new brunch menu, diners can get a feel for the Riviera Coast in the Gold Coast. Weekend brunch at this gorgeous new downtown destination pays homage to the Riviera and Mediterranean coastal regions with a collection of wholesome, seasonal, and fresh dishes. The menu is pretty massive and potentially overwhelming, but bear with me. There's crostini, carpaccio, and soups to start, followed by appetizers, salads, and egg dishes, which include French omelettes, quiche Lorraine, and South of France poached eggs with salmon, toasted crostone bread and scallion-harissa spread. Sweet options include French toast with strawberry-rhubarb compote, pearl sugar-studded waffles, and assorted breads and croissants. For lunchier fare, there's bruschetta, panini, burgers, raw bar items, steak frites, salmon tartare, and lots more. There's even a nice selection of thoughtful mocktails. 

On the other end of the spectrum, MAX's Wine Dive eschews Mediterranean luxury for Saturday morning cartoons. In other words, the Wicker Park fried chicken-and-Champagne haunt with a "why the hell not" ethos is showcasing childhood nostalgia for their new Saturday Morning Cartoon Brunch, featuring a bevy of childhood-inspired creations, a candy mimosa bar, a huge sundae, and more. Think pepperoni pizza bagels; Scooby stacks with graham cracker pancakes, chocolate "buttah," crunchies, and housemade marshmallow sauce; bacon pancake dippers; and a six-person ice cream sundae. There will also be retro games like Hungry Hungry Hippos and Connect Four to play, plus classic cartoons on TV, and a candy mimosa bar stocked with Sour Patch Kids, Nerds, and other whimsical sweets. Cartoon Brunch is served Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. 

- Matt Kirouac