Il Poggiolo and Smylie Brothers Brewing Company: Brunch Bites

In this week's batch of brunch bites, Il Poggiolo releases a new brunch menu for fall and Smylie Brothers Brewing Company adds the weekend meal to its repertoire. 

(Benedict a la Smylie Brothers)

Another weekend, another new brunch menu. One of the latest belongs to Il Poggiolo in Hinsdale, where the American weekend pastime meets Italian influences. Courtesy of executive chef Saul Maya, the new fall menu is categorized into sections such as Uova, Dolce, Omelettes, Antipasti, Paninis, Pasta, and Insalate. Dishes include caprese Benedict, frittata bianca, crepes, salsiccia omelettes, bruschetta, capraccio di manza, salmon panini, gnocchi, bucatini, and more. Wash all that down with a sriracha Bloody Mary, a Moscow Mule, or a bellini. 

While one suburban restaurant is serving brunch with an Italian accent, another is brunching it up with barbecue. Smylie Brothers Brewing Company in Evanston is now offering brunch with a nod to all-American 'cue. Executive chef Grant Carey goes the extra mile to do meaty brunch right by smoking his own bacon over cherrywood, curing salmon in-house, and baking bread in his wood-fired pizza oven. The result is an exceedingly homey and comforting brunch menu of pulled pork Benedict, fried chicken biscuits and gravy, bacon Bloody Mary's and more.