Brunch Bites: Cindy's and Pub Royale

In this week's batch of brunch bites, downtown hot spot Cindy's serves brunch atop the Chicago Athletic Association hotel and Pub Royale delivers an Indian-accented brunch to Wicker Park. 

 

Just when you thought Cindy's couldn't get any hotter, the restaurant perched atop the Chicago Athletic Association hotel just added brunch to their repertoire. What may very well be the buzziest restaurant of the summer, Cindy's now serves brunch on Saturdays and Sundays with a side of stunning Millennium Park views. In line with its dinner menu, the brunch fixtures are focused on seasonally inspired American cuisine executed by chef Christian Ragano. Items to look forward to include cast-iron quiche Lorraine, cinnamon raisin brioche French toast, Michigan berry pudding, and chilaquiles, among others. To drink, "spirit guide" Nandini Khaundi curates a bunch of "Sunrise Punches," along with kombucha drinks and mocktails. Brunch is served from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on weekends. 

Another eclectic option for weekend brunch is Pub Royale. The hyper-popular Wicker Park bar, whose Anglo-Indian menu stylings have drawn crowds since opening day earlier in the season, combines a few standout items from the dinner menu with several new items and morning-oriented cocktails. Dig into stuffed paratha with bacon, potato, cheese, and fried egg; kedgeree with smoked fish, rice, scallions, and soft-boiled egg; doughnuts with chai dulce de leche; and chicken tikka rati rolls studded with caramelized onions and cotija cheese. To drink, there's Four Letter Word coffee, house chai, and cocktails like the Bloody Maharani with tomato, lemon, hot sauce, and mitha misala. 

- Matt Kirouac