Brunch at Francesca's Restaurants

Francesca’s Fiore (7407 W. Madison Street, Forest Park, IL 60130, 708-771-3063) has been added to the list of Francesca’s restaurants that are serving brunch.  Delicious brunch menu items include Pollo e Uova, Crispy chicken confit and bacon hash with two eggs any style ($10.99) or Capicolla Spinaci Benedict, Spicy capicolla ham, parmesan, spinach, toasted English muffin with hollandaise and house potatoes ($10.99).  Sweet options include French Toast and Jam, Vanilla bean battered Texas hollybread, topped with red wine grape compote, mascarpone and toasted almonds ($8.99) and Sweet Pancakes ($9.00).

Mia Francesca (3311 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60657; 773-281-3310), the flagship restaurant of the Francesca’s restaurant group, features a brunch menu including Italian breakfast favorites like Baked Uovo Florentina, soft baked egg, fontina cheese and creamed spinach on ciabatta toast and white truffle oil ($10.00) or Torta di Salviata, a fresh sage omelette with parmigiano regiano served with house potatoes ($10.00). Sweet options include Sweet Pancakes ($9.00), Blueberry ricotta pancakes with blueberry-lemon compote ($9.00) or French Toast and Jam. ($9.00). Mia Francesca also offers brunch cocktails like the Good Morning Sunrise with apricot nectar, the Sea Breeze Mimosa with cranberry and pink grapefruit or the Zing Zang Bloody Mary, each for $5.00.

Francesca’s Bryn Mawr (1039 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago, IL 60660; 773-506-9261) now has a brunch menu that features many of the same Italian classics, like the $5.00 Mimosa, with a few items unique to Francesca’s Bryn Mawr, including Savory Pancakes with polenta and bacon on sweet corn pancakes with maple butter, each for $9.00.

Francesca’s Forno (1576 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622; 773-770-0184) is offering a brunch options for city dwellers. Brunch cocktails include the Forno Bloody Mary with vodka and the Salty Dog, made with vodka, fresh squeezed grapefruit juice and served in a glass with a salted rim, each for $6.00. The food options include Frutta e Granola, Milk & Honey Café granola with vanilla yogurt and fresh berries ($7.00), Bourbon-Soaked French Toast, challah with bourbon vanilla bean batter, maple crème fraiche and candied walnuts ($9.00) and a classic Breakfast Monte Cristo, made with an English muffin, fontina, crispy pancetta and a fried egg with spicy tomato jam and hash browns ($10.00).

Easter Brunch, Dinner and Spring Events in Chicago and surrounding areas

Spring is just around the corner, and with it are great holidays that give us an excuse to go to brunch. Whether it’s Easter, Mother’s Day, or just a weekend morning you’re celebrating, brunch is a great meal for celebration. We see a lot of brunches here at Kurman, so here are some of our favorite choices.

Celebrate early and take a trip around the Chicago French Market (131 N Clinton, 312-575-0306) March 31!  Bring the family and Hop the Bunny Train to take in the sights of the market.  After the trip, watch the kids scurry around during the annual Easter Egg Hunt at 1:30 pm.  Throughout the day of fun, participants will get the chance to meet a very special guest: The Easter Bunny!  The Chicago French Market also will be offering market-wide tastings during the day. The train departs at 11 am.  So come out for a family day of Easter fun!

Chicago French Market vendor Delightful Pastries is offering a special Easter menu for your holiday gatherings.  Choose from a selection of sweet and savory dishes including Lamb Cakes with buttercream or dusted with powder sugar, Bunny Rabbits, Cupcake baskets, Mocha Chocolate Bundt Cake, Rum and Raisin Yeast Babka, Italian Ricotta Cheesecake, Rhubarb Strawberry pie, Lamb & Spinach Pie, Mushroom, Onion, Leek and Swiss cheese Quiche, Asparagus, Ham & Swiss Cheese Quiche and Salmon en Croute. Call ahead for all orders! All orders must be placed by April 2, 2012.

Elate (111 W. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60654; 312-202-9900) serves a delicious brunch menu Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for Easter. They also will be adding an extra optional cheese and dessert buffet for an extra $12 per person. Elate’s a la carte brunch menu includes classics like Build Your Own Omelette ($13.00) and a Breakfast Burrito ($13.00) with twists on the classics, like their Banana Custard French Toast ($12.00), Breakfast Pizza ($13.00) and Vegetarian Black Bean Burger ($11.00). Elate also features an extensive Juice Bar during brunch with familiar favorites like orange juice, grapefruit juice and lemonade ($4.00) and some more unique options, like the Asian Rabbit, a mix of carrot juice and ginger ($7.00), the Sunrise, a combination of pineapple, strawberry and lime juice ($9.00), and the Chicago Cleaner with apple, beet and lemon ($7.00). 

For brunch, Elate also offers unique drinks from the bar like the Cranberry-Pear Bellini ($9.00) or a variety of signature coffee drinks in a footed mug. For an additional $20.00, Elate also will provide bottomless mimosas with the purchase of an entrée.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar (25 E. Ohio St., Chicago, IL 60611; 312-329-9463 and 960 Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire, IL 60069; 847-793-0333) has special brunch hours and specials for Easter, April 8, Mother’s Day, May 13, and Father’s Day, June 17. Fleming’s will serve brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and feature three delicious courses for only $34.95 and $12.95 for children’s brunch excluding tax and gratuity. For Easter, Fleming’s also offers their Blood Orange Fizz Cocktail, a delightful mix of Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur, Stoli Vodka, fresh lemon juice and a splash of club soda for $6.95. To make reservations for your favorite spring brunch holiday, call your preferred Fleming’s location or make reservations online at www.flemingssteakhouse.com.

Several Francesca’s restaurants also have recently introduced brunch menus.  Brunch menu is served 10 am - 3pm.

Mia Francesca (3311 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60657; 773-281-3310), the flagship restaurant of the Francesca’s restaurant group, features a brunch menu including Italian breakfast favorites like Baked Uovo Florentina, soft baked egg, fontina cheese and creamed spinach on ciabatta toast and white truffle oil ($9.99) or Frittata al Salsiccie, a fresh sage omelette with parmigiano regiano ($9.99). For those with a sweet tooth, Mia Francesca also offers delicious Pancakes al Ricotta, mocha ricotta pancakes with cinnamon whipped cream drizzled with honey ($8.99) or French Toast and Jam, French toast with vanilla bean butter, Texas toast, red wine grape jam, mascarpone and almonds ($8.99). Diners also have the option to build their own omelette for $12.99. Mia Francesca also has superb brunch cocktails like the Good Morning Sunrise with apricot nectar, the Sea Breeze Mimosa with cranberry and pink grapefruit or the Zing Zang Bloody Mary, each for $5.00.

Francesca’s Bryn Mawr (1039 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago, IL 60660; 773-506-9261) is now serving brunch this month. Their brunch menu also features many of the same Italian classics, like the $5.00 Mimosa, with a few items unique to Francesca’s Bryn Mawr. Most notably Sweet Pancakes (blueberry and ricotta pancakes with blueberry-lemon compote) and Savory Pancakes (polenta and bacon on sweet corn pancakes with maple butter), each for $9.00.

Francesca’s Forno (1576 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622; 773-770-0184) is offering their unique take on brunch as well. Francesca’s Forno offers impressive brunch cocktails like the Forno Bloody Mary (vodka, spicy tomato juice and a shot of beer), the St. Germaine Cocktail (St. Germain and Prosecco) and the Salty Dog, made with vodka, fresh squeezed grapefruit juice and served in a glass with a salted rim, each for $6.00. The food options at Francesca’s Forno during brunch hours are just as delicious and impressive. From simple Frutta e Granola, Milk & Honey Café granola with vanilla yogurt and fresh berries ($7.00), to decadent Bourbon-Soaked French Toast, challah with bourbon vanilla bean batter, maple crème fraiche and candied pecans ($9.00), or a classic Breakfast Monte Cristo, made with an English muffin, fontina, crispy pancetta and a fried egg with spicy tomato jam and hash browns ($10.00), there is an option for every palate at Francesca’s Forno for brunch.

Francesca’s Tavola (208 S. Arlington Heights Road, Chicago, IL 847-394-3950) is offering a special Easter Bunny Brunch Menu for families to come and enjoy along with a visit from the Easter Bunny!  Kids will enjoy their choice of Buttermilk or Chocolate Pancakes or French Toast, served with a piece of sausage or bacon, or the Egg Breakfast, served with a piece of toast and a piece of sausage or bacon.  All kid’s meals come with regular milk, chocolate milk or orange juice.  All kid’s meals are $6.95.  Adult brunch options include Bistecca con Vovo, 10 oz. Ribeye, served with two eggs, any style with roasted potatoes and toast ($16.99),  and Panettone, Italian French toast with mixed berries, sweet mascarpone cheese and a drizzle of maple syrup, served with a choice of bacon or sausage ($10.99).

For more Francesca's brunch locations go to www.miafrancesca's.com.

Maxwell’s at the Club (200 N. Kingsbury St., Chicago, IL 60610; 312-527-5800) has an Easter brunch perfect for entertaining family, friends and guests available 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 8. Brunch at Maxwell’s is $45.00 for adults and $15.00 for children 10 and under. As a special treat for the family, Easter Bunny will make a special appearance from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Maxwell’s Easter brunch has something for everyone. For those who prefer a sweet Sunday brunch, the Bananas Foster French Toast, fluffy Waffles from the waffle bar or Sour Cream Pancakes are delicious sweet brunch treats. For those who say brunch is not complete without eggs, Maxwell’s also offer an Omelette Bar, Eggs Benedict or Eggs Florentine. The health-conscious in your brunch group will appreciate Maxwell’s wide variety of Seasonal Fresh Fruit and Granola and Yogurt. Maxwell’s also features an impressive Roast Beef Prime Rib Carving Station for brunch, as well as Shrimp Cocktail and Chilled Roasted and Poached Salmon. Go here for a complete Easter brunch menu.

No matter what taste buds enjoy, they are sure to find something to enjoy at Maxwell’s. For reservations, call (312) 527-5800, extension 301, or schedule at Maxwell’s website, using the Book a Table feature on the left.

In the suburbs, your best bet for brunch is Prairie Grass Cafe (601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, IL 60062; 847-205-4433), with Chef Sarah Stegner and Chef George Bumbaris cooking for you!

Prairie Grass Café’s Easter brunch menu is a lovely combination of everything we have come to love about brunch. Every guest starts their meal with their signature “PGC Benedict” a poached egg with spinach and roasted tomato hollandaise. They are then able to take advantage of Prairie Grass’s amazing brunch buffet, which includes a made to order omelet station, hot waffles, Prairie Grass’s signature Moussaka (layers of eggplant, potato and braised lamb topped with Bechamel sauce), a variety of salads and fresh baked goods from French baguettes to croissants and Danishes, among other choices. To end their meal, diners will also have the opportunity to partake in a dessert buffet, including Prairie Grass’s famous Mom’s Homemade Banana Cream Pie, Cherry Crumble, Double Chocolate Cupcakes, a crepe station and a variety of fresh fruit. The variety of brunch options at Prairie Grass Cafe is sure to please every guest.

Prairie Grass’s Easter brunch hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, April 8. Brunch is $42 for adults and $15 for children 10 and under.

Chef Massimiliano Campagnini has created specialty menu for Easter Dinner for classic Italian eatery Volare (201 East Grand Avenue, 312-410-9900).  Located in Chicago’s River North neighborhood Volare will serve Easter dinner 12 pm -10 pm Sunday April 8.  The menu will include Crema d’Asparagi con crema fresca, an asparagus soup served with crème fraich ($4.00).  Pappardelle al Ragu d’agnello con ricotta affumicata, a house made Pappardelle pasta sauteed with Lamb Ragu and vegetables served with Lamb jus and smoked Ricotta ($21.00).  Trancio di Branzino su Fagiolini saltati in salsa Limone e Mandorle, a pan seared Sea bass filet served over sautéed green beans in a Lemon sauce with toasted Almonds ($30.00).  Costolette d’Agnello impanate al Parmiggiano su insalatina con olio d’oliva tiepido al Rosmarino, a pan seared Parmesan crusted Lamb chop served over a micro green salad with a warm Rosemary flavored Extra Virgin Olive Oil for ($30.00) and for dessert Semifreddo all’Amaretto con Zabaglione, a semi-frozen Amaretto flavor parfait served with Sabayon ($6. 00). Classic Italian cuisine at its best!

Westfield Old Orchard (Skokie Blvd & Old Orchard Center, 847-673-6800) is providing Easter fun for North Shore and surrounding area families. April 7 marks Westfield Old Orchard’s annual Easter Egg Hunt!  You won’t want to miss this opportunity.  Kids will hunt for the Golden Eggs filled with prizes from Westfield retailers.  Participating kids can also enjoy a day of face painting and take home a piece of balloon art.  New York Life will be partnering with Westfield by providing free Child ID’s (name, picture and finger print) for parents to take home.  Registration for this free Easter event starts 10:30 am April 7 and is open to the first 150 families who arrive. Kids must be between the ages of 2-5 years old to participate. The festivities will commence 11:30 am in the Serpent Play area.  For more information, contact the Westfield Old Orchard Concierge at 847-673-6800.

Jermann Wine Dinner slated at two Francesca's

Mia Francesca and Francesca's Passaggio are hosting Jermann Winery with a four-course dinner paired with Italian wines from Jermann.

January 24, 7 p.m.  – Mia Francesca (3311 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60657; 773-281-3310)
January 25, 7 p.m.  – Francesca’s Passaggio (3124 S. Route 59, Naperville, IL 60564; 630-946-0600)

Damon Lawson of Epsom Imports will be in attendance to speak about the wines during the evening. Tickets are $65 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.

The evening begins with Rilletts di Salmone, salmon rillet crostini with celery, pink grapefruit and mint, paired with a delicious Canella Prosecco di Conegliano. The second course is Scallop Escabecio with honey crisp apple, celery and tarragon partnered with Jermann’s Pinot Grigio. This is followed by Prosciutto di Parma with pickled acorn squash, pear, arugula, hazelnuts and saba. Jermann’s Sauvignon Blanc makes a delightful companion for this course. The fourth course features Black Pepper Papardelle with Forrest mushrooms, cipollini onion and taleggio cream. This is with Jermann’s delightful Red Angel "by the moonlight." The meal finishes with Pancetta Wrapped Loin of Berkshire Pork with white beans, ham hocks, braised petite turnips and greens. This is paired with the Jermann "Blau Blau" as a perfect ending to the meal.

What are you doing for brunch this weekend?

Head on over to Mia Francesa’s  (3311 North Clark,  Chicago, 773-281-3310) to enjoy their fabulous new brunch Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Don’t miss trying our favorites, Pollo e Uovo (Crispy chicken and bacon hash with two eggs any style) $10.99; Melanzane Parmigiano (Eggplant parmesan benedict with hollandaise)  $9.99 and the to die for Pancakes al Ricotta (Mocha ricotta pancakes, cinnamon whipped cream, drizzled with honey) $8.99. They have a lovely a la carte  brunch menu and special selections from the popular Mia Francesca dinner menu. Bon appetit!

Mimosas at Mia Francesca

Wicker Park’s hot spot Francesca’s Forno (1576 N Milwaukee Ave., 773-770-0184) popular for its small plates traditional Italian with a contemporary twist, is now open for lunch 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and brunch , 10 am – 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. They also boast a terrific late night menu available 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Our hot picks on the Forno brunch menu include the Bourbon-Soaked French Toast (Challah with bourbon vanilla bean batter, maple crème fraiche and candied pecans) $9, Savory Pancakes (Polenta, bacon, sweet corn pancakes with maple butter) $9, and the Breakfast Monte Cristo (English muffin, Fontina, crispy pancetta, fried egg with spicy tomato jam and hash browns) $10. Of course, you can build your own omelet, $12 and enjoy a fabulous Forno Bloody Mary (Vodka, spicy tomato juice, shot of beer) $6.

 Happy Brunching!

Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer almost at Shochu!

...from Laura Hansen's blog "Best of the Best Dining Chicago" ...

You can barely see Jennifer A., but there is a good shot of Shochu!Why am I posting this? Because you would not beleive how many people in Chicago search on Jennifer (and Vince Vaughn). They also want to know every other single place in Chicago that ”the stars” go to eat. Call it a shameless way to gain visibility (and you would be right!). They would certainly want to know where these celebs dine more that the places I haunt! LH Rocker John Mayer had a concert just outside of Chicago on Friday night at the First Midwest Bank Ampitheatre in Tinley Park, Illinois. Although girlfriend Jennifer Aniston wasn’t spotted at the show, that didn’t mean she wasn’t there!After the show the two lovebirds cooped up in a posh Chicago hotel and weren’t spotted again until Saturday. Trying their best to be elusive, the couple secretly headed to one of Jen’s favorite Windy City restaurants for dinner, Mia Francesca’s in Lincoln Park.The couple dined on a two hour long dinner, that went well past the restaurant’s usual closing time, in a private room upstairs. Check out the picture above that a Boots reader sent us of John and Jen swiftly exiting the restaurant into their chauffeured SUV!“They seemed really happy to be together,” a source told us. “But they weren’t very friendly or receptive to a few fans waiting to say hi!”Mayer and Aniston checked out on Sunday and headed to Colorado where John had a concert that night.Post courtesy of: http://thesebootsaremadeforstalking.com/?p=7848