We've all heard of ladies who lunch. And there are times when I really would like, someday, to be a lady who "lunches". But, I really love brunch. I'm pretty sure it's my favorite meal. Probably because it usually happens on Saturday or Sunday, very leisurely, with friends, and of course a brunch cocktail or two. A bit like Sunday Supper, it's more about the company - the conversation and laughter that tend to ensue - and the relaxing, stress-free nature of the event, than it is about the food. Don't get me wrong, I don't like BAD brunch food, and I prefer a place with an above average bloody mary, but a restaurant would have to be really horrible before I would have an overall bad brunch. So, instead of a lady who does lunch, I want to be a lady who does brunch.
If the past several weeks are any indication, I'll be pretty darn good at it! Two weekends ago, Ali and Darcie were in town for Aly's pre-wedding girls weekend. We enjoyed one of Aly and I's favorites, Harmony Grill, on Saturday morning. You really can't go wrong with any item on the menu. I say this despite only ever eating 3 different items. Everything else looks equally amazing, but I just can't get past my favorites. Maybe one of these days. The real reason we love Harmony Grill, though, is the bloody mary. Shocker, I know. First of all, it's perfectly spicy. Second, it comes with a skewer of salami, cheese, garlic stuffed olive, a pickle, and a stalk of celery. Meal in a glass. Excellent. Finally, it's only $4. For a pint glass. This is no feeble bloody mary. It's the real deal and one of my favorite bloody mary's in the city ... for the bargain basement price of $4. Should you be so inclined, you can have 3 here for the price of 1 very average bloody mary at many other brunch spots in Chicago. I recommend giving it a try. Uh, not necessarily the 3 bloody mary part, I've never actually made it past 1.
Back to my point ... Saturday - Harmony Grill. Sunday - quite possibly my favorite brunch. Bacon, egg and cheese on english muffin from my very own kitchen. This all started back when Jill and Andrew lived in Chicago. Every so often on Sunday mornings, we would convene in my kitchen for the king of all brunches. Andrew would make a batch of his famous guacamole. I would fry up some bacon and then fry the eggs in the bacon grease. If you aren't already aware, this is the ONLY way to fry eggs. Ok, obviously there are other ways, but those eggs aren't really worth eating. Being from the South, Andrew was impressed & I am pretty sure, for this reason alone, this immediately became his favorite brunch as well. Bacon and eggs done, toast the english muffin, add a slice of cheddar or pepper jack or whatever cheese makes your mouth happy, top with guac and maybe a touch of sriracha. Perfection.
July 4th weekend brunch fell on Monday morning since it was a holiday. Another fabulous brunch. This time it was Orange, which is an old favorite that I haven't visited in many years. An enjoyable reunion filled with food as yummy as I remember it, orange-flavored coffee, and many laughs with friends - Mike, Holly, and Sam. A delightful way to start what became a wonderful Monday spent doing nothing special with someone very special.
Finally, just yesterday, I met Megan for brunch at Sola. Thanks to a 1/2 mile swim, I was ravenous by the time our food arrived. As usual, my eyes were bigger than my stomach, and I was feeling full after eating about one-quarter of the food on my plate. But the food was simply too good and I managed to eat just over half of my plate, and for the second time in less than 16 hours, I was leaving a restaurant feeling like my stomach might pop. (Thank you, HB - Home Bistro, for an amazing dinner on Saturday night! The blackberry bread pudding certainly pushed me over the edge, but it was absolutely worth it, and I will do it again next time!) Another fantastic Sunday brunch. Good food and even better company.
So, there you have three weekends worth of evidence. I think being a "lady who brunches" will suit me just fine. :)
