Brunch at The Bristol Chicago

The Bristol is one of my favorite neighborhood restaurants. Chef Pandel offers so many amazing sweet to savory brunch options, but I generally crave their eggs benedict and the hubby devours the chilaquiles! Additionally, the duck fries are a must. You can check out my previous post @TheBristol here to find out what else to order for brunch! 

Pastry cream filled bombolini, cinnamon and sugar

Smoked ham benedict, mustard hollandaise, potatoes

Braised pork chilaquiles, fried egg, lime, cilantro, queso fresco 

The Bristol 

2152 North Damen Ave

Chicago

773.862.5555

Reserve via OpenTable.com

Balena

Have you ever drooled over a food shot on Instagram? and had the thought you needed to have it now?  Well, I know I'm guilty of that!  It happened to me recently with a shot from Balena's kitchen, of Chef Chris Pandel's grilled lamb chop with mint salsa verde.  Balena is the sister restaurant to The Bristol, and it's one of my favorite spots in the 'hood to dine for dinner or brunch.  Its been in my dining rotation since its opening week, when I was blown away by the Zingerman's burrata beet salad and orecchiete with kale, lemon, and breadcrumbs (still on the menu by the way but with gigli pasta).Balena is perfect for a date night or group dining, and I even planned a wonderful Bachelorette party there for my girlfriend January.  

Steve, my husband and I went for our date night! 

We started with the rigatoni, pork ragu, porcini mushrooms 

Next, a 12" pizza with brussels sprout, red onion, pancetta, pecorino romano. You can get shaved truffles added to your pizzas at M.P. Now, that's baller!



Finally, the dish I have been dying to try! Grilled lamp chops, mint salsa verde, braised cannellini beans. Bravo Balena for satisfying our taste buds again!

Balena Chicago 

1633 North Halsted 

Chicago

312.867.3888

Brunch @ The Bristol

The Bristol, located in Bucktown (my neighborhood), is the sister restaurant to Balena. I headed over there with my husband, my friend Nick and his out-of-town foodie friend to enjoy a lovely Saturday brunch.  Chef Chris Pandel's creations are some of the most delicious dishes in Chicago. From his pasta, charcuterie, to the most OMG farm to table vegetarian dishes this meat eating gal craves, Pandel brings it all. The Bristol is open for brunch both Saturday and Sunday, so do yourself a favor and go check it out this weekend! You can make a reservation by clicking here. 

We started with a shared "appetizer" of the cinnamon roll 

Nick's friend and I ordered the smoked gouda burger with duck confit, cherry peppers, vidalias with a duck fat fries. 

      Nick ordered the biscuits and gravy, black pepper and sage sausage with a poached egg 

Steve, my husband, is a chilaquiles aficionado. He always orders that for brunch.  This chilaquiles were served with fried eggs, lime, cilantro and queso fresco no corn tortilla/chips. 

The Bristol 

2152 North Damen Ave

Chicago 

773.862.5555