Having the day off, I figured it would be a great way to beat the weekend crowds by heading to the Bongo Room on a weekday. I was right—we were the first ones in the restaurant and the only ones at 8am, but unfortunately, they didn’t have the complete brunch menu which is only offered on weekends (doh!). But even with no Eggs Benedict, we were still satisfied with the usual breakfast fare!

Ok, so I’ve been on a brunch mission lately, and Toast was next on my list. This Lincoln Park joint is close to where I live, so I decided to check it out since I’ve read some great reviews about it. The interior is snug but well decorated, and we got there around 8 in the morning, so it was still pretty empty. This was definitely a kid-friendly place seeing how there were quite a few young families there with tykes running around. We got great service—friendly and attentive, but more importantly, the food was amazing and the quantities were huge! I was blown away by the French Toast Orgy, and the Eggs Benedict were also incredible. This is definitely another brunch place I have to add to my ever-growing list of places to revisit, especially since they also have an impressive lunch menu. Yum.

Kitsch’n on Roscoe is a cool, funky place for eccentrically fun breakfast and lunch items. We almost didn’t find the restaurant because it was tucked away in a smaller neighborhood, away from all the large streets and intersections. There was already quite a crowd waiting outside the restaurant when we got there around 11am or so, and it was a bit of a wait, but when we stepped in, we were charmed by the retro-hip setup inside. Old school posters and board games lined the walls, while the table settings & chairs looked like they came out of the 70’s. Quite unique. The service was a bit spotty, only because it was quite busy, but we enjoyed the food when it finally came out and overall, had a good time there, soaking in the groovy atmosphere.

This place was packed for brunch (and even more so since it happened to be Mother’s Day), but surprisingly, the wait was only 25 minutes for the two of us. We walked in and just soaked up the fun, bright atmosphere inside and were impressed with the menu selection—everything looked so temptingly good! Just a fun fun place with really fresh and innovative food… we’re already plotting for our return trip in the near future!

Tucked away in Andersonville is this very homey Italian spot with an impressive menu selection. The service was very attentive, and the atmosphere was nice and laid-back. However, just like the previous review, I would have loved to see larger portions for the price! Overall, I enjoyed my meal and had a good time there—they definitely do have some unique and creative selections for possible future visits.

Wow, this place was packed when we went on a Friday night; there were tons of families and young people crowded everywhere. The interior is really snug but it definitely has a fun & rowdy atmosphere. Overall, the dishes were plentiful and satisfying, but the truly lasting part of the meal is the authentic aromas—you’ll be smelling like Korean BBQ long after the meal has been finished, so don’t wear your nice clothes!

Weber Grill is a great place for good ol’ fashioned steaks and burgers. With it’s generous serving sizes and laid-back atmosphere, Weber is always one of our favorites when heading downtown. We usually go there when it opens on the weekend to avoid the crowds, but once the place starts filling up (and it usually does), the service does take a noticeable hit, but it’s nothing that’s deterred us yet. The appetizers and desserts are also worth checking out.

I’m reviewing Viceroy of India on Devon for the first time, but it’s actually my second time here, and I have to say, Devon street is quite a novelty for those who have never been before—the streets are jam-packed with Indian stores and restaurants, and the environment makes you feel as if you’ve been transported to a different land altogether.

Being located right in the midst of this bustling Chicago neighborhood, Viceroy of India is actually quite accessible from the nearby street parking. The interior of the restaurant is tastefully decorated, and the service is top-notch, combining for a stately experience.

Being a newbie at Indian cuisine, I was pleasantly surprised at the wide choice of dishes that were available. We were introduced to a platter of flat bread—actually more “chip”-like in texture than bread, and four flavorful dipping sauces that accompanied it. This was followed up by vegetable samosas, which was a pleasantly light and fluffy appetizer, and mango lassi’s—rich and creamy beverages that were fantastic. When the entrees arrived, we were definitely ready to dig in. From the savory butter chicken and goan fish curry to the unique spinach & cheese cubes and tandoori chicken skewers, we were overwhelmed with flavor and definitely stuffed by the end of the meal.

Although served in deceivingly small dishes, the food was surprisingly plentiful, especially shared family-style with rice and naan bread. Overall, if you want a classy dining experience in an exotic location close to home, Viceroy of India will not disappoint. Your stomach will be thanking you and so will your wallet!