Brunch in Chicago has almost become an institution unto itself.
Now that things are slowly returning to "normal," people are emerging from their homesand some are just starting to realize the potentially overwhelming number of brunch choices out there.
Be sure to add The Kitchen American Bistro, 316 N. Clark St., to your list.
One of the most compelling reasons to visit this spot involves the viewsof the other patrons as well as the Chicago River. The Kitchen is expansive, with plenty of seating; however, the arrangement within the very open space allows everyone to be seen at some point. And, when the weather cooperates, sitting outside beside the waterway while dining is an almost incomparable pleasure.
And this brings us to the cuisine. Dishes are meant to be shared, but you may want to keep some of these entirely for yourself.
This especially applies to the baked French toast, which is steeped in maple syrup and topped with whipped cream. My dining companion immediately loved the delicious, albeit soggy, interior; it took me a few seconds to adjust to the consistency, but I grew to adore it just as much as he did.
The crab-fried rice was also very tasty, although I would've appreciated a bit more of the crustacean in the dish. My friend gave his Cubano very high marksand, according to him, he's had a lot of those sandwiches at various spots; he felt that this was definitely one of the better ones he's had. (By the way, the fries and housemade chips are both addictive.)
Even though we skipped the cruffin (a delicious-sounding croissant/muffin hybrid), the apple fritter (which I took home) was delightful.
And those are certainly not the only choices on the menu. Some of the others include burrata, with salsa verde and charred bread; crispy cauliflower, with carrots, chickpeas, tamarind and cilantro chutneys, mango and more; lobster roll; baker's biscuits, with Creole cream cheese and preserves; the double-stack cheeseburger, complete with Tillamook and umami aioli; and the very popular chilaquiles.
Don't overlook the drinks, either, as there are intriguing '80s-themed cocktails and mocktails.
I'm not sure how the two Kitchen American Bistros in Colorado are (as this is a small chain), but if they're anything like the Chicago spot, they're cool spots to visit.
See www.thekitchenbistros.com/location/the-kitchen-bistros-chicago/ .
Note: This visit was arranged.