Bravo Batter and Berries

fambatter

So for as long as I can remember I have been hearing about this restaurant on Chicago’s North Side, Batter and Berries.  I have heard nothing but good things, the only complaint that I have ever heard was that there is always a wait, but I always hear that the wait is worth it.  So today I had the opportunity to try Batter and Berries for myself.

Anyone who truly knows me knows that I love breakfast.  I feel as if my day is incomplete if it does not start with breakfast.  Even if I sleep in or get a late start to the day breakfast is my jump start to the day.  My uncle is in town visiting and I promised him that I would treat him to breakfast, and I let him and my cousin decide and Batter and Berries it was.

Let me begin by saying that true to form there was a wait.  Not unlike many other popular breakfast restaurants in the city, so this was no big deal.  My family arrived before I did, so actually my wait was shorter than theirs.  The place was packed to capacity.  It is quaint and cozy however they accommodated our group of 5 easily.  Once we were in and seated the hostess informed us that they short wait staff, but that someone would be with us shortly.  Once we were seated the drinks water and coffee, came right way.  So far so good.

 

Catfish BB
Catfish with Egg Whites and Hashbrowns (with cheese) 

 

Our server came over and introduced himself, he was professional, polite and friendly.  He explained to us about the daily specials available and offered to answer any questions we had regarding the menu.  We made our selections and continued on with our conversation.  Shortly after our orders were taken the food arrived, hot fresh and DELICIOUS.

 

Cajan Salmon Benedict
Cajun Salmon Benedict

 

 

 

My family loves to eat, so anytime there is silence at the table you know and understand that the food is good.  Our waiter can back and offered the signature hot sauce and also explained that the butter was maple flavored, which in my cousins opinion was the perfect compliment to his French toast flight.  As each member of my family raved about how good their food was, we even shared bites across the table.  This was roll your eyes in the back of your head kind of good eating.

Let me just say that the Cajun Salmon Benedict was phenomenal.  The Salmon was seasoned to perfection, the Benedict and Hollandaise sauce were as close to perfect as I can recall.  The potatoes were cooked well and did not require any additional salt or pepper.  My mother raved about the flavor of her catfish, and my uncle was in love with his deconstructed steak omelet.   My other uncle and cousin were extremely satisfied  with their French Toast Flights.

As a breakfast lover, I am so disappointed with myself that I waited so long to get over to Batter and Berries.  I will definitely be going back.  There are so many more things on the menu that I am eager to try.  This is the first and only restaurant I went to and came home and blogged about immediately.  It was that good in my opinion.

 

Be Blessed!  Be Fabulous!

pink-lips

Crazy for Cone

Cone6

Summer in Chicago is fast approaching.  With that being said there is always something to do or some festival going on in the city.  It is also the time to indulge the outdoor seating at your favorite restaurant and find a way to cool off to beat the summer heat.  While there are many new places that are popping up one place you should definitely put on your to-do list is Cone Cone is located in the West Loop and the best part about Cone is that it is open year round and you can go there at any time.

Anyone that knows me knows that I love ice cream almost as much as I love the color pink.  So recently when me and a friend decided to go out for some ice cream, I checked to see if there were any ice cream parlors in the area.  Not to throw shade at Baskin Robbins or Cold Stone, but sometimes you just need a nice fancy ice cream parlor.  Imagine my surprise when I Googled and found Cone, located in Chicago’s West Loop area.

Cone8

Cone definitely did not disappoint.  A nice ice cream parlor with both inside and outside seating, Cone was definitely what the doctor ordered on that rainy Saturday evening.  Cone offers a variety of flavors, some traditional, they had butter pecan, and some not traditional, like the flavor Netflix and Chill.  No matter what your palate for ice cream calls for, Cone is definitely a treat.

I cannot wait until the Chicago summer comes when I can sit out on their outdoor patio and enjoy the ice cream and a gently breeze.  On this trip I indulged in the Not Your Mama’s Brownie Batter and Butter Pecan in a sundae.  I had to take most of the sundae home and enjoy it the next day and it was just as good on a relaxing Sunday afternoon.

Cone7

Cone offers space that can be rented out to host parties as well as an ample outdoor section.  The next time you are in the mood for ice cream and you do not want just the basic 31 flavors or the mixins from Cold Stone I would recommend that you definitely put Cone on the top of your list.  Located at 1047 W. Madison in Chicago, Cone is my new go to for ice cream in Chicago.

Be Blessed!  Be Fabulous!

pink-lips