Brunch Opens in River North Today, Get Your Shoes Shined

Brunch opens in River North today and aims to make brunch more than just a weekend event. Although the atmosphere is relaxed, many of the conveniences are aimed toward the area's office set with a shoe shine station run by the Shinettes, a board room for rent equipped with A/V capabilities and a grab-and-go counter.

The room, which seats 125, has a minimalistic, lofty feel with exposed ceilings and timber beams. Cherry wood tables are placed throughout the room and a glazed gravel breakfast bar seating 20 runs along the wall. Sunlight enters through the frosted windows giving a warm feel to the place. Artwork by local artist Kristin Corna adorns the walls as do quirky posters with laughable sayings such as "Mornication" and "Whole Latte Love."

In addition to focusing on the business-minded, Brunch is also serious about the environment and making use of local products. Their pastries come from Bennison's Bakery in Evanston, bagels from NYCBD and draft root beer and orange soda from Filbert's. They even started a recycled mug program where all the mugs they use have been donated by the community, so don't be surprised if you are sipping their house-blend Intelligentsia coffee from an "I Love Grandma" mug. If you bring in your own mug for a to-go cup, you'll get a discount on your coffee as well.

Expect standard brunch fare with a few unique twists, like the "sharefare" brunch appetizers that include strawberry stuffed french toast bites; brunch sliders with bacon, egg, lettuce and tomato; the "scotch egg" salad with a prosciutto wrapped and panko crusted egg and the chocolate and dried cherry french toast with peanut butter whipped cream.

Brunch is open seven days a week, serving brunch, of course, between 6:30 am and 3 p.m. on weekdays and 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends.

Brunch Menu Page 1

Brunch Menu Page 2

· Brunch Meets Business in River North This May [~EChi~]