The gloomy fall days that Mother Nature has been serving up lately make staying in bed on weekend mornings seem like a viable prospect. These seven restaurants are providing that much-needed motivation to fight the urge to hibernate with newly launched brunch service. If the hearty fare and ample drinks make you want to take a nap after, well, we won't judge.
Mas
800 W. Washington Blvd. 312-243-1995
Launched: Late August
Dishes: Executive chef Yanni Sanchez serves classic Mexican brunch fare such as huevos rancheros ($9) garnished with thinly sliced black radish and banana truffle puree, and chilaquiles ($12), made from either red or green salsa over a pile of crispy tortillas. For something sweet, try the French toast ($11) made with brioche topped with caramelized apples and Mexican caramel.
Drinks: The signature Bloody Maria ($12) is made with bacon-infused tequila and garnished with olives, lime and bacon, while the Kir Poma ($10) features cava and pomegranate juice poured over a simple syrup-soaked hibiscus flower.
Brunch time: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Reservations accepted.
River Roast
315 N. LaSalle St. 312-822-0100
Launched: Late July
Dishes: Listen to local blues trios or quartets perform while you dine on smoked trout with lightly scrambled eggs, toasted pumpernickel bread, chives and trout roe ($14) or buttermilk waffles topped with rabbit leg confit cooked in duck fat and then deep-fried ($12).
Drinks: The bloody mary ($8) is garnished with chicken cracklings, though you can add a skewer of cheese, house-made charcuterie and olives for an additional $4. Fans of micheladas will want to try the Chef's Breakfast ($8), pilsner mixed with house-made harissa.
Brunch time: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Reservations accepted.
Clik here to view.
Meat
215 E. Chestnut St. 773-328-8320
Launched: Mid-September
Dishes: The Streeterville restaurant serves up brunch-friendly versions of the skewers that dominate its dinner menu including bacon-wrapped chicken stuffed with applewood smoked bacon, jalapeno and cream cheese ($13), half-inch thick cuts of roasted bacon coated in cinnamon and sugar ($8) and lightly spicy Tasso ham ($11). The sharing-focused offerings also include novel takes on brunch standards such as tasso ham and asiago cheese grits ($12) and wild salmon hash made with fingerling potatoes, cream and shallots.
Drinks: Molecular gastronomy techniques spice up classic cocktails such as a peach sherbet bellini topped with mango-lime foam ($8) and the Screwdriver Changeup, which features a pomegranate ice cube that releases its flavor as it melts ($7). For a quick pick-me-up, try the Mazagran ($8) a blend of cognac, cold-pressed coffee and lemon juice.
Brunch time: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Reservations accepted
Parts and Labor
2700 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-360-7040
Launched: Oct. 11
Dishes: Saturday morning cartoons might not air on TV anymore, but they're alive and well at this Logan Square bar. Watch Fox's "Bob's Burgers" on two projector screens while digging into a brunch burger ($7.50) featuring two griddle patties, cheese, two strips of bacon and an egg served open-faced.
Drinks: Order a bloody mary ($7) with a skewer of giardiniera-the same housemade stuff that's deep-fried and served as a side during dinner hours.
Brunch time: Noon-4 p.m. Saturday. No reservations.
Clik here to view.
Chicken Shop (pictured above)
125 N. Green St. 312-754-6941
Launched: Mid-August
Dishes: The Soho House's casual open-to-the-public restaurant serves a small brunch menu with dishes such as Belgian waffle with deboned chicken marinated in buttermilk and chili sauce and topped with housemade hot sauce, maple syrup, gravy and powdered sugar ($14). For something lighter, try the housemade English muffin with roasted tomato, avocado, mustard vinaigrette, fried egg and herbs ($9).
Drinks: The same house hot sauce is used along with Worcestershire sauce and tomato juice in the bloody mary, garnished with celery and a pickle ($12).
Brunch time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Reservations accepted.
Kanela Breakfast Club
1408 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-661-1010
Launched: Oct. 6
Dishes: The Wicker Park restaurant offers the same menu as Kanela's other two locations, with a few additions, including a breakfast sandwich with housemade pork sausage, cheddar, an over-easy egg, arugula and pepper jam on an English muffin served with herb-roasted potatoes ($12) and fried egg, smoked ham, tomato and roasted pepper chutney served on a buttered croissant ($11).
Drinks: BYO vodka and build a bloody mary with skewer fixings such as salami, celery and pickled onions for $5.
Brunch time: 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. daily. Reservations only accepted on weekdays and 7-10 a.m. weekends.
Clik here to view.
Highline
169 W. Kinzie St. 312-533-2742
Launched: Oct. 11
Dishes: The house-brined meat used for this River North bar's reuben sliders stars in the corned bison hash served with a fried duck egg ($11). You can also order the decadent Peanut Butter Cap'n Crunch French toast served with thick-cut bacon and peanut butter mousse ($10).
Drinks: Roasted red pepper bisque serves as the base for the housemade bloody mary mix, and you can garnish your drink with a bar of fixings (pictured above) including deviled duck eggs, cured meats and cheeses. The price ($9.50) also includes any draft beer as a chaser.
Brunch time: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Reservations accepted.
>>EXTRA: Check out more new bars and restaurants.
Samantha Nelson is a RedEye special contributor. redeye@redeyechicago.com | @redeyeeatdrink