Birthday brunch ideas?

I am turning the BIG 25 in early December. With people's calendars soon to be consumed with the holiday parties, I thought it would be fun and kind of different (for my group of friends) to celebrate my birthday over brunch.

My criteria so far:
1) In the city but north of 290/Congress Parkway or near north suburbs
2) accepts reservations, especially for a larger group
3) noise level during brunch is conversation friendly but not 'stuffy' and overly quiet
4) service and environment should be nice & friendly, not snobby
5) serves mimosas, various fruit juices
6) maximum per person bill $20-25, under $20 would be great

I would love to take my friends to get dim sum, but since it will be the first time for most of my friends, I don't want to feel stressed about the ordering process.

Can anyone think of something that might fit the bill? Am I being too picky? I've driven by Deleece on Southport & Irving Park a number of times, and their online menu [broken link] sounds interesting. Anyone been? What's it like? Is this a possibility?

THANK YOU in advance!

I wouldn't be nervous about dim sum, I often do a large group for dim sum, including kids and people who've never had it, for my birthday.

I would suggest someplace like Phoenix, where you can see what's on the carts and there are plenty of servers who can explain in English what's what. Plus if you have 8 or more people, you can make reservations on the weekend.

I might suggest Dixie Kitchen (the Evanston location suits your location criteria, I think) as I really like the brunch offerings there (especially the beignets and the crawfish cakes -- good coffee too) and it's a fun place. I think they'd take a reservation, as they did once when I brought in a big group. I'm not sure if they offer mimosas, but you could check.

Dim sum might be problematic if any of your guests are vegetarians. I've taken first-timers and mostly they've enjoyed it, except those who don't eat meat or red-meat.

I've been to Deleece once and liked it. It didn't really stand out as anything special, though.

What about Frontera Grill? That's always festive.

I've heard the brunch at Uncommon Ground is good, but I haven't been.

thanks for everyone's thoughts and suggestions.

I've done some research, and am now leaning toward Frontera Grill. Bumble Bee - great minds must think alike! Have you ever been during brunch? What are your thoughts?

When I'm thinking brunch-specific, I think of Orange (Clark & Belmont) .... but you'd have to bring your own sparkling wine for the Mimosa. If you go the dim sum route, I can heartily recommend Furama (4936 N. Broadway).

Pucca wrote: I've driven by Deleece on Southport & Irving Park a number of times, and their online menu sounds interesting. Anyone been? What's it like? Is this a possibility?

THANK YOU in advance!


I went to Deleece last Sunday to meet some friends for breakfast/brunch. I think Deleece could easily fit the bill. I was impressed with their selection and execution. Their french toast was particularly outstanding. I would give them a call to make sure they can handel your group because the place is not real big.

I'll also put in a vote for Deleece, based not on my own experience but that of Mrs. JiLS. She's been going there regularly for years with her friends for brunch, and they love it.

Pucca,

I've had brunch at Frontera once. The menu choices are less interesting than at dinner (mostly egg-based when we were there), but everything was delicious. Everyone in my group (6 of us I think) enjoyed their orders and I remember the service being friendly and professional. Also, it wasn't nearly as hectic as dinner.

Online menu:
http://www.fronterakitchens.com/restaur ... runch.html

I like Orange, too, but I don't think the Clark location could handle a large group. I don't like the Harrison one quite as much.

I've always been a fan of Cafe 28 for brunch (only on weekends). The food is fantastic, and I think the brunch menu is better than the dinner menu. The brunch food is a mix of interesting versions of standard brunch stuff (waffles, french toast, omelettes) as well as their Cuban and Mexican items. Plus you can get mimosas.

1800 W. Irving Park (at Ravenswood) near the brown line.