Peninsula Sunday Brunch

LTH,

My (much) better half has been a bit blue lately so I thought I'd try to cheer her up with Sunday brunch at the Peninsula. Not only did the Peninsula brunch cheer her up, but it put me in a heck of a good mood myself.

We've been to the Peninsula a few times and have been impressed with the service and well pleased with the food, today was no different. Service was impeccable, not always an easy task with brunch, and the food, while all in the quite good range, had a couple of real winners, also not an easy task with brunch.

Brunch starts on a high note with fresh squeezed orange juice, excellent coffee and, in our case, spicy bloody mary's, along with a three tiered tray of excellent, fresh, seafood served with a flourish at the table. The seafood consisted of two absolutely pristine oysters, meaty crab claws and beautiful fresh, just poached, shrimp. There were three accompanying sauces as well.

I did not take notes or pictures, we were there, ostensibly, to perk up my wife, thus no notes or, particularly, pictures so I'll just hit my personal highlights of a bountiful, and beautifully presented, brunch.

Starter wise the cheese selection, while small, was interesting and perfect temperature. Prosciutto and smoked beef were wonderful and the smoked fish, particularly the pastrami salmon, were delicious. I also enjoyed a bit of salad, something about endive I find hard to resist. There was sushi in the form of maki rolls, I passed, but they were quite popular with other diners.

I passed on the more traditional breakfast items, eggs benedict, brioche french toast, made to order omelet etc, so no comment, aside from they looked quite good.

There was an Asian section with dim sum items, which I passed on, though the Peking duck with hoisn, scallion and pancake was excellent. There was also a few Thai dishes, and Asian noodles, which I also passed on.

The hot station consisted of a number of fish, chicken and pork preparations, but I focused on the beautiful med-rare prime roast. I had two slices and I would be willing to say this was as fine a cut of beef as served in the city.

Dessert highlights were strawberry soup, pots de creme, killer macaroons and an assortment of chocolates.

I've mentioned just a few highlights, all in all there were 5, 6 including the children's, stations with starters brought to the table. In writing this brief report I noticed I, somewhat, avoided Asian food, no maki rolls, no Thai beef, no shui mai or steamed shrimp dumplings. I guess I eat Asian food on such a regular basis that prime rib and smoked fish were what I focused on, though the Peking duck with hosin and scallion was excellent.

I highly recommend brunch at the Peninsula, even if your wife isn't feeling blue.

Enjoy,
Gary

The Peninsula Chicago
108 East Superior Street (at North Michigan Avenue),
Chicago, Illinois 60611
312-337-2888
http://chicago.peninsula.com/

Hi Gary,

It sounds like you thought you got your money's worth, but much is the Peninsula brunch?

Leah,

The Peninsula Sunday brunch is $55 per person and they validate parking.

And yes, absolutely, I thought we got our moneys worth. Did I mention the trio that played throughout lunch, a nice touch.

Enjoy,
Gary

I went to the Peninsula last friday night for something they call the "Chocolate Bar". Lovely desserts (most but not all, chocolate) many in miniature sizes. Chocolate tapioca in a martini glass, a miniature pistachio creme brulee (the best I've ever had), raspberry pudding (to die for), chocolate mouse in the tiniest little cups you've ever seen, chocolate covered strawberries, biscotti, mini molten cakes. Fantastic service. I could go on and on. All you can eat, well worth $22 dollars.

I believe the chocolate bar is offered on Friday and Saturday nights. A jazz trio with singer also performs.

Skip supper, eat chocolate. (':)')