Sunday brunch/lunch in River North?

I did a search for River North AND brunch which didn't turn up any leads... I'm wondering if there are any low-key (i.e. not too large a space, not too loud) brunch/lunch places for a Sunday in River North. A friend and I have fallen into a routine of Sunday morning yoga and then lunch afterwards. Both of us detest brunch culture (i.e. waiting a long time for a table in a cramped but hip space to eat large portions of eggs, chorizo and fancy dessert pancakes), but we realize we're meeting at peak brunch time. We could eat eggs, but we'd also be perfectly happy with a straightforward lunch menu if such a thing is possible on a Sunday.

Two weeks ago, we ended up at Cafe La Sera on Wells, which struck me as very similar in feel to another Gold Coast establishment, Third Coast Cafe. The space was perfect for me and my friend (lots of natural light, quiet, enough space between tables), but the food was somewhat dainty for two women coming from 90 minutes of Bikram yoga.

Today we ended up at Karyn's Cooked (my fault). This morning, it was mellower than I thought it'd be (I walked by on Friday after yoga thinking I might stop in for dinner, but it looked too much--for my comfort--like a place just to be seen). It may have been a little too relaxed today as the service was awful (very, very slow) and the food mediocre (tofu scrambles with seasonings that tasted like they came out of one of those meal-in-a-box things). I took away a raw banana carob nut bar, which I really liked but which also cost me $7.50! (It was the size of a large rice crispy treat.)

Suggestions for places we should try next? We'd like to walk to lunch, so River North locations or very near to River North are preferable.

La Sera
1143 N. Wells St.
312-274-0442

Karyn's Cooked
738 N. Wells St.
312-587-1050

Places with a breakfast/brunch menu or buffet (rather than the regular lunch menu):
Rockit
Bin 36
Kitsch'n River North
NoMI
David Burke's Primehouse
676

Places for the regular lunch menu:
All the usual pizza places (Lou Malnati's, Uno's, Gino's East, etc)
Some of the steakhouses (Joe's, Smith and Wollensky, etc)
Quartino
Heaven on Seven on Rush

nsxtasy wrote:Places with a breakfast/brunch menu or buffet (rather than the regular lunch menu):
Rockit
Bin 36
Kitsch'n River North
NoMI
David Burke's Primehouse
676

Places for the regular lunch menu:
All the usual pizza places (Lou Malnati's, Uno's, Gino's East, etc)
Some of the steakhouses (Joe's, Smith and Wollensky, etc)
Quartino
Heaven on Seven on Rush

That breakdown is very helpful. Thanks! I'll definitely add Rockit to our list since I have a weakness for their turkey burger and truffle fries, and I did not know there was a Kitsch'n River North, so we'll likely try that if it's not too loud.

West Egg is one of my favorites for a somewhat standard brunch though every time i go there it seems to be more and more crowded. (the tourists have taken hold to it i think)

i just did brunch at Frontera Grill over the weekend (saturday). we were actually a bit disappointed that they had a brunch menu and not the regular menu, but it turned out OK (well, at least for 3 out of 4 of our meals I think we liked... the one might not have really, and i think the other was a bit bummed too). part of the problem was we weren't expecting brunch and we didn't eat until 2pm, so it was a bit strange... we all basically tried to raid the menu for the 2 or 3 items that didn't contain eggs (though mine did and I ended up liking it).

but all in all it was awesome, and solid.. if you're looking for something memorable, go there. (though after a few margaritas it things start to become fuzzy )

i ordered the Sapitos and I have to think it was the best thing there ;P ...

pictures here

Sapitos

some bean stew (this is the one I get the idea she didn't care much for??? who knows)

corona azteca - tortilla with scrambled eggs bathed in spicy tomato-guajillo sauce with avocado, sour cream and fresh Mexican cheese. IMO too much eggs when you're not wanting eggs to start with :p

not picture was the mole, which was good as well.

as always the margaritas were fantastic. (try the smokey one if you're wanting something great and different.. .though I forget what it's called. they shake at table like the others.. but its pink, strong, and smokey tasting).



..and rick was there ...

dddane wrote:i just did brunch at Frontera Grill over the weekend (saturday).

Remember, though, that Frontera Grill is open for brunch only on Saturdays, not on Sundays.

ah ha ...wish i would've known that this weekend!