Best eggs benedict in Chicagoland?

Who in Chicagoland has the best eggs benedict? I have gone to a couple of brunch places and have been coming up empty.

Here's one thread on the subject:

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=6900&p=61377

Michael Nagrant over at Hungry Magazine recently did a great article on eggs Benedict -- and names a few of his favorite spots for this sublime delicacy.

http://www.hungrymag.com/2008/08/05/benediction/

Since I scarfed them again today, let me put in a vote for the unconventional huevos benedictos at Maya del Sol in Oak Park:

viewtopic.php?p=197010#p197010

Masa cups nestling eggs cooked just right, topped with cilantro and house-made chorizo, resting in a shallow pool of poblano cream. Note: I am not a big fan of the rest of the menu, and the michelada was downright awful today. But you asked about eggs, and those sing.

One of my favorite Sunday morning repasts is to take a nice bike ride down to Meli and fortify myself for the ride back with their really excellent Eggs Benedict or Eggs Florentine. They make a beautiful hollandaise and serve their "benedicts" (and they have quite a few deliciuous varieties)with really beautiful cubed, pan fried redskined potatoes.

Meli Cafe
301 S Halsted
http://www.melicafe.com/

I second Meli. Haven't had the eggs benedict there, but if it's anything like the rest of their menu, it's worthy of a nomination.

Have any of you ever tried Bendict's Eggs and More in East Dundee or Benedict's La Strata in Downtown Crystal Lake? They're owned by the same people. They have a large selection of various eggs benedict dishes. I'm not huge on eggs benedict, but I did have their Blueberry Strata and it's out of this world. Just curious to see what anyone thought of this place.

In the other thread, someone mentioned the wonderful spicy southwestern style benedicts served at Cafe 28 on Irving Park near Ravenswood. It's another great option and one that I need to revisit soon.

I was just going to post this request, as I went to a restaurant that shall remain nameless and ordered the Benedict, only to get the fake hollandaise and overcooked egg. I'll definitely look up all these other threads!

I recommend the Eggs Benedict at Gioco's. They use pancetta instead of Canadian bacon, but it's heavenly. So are the taters they serve it with. They call it Uova Del Prete, and it's $9 on the Sunday Brunch menu

Gioco's
1312 S. Wabash
Chicago
www.gioco-chicago.com

I really like the Benedict options at Lula. They usually have a classic and a few twists.

TWEET!!!
on sheridan near argyle!

Mario wrote:Who in Chicagoland has the best eggs benedict? I have gone to a couple of brunch places and have been coming up empty.

Mario,

Personally, I'm kinda curious about where you've been and what disappointed you about the benedict preparations?

I suppose I enjoy a good eggs benedict as much as the next guy, but I'm not sure what separates a good version from "the best" version. What element is falling short in your experience? Is it a particular ingredient or something about the sum of the parts?

Best
Michael

it's really all about the hollandaise sauce. it makes or breaks the eggs benedict.

Since we seem to be continuing with this thread rather than adding on to the previous one, I'll restate my previously-stated opinion:

My very favorite eggs benedict is served by chefs Stegner and Bumbaris at Prairie Grass Cafe in Northbrook. Not only do they offer a textbook version of the 'original recipe' but their surf & turf, smoked salmon and 'PGC' variations are also amazing. The roasted tomato hollandaise that tops the PGC version -- which also includes Nuekse bacon -- is out of this world. They also turn out a house-made ancho breakfast sausage that is absolutely stellar.


Eggs Benedict at Prairie Grass Cafe



Surf & Turf Benedict (filet and crab cake) at Prairie Grass Cafe

=R=

Prairie Grass Cafe
601 Skokie Blvd
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 205-4433

Mario wrote:it's really all about the hollandaise sauce. it makes or breaks the eggs benedict.

That's it for me, too. Most places give two beaten yolks drowned in butter and call it hollandaise. A few times I had an egg so over-poached that it was nearly soft-boiled.

The Prairie Grass joint sounds great.

Another place to try:

Yolk
1120 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago
www.yolk-online.com

I didn't try the Benedict, but for chrissakes, they should have a good one with a name like that. According to the online menu, theirs was 'voted the best in town!'. Thought they don't say by whom. I had the Zamboni Crepes, and the hollandaise was good.

ronnie_suburban wrote:Since we seem to be continuing with this thread rather than adding on to the previous one, I'll restate my previously-stated opinion:

My very favorite eggs benedict is served by chefs Stegner and Bumbaris at Prairie Grass Cafe in Northbrook. Not only do they offer a textbook version of the 'original recipe' but their surf & turf, smoked salmon and 'PGC' variations are also amazing. The roasted tomato hollandaise that tops the PGC version -- which also includes Nuekse bacon -- is out of this world.

I completely agree with Ronnie on this.

Pie Lady wrote:Another place to try:

Yolk
1120 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago
http://www.yolk-online.com

I didn't try the Benedict, but for chrissakes, they should have a good one with a name like that. According to the online menu, theirs was 'voted the best in town!'. Thought they don't say by whom. I had the Zamboni Crepes, and the hollandaise was good.

I really like their Irish Benny, which is basically Eggs Benedict with corned beef hash in stead of Canadian bacon. Mmm... I can see a trip there in my not too distant future...

Ive been to the Benedicts in Dundee many times. I have nothing much to compare it to, so Ill say it is very good. Large (12?) selection of types of eggs benedict, in addition to frittatas, omelettes, other egg creations, and lunch sandwiches and wraps.