gus wrote:As JLenart posted last week, the new Julius Meinl at Lincoln and Montrose is open. The major differences are that the new store is smaller and has no sidewalk seating. Based on one visit, things appear to be running smoothly.

After a couple quick stops for iced coffees to go, I finally dined in for a light lunch at the new location Sunday. Happy to report they now have outdoor sidewalk seating. Unfortunately, they were having some service issues on my visit. I sat at one of the outdoor spots and waited 10-15 minutes before a server stopped by my table. This after asking the host for help locating a server and witnessing two other servers stand behind me debating who had what table(s) and then going back indoors. Placed my order for the roast beef sandwich. After 10 minutes another server appeared with the wrong order and then 15 minutes after that the correct sandwich arrived. Fortunately it was a gorgeous day, but 40 minute wait for a roast beef sandwich was a bit much. I'll probably stick to the quick to-go stops going forward.

I went not long ago during the Sci-Fi Spectacular at the Music Box, then a few weeks later during Pie Dude's birthday bash. I dig the place, but have two different reviews:

1st trip: I had some kind of tea (who remembers, with a list that long! White Cloud, maybe?), served in one of those neato pots. It was the kind with the basket inside, and after a few minutes you push a dealie and the leaves are pressed. It came with a tasty little sweet biscuit, too, and I was so tickled. I also had the fruit cup, which was a combo of red grapes, green apple and pineapple chunks, and banana slices. The service was nice and pretty quick considering it was a madhouse. The tea wasn't really my cup of tea, but it was okay. Not JM's fault, it just didn't suit my tastes. Also, being a sufferer of sensitive teeth, the fruit was thankfully just above room temperature. The only real problem I had, besides being too full for a dessert ( ), was that we were seated too close to other folks. But hey, they were busy.

2nd trip: We went last time around 9ish, and this time was around 11ish. We wanted some iced coffee because we were sweaty and hot from walking a mile or so from Andersonville, plus we had a midnight movie to see. The coffee was NOT cold, despite all the ice in there. (I had a Frosted Mint Mocha and Dude had just a plain iced coffee.) The sidecar of water was piss warm too, and on a day as hot and humid as that required some chill. Also, the service was pretty lousy - there were maybe four other couples in the entire place, and it took so long to get served we thought it would have to be a to-go order instead. Our waiter walked by us to deliver to the table next to us several times, but didn't even offer menus. Ten minutes later he asked what we wanted, and when we said we needed menus, it took him another ten minutes to come back for the order.

I'll go back again though, since I enjoyed my first visit, and it won over Dude who generally doesn't like "fancy-ass" coffee houses, and by golly, those desserts look stunning.

I was pleased with and surprised by what seemed to be culinary ambitions at the new location that far surpass what I've seen at the old. There's a specials menu with about 5 seasonal, locavore-style breakfast items (with the name of the local farm used to source the ingredients listed) as well as a whole assortment of pastries made with local fruits. A couple of weeks ago, the bride and I had a delicious peach crostada and a baked egg dish with delicious sweet corn, cherry tomatoes, and gorgeous, bright orange, runny yolks.

I had brunch a Julius Meinl on Lincoln a few weeks ago, and I can't stop telling people about how much we loved it. This is not AT ALL what we were expecting from a place we thought of as more of a coffee house (the coffee drinks and cider drinks were delicious). The menu was AWESOME, with tons of inventive dishes prepared with fresh local ingredients. As mentioned previously, we were offered a menu of specials, most of which featured totally local foods. We sat outside and it was lovely, but admittedly had some issues with service (it was slow, and it took a VERY long time for us to be greeted). It was a very small price to pay, however, as the star of this attraction was the food.

We started with a chicken, swiss chard, crimini mushroom and fontina cheese crepe. The chicken was juicy and flavorful, the veggies cooked just right and the crepe was paper-thin, light & airy -- very nicely prepared, with a good proportion of filling to crepe.

Our second course was a seasonal dish with stewed pulled pork, fresh bratwurst and smoked duck breast served with homemade sauerkraut and a dumpling. Um... WOW. Just fantastic, and so unexpected. I had dreams about this dish for days.

Our final course was a pumpkin crepe. The pumpkin filling was blended with smooth and creamy marscapone cheese. It was nicely spiced without having that "pumpkin pie seasoning" flavor to it. It was served with tender chunks of steamed pumpkin and toasted and spiced pumpkin seeds -- a sweet-but-not-sugary way to end our breakfast and a great fall specialty.

I highly recommend Julius Meinl's Lincoln Square location for breakfast/brunch. i can't wait to go back and try the baked egg breakfast entrees, which sound delicious, but if the specials menu is as good next time as it was on this trip, I probably won't get to try them...

I have been for breakfast a few times, and have never been disappointed! I've had the pumpkin crepes, several of the baked eggs and the pork. In any form it's DELICIOUS. It's completely different than the Meinl on Southport. Better service and much better food. I'd highly recommend it.
Never been for dinner, has anyone else? Any recomendations?

Hoping to go soon!!

Had lunch at the Lincoln Square location yesterday. Enjoyed sitting on a window seat and people watching along with the meal.

Delicious gingersnap latte. Cream of mushroom soup that was very good and not too salty - nice peppery touch. Brie and pear on sunflower/raisin bread was also good. Unexpectedly - best thing on the plate was a mixed greens and cabbage salad with vinaigrette.

Small chocolate caramel tart for dessert that was wonderful. Nice service and we were not rushed.

Julius Meinl Suddenly Closes On Lincoln Avenue, Other Locations Still Open

https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/2017040 ... still-open