This morning, we went to Meli Cafe & Juice Bar, had one of the best breakfasts ever, and I’m debating going back tomorrow. They had so many awesome things on the menu that if I lived in Chicago, I would be a loyal regular.
They make their own marmalades… I loved both the strawberry and apricot, and their whipped honey butter is even better. It’s ultra light with a touch of honey and you could seriously eat this in spoonfuls.
I ordered the Crimini Omelet, made with chunks of pancetta and tomato, and a sprinkling of parmesan. The giant omelet is tender, well seasoned, and full of flavor. The baby red potatoes are the freshest potatoes ever. They might just be growing them behind the building. Again, perfectly cooked, perfectly seasoned, and chives add that extra one two, that just knocks it out of the park. Most dishes come with a nice little wedge of seedless watermelon and a choice of toast. Even my multi-grain toast was thick and fluffy, not the cheap stuff.
Luckily, Lon ordered the other dish I was eyeing, the Cinnamon Bun Breakfast. This is like the sampler plate of breakfast wonders. Neither of us have ever had a cinnamon bun french toast and this was just better than I expected, sweet but not overly so, soft and fluffy, packed with cinnamon. It was as if they took a Cinnabon, sliced it in half like a roll, and made french toast out of it! It comes with the same great baby red potatoes I got, the same watermelon, a few slices of bacon, and the softest scrambled eggs. Lon requested the addition of provolone and it was insanely good.
Lon also tried some of Justin’s Corn Beef Hash, which got the thumbs up.
Everything just tasted so fresh and made with good quality ingredients. This beats New York breakfasts by miles and yet it was cheaper. Our waitress was sweet and the service was super fast. Anyone going to Chicago? Make note to have breakfast here!
cinnamon bun breakfast? looks yum. and there’s no such thing in malaysia!!!
Renaye, you could try making it yourself?
i could make a meal out of just the preserves and butter 🙂 So, Lon rebounded from Alinea experience nicely!
Manasi, Meli definitely put a bounce in Lon’s step.
The price is right and the food is great here. They offer healthy veggie or sweet crepes, sandwiches, and a huge selection of homemade soups. They also have a full, freshly squeezed juice bar.
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Sally
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I haven’t been able to find a breakfast restaurant in Chicago that really satisfies me with out upsetting my stomach. This restaurant always has the BEST food. Grits (not lumpy or dry or runny, just right), biscuits (never hard and always perfectly grilled, yes I said grilled), EGGS (not swimming in oil never bitter or over/under cooked), Gravy (it’s just perfect), breakfast burritos (made with Charrizo, sorry about the spelling). It’s just fantastic, my Dad took me there for the first time in January. It’s our tradition to go out for breakfast every weekend and he took me there. I was skeptical because it wasn’t in the neighborhood (I live in Bucktown) but it was well worth the hop skip and jump. Tomorrow take your family there for a quiet and wonderful breakfast. Take North Ave. West to Hamlin then go left, go south on Hamlin till you hit Grand then go right, drive a couple blocks and your there! I think they serve Dinner too!
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mikemathew
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Reena/Sally, I wish I got to try more things.
Mikemathew, I’m so jealous that you can go to Meli Cafe over and over again. Alas, your driving directions don’t start from NY.