By Patty Enrado, Editor
CHICAGO — If you like to start your day off with a memorable breakfast, here are six breakfast places that you will want to try, thanks to HIMSS staff recommendations.
Have you ever heard of Southern Reconstruction Cooking? Think Andouille hash, Crunchy French Toast dipped in corn flakes, blackened catfish and shrimp and grits. If your mouth is watering, make sure you get yourself to Wishbone (1001 W. Washington Blvd., 312.850.2663, www.wishbonechicago.com, 7 a.m. – 11 a.m. breakfast; also 3300 N. Lincoln Ave., 773.549.2663). “Wishbone – near Oprah’s Studio! – offers a great breakfast and brunch, with a southern twist on old breakfast favorites like eggs and pancakes,” said Nancy Vitucci, manager of Publications.
If you’re a more traditional-breakfast fare person and like a variety of options that satisfy a hearty appetite, check out Ina’s (1235 W. Randolph St., 312.226.8227, www.breakfastqueen.com, open 7 a.m. Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m. Sat.-Sun.) “Ina is an outstanding person and her restaurant follows the same suit,” said Joyce Lofstrom, senior manager of Corporate Communications. ”She is known for her gluten-free fried chicken (served on certain evenings each month) and her delicious pastries for breakfast,” she said. Lofstrom warns that it’s not always easy to find a cab from Ina’s to your destination, so she recommends “walking up to a busier street, just a few blocks to the right as you leave the restaurant.”
Don’t be scared off by the large crowds at Ann Sather’s Restaurant (909 W. Belmont Ave., 773.348.2378, www.annsather.com, open 7 a.m. for breakfast). There’s a reason for the long lines at this Swedish diner: “Those giant, warm, gooey cinnamon rolls are to die for!” said Joyce Sensmeier, vice president of Informatics. Ann Sather’s Restaurant also boasts two cafe locations (3411 N. Broadway St., 773.305.0024 and 3416 N. Southport Ave., 773.404.4475) and another restaurant (5207 N. Clark St., 773.271.6677).
West Egg Cafe (620 N. Fairbanks Ct., 312.280.8366, 66 W. Washington St., 312.236.3322, and 525 W. Monroe St., 312.454.9939, http://centerstagechicago.com/restaurants/620nfairbanks.html, open 6:30 a.m. Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m. Sat.-Sun.) gets a nod from LaVerne Palmer, coordinator for HIMSS Informatics. There are three locations, with the Fairbanks Ct. location two blocks from the Magnificent Mile – for those of you wanting to start off your shopping day right. “The Big Grabowski is delicious, and the pancakes they serve are huge,” said Palmer. Locals also say the price is pretty reasonable.
For a hearty brunch, try the Bongo Room (50 E. Roosevelt Rd., 312.291.0100, http://www.centerstagechicago.com/restaurants/room12.html, open 8 a.m. Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m. Sat.-Sun.). The owners of the Bongo Room opened a second location in the South Loop (1152 S. Wabash Ave., 312.291.0100). Christine Chung, associate in Market Research at HIMSS Analytics, said this place “is a must, but be prepared to wait if you go during weekend brunch hours.” She recommends the Lump Crab Cake Benedict or the Chocolate Tower French Toast.
If you can go the first day of HIMSS09 or are around the following Sunday, you won’t want to miss the Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues (329 N. Dearborn St., 312.923.2000 for tickets at the HOB Box Office, www.hotelsaxchicago.com, ) according to Stacy Olson, intern for Meeting Services. The award-winning Gospel Brunch combines a live show and an all-you-can-eat, southern-style buffet. A different gospel group from around the area performs each week. Go with a bunch of friends or colleagues; for groups of 25 or more, call the sales department at 312.923.2015.