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Brunch Fri Jun 27 2014
Brunch Over Easy at Hubbard Inn
People seem to either love or despise the concept of brunch, but if you're a Humble Hobbit like me, anytime is a good time to eat (especially in a state of hungover stupor). I don't always want or need an organic arugula salad topped with freshly grated pecorino and pasture-laid eggs. I also tend to avoid junky diner hashbrowns with questionable sausages. Hubbard Inn, located in River North, is a good medium--it offers a generous selection of brunch items, prepared with just enough upscale to remind you that you're eating in River North.
Hubbard Inn doesn't have a menu that leaves you bewildered or thoroughly amazed, but what you want will be on there, and it will mostly likely taste good. With some appetizers and cocktails, my party and I ordered:
• Fried Chicken with biscuit and gravy (fried eggs, chorizo, gravy)
• Cold Seafood Platter (oysters, shrimp, crab legs, lobster)
• Lamb burger (Red onion, feta, tzatziki sauce, ciabatta roll)
We were surprised by the quantity of food, which nothing but our bulging waistlines protested about. I enjoyed the lamb burger, topped with a light cucumber and onion relish that added a nice crunch and acidic element to an otherwise savory dish. The fried chicken biscuits were paired with multicolor breakfast potatoes, which I found surprisingly delicious as I like my potatoes fried to a crisp, just big enough to maintain a moist interior. Although I typically prefer savory over sweet, there was a Peaches n' Cream French toast option, as well as a breakfast Monte Cristo containing peanut butter, banana, bacon and chocolate syrup.
There are countless dining options in River North, which can be a problem for indecisive, picky, and/or snobby diners. But if you're looking for an easy meal in a restaurant with impressive decor, Hubbard Inn's not a bad bet.
