Her Tasty Life

If any old picture is worth a thousand words, then what about one like this? Easily five thousand, am I right? I don’t think I’ve found a restaurant – or its dishes – more photogenic than that of the Sunday brunch at Presidio Chicago.

Named after the Presidio National Park of San Francisco, this beautiful gem tucked away on my favorite stretch of Damen Avenue in Bucktown, is nothing short of chic and classy. Beyond a really inventive, West Coast-influenced menu, they’ve also got some seriously sexy décor going on. I’ve already told all of my girlfriends this and now I’ll tell you: if you want really epic date night lighting, go to Presidio. You’ll look like J. Lo at her glowiest and your date will go bananas, guaranteed.

Alas, this post is about brunch. And that goes down on Sunday, or, SunYAY! So, keep that lighting tip in your back pocket for a dinner in the near future and now, onward to weekend brunchin’ at it’s best…

See, mornings at Presidio Chicago are equally as glamorous, babes!

Can we just talk about the following for a second: wood walls, exposed brick, luxe leathers, bounteous succulents, gold sconces, that credenza.

Take it all in. Presidio Chicago is stylin’. It’s the kind of modern, rustic style that I wish I could swathe my home in. It takes brunch to a whole ‘nother level. Baller level, perhaps? It’s certainly swank and I love me some swank.

I’m realizing now, the more succulents, the better. It’s my perfection realized. Luckily, I was in great company to take all the beauty in. The lovely Samantha from Chicago Food Authority joined me this day to devour the Presidio brunch. We put any ladylike notions aside and gave the menu a run for its money.

But first, cocktails!

What’s brunch without a few drinkies? Ok, a lot of drinkies. And Presidio does the libations oh-so-right! We got things kicked off with a Municipal Code, a peach-infused Aperol and sparkling wine cocktail, as well as the Love & Haight, a strawberry-infused Pimm’s and gin cordial. Delight in a glass. Ok fine, four glasses. Because you know Sam and I totally hit up 2 more of each.

me + my beautiful dining companion

Then the dishes started to make their debut…

Up first was this glorious Thai Shrimp & Grits.

Fried Tiger Shrimp atop creamy coconut grits (oh yeeeeah) and adorned with hot chilis, bamboo shoots and a perfectly poached egg. The comfort dish always for the win! This was a fabulous bowl of bold, flavorful goodness. The poached egg, once broken, gave the most luscious, velvety quality to the sauce. Gold. Pure FU**ING Gold.

Up next was a crowd favorite: the Breakfast Burrata. Do we really need an excuse to do a cheese course in the morning? Yeah, I didn’t think so. The more cheese, the better.

If you’re not familiar with burrata, it’s very much like mozzarella just much, much creamier. Mild and lovely, it goes with virtually anything.

Presidio does theirs paired with an awesome, hearty raisin bread, salty pepitas and honey. That trendy salty ‘n sweet combo? Yeah. Nailed it.

Then, another beverage intermission. Sorry. #notsorry

Now that our thirst has been quenched… Pork Collar Hash!

I know, sounded kinda oddball to me, too, but it ended up being my favorite dish of the brunch. Spoiler alert.

It’s true, I adored this dish almost as much as I swoon for Ryan Gosling. Yes, as an avid egg slut, I’m easily swayed by the sunny farm egg, but it was the crazy-tender, succulent, meaty pork collar that did me in. The braised pork collar was almost brisket-like and just sung on that plate. I kept finding myself going back for more… and more. The true sign of a great dish.

… and so damn stunning!

Next, however, was something that almost took our breath away.

Wait for it.

Wait some more.

Keep waiting.

Just a little longer.

There.

The Breakfast Royale.

Does it need describing? I think not, but for you sticklers out there: Presidio burger, sunny farm egg, smoked bacon, cheddar, greens.

It’s the juiciest, meatiest, most bodacious item under the brunch sun. If you have a real masculine guy that thinks brunch is for wussies. Show him this.

Aren’t you impressed with how much food we crushed?

That is like professional caliber eating.

And, yet, there was still one more. The fabulous folks at Presidio wanted to ensure we left super-satiated and capped off one incredible meal with a final (thank GOD), superbly sweet bite.

The Raisin Brioche Bread Pudding with basil syrup, wild strawberries and crème fraîche.

A dessert worthy of any time of day.

It was wholly dense and rich… everything a bread pudding should be, with nice, little hints of tang and brightness from the strawberries and basil.

Such an upscale, inventive, exceptional experience. I can’t think of a single thing I would have changed. Start to finish, it was absolute precision.

Love it.

You wanna love it, too? Make your reservation today, they’re recommended. Presidio is waiting.

Presidio | 1749 N Damen Avenue | Chicago | IL | 60647