A Taste of Heaven: the Importance of Brunch

Brunch, my friends, is a sacred tradition. Especially when one is simply terrible at cooking eggs nicely.

For many years throughout my early-to-mid-twenties, I worked retail and was unable to partake of this leisurely pastime. In the three years I lived in Waterbury, I think I only went out to brunch once or twice, because I always worked weekends. One of the joys of returning to Chicago in 2013 was discovering the appeal of brunch. Specifically, brunch in Andersonville.

There's something about the Andersonville neighborhood that intrinsically speaks to me. The stretch of Clark between Bryn Mawr to just south of Foster feels like a small town in the midst of the big city. People really seem to know one-another- their dogs, their children, their neighbors. While Edgewater is occasionally a little rough around the margins, Andersonville is simply more homey...and it's only a ten minute walk from where I live.

One of my first weekends home helped shape a tradition that is still celebrated today. My friends April & Jeremy Neander and I discovered A Taste of Heaven, a bakery and breakfast/lunch spot that has everything I've come to learn a good brunch spot must possess: low wait times, a tasty variety of fare, and a comfortable setting. We became so accustomed to dining al fresco in the summer that months elapsed before we first ate indoors...and I discovered their case of cupcakes. Cupcakes are the perfect appetizer to precede a savory brunch, y'know. Although one of my first Satiated City Chick entries professes my absolute allegiance to a specific cookie dusted with espresso powder, I am a sucker for A Taste of Heaven's red velvet cupcakes- they're the perfect size to split with a companion, too.

The inside of the restaurant boasts a cozy, eclectic vibe with kitschy country knickknacks that may have been gleaned from the many resale shops nearby, and the wide windows that overlook the intersection of Clark & Balmoral are perfect for people watching; they lend a sunny feel to the blue-and-white tiled dining room. I've eaten at Taste when every single table has been full; even when the place is crowded it is still possible to have a quiet conversation with one's companion(s).

Some of the menu highlights include warm Katie Cakes with fruit compote, Mike's Pesto Sandwich (pesto, bacon, tomato, spinach, goat cheese and two eggs medium on grilled brioche), and seasonal quiches and omelettes. I'm a staunch supporter of savory brunch options, and my old standby is their breakfast burrito. Let's face it; anything with guacamole in it is likely to help one recover from the previous night's endeavors. A Taste of Heaven serves their perfectly brewed coffee in cobalt blue mugs, and I often find that between sitting with the Neanders and sipping my coffee my mood is vastly improved before our food even arrives.

April chose Mike's Pesto Sandwich, while Jeremy picked the veggie stir-fry

Starting my Saturday or Sunday in Andersonville once or twice a month has become such a mainstay, and one of the best things about A Taste of Heaven is its homey charm. If you're looking for a comfortable restaurant that serves hearty, reasonably priced brunch with just the right amount of flair, place sits firmly at the top of my list.