Nellcote is one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago and perhaps the prettiest space I have ever dined in. From the crystal chandeliers to the wallpaper and fun blue chairs – everything about this space is just lovely.
My first visit to Nellcote was several years ago for Kevin’s birthday dinner. Nellcote features European-inspired small plates made with Midwestern ingredients. The menu has a good variety of both French and Italian dishes. One of my favorite dinner items are the Robuchon Potatoes with Veal Jus which are the creamiest most delicious mashed potatoes you will ever eat. Their house made pastas are also incredible.
Most recently I celebrated my 30th birthday with brunch at Nellcote. I met several of my girlfriends and we had a great time sampling our way through their brunch menu. We started our meals with some of their homemade donuts. The donuts are apple cider with a maple glaze and topped with house bacon. These donuts were absolutely delicious but I actually preferred them without the bacon on top.
On another occasion Kevin and I had brunch together and started our meal with the share plate which has charcuterie, pleasant ridge reserve cheese, brioche, madeleines, and tea-poached plums. This was a really nice plate to start with and I especially loved the madeleines and plums.
For my birthday brunch I ordered the eggs ‘en cocotte’. This dish consisted of Italian sausage, tomato sauce, olives, chile flakes, and grilled bread. I absolutely loved all of the flavors in this dish especially the briny olives. Eggs in tomato sauce might be one of my new favorite combinations.
On another brunch visit I ordered the sunnyside-up organic egg pizza with fontina, mozzarella, and arugula. I pretty much used the egg as an excuse to order pizza for brunch and it did not disappoint. The crust was perfectly chewy and I loved the peppery arugula with the fontina cheese.
Like I said before Nellcote is one of my favorite Chicago restaurants. Both the dinner and brunch menus are delicious and I have never been disappointed in anything I’ve ordered. It is a great place for a date night or girls night out. Take my advice and make your next reservation here. Cheers!
Nellcote is located at 833 W. Randolph in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood
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