Today I want to share with you what I am convinced is the best restaurant in Chicago. It is mine and Caleb's absolute favorite. We've been going to Bistrot Zinc for about a year and a half on the regular for brunch. We stumbled upon it one cold November afternoon and haven't looked back since...
Food + Drink
It's no secret that I love trying new places for every meal of the day...especially brunch because it's my favorite meal of the week! However, I have never had a better brunch than Bistrot Zinc. Anywhere. We've tried all the regular items over the span of time we've been going here (at least once a month) but our favorites by far are the brioche french toast and eggs benedict. Honorable mentions go out to their daily quiches though, too. However, this past weekend when we went for brunch I decided to try a seasonal item that is new since we've last been. I was adventurous and went with the strawberry-rhubarb clafoutis. It looks a lot like a souffle. It's baked to flaky goodness and of course had strawberries and rhubarb inside it. It came with a side of lemon custard to smear all over it and it was the perfect spring brunch! I of course had a cup of coffee and a mimosa, too. Their mimosas are perfect: champagne with a splash of orange. Caleb went with his regular and got the eggs benedict, which was perfection as usual. It comes with a side a side salad but if you ask for potatoes instead they'll give you potatoes that you'll just die for over and over again. And the hollandaise sauce is incredible. I've never had better...ever! They also serve lunch and dinner.
Ambience + Atmosphere
Bistrot Zinc is the cutest french bistro. It's bright with natural light and bright with its red and yellow decor. It's the perfect place for meeting your girlfriends for a meal, going out with your family, or sharing a meal with your significant other. Basically you can go here for any reason and it'll be perfect. It's never too loud either. When it's nice out they open the windows and a nice breeze from the city is let in, and it always puts a giant smile on my face. It's a casual place, but I always feel the need to dress a little nicer as it is in the Gold Coast and brunch always deserves a nice outfit!
It's no secret that I love trying new places for every meal of the day...especially brunch because it's my favorite meal of the week! However, I have never had a better brunch than Bistrot Zinc. Anywhere. We've tried all the regular items over the span of time we've been going here (at least once a month) but our favorites by far are the brioche french toast and eggs benedict. Honorable mentions go out to their daily quiches though, too. However, this past weekend when we went for brunch I decided to try a seasonal item that is new since we've last been. I was adventurous and went with the strawberry-rhubarb clafoutis. It looks a lot like a souffle. It's baked to flaky goodness and of course had strawberries and rhubarb inside it. It came with a side of lemon custard to smear all over it and it was the perfect spring brunch! I of course had a cup of coffee and a mimosa, too. Their mimosas are perfect: champagne with a splash of orange. Caleb went with his regular and got the eggs benedict, which was perfection as usual. It comes with a side a side salad but if you ask for potatoes instead they'll give you potatoes that you'll just die for over and over again. And the hollandaise sauce is incredible. I've never had better...ever! They also serve lunch and dinner.
Ambience + Atmosphere
Bistrot Zinc is the cutest french bistro. It's bright with natural light and bright with its red and yellow decor. It's the perfect place for meeting your girlfriends for a meal, going out with your family, or sharing a meal with your significant other. Basically you can go here for any reason and it'll be perfect. It's never too loud either. When it's nice out they open the windows and a nice breeze from the city is let in, and it always puts a giant smile on my face. It's a casual place, but I always feel the need to dress a little nicer as it is in the Gold Coast and brunch always deserves a nice outfit!
Location + Transportation
Bistrot Zinc is located in the Gold Coast of Chicago. There are plenty of CTA red line stops within walking distance or if you would like to drive there is a lot of meter parking available. Finding a meter spot on a Saturday or Sunday morning within a block of the restaurant is quite easy. The meters are only for 2 hours though. BZ is also right down the street from some of the best high end shopping in Chicago.
Extras + Details
We make reservations on Open Table every time we go, but if they always accept walk ins. I've never seen it where people can't get a table. The restaurant is big enough to accommodate a large number of people. But just to be on the safe side, make a reservation...even if it's an hour before you're going to arrive because you never know. The staff at BZ is incredible. They are so friendly and give the best recommendations. We've actually become friends with one of the waiters, and he waits on us every time. They know us when we walk in and I've become friends with the manager, too. Yeah we're those people at this place, and I absolutely love it. Their prices are decent as well. You get the perfect portion for what you're paying.
Bistrot Zinc is located in the Gold Coast of Chicago. There are plenty of CTA red line stops within walking distance or if you would like to drive there is a lot of meter parking available. Finding a meter spot on a Saturday or Sunday morning within a block of the restaurant is quite easy. The meters are only for 2 hours though. BZ is also right down the street from some of the best high end shopping in Chicago.
Extras + Details
We make reservations on Open Table every time we go, but if they always accept walk ins. I've never seen it where people can't get a table. The restaurant is big enough to accommodate a large number of people. But just to be on the safe side, make a reservation...even if it's an hour before you're going to arrive because you never know. The staff at BZ is incredible. They are so friendly and give the best recommendations. We've actually become friends with one of the waiters, and he waits on us every time. They know us when we walk in and I've become friends with the manager, too. Yeah we're those people at this place, and I absolutely love it. Their prices are decent as well. You get the perfect portion for what you're paying.
Overall Impression
So this is our favorite restaurant in Chicago and it has been since that cold November day back in 2013. We joke about having standing reservations sometimes...that's how often we go and love it. The food is so delicious and the restaurant itself is so lovely. I can't impress enough upon all of you all how wonderful this place is. We're having our wedding brunch here with our family and bridal party and they thanked us for choosing them for this event. THEY THANKED US! What restaurant does that!? The best...that's who. We love you BZ! See you next weekend ;)
Bistrot Zinc is the very first place listed on our Chicago city guide. When you go, please tell them Diana and Caleb sent you :)
So this is our favorite restaurant in Chicago and it has been since that cold November day back in 2013. We joke about having standing reservations sometimes...that's how often we go and love it. The food is so delicious and the restaurant itself is so lovely. I can't impress enough upon all of you all how wonderful this place is. We're having our wedding brunch here with our family and bridal party and they thanked us for choosing them for this event. THEY THANKED US! What restaurant does that!? The best...that's who. We love you BZ! See you next weekend ;)
Bistrot Zinc is the very first place listed on our Chicago city guide. When you go, please tell them Diana and Caleb sent you :)
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