Brûlée has quickly become a culinary hotspot in Chicago, known for its Southern American-inspired brunch offerings. The restaurant was opened in November by Chef Emani Roberts alongside her mother and general manager, Shronda Dunn, in Chicago’s South Loop. This March, they welcomed Executive Chef Nia Nunn, formerly the sous chef at Mahari, to their team. The excellence of their cuisine has already earned them recognition as the Readers’ Choice Award winner for New Restaurant of the Year.
A standout dish is their fried catfish and grits, featuring golden fillets served over smoked Gouda grits, all enveloped in a rich Cajun crawfish cream sauce. Roberts describes Brûlée as a luxurious brunch spot, emphasizing dishes like the Virgil Special, which includes the catfish or fried wings, along with collard greens and candied yams. This dish is reminiscent of a Thanksgiving feast, showcasing tradition and personal culinary experiences.
Roberts credits her mentor, Atlanta chef Virgil Harper, with significant culinary influence. After graduating from Kendall College, Roberts worked with Harper, sharing recipes such as candied yams passed down from her grandmother. In return, Harper shared his greens recipe with Roberts. The Virgil Special is complemented with a house-made hot honey sauce, which is now served on the side due to customer preferences.
Another striking option is the lobster and sweet potato waffle dish. Roberts uses her grandmother’s candied yam recipe to create the waffle batter, topped with cinnamon streusel, vanilla cream, and salted caramel sauce, and crowned with a six-ounce fried lobster tail.
The menu also features a baked five-cheese macaroni and cheese, which could benefit from added texture. Le Brûlée, an espresso martini with banana foam, presents a tropical twist, though the brûléed banana garnish tends to sink. Their rendition of crème brûlée French toast lacks the expected caramelization due to previous customer feedback, leading to a name change. Brûlée’s menu focuses on breakfast dishes with ample sweet options like waffles, pancakes, and croissant beignets.
The avocado Croast features smashed croissant toast with Calabrian chile, red onions, roasted tomatoes, arugula, Parmesan, and white truffle oil. However, the chile paste can overpower the dish. Drinks like the caramel Bru’latte are mild, while the Blossom, a non-alcoholic cherry lemon drop, offers a refreshing option. The restaurant’s pricing reflects its elegant setting.
Brûlée staff are noted for their impressive service, even during a bustling fundraising concert following a burglary incident. The venue features large windows, creating a visually appealing space suitable for various occasions, including weddings. The restaurant is located at 2036 S. Michigan Ave., operates Thursday to Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and offers a wide-ranging menu from fried catfish priced at $27 to the Virgil Special at $28.