The Real Chicago

Top Menu

  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

Main Menu

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login
  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

logo

Header Banner

The Real Chicago

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
  • Chicago’s hidden gems: Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Unabridged Bookstore, Lulu Belle’s Pancake House and TNT at The Annoyance

  • New on the scene: Recapping recent restaurant and bar openings in Chicago

  • The Big City Blog: A Chicago summer bucket list

  • Outdoor drinking: A guide to some of our favorite beer gardens and rooftops in Chicago

  • A day at the museum: Exploring the iconic Field Museum in Chicago

First Look - Reviews
Home›featured-blogs›First Look - Reviews›First Look review: City Winery’s Klezmer Brunch

First Look review: City Winery’s Klezmer Brunch

By TheRealChicagoOnline
November 11, 2012
988
0
Share:

This spacious new West Loop venue offers a tasty way to start the weekend

By Leah Karabenick

Michael Dorf, founder of New York’s iconic Knitting Factory, recently revealed his latest endeavor: a restaurant meets winery meets music venue he calls City Winery.

I was fortunate enough to attend their premiere Klezmer Brunch, a culmination of live, culturally inspired music, delicious cuisine and what will soon become, for me, a ritualistic Sunday dining experience.

From the moment I entered the restaurant, I was overwhelmed by the sheer massiveness of the space. Fully fitted with floor-to-ceiling wine-filled wooden barrels and brick arches, this West Loop factory space is certainly a marvel, and the 300-seat music hall is no exception.

As I dined, I felt subconsciously detached from the Chicago bustle. The usual expected brunch crowd of loud 20-somethings was replaced mostly by families, three or four generations worth, chatting quietly while enjoying traditional fare and the music of the Chicago Klezmer Ensemble.

Ambiance aside, the moderately-priced menu boasts simplicity, with a perfectly small range of the savory and sweet. I tried what I believe to be just shy of 75 percent of the menu. Somewhere between my 19th bite of the lavender-infused salmon in my bagel and lox plate and polishing off my challah French toast, I realized that I had intentionally stumbled upon a gem — and might I add a kosher one (available by request).

The Klezmer Brunch truly defines experiential dining, and I will most certainly return for dinner, Klezmer Brunch round two and, perhaps, the last 25 percent of the menu.

City Winery is located at 1200 W. Randolph in Chicago’s West Loop.

Visit https://www.citywinery.com/chicago/ for menus, music schedule and more.

TagsChicago RestaurantsCity Winery ChicagoKlezmer BrunchLeah KarabenickMichael DorfWest Randolph Chicago
Previous Article

First Look: “Charlie Brown and The Great ...

Next Article

Chicago hidden gems: Movieoke, Aroma Workshop, Jaiyen ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

TheRealChicagoOnline

Related articles More from author

  • Good Eats

    Good Eats at Big Star: Tasty, inexpensive Mexican fare from Paul Kahan

    July 24, 2012
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • My Chicago

    My Chicago: What restaurant in Chicago do you most want to try for the first time?

    February 15, 2013
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Good Eats

    Good Eats at Weber Grill: Sizzling steaks, barbecue and seafood over an open grill

    December 19, 2011
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Hidden Gems

    Chicago’s hidden gems: Fresh, seasonal food at the Blue Door Farm Stand and dumplings at Pierogi Heaven

    September 18, 2014
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Around TownHidden Gems

    Chicago’s hidden gems: Swim Cafe, Rudy’s Roundup General Store and Colors and Bottles

    January 25, 2013
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • General Features

    Foodie favorites, part one: We asked resident food lovers for the best Chicago restaurants they’ve visited recently. And now ...

    May 1, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline

You might be interested

  • Around TownHidden Gems

    Chicago’s hidden gems: Sandmeyer’s Bookstore, Margie’s Candies and the Town Hall Pub

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Chicago’s best burgers: Everyone loves a good burger. Here are some of the city’s top options

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Bring your own bottle: Save some money at these Chicago dining establishments

Originally launched in 2006, The Real Chicago — as a glossy entertainment magazine, website and email newsletter — has consistently provided the very best insider information, features and reviews to help both tourists and active locals get the most out of exploring the greatest city on Earth.
© Copyright The Real Chicago. All rights reserved.