With less than 5 months left until graduation, part of me wants to hit pause on all the travel planning and just thoroughly explore Chicago. Then the sun stays hidden for weeks at a time. and I’m scrolling through instagram looking for a new beach. In the meantime, to keep our spirits up, us Chicago residents take full advantage of bottomless drinks on the weekends! First up, Baptiste & Bottle. Relatively new to the restaurant scene, B&B is on the lobby floor of the Conrad Hotel, with a great view of Michigan Avenue.
Baptiste & Bottle (January 2017)
Address: 20F 101 E Erie Street, Chicago, IL
Hours:
Monday – Thursday, 6:30-10:30am & 4-11pm
Friday, 6:30-10:30am, 4pm-1:30am
Saturday, 6:30-2:30pm, 4pm-1:30am
Sunday, 6:30-2:30pm, 4-11pm
Price range: Brunch mains range from $10-22, with cocktails starting at $10, and bottomless options at $16. The dinner menu on the website looks to be about the same price range.
Reservations: https://www.baptisteandbottle.com/
Much like GreenRiver, Baptiste & Bottle is one of those few Chicago restaurants which can boast a wonderful view of the downtown area. The restaurant has expansive windows along the 3 sides of the building, taking advantage of the natural light and view. On the interior, the design is quite simple – a grey and wood color palette, with a modern, chill feel. As I went for lunch, I can’t comment on the dinner lighting!
The dining area was quite empty, with a few groups scattered across the expansive restaurant. It might have been partially because we went at 1:30pm, but also likely because the restaurant is less well known, having opened only in mid-November 2016. The Conrad itself didn’t open until late spring of 2016, and B&B was the first of 3 restaurants they plan to open. B&B’s key theme is bourbon.
Personally, I love brunch places that are spacious and empty, without waiters looking to rush you out because they are trying to turn the table (looking at you Wildberry & Yolk!). The pleasure of a leisurely brunch is further amplified when said brunch offers bottomless drinks,. In the case of B&B, they offer a bottomless make-it-yourself Bloody Mary Bar, as well as an off the menu bottomless mimosa option (both $16!). Our lovely waiter kept a sharp eye on our drinks, stopping by to offer a refill every time the glass dangerously approached 1/4 remaining. There is also a handful of other cocktail options available that looked delicious. Especially with the bourbon focus, I think it’ll be important to return to try those out!
The food menu itself is not particularly innovative – lots of standard brunch fare. The classics: chicken & waffle, steak, eggs, pancakes etc. We tried the chicken & waffle and steak frites, both of which were very well made. I admire a good plate of truffle fries! Unfortunately we had no room for dessert.
Although B&B is a bit pricier than the popular downtown options such as Yolk, Wildberry, and Beatrix, it is around the same as West Loop restaurants such as The Publican. The bottomless options are, in my opinion, very well worth the money. The combination of the dining environment and the view make B&B a pleasant brunch place with solid food options and excellent drink options. It is also a good place to take out-of-towners, or a good brunch place for larger groups. If possible, call ahead to ask for a table by the window!
