Fab Review: Meli Café 2015

Oh, brunch time! It’s my favorite time of the day. On a day when you sleep in, this is the meal that can satisfy your hunger. Breakfast foods? Not a problem. Lunch? Also appropriate! As a person that loves fresh fruits and eggs, Meli Café makes some amazing dishes with these two ingredients. It’s almost the weekend so it’s the perfect time to start thinking about weekend brunch plans!

{Ambiance}
My last visit to Meli’s was on a weekday and the place still had a consistent flow of bustling people. There were couples, families, businessmen and businesswomen on lunch, etc. It’s a place where everyone can find something to enjoy! Chef Frank does some amazing work and my stomach wholeheartedly agrees. The atmosphere is casual with an easygoing vibe, which puts you in a good mood. The interior is bright and gives you a warm feeling.

{Food}
The portion sizes are large so make sure you go with a hefty appetite. You will definitely leave your meal with a full stomach and a smile on your face! We certainly did! We ordered a ton of things off the menu. Here are some notables:

Brioche French Toast
If you like sweets for breakfast, you HAVE to order the brioche French toast. Not only is the toast crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, it is topped with a honey mascarpone whip that is absolutely scrumptious. They even top the dish with fresh and colorful berries. Needless to say, it was so addicting that I couldn’t help but finish the whole dish. The great thing about the French toast and pancakes at Meli’s is that you can order half orders, if you want to try more than one!

Berry Crepes
Another sweet breakfast option is the berry crepes. They are nice and thin with blasts of flavor. It’s garnished with a handful of fresh berries and drizzled with buckwheat honey. On top of that, they sprinkle oats, toasted with brown sugar, to give the dish a crispy crunch. You can’t order half orders of the crepes but then again, why would you want to? Make sure to eat this quick! If you let it sit, the crepe loses its crispiness.

Salmon Benedict
If you’ve ever met me, you would know that I am a sucker for anything with poached eggs. I love seeing the yolk ooze out of the whites and onto the entrée. The runny yolk paired so beautifully with the house cured salmon and hollandaise sauce on the Salmon Benedict that angels were singing in my head while I was eating it. The lightly toasted English muffin underneath all of that deliciousness did its job in soaking up all of the sauce and egg, making sure you don’t miss a drop!

Green Machine
I also ordered the Green Machine smoothie. If you love juices and smoothies, Meli’s has a great selection you can choose from. The Green Machine includes avocado, spinach, kale, pear, and orange juice, making it a green cup of delightfulness.

FAB TIP: The Dearborn location also serves dinner.

{Experience}
It was a great brunch and the service was friendly. If I could have brunch at Meli Café  everyday, I would. I loved the Green Machine and Brioche the most out of all the dishes that we ordered that day. The options that they have on their menus are so vast that everyone can find something that they can enjoy.

{Locations}
Meli’s Cafe
River North || 540 North Wells St, Chicago, IL || P: (312) 527-1850
South Loop || 500 South Dearborn St, Chicago, IL || P: (312) 834-0500
Greektown || 301 South Halsted, Chicago, IL || P: (312) 454-0748

{Price Range}
$$ ($11-$36)

{Fab Ratings: 4 Fabs}

So what are you waiting for? Get your bottom to Meli’s for brunch! Trust me, you won’t regret it. Do you have other brunch spots that I must try? Let me know in the comments!

Until the next venture!

With love,
Van

Note: This meal was complimentary. However, the views and opinions expressed herein are those of the writer.