Fab Review: Brunch at Bar Lupo

If you are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of River North, I recommend you walk past the touristy spots and head to Bar Lupo. Bar Lupo is an Italian pub that is upbeat and trendy. You won’t find traditional menu items as you would at old-school Italian spots. Here you’ll find snacks, pastas, and creative drinks with great music in a fun atmosphere.

Bar Lupo is sure to have something for everyone as they are open for dinner and weekend brunch as well as lunch, happy hour, and late night.

{Ambiance}
The first thing you’ll notice when walking into Bar Lupo is the music. It is not what you would expect when you think of an Italian spot, which makes this place fun and approachable. The restaurant has eclectic décor and is divided into three sections… the lounge, dining, and bar areas.

The restaurant has an industrial/loft-like feel with exposed brick walls and wooden beams throughout. The space is large with plenty of tables and booth seating. There is also a private dining area in the back.

The bar area is quite big with a long counter and several high top tables. There is also a DJ set-up in this area.

FAB TIP: $4 beer and wine and $5 cocktails available Monday-Friday from 3-6 p.m.

Bar Lupo has various artwork covering all the walls of the restaurant, but the most notable piece is a mural painting near the entrance. This mural was painted by a local artist from Pilsen.

{Food}
When you think of Italian food at a restaurant, heavy pastas and entrées come to mind. Bar Lupo’s menu is split into snacks, sides, and plates. I recommend getting a few plates to share because you definitely don’t want to miss out on all these delicious dishes!

FAB TIP: Featured on the quick lunch menu are sandwiches and salads Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fresh Burrata
While the Fresh Burrata was a simple and classic dish, it was one of my favorites. It was served on warm toasted bread and topped with flavorful eggplant. The generous portion of burrata was perfectly creamy. While the fresh burrata was delicious on its own, it really complimented the flavor of the eggplant.

Fab Review: Brunch at Bar Lupo // Fresh Burrata // Photo: @topchicagoeats

Brioche French Toast
The Brioche French Toast was not as heavy of a dish as you would expect given the thick-cut brioche bread. The bread itself had a light coconut flavor, which paired well with the strawberry marmalade. It was the perfect combo of tart and sweet. It was also served with whipped butter, which had a bit of sweetness to it. All of the flavors in this dish worked really well together. Since it was just called Brioche French toast, I expected it to be more of a simple dish. I’m usually more of a fan of savory dishes for brunch, but this French toast was definitely my favorite because it wasn’t too sweet and had a lot of flavor.

Lupo Potatoes Bolognese
Think pasta bolognese, but served over potatoes instead of pasta. The potatoes were crispy with Parmesan cheese sprinkled on them in a delectable, meaty bolognese sauce. It also had creamy ricotta and was topped with over easy eggs.

Piedmont Pub Burger
The Piedmont Pub Burger wasn’t your standard brunch burger. It is perfect for meat lovers. Besides the grilled hamburger patty, it also had short ribs. I topped it with a little bit of their house-made giardiniera. I loved their giardiniera because it added a nice hint of spice in contrast to the sweetness of the pickles on the burger. The burger was topped with fontina cheese and house-made truffle dijonnaise. The fontina cheese was light and savory with a creamy texture. The short rib was extremely tender and the burger had a smokey grilled flavor.

Spaghetti and Meatball Bloody Mary
While it may seem a little odd to have spaghetti in a drink, Bar Lupo made this well. The Spaghetti and Meatball Bloody Mary was a spicy, well-made Bloody Mary, with over-the-top toppings. The spaghetti and meatball on it made it the perfect hangover cure.

FAB TIP: You can also order a traditional Bloody Mary.

{Experience}
Bar Lupo is the perfect spot to grab after-work drinks or bites with friends away from the tourist-filled River North scene. From the delicious food to the music and friendly atmosphere, it is sure to be what everyone is looking for.

{Location}
Bar Lupo
River North || 217 W Huron St, Chicago, IL || P: (312) 643-3400

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

{Fab Rating: 4 Fabs}

Have you been to Bar Lupo yet? What are your thoughts? Share below.

Eat, Eat, Repeat,
Lisette

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