Looking for a great, casual place to grab brunch? You need to check out Gather. Tucked away in Lincoln Square, this spot offers delicious New American cuisine. It’s a fabulous neighborhood spot where friends and family can gather for a wonderful meal.
Gather has it all – great ambiance, friendly staff, and tasty food. Enjoy classic dishes with a twist, which will surely excite your tastebuds.
{Ambiance}
Gather provides a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. When you first walk in, you will notice the bright and contemporary dining space. The decór is simple yet eye catching, providing an enjoyable view from any seat. The walls are painted teal, blue, and white, with patterned wallpaper on one of the walls. Colorful accent pillows line the wall against the booth seating. There are several tables up front, with several more at the back of the restaurant.
Fab Review: Brunch at Gather // Interior // Photo: @topchicagoeats
FAB TIP: The covered, outside patio is now open.
The bar is both open and modern, displaying various wine bottles on the wall. It has a marble countertop with several bar stools.
Fab Review: Brunch at Gather // Bar // Photo: @topchicagoeats
Across from the bar is an open kitchen concept. Customers can choose to dine here for a unique experience. Get a front row seat to interact with Gather’s chef, Ken Carter, and the culinary team.
Fab Review: Brunch at Gather // Kitchen // Photo: @topchicagoeats
FAB TIP: Limited seating available at the kitchen counter.
{Food}
Gather’s menu highlights classic comfort foods with a creative and modern twist. Locally-sourced ingredients are used in the dishes, so the menu frequently changes.
The Skillet was not your typical skillet. Instead of being made with potatoes, they used crispy tortilla chips. It was topped with refried black beans, cheddar, pork shoulder, and a sunny-side up egg. The pork shoulder was very tender and well-seasoned. This complimented the overall flavor of the refried black beans, which were surprisingly flavorful. The dish was then topped with delicious tomatillo sauce and lime crema.
Fab Review: Brunch at Gather // Skillet // Photo: @topchicagoeats
The Chicken & Waffles was your quintessential brunch dish, but was enhanced by adding creative ingredients. It was made with a Belgian waffle, which wasn’t too heavy. The inside of the Southern fried chicken leg was juicy while the outside was extra crispy. What made this stand our from chicken & waffles dishes at other restaurants, is that this one was topped with matcha powder.
Fab Review: Brunch at Gather // Chicken & Waffles // Photo: @topchicagoeats
Johnny Cakes
The Johnny Cakes were my favorite dish. When they brought these out it smelled like freshly made, warm tortillas. The Johnny Cakes were corn pancakes that tasted like cornbread. It was served with a tasty chili-infused tomato broth. I recommend asking for an extra side of the tomato broth, it’s that good! This dish was also served with cheesy scrambled eggs topped with sunflower seeds, queso fresco, and fresh guacamole. The eggs were perfectly light and fluffy. It also came with savory, crispy pork belly. I mean, who doesn’t love pork belly?
Fab Review: Brunch at Gather // Johnny Cakes // Photo: @topchicagoeats
Sticky Bun
The Sticky Bun was served warm and fresh out of the oven. The bread was soft and had a mouth-watering cinnamon filling. The toasted walnuts added a bit of crunch to every bite.
Fab Review: Brunch at Gather // Sticky Bun // Photo: @topchicagoeats
PB + J Donut
I’m not usually a fan of PB&J, but I enjoyed the PB + J Donut because the peanut butter flavor was not overpowering. The slight tartness of the blackberry jelly paired well with the peanut butter. There was also a peanut butter crunch on top.
Fab Review: Brunch at Gather // PB & J Donut // Photo: @topchicagoeats
FAB TIP: Family-style dinner menu available on Sundays.
{Experience}
Gather is the place to go if you want to try unique versions of traditional brunch dishes. They also provide a quiet atmosphere with an attentive staff. Do not hesitate to visit Gather if you’re on the hunt for a great hidden gem!
{Location}
Gather
Lincoln Square || 4549 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 506-9300
{Price Range}
$$ ($11-$36)
{Fab Rating: 4.5 Fabs}
Have you been to Gather yet? What are your thoughts? Share below.
Eat, Eat, Repeat,
Lisette
Note: This meal was not complimentary. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the writer.
