Brûlée: A Culinary Gem in Chicago’s South Loop

Brûlée, a brunch restaurant inspired by classic Southern American cuisine, has quickly become a popular spot in Chicago. Opened by Chef Emani Roberts alongside her mother and general manager Shronda Dunn, the restaurant debuted last November in the South Loop. Executive chef Nia Nunn, former sous chef at Mahari, joined the team in March. The establishment just received the Readers’ Choice Award for New Restaurant of the Year.

The restaurant’s bestselling dish is a flawlessly fried catfish paired with smoked Gouda grits, covered in a Cajun crawfish cream sauce. Chef Roberts describes Brûlée as an elevated brunch experience, where each component is meticulously crafted—from the flaky catfish served on creamy grits to an elegant white wine sauce. Another popular option, the Virgil Special, includes either the catfish or deep-fried wings, paired with collard greens and buttery candied yams, reflecting treasured Southern traditions.

Roberts credits her mentor Virgil Harper, an Atlanta chef renowned for his Southern brunch spots, for shaping her culinary path after graduating from Kendall College. The Virgil Special is accompanied by a house-made hot honey sauce, now served on the side due to customer preference.

“Virgil taught me how to make greens, and I showed him how to make candied yams,” Roberts shared, highlighting a cultural exchange with Harper.

A standout dish on the menu is a lobster tail served with a sweet potato waffle, enriched with her grandmother’s recipe for candied yams. Seasoned with cinnamon streusel, vanilla cream, and salted caramel sauce, this dish dazzles with a six-ounce fried lobster tail.

Desserts are notably missing from the menu, as Roberts mentions the lack of demand. However, patrons can enjoy sweet breakfast options like French toast, waffles, or croissant beignets. The Brûlée French toast, initially inspired by crème brûlée, was adjusted due to customer feedback on the caramelization, leading to a name change to meet expectations.

For a lighter bite, the avocado Croast features a croissant toast with Calabrian chile, avocado spread, red onions, roasted tomatoes, and topped with arugula and Parmesan cheese. Adding a personal flair, Roberts notes the option to include an egg or smoked salmon.

The beverage menu offers unique options like the Le Brûlée banana espresso martini and The Blossom, a refreshing nonalcoholic drink with cherry compound, sparkling water, and lemon juice. The service staff, praised for their coordination, adds to the experience, even during packed events like a fundraising concert following an unfortunate burglary.

The ambiance at Brûlée, with floor-to-ceiling windows, provides an inviting setting for gatherings of all kinds. Special events, like a wedding ceremony held for Roberts’ grandmother, highlight the restaurant’s versatility. This family-owned business continues to impress with its commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

Brûlée
2036 S. Michigan Ave.
312-763-3147
bruleechicago.com
Open: Thursday to Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed Wednesday)
Prices: Fried catfish and grits $27, The Virgil Special $28, Lobster with sweet potato waffle $42, Avocado Croast $17, Le Brûlée banana espresso martini $18, The Blossom nonalcoholic drink $14
Sound: Loud at peak weekend afternoons (82 to 90 dB)
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible with restrooms on one level
Tribune rating: Very good to excellent, two and a half stars