Here are three spots—one old, one new, and one soon-to-open—that can host group brunches or breakfast meetings.
1. In July, Jam opened in West Town. Outfitted with plexiglass chairs, polished concrete tables, and an open kitchen, the venue can seat 34 inside and 10 on its patio. Chef and co-owner Jeffery Mauro, who's manned the stove at places such as Charlie Trotter's and North Pond, oversees a menu of sophisticated brunch fare. Options include malted custard French toast served with macerated stone fruit, lime leaf cream, and crushed pink peppercorn; the "Jamburger" blends beef patties with smoked tomato sauce, Butterkase cheese, and fried eggs. Despite the upscale ingredients, nothing on the menu costs more than $12.
2. Open since 1994, Bucktown restaurant Jane's added a 1,200-square-foot private dining room in 2005. With its own marble bar and restrooms, the space can seat 55 or host receptions for 80. Along with brunch items such as a burrito stuffed with scrambled eggs, black beans, shitake mushrooms, and chipotle pesto, Jane's menu offers shrimp and feta frittatas, grilled salmon with eggs and hollandaise sauce, and breakfast cocktails like bloody Marys and bellinis.
3. Dutch for "pancakes," Pannenkoeken will open a second location in Wicker Park later this month. With hardwood floors, green and yellow walls, and wooden tulips, the cheery breakfast spot will seat 50. The menu will offer sweet and savory pannenkoeken in flavors such as banana-chocolate and bacon, cheese, and mushroom; other options include fruit-topped Belgian waffles.
