Eden — Restaurant in Jefferson Township

There is no shortage of restaurants in Chicago. In fact, there is no shortage of great restaurants in Chicago. Award-winning, Michelin-starred, celebrity-owned restaurants speckle the city...so when I heard that Eden was opening in the still up-and-coming neighborhood of West Town (oh, and just so happened to be opening literally half a block from my condo!), I was skeptical. I figured it would be a restaurant that was breaking into the scene in this neighborhood, with no competition of 3+ star restaurants, and so the bar was low. There was nothing for them to beat or compete against. BOY WAS I WRONG! First, let's start with the ambience. As soon as you walk in, you are transported into this sort of ethereal, peaceful, white-washed brick interior restaurant that is laced with rich greenery and rustic furniture. It's both zen and hip at the same time. Next, let's talk about the staff. Probably THE BEST restaurant staff experience I've ever had anywhere I've gone (and I've gone a lot of places...and I'm not just talking about Chicago). The host and wait staff are friendly but natural. Not overbearingly sweet or fake. They are attentive to your every need without hovering. Knowledgable. Arif, the GM and Sommelier, came to greet us about halfway through our meal to ask us how our experience was. It was a pleasant greeting and you could tell he was genuinely interested. So how was the food? Incredible. We had the wedge salad and braised duck/brussels sprouts for appetizer. I think I could have eaten 2 more servings of each. My sister had the butternut squash hazelnut agnolotti and I had the duck lasagna. My lasagna was bursting with flavor. Rich and savory, the duck was absolutely perfect, and it was balanced by thin slices of orange and sauteed greens at the bottom. For dessert, we were talking into getting the apple sponge cake by Arif, who graciously brought it out on the house. It was as fun to eat as it was delectable! A myriad of textures played against and with each other and we truly savored and experienced every bite. At the end of the meal, Jodi, who is the owner, stopped by for a casual chat with us. She is one of those people that comes across so genuine, and she seemed truly grateful for the patronage and feedback we had for her. Just a warm, wonderful lady! She told us all about she and her husband's (he's the chef) plans to expand their menu and greenhouse, as well as host a farmer's market in the summer. Long story short, Eden seems set to be so much more than just another restaurant, and a restaurant of that caliber was sorely needed in that area (United Center). I am looking forward to being a...

This will be a very long review so stick with me (apologies in advance if I misspell anything).

To start, the highlight of the entire experience was our server, Marty. True 5 🌟 professional.

Friday, 08/18/2023, we had reservations for 5, this included myself, my other half, my 20 year old son and his partner (vegetarian), and my 16 year old daughter who hates eating in restaurants. (This is important if you have anyone with chronic illness or overstimulation issues,)

I ordered starters for the table: the house made bread, the Charcuterie board, and the burrata. All were a hit. The bread was incredible, I'm normally an olive oil person (Italian, Calabrese) but I never touched it because the herbed butter was so delicious.

I wasn't personally a fan of the plum salad/mixture that came with the burrata but the young folks loved it. The Charcuterie board was a hit with all, between the beautiful cheeses, sweet tiny grapes, and the cured meats it was well received.

Moving on the main event. My husband and I are not big eaters, but they allowed us to share the 22 oz bone-in ribeye, our son had the hanger steak, his partner had the gnocchi, and our daughter had chicken fingers. Every dish was beautiful and served with taste. They did not even blink when I requested the chicken fingers for my daughter who is 16 and not your "tradional" child.

I ordered every side on the menu for the table to share. The standouts here universally were the crispy potatoes, French fries, and spices carrots. Mixed reviews on the Cucumbers and Cauliflower but I personally loved them both and they may have even been my favorites.

To note, we had two cocktails and the young ones had two mocktails, all were delicious. As a bourbon drinker that doesn't love coconut I opted for the Old Oasis and it was really really well crafted, the coconut was enjoyable and subtle.

Finally desert, the kids shared the fig and peach sorbet, I did not try it, but it was met with trave reviews by everyone else. To be honest, we took home the flour less chocolate cake for my husband and it was only ok, that could have been because it made a two hour trip, no real complaints, just wouldn't order that twice.

Last, the atmosphere was great. Not overly crowded, (we did have reservations), clean and attractive decor, not to busy not to themey. Most importantly though not overly loud which is a huge factor for my daughter.

In all a great "special"...

Ah, Eden - not the garden variety but a culinary oasis in the concrete jungle of Chicago, where brunch isn't just a meal; it's a gastronomic event. Here, traditional brunch gets a facelift, a botox shot, and a cheeky wink, all thanks to a menu that dances between innovation and comfort without missing a beat.

The vibe? It's as if modern chic had a love child with cozy comfort, creating a space that's both Instagram-worthy and genuinely inviting. It's the kind of place where the decor whispers sweet nothings about taste and sophistication, promising an ambiance that complements the culinary adventure awaiting.

Now, let's talk about the main acts during our visit. The French Toast (which also happens to be vegan) - it's not just French toast; it's a love letter to brunch, penned with brioche, sealed with apricot coulis, and delivered with a flourish of macerated berries and maple syrup. It's the kind of dish that could make a grown man weep and a vegan sing.

And the Breakfast Burrito? Imagine if your favorite breakfast decided to roll itself up in a cozy flour tortilla blanket, stuffed with everything good and pure in this world: egg scramble, tater tots (because why not?), avocado, a blend of cheddar and chihuahua cheese, black bean purée, escabeche, and pico de gallo. It's a burrito that doesn't just walk the walk; it salsas across your taste buds.

Service here? Imagine your best friend, if your best friend was extremely knowledgeable about food, infinitely patient, and didn't ask to split the bill. That's the level of friendliness we're talking about.

If I had to nitpick, and because perfection is a journey, not a destination, a smidge more diversity on the menu for the dietarily adventurous could transform Eden from a culinary paradise to a brunch utopia.

In the grand tapestry of Chicago's brunch scene, Eden is that vibrant thread you can't help but notice. It's a place where each bite is a narrative, each sip a subplot, and the experience a bestseller waiting to be devoured. Four stars for Eden, with a side of anticipation for what's next...