New Upscale Brunch Spot in South Loop
Brûlée, a new restaurant aiming to redefine the high-end brunch experience, has opened in Chicago's South Loop. The concept, from former private chef Emani Roberts, features a menu blending Southern comfort with modern flair, signaling a trend of private-dining intimacy entering the public restaurant space.
- Before opening Brûlée, Chef Emani Roberts served as a private chef for high-profile clients including singer Tyrese Gibson, actor Cameron Newton, and the music group Bell Biv Devoe, and she also toured with Bobby Brown. - The restaurant is a family venture, co-owned by Roberts and her mother, marking their first joint entry into the restaurant industry. The sous chef, Kennedy Bufford, has been a long-time mentee of Chef Roberts. - Brûlée's menu features high-end signature dishes such as a Lobster Sweet Potato Waffle priced around $48 and Oxtail & Grits at $42. Other notable items include Creole Shrimp & Grits and Crème Brûlée French Toast. - Located at 2036 S. Michigan Avenue, the restaurant is positioned to attract both South Loop residents and attendees of events at the nearby McCormick Place convention center. - The restaurant is open six days a week, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed on Wednesdays, catering exclusively to the breakfast and brunch dayparts. - Chef Roberts, a graduate of Chicago's Kendall College and The Art Institute of Atlanta, gained experience at Walt Disney World before launching her private chef career.
