I can’t believe this place is still a hot spot. It just means one thing – it’s good and worthy of sticking around Chicago’s competitive restaurant scene!  I remember coming here a couple of years back when it first opened and thought the communal tables and their Belgian beer selection was the coolest thing – It still, kinda is!  I mean, libations list is still fantastic but I think I am over the communal tables. Could just be a sign of me getting old.  Or that maybe this just isn’t the most family friendly place.  My friend had her 10week old baby along side while I had my 18 month old. Granted they did have high chairs and the staff knew the appropriate way to mount a car seat onto a high chair, but the place is oddly cramped  and the waiting area (which you will wait) is standing room only.  But that’s just my old lady ways now – ugh….I’m sure most people don’t have an issue with this at all. I know I didn’t – before I had kids!

The Publican is famous for their use of pork – but their take on the Monte Cristo is just G*d damn ridiculous – I have only had a few of these heart stopping sandwiches in my life time but I think this sandwich deserves an entire menu page dedicated to how delicious it’s going to taste.  I’m going to mark this down as one of the best things I’ve eaten this year (I know we’re only 10 days into 2012, but 2011 was very disappointing to my palette).

I just went this past Sunday and it was the first week they were offering it.  Luscious layers of proscuitto made in house enveloped in gooey cheese and fried with a side of jam and greens.  Really? Greens? will it make a heart attack any less painful?

Sadly, this was only a dish that I was able to take a bite of. I ordered the WRONG thing – I ordered the maple glazed pork shoulder which I found to be dry and rather, uninspiring.  It wasn’t my first choice for a dish but I ordered it because I had my 18 month old son with me who LOVES pork. The sad thing was, he didn’t care for this dish either!!  He left it!

What he DID enjoy, was the crusty artisan bread/toast and side of bacon – ooh soo yummy bacon – I mean, look at this picture – how can you NOT drool over it?

My friend Sarah ordered the carbonara and LOVED it. Maybe because I’m pregnant and my stomach is a bottomless pit but I found the dish to be really small, but rich. I only took a bite of it and it was very, very good. Smoked bacon flavor with light cream sauce really hit the spot.

~Vivian

Categories: Nightlife Bars Pubs Restaurants American (New) Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Pubs, American (New), Breakfast & Brunch  [Edit]

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