Photo: Café Touché

By Trent Modglin

Brennan’s New Orleans eggs at Café Touché
This French bistro is one of the best spots for brunch anywhere around. Bar none. And one of our favorite mainstay dishes on the weekend menu is Brennan’s New Orleans eggs. Why? Well, let us count the ways. In short, it’s poached perfection. Poached eggs on brioche toast with ham, gruyere cheese, spinach and hollandaise sauce. Oh, and if that’s not enough, let’s add some strips of crispy applewood bacon on the side. And did we mention bottomless brunches for $17.95? Bonus: Tuesday is Bring Your Own Bottle night, Wednesday is half-price bottles of wine, Thursday is live jazz and $8 martinis. 6731 N. Northwest Highway in Edison Park. CafeTouche.com

Tex Mex chicken flatbread at Harp & Fiddle
Harp & Fiddle has always held a place in our heart since we moved to Park Ridge five years ago, and the atmosphere, wide-ranging menu and craft beer list are all major reasons why. We got a sneak peek at this flatbread a few weeks before they trotted out a new menu, and it is a keeper for sure. It’s topped with Monterrey and cheddar, a tasty black bean corn relish, grilled chicken and a homemade Baja sauce that has a kick but is far from overwhelming. Perfect as a shareable appetizer or as a one-person meal. 110 Main Street in Park Ridge. TheHarpandFiddle.com

The Shemroon tray at Shemroon Kabab House
The only complaint we have with Shemroon Kabab House is that it’s difficult to come to an easy decision on what to order. The menu is just that loaded with delicious options. Not a legit complaint, we realize, but this new dish should be able to help solve our dilemma. We’d like to introduce the Shemroon tray, which combines four different flavors of kababs (veggies, shrimp, ground beef, lamb chops, chicken breast, filet mignon, etc.) on one dish to get the best of all worlds. It’s perfect for 4-5 people. Insider’s tip: Shemroon offers an underrated happy hour and a fun array of colorful cocktails. 430 W. Touhy Ave. in Park Ridge. ShemroonKababHouse.com

The only complaint we have with Shemroon Kabab House is that it’s difficult to come to an easy decision on what to order. Not a legit complaint, we realize, but this new dish should be able to help solve our dilemma with four different flavors of kababs.

Cajun shrimp tacos at Une Année Brewery
Tucked back in an industrial area in Niles, this family-run brewery (with a sister brewery called Hubbard’s Cave under the same roof), may specialize in BBQ (try the burnt ends), but they like to experiment with the menu and consistently come up with some creative specials as well. For instance, tacos are currently being served up Tuesday-Thursday, and we fell hard for their Cajun shrimp tacos that are topped with chipotle ranch slaw, a tomatillo avocado sauce and pickled red onion, with a few pickled jalapeños on the side.

Scared off by the “Cajun” in the title? Don’t be. It was described as more of a “slight Cajun zest” by the waitstaff, and that turned out to be accurate. Pair your tacos with their lime pilsner or a hazy IPA and you’re set. The brisket birria tacos are next up. 6343 W. Gross Point Road in Niles. UneAnnee.com

Howard Street Inn’s turkey club
If you’re on the hunt for a sports-themed bar and restaurant that always has a lot of energy, great food and mind-blowing daily specials, this is your spot. You can expect a diverse crowd of groups, families and sports fans of all ages, as well as a fantastic wrap-around patio that overlooks Tam O’Shanter Golf Course.

Just a ton of favorites on this menu, but sometimes you just crave a thick turkey club, and HSI has one that checks all the boxes. It’s a triple decker made with your choice of bread and comes with the traditional combination of lettuce, tomato, bacon and mayo. We suggest the crispy onion rings for your side. 6700 W. Howard Street in Niles. HowardStreetInn.com

The octopus at Patina Wine Bar
One of our favorite shareable plates in the area belongs to Patina, and it’s their tender, flavorful octopus with a beet marinade. It’s sprinkled with lemon oil and smoked paprika and then served atop smashed rosemary Yukon gold potatoes.

Patina’s tender, flavorful octopus is sprinkled with lemon oil and smoked paprika and then served atop smashed rosemary Yukon gold potatoes.

It never disappoints. And neither does their Tuesday-Thursday happy hour from 4-6 p.m. that includes $8 glasses of wine and plenty of discounted food items. 112 S. Prospect Ave. in Park Ridge. PatinaWineBar.com

Apple and spicy walnut salad at Daniel’s Charcuterie
There’s no denying the comfortable, cozy European bistro feel of Daniel’s Charcuterie. Chef Daniel Boland took aim at creating items you don’t see everywhere else, and that plan is evident with the creative apple and spicy walnut salad. Ideal for a light lunch, you’ll get a generous portion of mixed greens topped by green apples, spicy walnuts and goat cheese and tossed in a sweet honey vinaigrette. Creative, healthy and a beautiful balance of flavors.

Side note: If you haven’t stopped in for breakfast yet, you’re missing out. 15 S. Fairview in Park Ridge. DanielsCharcuterie.com

Tavern fried chicken dinner at Tavern on the Point
When it opened in 2020, Tavern on the Point was described to us as “a slice of River North and the Gold Coast mixed with Edison Park — classy and stylish but friendly and welcoming,” and over the years that has proven true time and again. The tavern fried chicken will have you thinking back to Sunday dinners at your grandma’s house. The juicy, crispy fried chicken is served with all the classic sides you appreciate — mashed potatoes, gravy, coleslaw and buttery biscuits. Comfort food at its finest. Bonus: For football season, take advantage of their TV setup and specials like $15 domestic buckets, $20 import buckets and half-price selected apps for Bears games. 6724 N. Northwest Highway. TavernOnThePoint.com

The tavern fried chicken will have you thinking back to Sunday dinners at your grandma’s house, and it’s served with all the classic sides you appreciate. Comfort food at its finest.

Chicken parmigiana at Zia’s Social
We can recall touring Zia’s while it was being built out, and it was hard to contain our excitement — or ownership’s. And to think Joe Calabrese’s gem in Norwood Park has surpassed some lofty expectations is hard to fathom. Having some great specials — like $7 Tito’s mixers and $6 house wines every day and a happy hour that includes 25% off pizzas and select apps, beer buckets for $16-$18 and Absolut martinis and U-Call-Its for $6 — doesn’t hurt, but the food and ambiance are where it’s at. You won’t go home hungry after ordering the chicken parm, which comes breaded and pan fried and topped with marinara, mozzarella, parmigiano, basil and penne pasta. 6158 N. Northwest Hwy in Norwood Park
. ZiasSocial.com