(credit: 2Sparrows)

by Amy Cavanaugh

Breakfast and lunch:
served Mon to Fri 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Brunch:
served Sat – Sun 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Move over brunch — breakfast has been taking off in Chicago over the past few months, meaning you don’t have to wait until the weekend for creative morning dishes. One of the best new spots is 2 Sparrows, which opened in Lincoln Park in October.

Go in hungry, because you’ll want to start with breakfast appetizers — upscale doughnuts and pop tarts. The maple bacon doughnuts, fluffy rounds of dough topped with light maple glaze and thick knobs of bacon, are a must-order and require a knife and fork to eat gracefully. Pop tarts are more creative versions of the traditional toaster pastry, with a foie gras and cherry compote filling, or apricot iced with lemon thyme.

For entrees, carnivores should look no further than the corned beef hash, which is a nicely balanced mix of corned beef and potatoes, topped with a poached egg. Two slices of bangers (sausage) and a pile of greens round out the bowl. It’s decadent, particularly after a doughnut, but an ideal morning start for freezing Chicago days. For those whose taste buds run toward the sweet, order buttermilk pancakes topped with whipped cream and fruit, or go healthy with granola, fruit, and yogurt.

(credit: 2Sparrows)

The restaurant also serves lunch, so if you can’t get out of bed before work, stop in until 3 p.m. each day for Cuban sandwiches, slices of sourdough bread stuffed with pulled pork, pork belly, gruyere, and pickles made in-house; a chicken sandwich topped with apricot chutney and crispy onions; or pasta tossed with chili butter and vegetables.

The space is warm and inviting, with wood panels, red accents, and show-stopping light fixtures. The menu changes regularly to match the seasons, so visit 2sparrowschicago.com for the latest offerings.