When it comes to dining out, few things inspire as much excitement as the news that an adored chef is launching a brunch menu. So when award-winning chef Giuseppe Tentori began serving up brunch at his restaurant GT Fish & Oyster, which was recently awarded the 2012 Bib Gourmand, local foodies came in waves — and social media exploded, with photos of shrimp and grits, French toast and crab Benedict peppering the Twitterverse.
In sync with Tentori’s dinner dishes, the brunch is a whirl of flavor pairings that keep seafood at the center. But while GT’s dinner menu is designed for small plates sharing, Tentori has taken a more traditional entrée approach to brunch. Even so, it will be hard not to reach over and nab a bite from your companion with dishes like creamy smoked whitefish quiche ($12) served with a frisée and radish salad, or biscuits and lobster gravy ($15) atop a lobster and potato hash. For brunchers with a more land-based palate, there are offerings, too.
French toast with yuzu curd and marscarpone cheese
The chilaquiles ($12) are topped with tender duck, and the open faced pork belly sandwich ($12) takes the BLT concept to new heights, with lettuce, tomato, avocado and burrata cheese. Sweet items come courtesy of lauded pastry chef Sarah Jordan, and range from simple, fluffy pancakes with apples and maple syrup ($10) to French toast with yuzu curd and mascarpone cheese ($11). Of course, no brunch is complete without a boozy beverage: Sip on a house-made Bloody Mary ($11) — kick it up a notch with a shot of Weller Bourbon instead of vodka — or a white peach bellini ($9).
Crab Benedict
And as if GT’s weekend offerings couldn’t get any more delicious, we were thrilled to discover that the restaurant takes reservations — a saving grace when family comes to town.
531 N. Wells, (312) 929-3501, Gtoyster.com
Story by Molly Each | Photos by Eric Kleinberg Photography
