Cute spot but disappointing. Got the eggs benedict (that has pork belly and brussel sprouts). The brussel sprouts were unseasoned and too much. Actually, the entire dish had no flavor. Just all trendy ingrediants thrown into a trendy dish. We also got a kanela roll (cinnamon roll) and the greek doughnuts. The kanela roll was utterly dry. Not how a good cinnamon roll shoudl be. The greek doughnuts had a fluffy texture, but the syrup (honey and lemon) was wayy too sweety. And they doughnuts were swimming in a pool of it. Small, crowded, not great food. Not coming back.
(2)
Cara M.
I never really wake up in time for the brunch rush- and since I actually work at a brunch place, I try to avoid that crowd at all costs.... which is why this review is for Kanela between the hours of 1pm-close. My boyfriend wanted to come here because he said he saw the line out the door one morning as he was driving by, so he wanted to try it after that rush, and honestly it's worth waiting till the crowds die down. We usually go during the week and (aside from our other Logan Square brunch spot) this is the go-to place. Usually he just has to say the name and I'm in. Service is always great everyone is always super sweet and attentive. The fresh squeezed OJ, and the salmon benedict are both great. (The last time they didn't have the benedict on the menu... which was upsetting) Either way this place has my heart- and my tummy.
(5)
XTreats X.
Not terrible but both of our plates had 1 over cooked egg and one runny.. Which is odd. Kanela roll is just a cinnamon roll. Chorizo and eggs had too much chorizo. Crab cakes were mushy. It was pretty good but nothing you couldn't get at a diner
(2)
Cory B.
We went there for brunch Saturday didn't have to wait. Service was good food was delivered quickly. Steak sandwich was awesome all eggs Benedict dishes were too.
(4)
Joe E.
I went here for my best friend's private birthday party. They rented out the venue to hold the event from 7 to 10 PM. I've been to few breakfast/brunch style restaurants in the city, and they are all pretty similar in layout. They are skinny buildings that are usually wood paneled with a patio open in the back during the summer. Kanela is no exception to this. I had 2 appetizers of watermelon and feta. Both were very fresh. The menu for regular business hours looks enticing, but I cannot review that since I did not have a chance to sample anything off of it. For now, Kanela is a solid place to hold a private event. Not sure what the cost was, but there were about 30-40 people comfortably tucked in the main room, which also held the bar.
(3)
Mallory C.
Every time I come to Kanela I instantly feel at home. Not only is the staff/ service impeccable, but they sincerely love what they do and that energy is contagious. They get me so excited about the delectable dishes I usually order two. I personally found myself craving the 'Spicy Feta Omelette' daily after having tried it for the first time. The tyrokafteri (spicy whipped feta) is sensational, I've never had anything quite like it. If you're in the mood for something to tame that sweet tooth of yours, I highly recommend the 'Red Velvet French Toast'. It comes out hot & oh so moist, draped in cream cheese frosting, creme anglaise, and fresh cut strawberries. Trust me this will do the job, morning, noon and night it's simply to die for! -Cameron
(5)
Harry V.
When we arrived we had a ten minute wait which is ALWAYS a great problem even for the customer at an establishment that has been around for more than 6 months. This lets me know a couple of items as a customer. First when it is busy others appreciate the food and service they receive here. Second the food is fresh, because it is being rotated and no one wants to eat food that has the potential of being used past their shelf life. Third an establishment that is busy is making money and can afford to pay for extra help. This locations shows they do that because the restrooms are nice and clean. If the restrooms are clean then most likely the rest of the establishment is clean. I built my own egg white omelette with green pepper and feta cheese. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and sometimes scares me to eat out, so it is not ruined. It was a great feeling when receiving my food and seeing it was made correctly. The food tasted great which is nice because it is not misleading. That is all I had there for my first time but will return and try some other items next time. Service was great as well. They had a host there that had the establishment under control and was very good at communicating with guests and team members. The manager Peter was working the floor better than I have seen at other locations. He was helping the host and making sure to get guests down faster by busing tables and seating guests. When he wasn't doing that, he was running food and checking with his staff to make sure his staff was happy. You don' t normally see this from a manager checking to see if the staff is happy and in good spirits, even though they are running around taking care of their guest. With all of that Peter did a great job touching tables and thanking guests for coming in and promoting his staff and establishment. Overall when you find a location that makes you feel like home, you want to return and try it again. I will be returning to this location as soon as Thanksgiving since I know they are open for breakfast.
(5)
Stephanie A.
Nice menu, but... Weak coffee Numerous mistakes from the kitchen., runny whites undercooked potatoes. Expensive too!
(2)
Ryan G.
Ate here yesterday for first time. The place was hopping! Waited about half hour for table. They used Yelp SeatMe to communicate via text when table was ready. This made it possible to carouse the neighborhood a bit while waiting, plus it kept a line from jamming up the entrance. There really was no place to wait inside the restaurant which was jam packed and loud. Well worth the wait. The food was top notch and service was excellent. The hostess, server, and manager were each attentive to our needs. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Garrett H.
We just ate here this morning, the food was unreal. Honestly for the price this was one of the best breakfasts I have ever had. I got biscuits and gravy and they were incredible.
(5)
Brooke M.
This is the perfect place to eat! Id you want excellent service, great food and great atmosphere! I absolutely will give Kanela breakfast club a 5 star rating from the service to the food. This was my first time eating here and it will not be my last! The servers/waiters make their job look fun, and they communicate with their customers very well. I sat at the bar where my server/bartender (Rain) waited on me. I told him this is my first time coming here and he suggested some food items I should try. And I tried the spicy feta cheese omelet with potatoes. One word Delicious! I cant wait to go back! Thanks Rian!
(5)
Aleks S.
The food was delicious. Amazing potatoes served with the salmon egg Benedict. The rest of the menu also sounded very Yummy, would love to come back and try some more items off the menu. The coffee was nice and strong and the Bellini was nicely balanced. Service was friendly and really enjoyed the atmosphere
(5)
Chris W.
This rating is based on a delivery, so make no judgments about the quality of the dine in food based on it. I ordered the raspberry cheesecake French toast and the mixed berry waffle. After tax and delivery charges the total came out to 31 dollars. When the food was delivered, almost an hour and a half later, it was cold and soggy. We had to reheat the food ourselves to regain some semblance of crispiness. Also, the delivery driver was not friendly, and seemed annoyed that people were actually having their food delivered (when it seems like running the deliveries is his main job). Also lacking were the portion sizes. At most restaurants, a 10 dollar portion should be enough to leave you full. Not so here. The waffle was not much larger than an eggo, and yes I did mean waffle, singular. The French toast portion was better, but still not close to justifying the price, considering it came with no sides. I feel like the food might have been better if it had been eaten in the restaurant fresh out if the kitchen, but please don't order delivery and expect anything better than the week old leftovers you probably already have sitting in your fridge.
(1)
Jason M.
I walked in on a Saturday morning and was promptly seated. Unfortunately, that was the only positive bit of customer service I got. I sat for at least five minutes before anyone came over, and only then as I became visibly annoyed with people who came in after me being waited on first. I started with the loukoumades, which was good, and held me over as I then waited over 20 minutes for my meal. By the time my plate arrived, the group that came after me had already eaten and were waiting for their check. The duck confit hash isn't hash at all, just some pulled, dry duck meat covered by two eggs with a side of roasted potatoes. It was very bland and disappointing. The waiter brought the check and said "I'll take this whenever you're ready", to which I immediately responded "I'm ready", but he ignored me and walked away. In fact every single time he came over it was like he couldn't get away fast enough. I got the distinct impression that the wait staff saw a single diner and all said "not it!", preferring to aim for bigger tips at other tables. They desperately need a stopper on their entrance door, as it slams violently and I ended up hearing it about 50 times. One of the busboys spilled milk on the floor and it sat for a few minutes before being cleaned up even after he saw it. The noise level is almost deafening. Nothing would ever get me to set foot in this place again. Batter & Berries treated me right, I'll go back to them.
(1)
Michael R.
Ordered online for pick up. Didn't realize if you hit cash you need to pay for cash for a pick up order. So your $10.00 goes to $13.00, no big deal. Little irritating, except when you are just running in to get something. Well the meter expires because you expect to take 5-7 minutes to get your order, pay, and jump back in your car and head on your merry way. Well, when said cash was handed, took 6 minutes to get money from the back plus you had to wait to use an atm that you didn't expect. How do you have a cash drawer with no money in it? So now instead of paying just $10.00 for a quick meal, it's turned into $10.00 for a meal, $3.00 for atm fee and now $150.00 for a parking ticket that shouldn't have happened. New total of $163.00 for 2 eggs, bacon and potatoes. Not to mention that the customer service in the small amount of time there was not friendly at all and it felt like they were deer in headlights. It's a shame since the food is so good, but for me, not worth the hassle. Been here 3 times and 1 out of 3 for good service isn't bad right?
(2)
Peter O.
Wonderful! Delicious! S. and I visited today for early, pre-crowd Sunday brunch and Kanela won our tongues, stomachs and hearts. We began with the Kanela Roll, a delightfully egg rich, light, layered cinnamon roll that was not at all gloppy as we all know is nearly standard. Dynamite Julius Meinl coffee, always our favourite. S. enjoyed her two gigantic scrambled eggs and wheat toast, we split an order of thick Peppered Bacon (mmmyummy!) and I had the Lorraine Scramble: peppered bacon + gruyère cheese + caramelized onions + buttered multi-grain toast = an exemplary balance of flavours and textures. Potatoes were typical pan fried cubes, really slightly bland and not the meal's standout though served in large quantities. Hey, how about crumbled bacon and cheese added to the potatoes? Why not! Why. the Hell. not! Also, many meretricious mimosas made for much mirth and merriment. A nearly full bar (NO JAMESON!) Our server, Emily A,, could not have been more clever, kind, thoughtful and generous. Seek her out. From now on, we will do just that. An absolute winner to visit again and again. ~New recipe Peter O. and S.: Now with more nitrates and nitrites!
(4)
Tony H.
I like Kanela as a place to go during the week. It's easier to get in and the food is pretty good. I'm especially happy that they accommodated some requests the other day for additions to my omelet. What I appreciated the most that day was the friendliness of the server - very kind and helpful. This is on my go to list of places to brunch in Lakeview.
(4)
Chicago S.
This place looks so nice and the service was great, that's the only reason I give it 2 and not 1 starts. The food was terrible. We got the Kanala cake which was so dry. The crab cake Benedict was a joke. I wonder if they use frozen crab cake patties. So simply gross. The scrambled eggs were dry and over done. Almost chocked again. Place looks nice, maybe they just had a bad day. But bad enough for me not to come back.
(2)
Hrudaya S.
I went to brunch with two friends, and as expected we had quite a long wait. It was a Sunday, so we had around an hour wait. The food though, was totally worth the wait. I got the chai and the spicy feta omelette, and I loved it. Our server was really nice and he knew the menu well and made some good recommendations as well.
(4)
Jackie C.
The food here was delicious!!! We came for a bridal shower for a group of 25. The service was stellar all things considered. Adam was really on top of everything and was very attentive to the host and the bride which is truly what matters. I would love to come back with a smaller group and the "regular" dining experience. It's a little out of my way but I think it will be a great place to go to when we have visitors since it is in a different part of town.
(5)
Aimee R.
Food was sooo good!! We had the duck confit hash and the stuffed raspberry cheesecake French toast. Minus a star for the time it took to get the food. almost an hour, on top of already waiting an hour to get seated. The server came by and told us the kitchen was backed up a couple times. Oh well, food was worth the wait.
(4)
Jovanna F.
My two best friends and i decided to go to Kanela (Saturday, Oct 25) after our manicures across the street in preperation for my wedding the next day. We were all in a good mood in light of my wedding festivities. We sat at the bar since we couldn't afford to wait for a table. After a while of waiting (about 45 minutes) for our food, talking and just being plain giddy and excited about getting married the next day, we realized we had been waiting a really long time. We didn't have all day because of the other things I had going on that day for the wedding. We asked many times about how much longer it would be and we just kept getting vague answers. We were very nice and explained we really needed to get going but this made no difference. Our waiter seemed flustered and stressed but not at all apologetic about how long we had been waiting. Finally, literally, after more than an hour and a half of waiting we said we could not wait any longer and really needed our food. Our waiter gave us a look like "do what you got to do". We waited some more and finally told him we had to go. I think he said something like "sorry about that". So we left without EVER getting our food. I felt like they were relieved we were leaving because it was one less party to make food for. We were given NO incentives to come back and again, they did not feel bad at all about how long we had waited. It was terrible. We ended up going across the street to the falafel place where we scarfed down our food before heading downtown to where my wedding festivities were taking place later on. I have never left a restaurant without getting my food. An awful experience. Whoever is running this place needs a wake up call.
(1)
Jamie L.
I didn't know I hadn't falling head over heals until I tried Kanela's waffles with crispy, chocolate entrenched bacon. I would recommend going with a couple friends, so you can share and still have their innovative renditions on the classic eggs benedict-with crabcake!
(4)
Michael P.
So, for some reason I can't put my finger on, I feel like I shouldn't be able to give this place 5 stars, but based on my visit I can't find a reason not to. We started with coffee and an Americano, both of which were very good (they came in Julius Meinl cups and I have no reason to believe the coffee was not from Julius Meinl). Next, we ordered the Chorizo and Eggs and the Wild Mushroom and Arugula Benedict. Both were excellent. The chorizo was not at all greasy, the salsa verde was good (could have used a little more kick, but that's personal preference), the cheese, the eggs, the hash browns, all excellent (hash browns could have been a little more browned, but again, personal preference). Partway through the meal, I orderred an orange and grapefuit juice blend. Very good with ZERO pulp. I hate pulp I frickin' hate it. I don't trust people who like it. And who in the hell are the derelicts who buy juice not just with pulp, but with EXTRA pulp?!?! Nutjobs, all of them. Anyways, the Benedict was excellent as well. Eggs done perfectly, sriracha hollandaise tasty, great breakfast. And, to top it all off, the portion size can be described as abundant. Re: the service, I obviously cannot speak to the problems others have experienced, but our server was attentive, got the order correct, and had our food out to us in a very reasonable amount of time, especially considering the place was packed. Again, I don't know why I feel like I shouldn't be able to give this place 5 stars, but in all fairness I can't find a reason not to. I will be back.
(5)
Lauren B.
What a fabulous brunch spot. I love the variety and quality of not only the dishes but the speciality drinks as well. I had the black and bleu salad with bleu cheese dressing. I always order this at every restaurant if it is available. It was the best black and bleu I have had.. Not to mention the dressing ( all dressing is made in house). Trendy ambiance and friendly waitstaff. Bring your friends, business partners or even a first new romantic interest for a great brunch experience!
(4)
John C.
Eat here. Soon. I've been to Kanela (both the Clark st. and Old Town location) countless times, and they are ON POINT every single time. Things to get: --Fresh squeezed juice. It's expensive, but worth it. Check out that funky looking machine, too. --Monkey Bread. I don't care if it's for monkeys; it's still delicious. --Fried Egg Sandwich. My personal favorite. The bagel is authentic, and the flavors are just wonderful. --Banana Split Crepes. Life-changing. My girlfriend makes all kinds of noises when she eats these. They are good noises. Give this place a shot. If you have to wait to be seated, do it. It'll be worth it, and they usually move through the wait times quickly.
(5)
Colle J.
Don't even know what the food taste like. The photos look good but calling in to order was a disorganized nightmare. Horrible customer service. After being place on hold several times they would not take an order on the phone. The alternative - ordering on line takes as long as dining in and with all that time I could go to the grocery store and buy the food and cook it myself. No food taste that good. It's just not worth it. Bad customer service to make the customer work that hard to give you money support your business. No thanks, Philip the manager.
(1)
Carrie L.
Came here to check out their breakfast on a random Thursday before the weekend masses. The waitstaff was really nice, the menu was interesting. I ended up getting the daily skillet - ham, peppers, swiss & pesto. I think I just made the wrong choice, the pesto made this exceptionally oily, paired w/ the swiss, I ended up w/ a heavy feeling. I'll be back to give this another try and hopefully a better review.
(3)
Derrick B.
Not sure what the mediocre reviews are for, but this place has some pretty good brunch food. I always make it a point to take visiting guests here. The only downfall is their service is terribly slow and not the best.
(4)
Sarah O.
This breakfast is amazing. We started with the Kanela roll, the most delicious and decadent cinnamon roll I've ever eaten. The coffee was perfect. My iced tea was home brewed. I got the BLT, better than average, with spicy mayo and real chunks of turkey. The real showstopper, though, was the dish my boyfriend ordered - chorizo and eggs. It was creamy, spicy, eggy and just heavenly. The only problem is that they're very full on the weekend - make sure you've got some time to spend. They will take down your phone number and text you when your table is ready, so that alleviated a lot of the normal waiting for a table issues. We got to go walk around while we waited. All around a great experience and breakfast. Go here!
(5)
Jen K.
Based on the other Yelp reviews, I was expecting an average experience, but I was definitely mistaken. I went to brunch with 2 friends. I was the first one there, and usually restaurants make you wait to be seated until the whole party is there, but not here, which I loved. The mimosas and bloody's were delicious and reasonably priced, but we did go only a week after they stopped with the bottomless option, which was sad to hear, since that's how it was still advertised. Everything we ordered was delicious, especially the red velvet french toast, but it's rich, so I would suggest sharing it. It's a very cute breakfast place. All the staff had a great attitude and our waiter was so nice and very accommodating.
(5)
Anna F.
This place is amazing! Great service and food and the parking is free! The strawberry orange juice is really good and the prices are great.
(5)
Geniene M.
Lovely! Went here for a Friday morning breakfast meeting with a co-worker. Called ahead regarding some food restrictions and they were able to easily get me the information i needed and accommodate my eating needs. Chad was a phenomenal and charismatic server and made sure everything came just the way we ordered it!! Food was delicious, coffee was even better. Overall a nice experience :)
(5)
Lynn N.
We randomly walked past this location heading back from the Chicago Half Marathon. Coming from Portland and eating not-so-fantastic food since our plane landed - this was a fantastic surprise! I had the cheddar broccoli soup and side of potatoes. Yum! My friend ordered the Kaneli French Toast and it was perfect. Thanks for a great morning!
(4)
Mitchell Y.
I don't understand brunch. Why not just eat lunch? It's clearly the superior meal. Kanela singlehandedly makes me doubt that statement. The key thing about Kanela is that they just execute perfectly. The menu may look like every other brunch menu, but I guarantee you Kanela makes the dish better. Case in point? Breakfast potatoes. While breakfast potatoes can be good, I'm not sure anyone has ever thought they were revelatory. The first time I tried the breakfast potatoes at Kanela I put down my fork and literally had to wait a minute before I was ready to eat more since I could not handle how potatoes could be so good. You will have many experiences like that here. On the sweet side I recommend the Red Velvet French Toast or Banana Split Crepes. Somehow both dishes manage to be light and refreshing rather than heavy. If they have the French Toast Flight special (sample sizes of four different french toasts) drop everything and order it. For savory, if the place was burning down and I could only save two recipes, they would be the Lorraine Scramble and Pork Belly Benedict. The benedict is just this amazing combination of flavors and textures where no ingredient overpowers another. The scramble, which has bacon, gruyere, and carmelized onions comes together perfectly. Again, it's about the execution of common ingredients. The one (1) weakness of the menu is starters. The baked goods (Monkey Bread, Kanela Roll) are hit and miss. Sometimes they're soft and wonderful, others they are very dry. Other appetizers just don't rise to the level of the rest of the menu. They used to carry an amazing Bougatsa, but it seems to have disappeared. That one downside is completely overshadowed by the great location (with easy parking for a surbanite like me) and very nice staff. No matter how busy it seems, they always take time to chat and the food still comes quickly. Ultimately this is the Platonic ideal of breakfast. He wasn't seeing a circle on that cave wall; it was a Kanela pancake.
(5)
Rick P.
Fantastic food! I honestly think you could order anything here and it will be better than expected. Coming from a non-Chicago resident though...
(5)
Jessica N.
Sad to see Orange disappear, so Kanela's had big shoes to fill. + They accomodate our large group the week of + Unlimited mimosas with delicious juice - Boody Mary is oversized without oversized vodka serving. It ended up being too acidic and impossible to finish which is a shame + Service was great, and very accommodating of our unlimited mimosa requests :) Food was overall quite tasty. Duck Confit Hash came heavily recommended. Duck was tasty and eggs were perfectly cooked. I would come back to try more!
(4)
Kaela C.
Get there early or there will be a long wait. Kanela is the best brunch I've had so far in Chicago. Amazing choice of pancakes, creative Benedict plates, dark chocolate bacon, and spicy Bloody Marys, this is a go to place. I have been there more than once and often when I crave breakfast (or brunch, who doesn't) I immediately think of Kanela. Every time it have gone I've had great service, even on one occasion when it was extremely busy, the server gave me a complimentary muffin because I was still waiting for my food. Kanela cares for the people they serve and what goes in their tummies. If you don't ever try their food, I'm judging you.
(5)
Chelsea B.
I am so sad to be updating my previously 5 star review. I have been a loyal Kanela customer for years! But within the last year it's really taken a turn for the worst. It started when they delivered my food and as the waiter put the plate on the table, the food slid off and into my purse that was next to me on the bench. Still charged me for my food even though I ate two slices of the flat bread I ordered. But I said I'd continued to go back because I loved their food. Went back shortly after and the food was just ok and the service slow. Thought that was a fluke. Then a short time later, I met a friend there and the service was horrible. But we were both servers and totally understand that you get busy and they seemed very under staffed, so we let it go. The food was ok. Not amazing like it usually is. Again, thought it was a fluke. Then went back again last Saturday. It was pretty early still so it wasn't busy yet. We walked in and was told to sit wherever. There were three of us and there were several tables to choose from. We sat and waited and waited.... 15 minutes before we were offered menus. Then another 10 before he came back for a drink order. Other tables that sat after us had already gotten food before we were given our 3 waters and 2 coffees. We finally ordered and again.... Waited. It wasn't until I was able catch the waiter and ask for a refill and ask about the food that he came back. He went to check on our order and it came out a few minutes after. At this point we had been there over an hour. Once it came it was very underwhelming. My friend and I ordered the same thing, California Benedict, and hers showed up with no avocado. And all of our potatoes were way undercooked and hard. At this point we were just wanting to hurry and go since we didn't plan on a quick bite taking 1 1/2 hours. The waiter didn't come back until he brought us the check. Normally I am very forgiving with slow service. I've been there and know that things can get crazy. But that's the thing. It wasn't a busy day. There were multiple open tables. And multiple tables had come and gone and resat all before getting our food. It was honestly the worst service I've had at a restaurant in a long time. Unfortunately I think we are going to take Kanela off our list of go to brunch places. It's been my favorite in the area for years but there has been too many times lately that I have left unhappy with the food or service.
(1)
Rachael K.
I've been here a few times and I don't understand why they don't have better reviews. The service is great, really friendly staff and very accommodating. Nice crowd and atmosphere, AND they play Queen. You can add flavors in their coffee, I got the pumpkin, duh. Yummy. I order the Lorraine scramble every time I come here because it's just the bomb. I add avocado and substitute a salad for the potatoes because it's so fresh. The salmon wrap is also delicious! The pickled onions give it a great flavor and who doesn't love cream cheese? There's a bit of a wait when you come, but it's definitely worth it.
(5)
Jessica Y.
I came across Kanela when I was looking for a brunch spot over Memorial Day Weekend. One of the news stations had recommended it, and since I was running out of brunch places I haven't tried, this one seemed like a good one. Plus, there's free parking (except during Cubs home games). My friends and I started off with some drinks (I had the strawberry mimosa, Friend #1 had the pineapple mojito, and Friend #2 ordered the peanut butter and banana smoothie). Both of the alcoholic drinks were tasty (they squeeze their own juices), but the smoothie looked (and I guess, tasted) disgusting. The peanut butter looked a bit too watery, and wasn't mixing well with the watery banana. It got shoved to the side of the table. BUT the food was great. I ordered the duck confit hash with poached eggs, Friend #1 got the Lorraine scramble (included some scrumptious caramelized onions), and Friend #2 got a western omelet. I was happy with my dish, but though the duck could've been more flavorful. It was a unique hash, and the eggs were poached perfectly. I'm really glad we got to check this place out!
(3)
Ryan P.
Visited Kanela at around 11AM this Sunday for brunch. We were seated immediately at a great table for a family and given a high chair right away. Our server introduced himself shortly thereafter, offered coffee and greeted our 7 month old with enthusiasm. I was interested in both the Chorizo and the Eggs Benedict (mainly for the pork belly). I told the server I was between those two, but would also prefer not to have the english muffin with the eggs benedict because I'm gluten free. He quickly offered to use the chorizo below the poached eggs instead. Yes, this is a perfect idea! My wife had the duck confit hash and liked it very much. My meal was phenomenal, spicy chorizo, perfectly poached eggs and excellent pork belly. Their potatoes are good as well. It was a great environment and even though the restaurant was full, there was adequate space between tables and even a spot to park our stroller. We will be returning to Kanela Breakfast Club!
(5)
Drake G.
Like most Lincoln Parkers I've had Kanela come to my rescue for a hangover delivery once or twice during the winter, but had never been in there... Just a great brunch spot with nothing to complain about. Service was friendly and attentive and the food was all delicious. I had the Portobello Benedict and fruit, it was terrific. They also have a wide variety of fresh squeezed homemade juices and smoothies; definite must gets. I had the wheat grass+blueberry+ strawberry+ honey smoothie. I didn't think I'd love it cause of the wheatgrass, but it made my meal and my morning. If you're nearby, do yourself a favor, and just do Kanela for brunch. There's a million places in the area, but you can't go wrong with this one. Ciao.
(5)
Jackie T.
My husband and I went there for the 1st time and we fell in love! Everything was great! The service, the location (with free parking @lakeview location) and the food! The red velvet french toast dish was delicious as well as the lorraine and duck dish! The potatoes that were served with the lorraine and duck were so perfectly cooked I literally could order a side of those and be full and happy! The portions were also perfect! Not too much but not too little! Will definitely go back!
(5)
Carolyn L.
I'd been meaning to go to brunch here for years and finally got the chance a couple of months ago. It was worth the wait. Including the wait to even get in. But luckily my friend was running late so the timing was good! When we got inside, the service, despite the place being packed and busy, was great. I ordered the duck confit hash. I usually go for something sweet at brunch but I love hash and duck. And was in the mood for a little savory that morning. The serving size was perfect and it turned out to be delicious. My friend ordered one of the omelettes, which was also great. The staff let us stay at our seats as long as we wanted and we enjoyed some coffee while we caught up. I'd love to go back and try some of the french toast there! They all looked delicious.
(4)
Devin S.
I live on the same street and this is an absolute go to! Food is great and the service is even better. if you get lucky you'll get Rob who is probably the best/coolest waiter in Chicago. Fantastic food and a wonderful atmosphere. My go to's are the Monkey Bread and the California Benedict. Quality all around!
(5)
Marisol A.
Cute little brunch spot just down the road from my place. I went with the Lorraine scramble which was pretty good but the potatoes on the side were just awful. Way overcooked that it wasn't even edible. I was only able to pick out a few from the plate that I was able to eat without breaking my jaw. If it wasn't for that, then I'd have no complaints. The drinks were good, the staff was friendly. But come on, this is a breakfast place that serves potatoes on almost all of their dishes. Get your potatoes on point!!
(3)
Mike G.
We stumbled into Kanela this afternoon and were pleasantly surprised. Its advertised as a breakfast place, but we had the Chicken Avacado Sandwich (yummers) and the Cobb Salad...... both were great. Can't wait to go back and try some of their breakfast selections.
(4)
C B.
love love love love this place! The Bacon infused waffles are to die for! Will be going back soon!
(5)
KB C.
One of the better breakfast joints in the area- what exactly makes for a perfect review anyway? It was a fab meal and I'll stop by again to further my evaluation. It's great- stop by and give them a try.
(4)
Charlotte I.
Waiting 50 minutes for our food... and it was nothing special. Had to ask multiple times for table standards (more jam, ketchup, etc), and I was asked to have my plate taken away twice before I was finished. I know it's busy on a Sunday at noon, but then get the food out faster. Wouldn't go back, there are better places to go for brunch. If the food had been out of this world, maybe I would feel more neutral about it, but it was really nothing out of the ordinary.
(2)
David H.
Kanela has a great menu, but just doesn't execute on the quality of the food. I've been here a few times and my scrambled eggs are always overcooked by at least 3 minutes! the staff is slow. don't let the attractive menu jade your decision in going here, its not worth it.
The place was relatively empty when I arrived on a weekday morning and was excited to try the eggs benedict. The dish came with the English muffin covered in brussel sprout leaves and a small smear of hollandaise. The pork belly was an interesting twist over ham but made the dish more difficult to eat as you have to remove the layers of fat. Finally there were no dried cranberries to be found anywhere. I asked the waiter for some extra hollandaise and started digging in. It was good but not great. The brussel sprout leaves kind of overpowered the other tastes and in the end I had to push them off to the side. And the novelty of the of the pork belly wore off when I had to spend my time separating the fatty layers and pushing them to the side. It just doesn't seem to be a well thought out dish. I would come back to try some other dishes..
(3)
Genna B.
love their california benedict and spicy bloodys!
(4)
Gina S.
We went during the week around 10 am. Not only did we score VIP street parking without trying, there was no wait and it was very low-key. The hubby got the Western omelette. Only question, "how did they get it so perfect?" It was a flawless bundle of pepper, onion, ham and cheddar. Overall it was okay, nothing that made me want another sample bite off his plate. I had the bacon waffles, waffles topped with chocolate covered bacon and drizzled in caramel and more chocolate and dusted with powdered sugar. Despite all the sweetness, I was in love with only the first 4 bites...after that I was having trouble focusing on the task of eating it. Super rich and sugary...perhaps it's best shared?
(3)
Timmy C.
Just had breakfast here today and it was amazing. I ordered the Spicy Feta Omelette with a side of fruit. My girlfriend had the California Benedict. We split each dish so we could try both. Absolutely delicious!! Our server was Rob and he provided excellent service. Was quick and attentive, it was a great experience. Also, I got their hot coco. Wow!!
(5)
Yvonne B.
M has this opinion that the Boystown neighborhood of Chicago has a deficiency of good restaurants. A lot of them are just normal, nothing-to-write-home-about sort of deals. I knew to pay attention when M was excited about introducing me to Kanela - especially when she raved about their Bloody Mary's. We checked in with the hostess where she entered M's name and cell phone number into an iPad. She told us it would be a fifteen minute wait (around 11:15 Saturday morning) and that she would text us when our table was ready. We thought that was pretty cool because it gave us time to peruse nearby stores while we waited. There is no waiting room in Kanela. Later (after we'd been seated), we observed a couple post themselves awkwardly in the small space between the door and the hostess stand and crowding the nearby table. That was poor taste IMHO and I recommend that readers of this review busy themselves outside of the restaurant while waiting for their table. ANYWAY... our server was friendly and attentive despite being jostled about in a crowded restaurant. The pervasive feeling of the restaurant was jovial but not so loud that it infringed upon our easy table conversation. M was right about the Bloody Mary's. Mine was huge and delicious and laden with all kinds of garnishes. They did not stop at just a lime wedge. No. There was lime and lemon, a spear of olives, a stick of celery, and a pickled bean. I loved it because even sans garnishes the Kanela Bloody Mary was had fabulous flavor! M's morning libation consisted of two mimosas (because they were so delicious that she couldn't stop at one). We got a monkey bread appetizer that was good but did not meet M's standard. She claimed that the monkey bread that I make at home is superior but I thought that Kanela did a fine job of it. I don't remember what M got for her brunch entree. It involved eggs and she liked it but only ate half. She liked it better than what she got during her previous Kanela visit. I got the bacon waffle and a side of bacon. The bacon waffle was a disappointment. I could taste the bacon flavor in the waffle bread but only in the first couple of bites. The bacon flavor all but disappeared once I poured the bourbon syrup and spread the whipped cream over it all. There were also slices of chocolate covered bacon over the top. The whole concoction was far too sweet for my taste and the saccharine additions served to drown the natural bacon wonderful-ness. It was an absolute crime that the dish was not better balanced - especially considering that the shining star was supposed to be the bacon. C'est le vie. Kanela was good and we will probably choose that spot when in Boystown. I'm pretty sure that we'll get other dishes than the ones that we tried at Kanela on Saturday.
(4)
Dina M.
I'm a repeat guest here, but this was by far the worst experience ever!!!! Our food was dry and old. Looked like it sat under a heat lamp for a while. Tasted horrible. When we mentioned all of this to our server she said she would mention it to the manager where they took off $7. Our bill was $57 so after came out to $50. Only good things were the Bloody Mary's. Very disappointed and I will never come back. To let a guest leave with a bad experience and not even try to remake anything or at least comp the food that we obviously only took a bite of is very bad business. Epic fail.
(1)
Peter K.
This was my first experience at this restaurant. Service was amazing, my cappuccino was made just as I asked and breakfast for all three of us was fresh and delicious. We ordered skillet of the day which was filled with fresh veggies. I even ordered another breakfast to go for my mom!
(5)
Kristen D.
Finally made it to Kanela after my roommate had raved about it for over a year. I ordered the french toast flight, which was complete with Red Velvet, Orange, Lemon Poppyseed (w blueberries), and Banana Walnut french toast pieces. The FTF was alright, but I think I expected a very different type of french toast for what I received. Our waitress warned me that they're a bit "cake-y" vs. regular french toast though, so I suppose I should have expected that. I loved the Banana Walnut and the orange and lemon poppyseed were just fine, but the red velvet was where I expected a bit more. Maybe I'm just a snob about french toast, or red velvet, but I wasn't thrilled with that one. Sad! Our waitress, though she took a bit of time waiting on us, was so sweet to accommodate our pitcher of mimosa request. For $35, you get a pitcher of mimosa to share for the table. Great deal, since that gets everyone about 4 - 5 glasses, depending on how quickly everyone else is drinking ;) My favorite was my friends hash brown potatoes that I kept stealing off her plate. SO GOOD!
(4)
Donnita T.
Had the chicken avocado sandwich and salad. Food was delicious and service excellent, thanks, Rob!!!!
(4)
Rachel W.
The food was great and our server was awesome but it was hard to have a nice relaxing breakfast with the music from the radio in the kitchen louder than the music in the dining room. Maybe turn it down just a bit.
(3)
Nina G.
It was my first time in Chicago so I wanted something that would wow my tastebuds...I was looking for a breakfast spot that would accommodate a party of 6 on a Saturday morning, and this spot was able to seat us immediately. Their whole menu had lots of options and all of them looked tasty, and i loved that they constantly refill your coffee cup. My boyfriend ordered the eggs benedict, which was decent. I ordered the crunchy french toast but didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I was. The berries were sour and the french toast is rolled in corn flakes. I didn't think it would be that difficult to chew, but it was surprisingly a little hard for french toast. I should've tried the almond joy latte and monkey bread...
(3)
Joel G.
Hit this for brunch on Saturday. Decent size crowd but as we were two we were seated fairly quickly. There was some delay in getting waited on but the waitress for very apologetic and set us up with a cinnamon bun with lemon custard and blueberries. Service after that was great and the treat was very tasty. Breakfast was great, had the duck confit hash which was very tasty and delivered very quickly. The atmosphere is nice, the food is solid, Julius Mienl coffee is solid. Overall a great little place close by to me which I will make a regular stop for breakfast. Several other items on the menu that look pretty darn good. Funny as I recall over 25 years ago this place was called Cafe Voltaire which was owned by a hippy couple. Open mic night, espresso shots were a quarter, espresso drinks were .75 before there was a Starbucks anyone heard of. Dumpy little place we frequented to get our under age caffeine buz on before going over to Medusa's. Now 25 years later I brunch at this place with a buddy on a Saturday afternoon. Ahhh your 40's..... Chicago certainly has changed but I feel the same (sans the salt and pepper) I shall return for breakfast.... and we will see what is in store for this location in 25 more years ;)
(4)
Jeff J.
I can absolutely understand why people would wait an obscene amount of time to get some breakfast here. Normally, I really don't get why certain breakfast foods taste different-- it's all the same to me. But Kanela really does a great job of elevating the breakfast experience. Duck confit with some runny eggs? Yes please. Could there have been a little more duck? Sure... but, no biggie. I also added a side of pork belly. DELICIOUS! I mean, you can get way better samgyeopsal at Korean bbq, but for breakfast, this was pretty good. Inventive + great execution.
(4)
Adrianne C.
Love Kanela! We take family every time they are in the city. Fresh, quality ingredients with an interesting chalk board menu that changes.
(5)
S G.
Trendy spot with comfortable atmosphere. Service is prompt and staff is friendly. Went for breakfast today, but won't return. Food is clearly not prepared by a chef. People could probably make these dishes better at home. Breakfast potatoes were especially oily and overcooked. Steak was acceptable, but forgettable. I ordered the egg white omelette as well. While it was nice and big, it was just way too greasy and threw off the flavor of the vegetables in it. The side of oatmeal was dry and hard and tasted like it had been sitting under a heat lamp. Pancakes were flavorful, but so rubbery you needed to cut them with a knife. For the $50.00 we paid for breakfast for 2, I'd rather go to Ann Sather for much better prepared food at a fraction of the cost.
(2)
Kristina V.
This is my favorite brunch place in the city. Every time I go, the customer service is excellent and the food is consistently delicious. The coffee is good and they now serve alcoholic beverages. My favorite dish is the spicy feta omelette, delicious!!
(5)
Kyle D.
Went here for brunch on a chilly Sunday morning after a long night out and it was almost near perfect. The food is fantastic, I had the spicy feta om and my date had red velvet french toast. Both were delicious. The service was fast and friendly. The only downside was that it was really crowded and cramped and a little noisy but other than that it was great! Service: 9/10 Atmosphere: 8/10 Food: 8.5/10
(4)
Calli A.
This review is mostly for the third party delivery service for Kanela's. I had ordered delivery for breakfast the other morning and I was very unhappy with my order. The box looked so shaken that my breakfast didn't even look edible. I was very disappointed. After contacting the restaurant, the owners were very helpful and their high level of customer service made me very happy. However, the delivery guy that delivered my food personally texted me a day later and complained that he was getting in trouble and he wanted to meet in person to talk... That was very disturbing. But Kanela's took care of me and that was all I wanted. I do hope they somehow find a new delivery company because people on bikes should not be delivering entree's unless your jimmy johns. I will continue dining with Kanela's in person, but never delivery again. Hope this helps when others want recommendations on delivery... GO IN PERSON! Its delicious and better service!
(3)
Claudia D.
Service was OK. My spicy feta egg white omelette was four stars tasty. The husband found the duck confit hash too greasy for his taste with many large pieces of skin throughout his serving which he found most unappetizing. He won't order that again. Street parking was not difficult on a Monday at about noon. OK if you're in the neighborhood, but not worth a special trip.
(3)
Chloe F.
The red velvet french toast was amazzzing. Everyone else wanted a bite of it! Can't wait to go again.
(5)
Mahsa T.
I did as my fellow Yelpers told me to and ordered the duck confit hash, and while it was pretty tasty, it didn't knock my socks off--not that I was wearing any in the summertime. It's a good idea to order the French toast flight so you can get a little something sweet and sample a few different kinds, but still order a savory breakfast item. My favorite was the red velvet French toast, followed closely by the banana French toast. The Bloody Mary was amazing. Service was attentive when our server was around, however, he would disappear for long periods during which we were stuck flagging other people down for things we needed. Though there were some good things about Kanela, it's not enough to bring me back.
(3)
Kelsey K.
Really wanted to like this place more, as it is very cute & cozy and I live nearby. Service was good, food was generally pretty tasty, but there were two things that really irked me: 1. We were there pretty early (8am), and it was very obvious that our hash browns were made with yesterday's potatoes. 2. My boyfriend ordered chocolate milk. The menu states "Horizon Organic Chocolate Milk", and yet I see our server pour generic white milk out of a gallon jug into a glass, add Hershey's chocolate syrup, stir it with a spoon and bring it to our table. Right on top of the bar in the middle of the restaurant! Not sure what he was thinking...am I crazy to be pissed off by this?? Quality control people!
(2)
Beba G.
There are so many things wrong with this place! The service was cold and the menu just had nothing interesting on it. My egg choice was dry and the potatoes were probably cooked very early on the morning and were dry as well and over cooked! The server never came back to check on his table and as much as i tried flagging him down to ask for what i needed, he just never looked back my way.. Stop hiring cute kids for aesthetic reasons.. Get efficient staff and get it together in the kitchen! Kanela just doesn't cut it in a city like this where there is some bad ass competition!
(2)
R A.
Kanela is hit or miss. I've had amazingly good food. I used to love their kanela chip pancakes. But when you remove the item that your restaurant is named for, it's not a smart thing. Now I'll order the blueberry pancakes, which can be amazingly fluffy and soft at one visit, and at the next very rubbery and hard to chew at the next. I'd say out of 4 visit, 2 times I couldn't eat the pancakes. I have no idea why they can be so delicious at one visit, and so bad at the next.
(3)
Nick G.
One of the most mediocre brunch experiences I've had. Service was awful to put it politely. Food was under seasoned and in a group of 6 there was about a 15 minute window until we actually all had our food.... And then our 'appetizer' arrived. Once we ate and were denied to split our bill, luckily there was an auto-grat of 18%. I asked our server for some sriracha and was encouraged to try the sriracha hollandaise.... Which he then forgot. All around just not good.
This is a nice small diner of sorts. It's located close to shopping, the Brown line, wriggleyville to its north, & the fun of boystown to its east. All & all, it is in the midst of everything. Please NOTE: IT is NOT a BYOB. ( Yeah, We were Disappointed.) After trying this place out on a hungry brunch exploration, I was not too impressed. For that day's meal, we elected to go with the stuffed French Toast and " The Fried Egg" with a side of chicken sausage. Now let's not forget, I'd like to consider myself a French Toast Connoisseur (LOL). So, YES- the stuffed French Toast was good,but, it didn't give me the tingles nor did it make me want to dance in my seat. Without these two key components, I would not want to steer you in the wrong direction. However, the food as a whole was enjoyable. The Fried Egg while different it holds its own in terms of the menu, ask them to sub the Pulled Pork & it is most definitely a returnable dish. As for the Chicken Sausage, forgo it. Best attribute would be they offer FREE parking. So, if you are feeling adventurous, why not drive over and try it out. Rating: 2 NOMS. Serving size is not for sharing. Ambiance: cute, simple & nice for brunch. Service: The Server knows the MENU. (Should've gotten 3 stars for that, ).
(2)
Andi J.
Great brunch spot that never disappoints in terms of food. Even their yogurt parfait is so simple but so delicious. The wait can be long on the weekends - but well worth it. The patio in the back is fantastic too!
(5)
Sarah V.
I swear I'm not letting my internal struggle over my intense debate of pork belly askew my review. Do I like it...? Is it a little too fatty...? What's that smell...? Why is it so chewy...? Should I love it because everyone else does...? Woah, am I a follower...? Obviously I ordered the eggs benedict with pork belly. PB aside, the benedict was pretty great with brussel sprouts and dried cranberries. Daring, but works well. The entire menu sort of unfolds with each item more obscure than the next. I have only had the benedict a fork-full of a few of the sweets, which the future in-laws seemed to enjoy, but what I did try was pretty tasty. Unfortunately our zany and kind waiter couldn't quite get the "service" portion of his job criteria down just right, because we often went without water glasses refilled and coffee mugs going dry. And seeing as how it was a beautiful day out we decided to sit on their patio, which is nicely nestled next to the giant kitchen exhaust fan, complete with with constant wind tunnel reeking of pancake and pork, and sports horribly rickety, uncomfortable chairs, but the in-laws chose this over the cacophony of noise going on inside the restaurant. I'd love to try another brunch dish, but it will be when it's a bit more quiet, and when it's raining so I don't have to sit on junkyard chairs that permanently smell of egg.
(3)
Magen R.
Two friends and I tried this place on a weekday and were seated immediately. We started out with the monkey bread as an appetizer. It was not like traditional monkey bread but it was good, it's worth noting that while it was good it definitely was not great. Not sure if I'd order it again. I ordered the chorizo for my meal and my friends ordered the spicy feta omelette and the duck confit hash. All of the food was good and everyone cleaned their plates. I will say again though that mine was good not great. Kanela was fine but I'm not sure if I would try it again. I think it's a little pricey and that you could get a better breakfast elsewhere for an equal or less price.
(3)
Kim B.
My boyfriend and I came here for breakfast at 7:30am on a Sunday morning. Unfortunately, the staff picked this day to show up 30 minutes late. We had to wait in our car until someone unlocked the front door at 8:00am. Strike one. I hoped the service and food would make up for the morning but it didn't. Why? First off, the restaurant was dirty and they had JUST opened. There were crumbs on the seats (from the night before?) and our utensils weren't fully washed and had dried food stuck to them. Strike two. The service here was also very disappointing. There were only two other couples in the restaurant so we assumed we would get fast service. This was definitely not the case. It took way too long for the waiter to take our food order, for our food to arrive, and even for us to receive our check! All of the staff seemed slow and confused and when my boyfriend asked about the bad service we received, our waiter admitted that it was because everyone was late that morning. Strike three. Sadly, the food did not make up for the experience either. The red velvet french toast did not taste like red velvet and the duck confit hash was dry and overcooked. I'm not sure why everyone raves about these dishes. Do yourself a favor: avoid this place!
(2)
Marianne H.
Got a certificate on restaurant.com . Came here with my husband. Not guilt-free food, but worth it. I had the red velvet French toast and it was basically like eating cake for breakfast. Don't know why I hadn't thought of that before! Thought it was delicious, but I only ate half of it, because I'm sure if I ate the whole thing I would end up like my husband who got the bacon chocolate waffles, ate them all, and felt defeated the next few hours. Kind of pricey, but there was almost no waiting for our food (I think we went on a weekday). Will definitely come back!
(5)
Melissa S.
I have never had hollandaise sauce before yesterday! The salmon Benedict OMG delicious! This place is pricey and the service is kinda slow but the freshly squeezed juice/juice blends and Benedict options make up for it.
(4)
J R.
Delicious brunch food! My friend and I have a regular brunch outings here -- we wouldn't consider going anywhere else! I've never had a bad meal; everything on the menu is fantastic. The service is great too -- we always request to be in Tony's section! He's awesome, and always remembers us and treats us like old friends.
(5)
Leslie B.
Cozy spot with a great atmosphere! Came in around 10:30 on a Saturday morning and was thrilled to have no wait. This is definitely a family establishment so be prepared for children in high chairs, but what else is new for Lakeview/Wrigley/LP brunch spots? My boyfriend was lured by the pulled pork scramble special, but ended up being disappointed. I think he was anticipating more flavor in the pork, and it really wasn't there. He was also full of jealousy staring at my plate...the portion size of his was nowhere near the size of mine. I ordered the chorizo with eggs over easy on top. The dish also included avocado, chihuahua cheese, salsa, jalapeno, plus a few other items. It was so spicy (which I love) and full of flavor. There was just a lot going on in general. Didn't even come close to finishing this monster of a breakfast, but I would definitely recommend it. Love that Kanela has Julius Meinl coffee! Our waiter was incredibly friendly and couldn't have been more attentive. Contrary to previous reviews, I think he asked if he could "top us off" over four times during the meal. Glad I came by Kanela!
(4)
Andre W.
Word to my good friends that invited me here for brunch last weekend. They heard good things about the place and were very interested in trying it. Its funny because this place has actually been there awhile and I had no knowledge of it... When we arrived @ 1PM we were welcomed to a full house and was told that it was a 30-35 minute wait. Not bad as I wasn't dying of starvation yet and actually our wait wound up being only 15-20 mins...sweet! We got a great seat for three by the wall which was cool and comfy. Our server was a really cool guy that never heard of a beermosa (which I was in dire need of). It wasn't on the menu and I didn't want them experimenting so I went with a bloody mary (or two) which was pretty good and mildly spicy. I was feeling eggy so I went with the spicy feta omelet which includes spicy whipped feta cheese (of course..lol), tomato, red onions and fresno pepper. It was really good and had great flavor as the feta was placed on top of the omelet. The omelet comes with toast as well. Service-wise our server was pretty good. They seemed to be backed up in the kitchen so it took awhile for our for to come out so we got semi full from the bloody marys. I wanted a beer at one point so I ordered an Amstel Light and that even took awhile to come out and once it came it was almost room temperature. I didn't even have the energy to make the server take it back, but I was a little annoyed. The place itself is pretty cool as I love places with exposed brick walls and chalkboard menus. Check it out as the menu looks pretty good...By the way, they open for dinner on some nights
(4)
Sara J.
Being new to Chicago and a self proclaimed food snob, I've struggled to find a good brunch spot that really wows. Kanela's is AMAZING! The menu offers a perfect balance of sweet and savory items. They even have fun starters (monkey bread!!). I went with a group of friends-we all ordered different things and each one was mind blowing. The French toast is out of this world-and I usually don't like sweets. The chorizo eggs are to die for. And the lorraine scramble.....orgasmic. And the atmosphere is wonderful. Best of all they take reservations, be sure to call ahead and skip the wait.
(5)
Nancy R.
Love it here!! Friendly environment and awesome food!!! I came to Chicago just to eat this again :) had the Chocolate covered Bacon Waffles and my hubby got the Western Omelette :) delish
(5)
Liz K.
Thoroughly enjoyed Kanela - no wait on Saturday morning at 10, for 7, since we ate on the back patio with heaters (60 degrees on December 1st is more than fine with me!). Service was a little spotty, I think because we were the only table in the back and she wasn't walking by us on a regular basis. Everyone was SO excited that there was Julius Meinl coffee, which I've never had and didn't have then but I suppose must be a good thing! My friend also raved about the orange juice (for $4 I would hope it would be good!). Food wise, no one went hungry, that's for sure. I was torn between several items on the menu, which is always a good dilemma. Ended up with the open-face smoked salmon sandwich, which was a nice break from my usual Benedict selection, but not too far of a deviation. My only complaint is that not only did it not come with capers, they didn't even have any! Smoked salmon without capers is practically a sin. Luckily the sandwich was good enough on its own, and the breakfast potatoes filled any leftover gaps. All in all, left an impression that makes me want to visit again, and for about $15 per person, seemed incredibly reasonable.
(4)
Leah C.
average at best... it's rare that i eat out for breakfast because i'm not a huge fan of the breakfast sweets and the breakfast savories (i.e. eggs), i'm comfortable making at home for a fraction of the price. now that we have a dining partner that awakes at 630 AM, we find ourselves frequenting the brunch circuit a bit more. that said, i'm always hopeful for a adventurous yet delicious dining experience as i would a date night dinner. unfortunately, kanela did not step up to the plate. i don't consider myself the best cook...heck, i don't consider myself a cook, period. with every bite of my breakfast at kanela, all i could mumble was "i can do better". i make some mean chilaquiles (minus the chorizo) and yummy monkey bread in comparison to kanela, i'm shocked to report. my husband's grilled cheese with egg and tomato soup were again something that i could whip up at home with the help of a can opener. perhaps we need to go back and try some of the items listed in the other reviews?
(2)
Amy R.
Just. Fabulous. I went with a friend to check this place out a couple of weeks ago and we got right in. The tables are crammed together, but not so much so that you're annoyed. The decor is modern and standard. Our server was fantastic. Super attentive, offered up suggestions (not that we needed them, everything looked amazing) and paced our order very well. We split the red velvet French toast, then I ordered the smoked salmon Benedict and Aaron got the pork belly Benedict. The French toast is. To. Die. For. I don't quite understand why we'd put fresh strawberries on red velvet, but they were brush-offable. The French toast was insanely flavorful without feeling completely gluttonous. My smoked salmon Benedict (a special) was delicious - satisfying, tasty, and different. Aaron's pork belly was perfectly cooked and pure fatty decadence - just as it should be. We each got a massive Bloody Mary with cucumber vodka which was a refreshing twist on the classic without being too far out there. Brunch was a little more expensive than usual, but not prohibitively so. And we got cocktails, so to be expected. All in all, great stuff. We'll be back for more soon.
(4)
John B.
Service is just embarrassing. Sat down to eat and after 15 minutes we were not acknowledged. Visibly miffed, we got up to leave and no one made an offer to stop us or inquire. Go up Halsted to the "tree" spot if you value great quick service in an unpretentious and bright environment.
(1)
Kegan C.
Pretty damn good food there. Who would've known? We almost walked out because they were packed and there's really no place to wait without being in the way. Glad we waited. My kids and mom loved the chocolate bacon. My smoked salmon sandwich was so amazing. Prices are reasonable. Call ahead for reservations, especially on a Sunday! Four stars. Could have been five had it not been for the uncomfortable "waiting" area.
(4)
Stephanie H.
This is a tough one to review. Met up with 2 friends at Kanela's for the 45 minute wait for brunch. The three of us were were well-versed Yelp-wise to know what to expect. As we were seated we went ahead and ordered a Kanela roll and monkey bread. The roll was good, the monkeybread is a flat out FAIL. It is not what you think it is at all, but instead a dry muffin concoction that you need a glass of water to get it down. I ordered the 2 eggs breakfast and it was fine, the others ordered the chorizo (she said it was really good) and the pork belly eggs benedict (pork belly was tough as expected from the reviews). Also, our food took awhile- shocker- but our server was really nice. The one benefit I see is that there were quite a few things of interest on the menu so I'm tempted to come back and try something else, but probably not on the weekend. They also now serve dinner, but if you can't get breakfast right....
(3)
Ha V.
I was introduced to Kanela on my very first trip to Chicago. A few month later, a couple trips back and a final decision to move to Chicago, Kanela is now the 'Sunday Spot' among my group of brunch buds. Cute place - both indoor and out in the back. Everything is clean and quaint, and the staff are so friendly that we always look forward to seeing them again. They have a great sweet items menu, and I so appreciate their savory menu. Some small tips: - Everyone should definitely try their french toast flight, which is not on the menu but very much existent.The citrus-y sesame seed-y one is my faaaaavorite! - If you order the chocolate-bacon item, do ask them to serve the chocolate on the side as my order was far too sweet and just looked a hot mess. - Caesar Bloody Mary over the regular one. - Continue to ask them if they will ever offer unlimited mimosas - with enough pressure, they just might!
(4)
Meredith B.
I was thwarted in my first attempt to go here by an hour wait. Hint - go on a Tuesday! They're open on weekdays so take a half day from work and skip the long lines! The place is a trendy, clean space that is not-too-big, thus the lines. All of the food sounds AMAZING on the menu, and also very rich so this is not a place for a light meal. This food is a splurge. I had the duck confit hash and it was excellent, though not nearly finishable for little me! Service was timely yet relaxed and friendly. I'd love to come back and try something else. Don't come hungover - come when you have the presence of mind to enjoy a complex, fresh breakfast made with love and great ingredients. The hash was a bit rich for me, but it was clearly a brilliant dish. Come hungry and have your breakfast horizons expanded.
(4)
Stephanie L.
Yes, I have definitely had better. Came here on a Thursday afternoon, like 11ish. Our server was a girl that looked like she hated the world. Not to mention, she wasnt good or friendly. The coffee is Julius Meinl! Yay, I like there coffee. I would have liked more attentive coffee service, but that was kind of the theme of this girl. The menu sounded pretty good. Friend had a GC so we decided to try some 'apps.' We decided on the greek yogurt and the monkey bread. The greek yogurt was delicious! It was covered with granola, honey, strawberries and blueberries. I would have liked more fruit, but overall, very good. The monkey bread was a sad cry for monkey bread. When I have had monkey bread, its like ooey-gooey, buttery, cinnamony, etc. Not here, dry, powdered sugared, gross? I needed to take a drink of coffee to get it down. This was not monkey bread. I had a hard time deciding on breakfast or lunch. Ultimately, lunch won with the roasted veggie sandwich with mixed green salad. Well, the veggies were flavorless. I think the portabello was the same that they used for the portabello benedict?? I bet they just roast them all up together, however, they really need to put some seasoning on it or marinade. Other than that, there was like spinach and goat cheese (very small amount with little flavor). Oh and a tiny smear of relish, which I couldnt taste at all...but thats what the menu said. It was served up on sourdough toast that was WAY to hard. It cut my mouth it was so crunchy??? It felt like it had been up in the window for like 25 minutes. I couldve thrown it against the wall and it wouldnt have budged. Frisbee golf anyone? The 'mixed greens salad' was far from a salad. It was literally bagged mixed greens thrown on my plate with balsamic dressing on the side. Nothing else. A whole heap of mixed greens...hardly a salad and it wasnt even tossed? According to the menu, the mixed greens salad has a lot of stuff in it...none of which was present in my sad, little side salad. Its cheap and they have booze. $18 bottomless mimosas. We didnt do, however, if you are looking to booze, this would probably be the way to go. Most of the dishes were under $11. Maybe I should have ordered breakfast? Maybe I should have killed our server with more kindness? Maybe I should have just ordered the greek yogurt, but who goes to brunch to get yogurt? Maybe I should have complained about my food? Overall, whoever says this is the best brunch place...must not have been to many places OR maybe they know a secret about what to get on the menu more than I.
(2)
Adam K.
The freddo coffee is delish with just the right hint of sweetness. I had the spicy feta omelette; it was cooked to perfection and served with a side of red potatoes. Pure savory goodness. I was also eyeing the French toast flight, but I'll have to try that next time. Can't wait. Also, it is a loud not necessarily crowded brunch place with a friendly staff but only after you seat yourself. I'm giving this place four stars for their food!
(4)
Vanessa P.
My husband and I came here on a whim. We came in about 9:30am and it was getting pretty busy, so we were able to jump on a couple of seats at their little breakfast bar. The service was very good and the food did come out pretty quick. Our food was okay. I had the spicy feta omelet. To me, it was just decent and not so spicy. I liked the breakfast potatoes much more. The coffee was delicious. Our coffee was put into to-go cups because they seemed to have run out of ceramic cups. So that was odd. But the best thing about this place? They deliver! There were so many orders going to delivery drivers, that it's obviously a pretty popular choice. I don't know why more breakfast places don't deliver, but it's a genius idea and I plan on using it. Soon.
(4)
S. E.
We'd had our eye on this place for a while, and finally went today. I guess the rating should be about 2.5 stars... Husband and I split the lemon bougatsa, which is a phyllo pastry filled with lemon/cheese filling and the whole thing is served warm with whipped cream. It was very good. So was my iced mocha drink. Service overall was pretty good, considering how busy they were. Everything else was underwhelming. I had the bagels and lox, described as such: "sliced smoked salmon + red onion + tomato slices + capers + chive cream cheese + NYC bagel." It is listed under the "savory" column on their menu, which promises that such items are "served with herb roasted red potatoes." The bagel was soft and squishy, despite having been toasted, and had very little cream cheese on it, so my meal ended up tasting a lot like salmon on Wonder Bread might. And it didn't come with a side of potatoes. When I asked the waiter about this, he said "no, this isn't served with a side." ...Interesting that their menu states otherwise. Husband had the pork belly Benedict, which DID come with a side of potatoes, and when I tasted them, I decided I was better off without them... they were over-herbed to the point of looking like someone had dumped a bag of lawn clippings on them, and they didn't taste much better. Husband said his Benedict was "OK." And to top it all off, I asked for an iced tea about the time our appetizer plates were collected, and never received it. I know they are very busy, and clearly, someone likes this place, but I don't feel the need to revisit Kanela. There are other places to go nearby that don't require a 30-minute wait and that serve better food for about the same cost.
(2)
Deanna D.
Very cute place with great service, good food, and nice ambiance. We stopped in here for a breakfast and had: kanela roll- freaking amazing! spicy feta omelette- light and tasty. duck confit hash- filling and delicious Overall a very good experience! I will be back!
(4)
SS H.
My friend and I stopped in spur of the moment for brunch. So delicious! It was a weekday so there was no wait and the service was prompt. The server did an excellent job of offering suggestions. The lamb burger was outstanding as well as the side salad. My friend had the duck confit hash which was also scrumptious, and he's picky with his duck! My friend has been back at least one more time since we first visited. He lives closer to the restaurant than I do, otherwise I would have beat him to it.
(5)
Kyle H.
Kanela Breakfast Club is a Breakfast Club I don't mind being stuck in all day detention with! The food is amazing, and although all the cool kids are swarming to Kanela, the atmosphere is lively and comfy. On my first visit in January, I had the Kanela French Toast with apricot fruit syrup. It was paired heavenly with their drip coffee poured in little Julius Meinl teacups. (Get bigger coffee cups, I like a big pour!). My breakfast partner had the Duck Confit Hash with poached eggs, and it was amazing. You gotta try it! You had me at the letter "K", but I wanted to visit again before reviewing. And so I did this weekend- got there around 9am on a Sunday, and the Breakfast Club was empty. But by 9:30, it filled to the brim with families and couples, sated and bleary-eyed, ready to gorge on KBC's excellent offerings. I had heard the Bacon Waffle with chocolate-covered bacon was epic. The bacon was completely unidentifiable as meat, and looked like a melted Hershey's bar in the shape of bacon! I could see that bacon being offered as a stand alone in a candy store. It was served with a side of whip cream, and maple syrup. The syrup was completely unneccesary, as the Bacon Waffle is sweet enough on its own. And yes, the Bacon Waffle= Epic! I heart Kanela Breakfast Club. I'll be back soon. Don't you forget about me!
(5)
Roxanne R.
Unfortunately I did not throw my fist in the air after leaving this Breakfast Club. I went with a friend and we both had the strawberry orange juice. It was a bit on the sweet side but it was still a yummy beverage. My friend had the Pork Belly eggs benedict. He said the pork was a little dry and that the brussel sprouts and cranberries added too much unnecessary flavor. He also asked for a side of avocado but it was a little brown and mushy :-\ I had the chorizo+ over easy eggs. I like chorizo and eggs separated so I liked my meal. Over easy egg over a bed of chorizo and avocado. Portion sizes are large so I was very fulfilled. I wasn't crazy about the potatoes though. Not the proper seasoning and most were soggy. Surprising b/c those are hard to mess up. The service was a bit inconsistent. It took a long while to get our meal, but when we did the waiter stopped by several times to check up on us. All in all it's good but I'm not likely to return any time soon.
(3)
Charlene S.
Was here a few years ago when it took over orange. Not so memorable. Decided to give it another chance while walking past and realized that we may have to wait on a Sunday morning. No problem. Showed up w my daughter to request seats. After telling us our wait would be 20-25 minutes and taking our name the hostess said "our 2 high chairs are currently being used. " she said they would still be occupied after the 25 minute wait she quoted us. So I said "forget it". Wtf. For a place that says kid friendly... And they only a have 2 high chairs? BS.
(1)
Christy L.
Arriving at noon for brunch on Sunday, our party of three waited about 45 minutes to be seated. The space is small, which I think explained the wait more than the quality of the food. We started by sharing the Kanela roll and monkey bread. The Kanela roll was a cinnamon roll; not as gooey as Cinnabon and not as tasty as Zed 451. Maybe it had less calories. The monkey bread was dry like a Starbucks muffin. For my meal, I had the eggs benedict over pork belly. It was delicious but could have been just as good without the pork belly, which was overcooked and dry. The Julius Meinl iced coffee was excellent, and even better the server who was on top of refilling it. Great service! So, all in all, for breakfast in this neighborhood, it's A-OK. Don't go out of your way to eat here. And if there's a wait, I'd give the nod to Deleece right up the street.
(3)
Andrea R.
I can't say I"m too bummed that the original Orange closed because they seem to be popping up on more street corners than Starbucks these days. In it's place I am psyched to see the Kanela Breakfast Club. I'm assuming that you'll have to wait awhile to brunch here on the weekends, but if you're lucky enough to be a woman of leisure during the week you'll have plenty of tables to choose from. While I"m not a woman of leisure, I am fortunate enough to work from home...and enjoyed a delicious lunch here today with 2 of my colleagues. Everything on the menu looked pretty incredible, but I went w/ the chorizo: eggs over easy, avocado, chihuahua cheese, salsa verde, jalapeno, cilantro, creama. Uh-mazing! My mouth was on fire eating it, although maybe I'm not very tolerant of spice because my dining partner in crime Jelena Z didn't find hers to be very spicy. As many yelpers have pointed out they also serve Julius Meinl coffee, which has never really done it for me. Our waitress was a total sweetheart though and even brought over some complimentary Loukoumades when we were just hanging out after our meal. As Colleen C mentioned to me they weren't very weightwatchers friendly (our diet of choice these days), but they were well worth the extra points.
(4)
Jelena Z.
KBC, yo! Like Andrea R, I had the chorizo dish, topped with over easy eggs, avocado, chihuahua cheese, salsa verde, jalapeno, cilantro and crema. Unlike Andrea R, I thought the dish was easy on the spice. Then again, I'm strangely unaffected by spice, heat, peppers, all of it. I'm hardcore! I ate every last bit of it, beyond the comfortably full point. Translation: It was terrific. But you know what wasn't so terrific? Noticing the lingering smell of cooking oil in my hair for hours afterward. Kanela, I'm re-naming you Canola. Let's get some ventilation up in here! I'll return for the most luscious chorizo I've had in some time, but certainly not with a fresh blow-out.
(4)
Susan F.
I really don't have anything bad to say about this place. We came on their first Sunday opening, got a table, had to wait awhile for food, but it was worth it. There have been several brunch places in this space and none last too long. However, I think the signage of Kanela is enough to bring in some avid brunchers if they do their research. The ambiance is modern and romantic with ample seating, a bar area, and a massive chandelier. Their menu consists of Julius Meinl coffee--yea!! and a sweet and savory collection of omelettes, french toast, pancakes, lamb burger, crepes, etc. We started with coffee. Then, the servers brought out mini donut-type "appetizer" balls. I ordered the Lorraine Scramble with black toast(rye) accompanied with whipped butter and marmalade and the beau had the Spicy feta omelette. Both were awesome and served up with home-style potatoes. Everything on the menu looked amazing and even better in person :) The prices are pretty comparable to any competition, if not a little better. I will def. give Kanela another one of my Saturday or Sunday mornings some time soon. Fo sho.
(4)
Nicole M.
Visiting my friend from out of town and this is her favorite breakfast spot. We enjoyed a few mimosas with their fresh-squeezed strawberry orange juice while waiting for our table. We were seated on their patio which was very nice! I had their breakfast skillet special - potatoes, onions, ham, veggies, cheese topped with two eggs. SO GOOD. The potatoes were really well seasoned and ratio of cheese to veggies and ham was excellent. Friend got the eggs benedict which looked amazing with the pork belly and brussels sprouts. Definitely original and the bite I stole was great. Our server was super enthusiastic and helpful. The place isn't huge so there can be a wait, but well worth it.
(5)
Cat G.
Pretty negative experience overall. We just stood around the door for several minutes before anyone even approached us. We noticed that it was pretty hot in there... high 80s outside and it didn't feel much cooler indoors, like the air hadn't been turned on. We waited almost 15 minutes before water was brought and our drink orders were taken. AND the place was practically empty. There were literally two other tables with four people total in the whole place. Almost an hour went by before we got our food... not sure what took so long since the place was practically empty. The food was extraordinarily mediocre and way overpriced for what we got. The waiter seemed really uninterested in being there and wasn't very knowledgeable about anything on the menu. This was my second visit to this place... I went once when it first opened and had the same experience. I thought I'd give it another try to see if they had a better handle on things. Waste of money and I won't ever go back. There are too many other brunch spots in Chicago that are infinitely better.
(1)
Alyssa R.
I visited Kanela Breakfast Club for a New Year's brunch, and was completely pleased. Although I had to walk there for quite a while in the freezing cold, it was absolutely worth it! My boyfriend had a burger, which he said was very good, and I had the red velvet french toast. All I can say about the french toast is that it was one of the best meals I have ever had! It melted in my mouth, and although I am normally a picky eater, I could not get enough. The food is what made the walk and the wait worth it. The service is friendly, but a little slow. Upon arriving our waiter immediately fixed our table when he saw how wobbly it was. After placing our orders, though, the food took quite a while to arrive. However, there was fortunately no wait to get a table. The crowd on the day we went was definitely very young; mostly 20's and 30's. There was one family with a young child there, and they seemed a little out of place. My recommendation is to visit the Kanela Breakfast Club. You won't regret it!
(5)
Christine J.
I didn't know much about this place, but I saw the huge lines and Hungry Hound's smiling face on the wall, I figured it'd be pretty good. Man, Chicago loves its brunch. I'm just grateful that a place like this takes reservations. I had the eggs benedict, which they made their own with brussel sprouts. The food was elevated brunch and everyone's food looked pretty good. It's really nice that they serve Julius Meinl coffee too in Julius Meinl coffee cups. The restaurant is a little small and there's only one bathroom stall for women, but I would come back as long as I had a reservation.
(4)
Sarah D.
Went there today for bunch. Checked in and told us it would be 20-30 minutes for a table for the three of us which we thought wasn't bad for a Saturday afternoon. After waiting 45 minutes we started getting antsy and asked the hostess how much longer. The host said 10 minutes and that we would have the next three top table that opened up. When we finally saw a three top table getting up we got so excited... just to be let down. They put a two people at the table that sat three people despite the fact that we could clearly see another table that only sat two getting up. Why would they make us wait longer when we had already been waiting the longest out of any of the parties there?? Also irritating to see another table of six people sitting with only two people there. Why are you seating incomplete parties of people when you are so busy and we have been waiting so long?? After an hour and 15 minutes of waiting and just about ready to go somewhere else we FINALLY got a table. The host did apologize and told us she was training someone so the wait time was a little off.... yeah it was 45 minutes off. At this point we were so hungry and grumpy... it was going to be hard to enjoy this experience. Checking in at 11:30am and not getting sat until 12:45pm on empty stomachs doesn't make a happy trio. My friend's coffee cup was dirty. The Rum Chata Latte was good. When we finally got our food it was kind of cold and very average if not below average food. I had the portabello benedict and side of vegetarian sausage. My friends had crepes and the skillet of the day. None of us were impressed with the food. Definitely not worth the hour and fifteen minute wait for the table plus another 20 minutes for the food to come out. The food was of course way over priced. Basically you pay to be in this hip, cool atmosphere with hipster looking staff and mediocre food. My friend complained at the end and they gave us a $15 off the next meal but really we have no intention of going back to this place. I would say do your palette and wallet a favor and go somewhere else. We probably would have been more happy going to Clarke's diner around the corner.
(1)
Dee C.
Drinks Kanela kiss: absolute vodka, st. Germain, fresh squeezed,lemon juice, with sparking wine. I thought it was an ok drink,. Nothing spectacular or anything. kanela sangria: pretty good sangria. Food: sauteed spinach: garlic confit: When they say garlic, they MEAN garlic. Lots of garlic. It tasted great though! Flatbreads: tomato, basil, fresh mozzarella. This was so good we ordered a second one. Mac and cheese. My husband liked the mac and cheese. He said it tasted good. Overall...I would go back....but I think I want to try their breakfast next time.
(4)
Andrew S.
I've been a regular for breakfast at Kanela, but decided it was time to try out their new dinner menu on a Thursday night. One of the food-related decisions I've made in a long time! Decided to go with the NY Strip steak because...why not?! I figured I'd test them with one of my favorite foods and they sure delivered! Perfectly cooked and plated. Service was also great. Not sure how picky some other people are but I don't expect to be treated like royalty when I visit a restaurant. Greet me, seat me, get my drinks, take my order, bring my food, check up, bring the bill. Done, done, done, done, done, done, done. All with a great attitude and knowledge of the restaurant and menu. I'll for sure be back again soon!
(4)
Ken L.
Ordered a pick-up on a Saturday late afternoon and I guess they had a long day. My experience is really bad and nothing ruined a weekend faster than a bad brunch! I specifically ask for cutleries for my order, but very unfortunately it was not provided. Also, the to-go boxes are full of grease and bread-crumbs! It's a mess! I appreciate that they made my order of coffee only when I arrive so that it is warm, but they didn't even got my order right! There's no sugar in my coffee at all! And worst of all, the food burnt thru half of the styrofoam container, so basically half of our $25+ order couldn't be eaten! For the part that would be eaten (since we were extremely hungry) didn't wow us at all. The french toast was extremely sweet, and the ham and cheese crepe was extremely salty. I really expected better service and experience for such price. Not coming back!
(1)
David K.
So, I unintentionally went on a brunch tour of Lakeview this weekend (Kanela, Deleece, and Ann Sather), and I have to say that Kanela is the winner. We went on a Monday so there was no wait to sit (one of my biggest complaints from the last time I went), and the food was just outstanding. I cannot get enough of their Pork Belly Benedict! Also, the coffee is so good! And you have to try the Monkey Bread! We usually order the loukoumades, but we went for the Monkey Bread this time--it was really great! Everyone was happy with this place--definitely a great spot. Love it! Also--word on the street is that they're doing dinner now--I'm super intrigued and will have to stop in to try it out.
(5)
Sarah P.
I visited Kanela for a late brunch on a Sunday morning. Our wait was only about 15 minutes which seemed completely reasonable for weekend brunch in Chicago. However, when you add the 45 min - an hour wait that we had to endure to actually get our food, it was totally not worth it! We ordered pretty promptly after we sat down. We ordered three dishes plus the monkey bread to nibble on first. After about 45 minutes (without a visit from our waiter of course) he finally brought us a cinnamon roll to make up for the wait. As he said it down, he stopped himself as he remembered we had ordered monkey bread. He put down the cinnamon roll anyway saying, "Well this one is better anyway! Your food will be out soon!" The cinnamon roll was DRY. I have a bigger than normal issue with dry baked goods but even my friends agreed. The only reason we finished almost all of it was because we were SO hungry from the long wait. Our food finally came out, followed by our monkey bread, which was even worse than the cinnamon roll! It was more like a dried out cinnamon muffin. The food was decent at best and SO not worth the wait. Will definitely not be back!
(1)
Abishek M.
Great food! Loved the Lorraine scramble and red velvet french toast. Good sized portions too. Service was awfully slow though. It took them over 30 minutes to bring us the food after taking the order. Also the outdoor seating arrangement is uncomfortable as the tables have no umbrellas and it was very hot and bright in the sun.
(3)
John Blue H.
Wow. Showed up here at 2:30 today (4/9/12) to an empty restaurant with a woman wiping the counters down. "Sorry, our kitchen is closed," then saw the disappointment in our eyes as this was the only restaurant that was open late for brunch on a Monday, "but let me double check with the kitchen..." Uhhhh, yeah... Comes back, "Yeah, sorry the kitchen IS closed." Us: "what time do you guys close?" Her: "3:30, but there was a leak so we had to close the kitchen early. Sorry. " Really? But your doors are open, you're cranking music and your wiping down the counters excited to get out of here early. Yeah, okay. Apparently they don't need business and resort to lying in order to close the door early. Rude.
(1)
Ran L.
Decent food, but I was not Wow-ed by it the two times I've been here (first time got the Chorizo, second time the Lorraine Scramble). Their bloody marys are good, though, and very serious!
(3)
Hale L.
To be honest. We were expecting another breakfast joint at this location called "Orange." We remembered the long line last summer. Wifey is on a permanent health food kick, she heard the "Orange" had great vegetarian options and a beatnick atmosphere. She ordered the Eggs benedict with portobella mushrooms and I ordered the Chorizo breakfast. Both solid dishes. The mushroom was meaty and the sauce rich. The Chorizo dish was plentiful and spicy. We also had fresh squeezed juice for $4. A bit overpriced and the juice seemed watery. I didn't see a kid's menu. Good service. A brand new spankin' brunch place. We came in early afternoon, so missed the hustle and bustle. We gotta find that "Orange" place.
(4)
Kayu T.
Besides the long wait for the food since it was a weekend, everything was great! I had the special Pesto Chicken Sandwich ($9), it came w potatoes and salad. It was perfect! The bread was amazingly fresh, the chicken was grilled to perfection and the mozzarella was to die for. My friend had Tomato Tortellini soup ($4) and she loved it. It was a bowl, not a tiny cup. My BF had the Chorizo breakfast ($11) - it tasted good but it was not nearly as "spicy" as mentioned from the waitress. Also, the only negative comment about this plate was that it was extremely small. I don't think a regular 6ft 2" dude would be full from it. I would skip the "freshly squeezed" apple juice ($3/$4???). I can tell it was not fresh nor was it squeezed because it looked and tasted too processed. Maybe they just meant the orange juice??? Overall, it was a great brunch with a fair price. Will go back again, much later in the afternoon that is.
(4)
Sarah S.
My friend and I came her on a Sunday morning and we got seated right away. Good service. Food was good too. I got the Portabello Mushroom Eggs Benedict which came with a side of potatoes. Very good.
(4)
Jon D.
Rarely will I leave a place feeling worse than when I had walked in, especially after a night out having a few too many drinks. As we walked out of Kanela Breakfast club, my stomach dropped, and I felt as though someone had grease bombed my gut. It may sound like 1st world white people problems, but a bad brunch ruined my day, and it's only 10:15am. The Good: They had some Greek specialties, which makes me personally happy. They were out of Frappe coffee though. The food was bought out quickly, although missed us the first time around. The decor is modern and warm. The Bad: Where to start? Mienl Coffee tastes like it was grown in a tobacco field and made about 2 hours prior. My duck confit hash was slimy and greasy, the sunny side up eggs on top were solid throughout. The side of peppered bacon was thin as paper and flaccid, sitting in a pool of grease. My girlfriends open-faced salmon sandwich was mostly tomato, and there was no question if she wanted a salad or potatoes which was a menu option. She also ordered a carrot-orange-honey juice which was forgotten, and when it arrived, warm and unimpressive. As I said before, the service was so-so, quick in the beginning and then slow throughout the rest, and without any charm or warmth. We hurried out after our bill was eventually collected, and bought a jamba juice, as it was the only thing we could think of that could reverse the grossness. We're currently lying on the bed feeling awful, and generally hating life.
(1)
Mary B.
My husband and I joined our two friends at Kanela this morning and absolutely loved it. The service was excellent; the drinks were outstanding; and the food was delicious. We will definitely return.
(5)
Jose R.
I love this place for brunch! The Monkey bread paired with the Greek Yogurt (honey + berries + granola) (these are two separate items) and a cup of Cappuccino (Meinl espresso + steamed milk + generous foam) is a great start to a delicious breakfast. I loved this place for dinner and am sadden they no longer offer it. It was equally as delicious as Breakfast/Brunch.
(5)
Michael H.
The food was mediocre and the service was good. I had the pork belly eggs Benedict and my partner had the chocolate bacon waffles. I'm a huge fan of eggs Benedict and I love pork belly. On our visit, the pork belly was tough and Benedict sauce tasted a bit off. My partner was not impressed with the chocolate bacon waffles. The home fries were cripsy and tasty. The atmosphere is a cool mix of modern and antique and the service was friendly and attentive. I would return to try other items on the menu.
(3)
Jonathan U.
Overall the breakfast was really good. My main complaints are the portion sizes per the cost. I had crepes and got 2 very small crepes that would be a good dessert and it was $9. A tiny juice was $4. It was all delicious, but very pricey for the size.
(4)
Erick N.
I was a little reluctant to try Kanela Breakfast Club as the restaurant it replaced (Orange with a Peel) was one of my favorite brunch joints and some of the recent reviews were mixed. I finally gave Kanela a shot a couple of weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised by how good the experience was. Kanela was the total package; they did a great job making the interior of the restaurant more attractive, the menu is amazing - very creative with tons of exciting brunch items, the food quality was way up there, our waiter was energetic, friendly and even entertaining and they took good care of our large group. I encourage you to arrive early on weekends for brunch as we were seated instantly, but by the end of our meal they were becoming quite crowded. They also have the option of al fresco dining, which is always a plus. My wife and I are big coffee drinkers, so having good coffee at brunch is essential. Kanela did not disappoint here and they feature Julius Meinl coffee; very good. They also were very fast to refill our mugs as we emptied them. The Loukoumades is a great way to kick off the meal (a sweet fried dough type pastry). The Chorizo dish with eggs, salsa, avocado, cilantro and cheese is one of the best brunch items I have ever had. Definitely give this dish a try! I tried some of my wife's bacon waffle with chocolate covered bacon and that was a real treat as well (she had to fend me off with her fork from taking a second helping). There is definitely something for everybody on the menu. Pretty much our entire group consumed every morsel of food off the plate, it was that good. The price of the meal for the quality of the food is very reasonable and the portions are generous. Our first experience at Kanela was so good we went back again the next weekend and the repeat was just as good. My wife and I really enjoy weekend brunch and Kanela ranks right up there with our other favorite spots in the city and will become part of our regular rotation. We look forward to many more brunches at Kanela and encourage everybody in the Lakeview neighborhood to try out Kanela.
(5)
Steven J.
Great chorizo breakfast and monkey bread. The Meinl coffee was amazing and all served by the hottest boyz!
(5)
Vivian M.
I absolutely loved this place. My mom and I came here for brunch. She had the Spicy Feta Omelette and I had the Lorraine Scramble, with a side of the Greek Yogurt (honey, berries, etc.) to satisfy my sweet tooth as well. In addition, we also had mimosas and coffee to set the meal off just right. Mmmm - mmm! Both dishes were very delicious and came out within a reasonable time. The service was friendly and the decor and cleanliness of the place is very nice, and impressionable. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a lovely breakfast/brunch, you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Mere W.
I'm a little surprised by some of the reviews on bad service. My friend and I swore here for breakfast on a Friday morning and our service was impeccable! Our server was really attentive (make, unlike some of the other reviews) and he even helped me customize my order. He let me do "light" bacon sin my Lorraine scramble (I know, I'm the only person in the world that doesn't love bacon.). Maybe it was because it was a Friday instead of a Saturday or Sunday? The food and the coffee were both very good and I would go again in a heartbeat - too bad I live hundreds if miles away. Hopefully they fix the weekend service issues so others can enjoy the food.
(5)
Samantha L.
I am so depressed! The last time I came here, I was super pumped about getting the pork belly benedict, which was my favorite brunch in Chicago. However, this place got much more popular since my previous trip, and my friend and I had to wait about an hour and a half for a table, despite the fact there were a couple open tables for two and the server estimated it would take up to 45 minutes. The hostess was pretty terrible at her job, and reasoned they were trying to sit three people at one of those tables, but somehow didn't think to add one chair from one of the tables and waste one table temporarily, nor did she think to seat two tables for two until one was available for three. To make matters worse, my pork belly benedict was BAD. It was nothing like what I had the first 3 times I tried it. The pork belly was dry, and at first, I thought the eggs were bad, and asked the server if he could bring me new ones from the kitchen. Once he brought new ones, I concluded it was actually the hollandaise sauce that tasted funky. Both sets of eggs were not well-done poached eggs either. All in all, the meal was horribly disappointing, and I was so sad it suddenly sucked! I'm afraid to go back and try it again out of fear of another super long wait and terrible meal. Is this what popularity does to some places?! Sad face. : (
(2)
Emy F.
My GF and I have been waiting to try this place for a while, but every time we were in the area was normally not during their hours. So we planned our trip there this morning and I think both of us agreed that it fell kinda flat. I get that it is a "Greek breakfast place", but I guess I wasn't expecting waffles and the pancakes to be so sour. I get it, it's probably made from Greek yogurt (yay for healthy), but it was so sour that the syrup, whipped cream, and coulis (Delicious) could not take away the sourness. Imagine eating really sour sourdough bread. The service was great, our waiter was nice and for a Friday morning it had a decent crowd. We were overcharged for one of our drinks the menu said $4, but it was $6 and the coffee was kind of weak overall. Overall, we wouldn't do any of the "sweets" from their menu again, it was far too sour. I would try the savory menu items in the future, but again I wasn't overly impressed and I'm sure there are better options.
(3)
Alina O.
We went there very excited to try a new place. The hostess has lovely. Our server was very kind, but not attentive. We asked 3 times for a smoothy. After all the food was out, we asked if he cold check on the smoothie, and he came back and said they had not made it....did he forget to put he order in?? ..we had to ask o the syrup and ketchup from other servers because he was not around. In addition to the food being cold, and the poor service, the noise in the restaurant makes it tough to hear your own group of 4. They could use some fabric on the ceiling to minimize the sound.
(1)
DC F.
This restaurant was suggested to me by three different people, so I decided to give it a try and I was very pleased by my experience. I went with my boyfriend and his sister for brunch. It was a Friday morning and they were not as busy as I was expecting them to be. We were seated immediately upon entering the building. The menu had so many choices that it took a while for all of us to decide on something. We each got a different type of fresh fruit juice- which was so good it they didn't last past the first bite of our meals. I am not a huge fan of "sweet" breakfasts so I decided to stick to something more savory- the spicy feta omelette with a side of roasted red potatoes. Mmmm. It was delicious. I love feta and goat cheese so it was delicious to have a dish with more than just a sprinkle of this delectable treat. My boyfriend got the chocolate covered bacon waffle. He loved it and I thought it was delicious- however, I would not have ordered it for myself and I don't even want to think about the amount of calories involved! The waffle is topped with a bourbon caramel, powdered sugar, and a side of syrup. The syrup is not necessary with how sweet this dish is already. My boyfriend's sister couldn't make up her mind so our server suggested a french toast flight. I must say I was jealous of her dish after they all came out. The flight consisted of four different types of french toast and a side of syrup- but again, I don't think syrup is necessary. The flight included an orange french toast, red velvet french toast, poppyseed french toast, and a banana french toast. It was all delicious and very moist! Overall, the experience was great and it is definitely a place that I would take any visitors coming to Chicago, a brunch with the girls, or a nice little date with the boyfriend. Enjoy!
(5)
Jenna C.
This review is for the SERVICE ONLY.... Our server was pleasant and nice enough, but the poor woman was stuck serving the entire place (which in turn meant that a lot of the customers were neglected). This was not her fault, I know - but this is the second time I come here and this happens. If anyone in management is reading this - consistency and organization would go a long way! Aside from the slow and neglectful service, the food was still very delicious. I hope they get their act together so that I can keep coming back.
(2)
Georgia K.
I took my mother here for brunch during the week ... no wait, woohoo! We were seated promptly and were given attentive service throughout our meal. Of course, we started with the oooey-gooey loukoumades (my mama didn't raise no fool), and they were top-notch. AND Julius Meinl coffee? Yes, please. My spicy feta omelet... decent, but nothing to write home about. The seasoned potatoes...yummy. My mom's lamb burger... total win- a bit spicy and dripping with savory tzatziki sauce. On my next visit, I'll be ordering that or perhaps a different breakfast option. Welcome to Lakeview, Kanela! You are definitely a welcome addition to the 'hood's brunch scene.
(4)
Sadat A.
One of my new favorite weekend breakfast spots. I've tried coming here a couple of times in the past couple of months, but finding parking is a big headache. Fortunately, I was able to check out Kanela Breakfast Club last week. It was a fantastic time, with a super friendly staff and really tasty food. The smoothies were super on point! The Chorizo and Eggs were some of the best ever. Our server was quick and attentive. It was a great experince and cant wait to go back sometime soon.
(4)
Kristin R.
Unfortunately, I was completely underwhelmed with Kanela Breakfast Club. We attempted a new brunch spot following our weekly run, and this is where we landed. The menu looked awesome, and it could have been that I just ordered wrong. They did have a nice selection of sweet and savory options. I typically err to the savory side, as too much sweetness too early in the morning doesn't agree with me. Here is a brief rundown of the experience: Service: super friendly and snappy. I walked to the bar to wait to be seated and I was immediately helped. Our server was also fantastic. Coffee: bomb, in a good way. They have julius meinl so you really can't lose with that. Food: eek! I ordered the spicy feta omelette and I did not like one bit. Way way way too runny of an omelette for my liking. I don't like runny eggs. Ever. Put a runny egg in front of me and I would just as soon starve. Consequently, I was immediately turned off. I only ate my rosemary potatoes, which were excellent, and my sourdough toast with butter. The butter here, by the way, is not your typical butter. They put something sweet in it. Not sure if it's honey...but it was pretty delish. Ambiance: it was hoppin' on a Saturday morning (around 10 am), so it was busy and busting, which was no big deal. What was a big deal was how loud it was. It's just a loud place overall, and then they also had the music blasting. The music was good...who doesn't love the Beatles? But, just way too loud. And, that's all I have to say. If/when I come back, I would probably just order the straight up 2 eggs, toast and potatoes, since I really got unlucky with this crazy omelette. Most yelpers seem to like this place, so I seem to be in the minority, but I felt compelled to share my opinion nonetheless.
(2)
Kristin S.
I came here with a large group, like of 15. They were very accommodating, even taking a breakfast reservation (can't find many places that will do that!). Coffee was excellent and they kept our cups filled. Our server was really patient, they had our party in for a long time as we wait for our last person to arrive, which was about 40 minutes after we had sat down. I had the lorraine scramble, a lovely savory consisting of peppered bacon, gruyere cheese, charred scallions and caramelized onion. It was a nice combination of flavors and well seasoned. No need for salt or pepper here. It came with a side of toast and of some herbed cubed potatoes. The potatoes, which I did not have room for, were a little over the top with herbs for me. I did however bring them home to my husband, who devoured them and thought they were just lovely. I also had a side of their monkey bread. It was fun to see this on their menu. It had toasted walnuts. lots of brown sugar and butter. It was fun to pull apart and eat. One of my friends had the red velvet pancakes with a cream cheese frosting, strawberries and crème anglaise. I only had a bite, but it was devine. Was it really breakfast or just slices of cake? Either way, everyone who sampled it thought it was fabulous.
(4)
Casey N.
My homegirl and I came for brunch on a Sunday around 1 PM and the wait was 20 minutes, not bad. The food was solid. Everything on the menu looked so awesome, we had a hard time making up our minds. We both started off with Bloody Marys, which were super tasty with a nice kick. Two thumbs up. Then we shared an order of the monkey bread, which was dense, buttery and delicious. For our entrees, I went with the duck confit hash, while she ordered the portobello benedict. Duck confit hash was stellar- generous helping of duck with an orange truffle vinaigrette, topped with two eggs sunny side up and served with toast and the world's yummiest little herb roasted potatoes. Both the duck and eggs were cooked to perfection. I couldn't get enough of the potatoes and I'm not usually a fan of potatoes that aren't fries or hash browns. Ambiance was also solid. Trendy-ish vibe, very loud due to all chatter from a packed house. Nice decor. Comfy booths. Service could have been better. Nothing was terribly slow, but I asked for ice for our lukewarm water and the waitress said no problem and then vanished. Also, she never checked in with us after our food arrived. But the major issue was the temperature. The place isn't very big and it was incredibly hot and stuffy in there. Not a good sign when it's more comfortable outside in the middle of the day in July than it is in your restaurant. Plus, the water was warm. If it's Sunday afternoon, I am most likely hungover and in need of some very cold water and very strong AC. Kanela failed me on both counts. However, given my love for brunch I would return to sample more of the menu. Also, they recently started offering dinner and the selections looked pretty tasty, so I'd be down for that as well.
(4)
atrack b.
Random brunch with some friends. Spur-of-the-moment choice. I had the bacon/chocolate waffles, one of their fresh-squeezed juices, and the spicy feta omelette. While the omelette was whatever, I loved everything else. (The waffle had the perfect texture.) Will be back.
(4)
Alex T.
We found this place while searching on the fly for some breakfast in the neighborhood- I saw the words "red velvet french toast" and was sold. Oh holy mother of god is it good. It's like red velvet cake mixed with angelfood mixed with bread pudding mixed with ecstasy. I was actually *sad* that I couldn't finish it all (it's a big serving, and rich) but at least my husband managed to put it away. He had some sort of duck hash and had similarly good things to say. The monkey bread was also fantastic. I'd like to come back and try the chocolate-bacon-bourboncaramel waffle, but I know in my heart I'll just get the french toast again. We were there on a weekday and pretty much the only ones there, so that's probably the time to go if you don't want a wait, haha. The service was fine, though like I said, we were the only ones there.
(5)
Kate M.
Well, hello there, Kanela Breakfast Club. :::bats eyelashes::: Do you mind if I call you just "Kanela"? Oh, only your friends call you Kanela? Hhhmmm, hopefully I can find some way to make you my friend. Oh gosh, you're so sweet, and mmmm, savory too. What's that? Am I seeing a breakfast club? No, no I'm not, I'm currently not seeing any breakfast club but you. :::slowly licks lips::: I'm so flattered you'd ask, yes, I'd love to go steady with you. Does that mean I can enjoy your...mmmmm...delicious duck confit hash with perfectly poached eggs and raspberry sauce whenever I want? :::bites lower lip::: And I can slowly devour your Kanela french toast every morning? What's that? Oh yes, I always wake up in the mood for it. I'm clearly smitten with you, Kanela. I can't wait to see you again...
(5)
Ryan U.
Worst service I have had at a restaurant in years...I have never written a Yelp review before, but felt so strongly about this that I felt it necessary. Came here on New Year's Day with my brother and his girlfriend and waited over an hour for food that never came. At no point did the waiter or anyone else let us know how long it might take, they just kept saying their chef didn't show up...if the chef didn't show up maybe they shouldn't have opened for the day. We finally decided to leave and asked for the check for the coffee/OJ we had ordered. At that point the manager came over and told us again that the they were having issues, offered no apology and seemed offended that we were going to leave...they charged us for the drinks, didn't take anything off the bill even though we had waited over an hour and were leaving the restaurant without eating. It gets better...we were so ticked off that we called the restaurant and asked to speak to the owner. A guy named Peter, who said he was the owner but we later found out was not, answered and told us if we were unhappy we should have asked them to take the drinks off the bill...at this point my friend suggested that they should have offered and mentioned that she had family in the restaurant industry and this service wasn't acceptable...to which Peter replied "I'm Greek, I invented the restaurant industry..."Admittingly, I don't know much about the origins of the restaurant industry, but I'm guessing it would have tanked centuries ago if this toolbox had anything to do with starting it. On a positve note, I ended up grabbing a bagel from the Chicago Bagel Authority afterwards...took about 5 min and was great...should have just gone there to begin with.
(1)
Chip H.
Hands down the best brunch spot in the city!! The flight of French Toast is incredible! The menu offers a great selection of drinks and food. Never had a bad meal here. The service is great!!
(5)
Adam B.
Overall it was a good brunch spot. Waited about 25-30 min for 4 people on a Sunday. There is a nice small outdoor seating area in the back. Chorizo and eggs were good, would have been better if the eggs were a little runny though. They said over easy but they were served over medium to over hard. Place had a nice variety of breakfast and lunch options. Our group shared the crepes and was a very nice way to end the brunch, it was very sweet - would be hard to eat for an entire meal but a great dish to share at the end.
(4)
Claudia B.
It was an interesting experience I had today. My girlfriend and I had brunch here, it was my first time, my girlfriend came once before, she recommended the fresh squeezed juices...I didn't like them much, they don't taste fresh. I had the duck confit mixed greens, which I liked, the warm dressing/sauce it came with, i could've lived without, she had the feta omelet that she loves. The start of the brunch was weird and slow in particular. They didn't have the first wine I chose, the second choice came warm after 15 minutes of waiting, and when I looked at the wine specials, the girl decided to give me a deal on the wine because of the 2 fails. I appreciated the effort, I just wish she was more knowledgeable about what's in the house. Overall, the portions are pretty big, the ambiance is european, tables are nice size, but the service so-so, I won't rush going back...
(3)
R J.
I must compliment Kanela's for emphasizing quality ingredients that are perfectly proportioned and balanced for the money. I like places like Nookies, Yolk, and Toast, but I always feel unpleasantly full when leaving them because they give you double Chicago-sized portions and no way to buy a normal sized entree. Here, I left smiling, not too full and not hungry -felt like I just had a great breakfast for $20, and can still function for the rest of the day. Saw this resto reviewed on Thrillist this morning. So glad I checked it out. Had the $11 Waffles with chocolate covered bacon, drizzled with caramel and bacon dust, plus an extra side of thick bacon. 5 star breakfast dish. Great decor, CTA location or easy parking right outside for now. Super-nice server said they just opened two days ago. This is a home run. Next visit must try the pork belly Benedict.
(5)
Meg K.
Most breakfast places in Lakeview my mom thinks is too snobby/too over priced or too much of a scene. She LOVES Kanela and so do I. On non Cub home games there is free parking which is seriously clutch. The flavored french toast (especially red velvet) is melt in your mouth delicious. I also love the Lorraine scramble. Ideally, I go with my mom and we share the french toast flight and Lorraine scramble. They also have a bar which I have always wanted to get a mimosa...but I just can't rationalize paying 7/9 bucks for $2 bottle of champagne (I'm assuming it's cheap champagne). Anyway, sometimes it is uncomfortable seating. The table are really close to eachtoher and during cold days the front of the restaurant is freezing. The staff is very nice. I have been a lot and they always look at me like they've never seen me. I am no one famous, so I shouldn't expect to be treated with a friendly welcome, but it annoys me a little. What the heck. I wish they had a ten punch card or something, on your 10th visit get a free mimosa! Oh PS no reservations unless you have a big party then you can call ahead.
(4)
Ted M.
Truly a fantastic blend of fine dining elegance with the laid back suave of breakfast on the patio in the summer. Perfect dishes to satisfy every taste-bud and beyond. From sweet too savory and vegan alike, every appetite will be fully taken care of. Wonderful wait staff and a great all around restaurant for every occasion.
(5)
Amanda R.
My husband and I ate here about a month ago using a Gilt City deal, which I think is the best deal I have ever received for dinner. It included a bottle of wine and plenty of money ($60 maybe?) to spend on their already-reasonably-priced menu. The wine, although not amazing, was very good for the price (umm, free?), and the food and service were great. We shared the bacon mac 'n cheese, goat cheese and mushroom flatbread, beet salad, chicken with polenta and spinach, sweet potatoes with caramelized onions and fried egg, and the chocolate molten cake. I was pretty full about halfway into it, but we knew we had to power through to use all of our Gilt City voucher. Highlights were the mac 'n cheese (who doesn't love gooey, cheesy, mac with bacon, cooked in a tiny, steaming, cast-iron skillet?!), flatbread, and sweet potatoes. I really have to comment on the unique deliciousness of the sweet potatoes - I have now started eating a runny fried egg on pretty much every vegetable, starch, or meat I can find in my apartment. I actually feel pretty dumb that I have restricted my runny-egg-consumption to breakfast dishes before now. Anyways, with all of the crazy crowds at brunch, why are more people not going to dinner at Kanela? Try it, you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Alex M.
So, I went back because it was good. Like, 5 stars good. I thought. Well, maybe it was because it was a busy morning, blah blah blah. I don't care. My "special" bacon french toast was disgusting. Totally off on the whole flavor goodness and our waiter was forgetful. he had to ask for our drink order 3 times before he got it right. i have sympathy for him but come on...get a pen and paper then. Welp. Don't see me going back. Bummer.
(3)
Amanda Y.
This is a great breakfast spot for more than your average breakfast. We frequently take guests and our children here. The food has always been delicious.
(5)
Sopla R.
Here we go again....chipped/gashes in dinnerware.. what the ?? What do you say is the big deal? It's just a chip? No. first of all it's NEVER OK in a restaurant to serve food on a chipped plate or in a broken glass (duh) and these were not teeny tiny easily unseen chips.. these were full out (flashing "TOSS ME" kind of chip and gashes!!) If a plate is sealed it can't harbor bacteria. So potentially, if you, or your child were to cut yourself on a plate that has bacteria on it then what?? IT"S A HEALTH ISSUE!! I know things happen, all the time, but you take care of it as swiftly as you can. You don't "IGNORE IT".. and lastly, it's just unattractive right? How is it that 2 large dinner sized plates with 2 major dime plus sized chips and cracks on each plate for a total of 4...could make it out of the kitchen and then be placed by a server in front of us without so much as ANY hesitation? Because, the people who run this restaurant do not teach their staff or practice basic best practices in their restaurant. The food: Duck Con-fit Hash conceptually, not exactly elevated as I think it wanted/could be. The portion hidden underneath the eggs was pretty lackluster you really wanted more of a hash texture yet all it was was bits of duck, very few veggies it was almost like they were running out of it? good thing you get a lot of potatoes and the eggs and toast) eggs were actually cooked perfectly. So kudos for that. We also had the Eggs Benedict as well. They looked really good but I didn't try them. My SO said they were good but nothing exceptional in the land of Eggs Benedict brunch foods that is. The Bloody Mary was nice and spicy and of course, crammed with the usual suspects. Back to the chippy dinnerware saga: which unfortunately, completely ERASED whatever pleasant experience we thought we were having.. Not only did it "erase" it also "planted seeds of doubts" ..because if their standards are so low to allow this what else is going on back there in the kitchen one could wonder? This was our first time here.. We were promptly by a chilly window table (which was fine.. just to note) our server was actually really good until..we got our food. He was friendly, and knowledgeable. So things were on a positive uptick already..then, I looked down at my plate... I noticed a large gash of a chip on my plate then I noticed yet another one on the opposite..then, my SO checked his plate and noticed one on his that was a bit smaller than mine and then after a spin yep.. you guess it.. the fourth one. TWO dinner plates with FOUR, count em' potential bacteria ridden-cutting chips!! (When I have time, I'll upload the proof) What I don't get is this: There are SO many opportunities for issues to arise in any given dining experience; good and bad, why on earth do you allow something you ACTUALLY have control over to happen?? Teach your expediter and your staff (all of them) the basics. Always look at the plate BEFORE it makes it out of the kitchen. Tell everyone to toss these chipped plates for Gods sake. It's called breakage and it's built into every restaurant's budget. If it does arise, teach your staff to how to handle these situations. Empower them to be able to react accordingly. Our service up until this point was actually quite good. He was attentive nice and upbeat and knowledgeable. When he swung by to check after dropping off the plates, I pulled him aside and politely, even jokingly said on another day, I would have asked you to remove them but we were thinking oh well we'll just roll with it. He assured me he would "tell" them about it. I think he was genuine enough. But he left it at that. He didn't nor did the manager ever stop by or offer ANYTHING like hey the bloody marys' on us.. I mean it might lower your check average but in the long run you would've saved me as a customer.... He really should have not even asked? He should have taken our plates immediately no questions asked and remade the food. He should have INSISTED. That would have been the proper way to handle this. Don't make me (the customer) have to feel like I'm making a big deal about nothing. Don't even let me eat off of these plates. Instead, he allowed me to be gracious so he didn't have to be. This happens far too often in the restaurant industry with this level of dining. Everyone is taught to do nothing with a smile and I blame myself for not telling him to remake them. Never again. No, won't be back and it's a shame because it's a cute enough place and the food was decent for the price. But I really don't want to give you my business if you don't care about health standards.
(1)
Scott N.
What do you do when it's so loud in a place that you have to scream to talk to the person across from you? Yep, turn on music louder than the talking. Loved this place first time, but never again. 2 stars b/c if I reviewed after my first experience it would have gotten 3 stars, and after this experience, 1.
(2)
Ang R.
I wanted to love Kanela. I hated Orange with a passion, so anything had to be an improvement, right? Well, sorta. For some reason, I felt like the food was overpriced and a little overrated. Maybe the balance was off. I don't know. I liked the meal while I was eating it, but afterwards I thought, "You know, that was kinda unmemorable and standard." And the diet pepsi was so subpar it was sad. That's the worst ever, when a restaurant can't handle its fountain. Sigh. I got the pork belly benedict. The hollandaise was good, but the eggs were a wee bit overcooked. I do like more yolk splashing out and moistening my dish. I can't say that I want to go back. It feels too expensive.
(3)
Izzy N.
I think Kanela is okay, definitely not five star worthy. I've been a couple of times so I've had the red velvet french toast, the french toast flight, the portobello benedict and Oregon chai lattes. The red velvet is pretty good- not very toast like, very dessert like. The french toast flight was a lot and overkill on the sugar for me. I think this is better shared but some of the french toast weren't very good on the plate like the orange one and the lemon poppy seed one.. and I call it one cuz again it's not very toast like but more like cake like. Meh. The Portobello benedict is okay with a decent amount of veggies but it's kinda bland my friends. All I wanted to do was put ketchup on it or something to help it out. The hot sauce I asked for helped it out just a little. I don't think I'd get this again unless I smuggled in some sirarcha to flavor that thing up. The potatoes that come with it are okay. It's alright I guess if you're in the area but you're not missing out if you haven't tried it yet.
(3)
Danielle D.
Phenomenal!!!! Just moved up to Lakeview with my boyfriend and we wanted to try out a new place for Brunch. I found Kanela on Yelp and decided to check it out. It did not miss the mark. So this is what we had.......... - Loukoumades - these are little puffs of donut/fritter heaven with drizzled honey and crushed nuts - served complimentary because we had to wait for a table a little longer than expected - freshly juiced orange, carrot, apple juice - freshly juiced carrot, apple, berry juice - 2 eggs with toast and bacon - sounds totally vanilla BUT the bacon was cooked to perfection, the potatoes were nice and crisp and the preserve that went with the toast was so good - my boyfriend had the Chorizo dish - now I dont normally like Mexican, but I found myself continuing to go back to his plate for more - The red velvet french toast was the icing on the cake -Im pretty sure that they make their own bread that is rolled out thin with a shmear of cream cheese and then rolled to make a bread loaf, sliced and then used as the french toast. They serve it with creme anglais and strawberries. Now I love red velvet so Im pretty picky, I have tried the red velvet pancakes at the Bongo Room, however, they dont even come close to comparing to how good this french toast was. So much so, that Im calling tomorrow to make a reservation for next weekend, as we have friends in town and Im eager to share this gem with them!!!!
(5)
Ryan E.
My partner and I have been here a few times for brunch and a few times now for dinner. We've always loved the breakfasts but the dinner is amazing! They aren't too busy yet in the evenings but I think they take reservations. They also have outdoor seating. For dinner we've had the: scallops flatbread pork chicken mac and cheese (with bacon; it was so good it made me moan!) brussels sprout (again, with bacon!) cheese plate We've always had great service too. Fred is the nicest person on earth (he really is); always recognizes us and remembers our names. We missed Fred tonight but Ryan took great care of us so we'll definitely be back.
(5)
Eric W.
Kanela hits a home run for brunch in an area in need of something new. The spot sits where Orange used to be and while the idea of an "upscale brunch" isn't new, Kanela does a great job. Get here soon because I can tell its going to be a crowd favorite in this neighborhood. The lady and I arrived at roughly 1030 and I'm pretty sure every table but ours was occupied. The decor is sort of a modern vintage vibe, which is pretty cool. I dig the black chandelier in the front. Before we even ordered our food, the waitress brought us a free breakfast appetizer. Some sort of fried dough w/ walnuts and honey. HELL YEA! Off to a good start. I checked out the menu beforehand and instantly I decided I needed to have the spicy feta omelet, and it was DAMN good... so was the bacon on the side. The lady had some sort of scramble which was also really good. Next time I want to get the lamb burger or pork belly benedict. If there was a negative, its that the service was really slow. I don't necessarily blame them because it was their first Sunday brunch service. Probably still working the kinks out. I will definitely be back. Takeaways: * Slow service due to opening weekend jitters * Great coffee * Surprisingly not too pricey considering the quality of ingredients used ~ $29 for brunch for 2 with coffees and a side of bacon
(4)
Joseph H.
Woah. This place was awesome. Let me break it down... 1. Bloody Mary - Nothing like I've ever had. Not very strong tomato, but used cucumber vodka which worked really well. Just got their liquor license, so they asked for feedback. Bigger pickle please! 2. Chorizo & Eggs - Big time taste. Chorizo was different. Don't think chorizo on a burrito. More like corn beef hash texture. Potatoes were not great, but no bad either. Probably the only OK thing on the dish. 3. Toast - Raspberry jam looked homemade that is for sure. 4. Kanela Roll - This starter was completely unnecessary but it was still fantastic. I also sampled the pancakes which were HUGE. 3 giant pancakes. My girlfriend managed to eat one of them. My guess is that this place becomes a new staple of the new hood.
(5)
Lim K.
Loved the food! Greek doughnuts, red velvet French toast, French toast flight, two eggs with bacon, except for chocolate covered bacon. The chocolate tested good but it was too much chocolate I could not taste the bacon. Service was good. We will definitely go back.
(4)
John M.
Kanela is my favorite breakfast place in Chicago! It's close proximity has a little something to do with it, but I am a brunch fanatic and they are always a slam dunk. I've been here many times and haven't been let down yet. From ambience, to service, to of course the food, Kanela never fails. Make sure to get a sweet to start out the meal like the lemon bougatsa. I'm not much of a sweets person, but they are seriously amazing.
(5)
Mindy W.
Oh, hi, Kanela...I love you. You should move to Columbus so we can be together forever. The long wait on a Sunday morning was totally worth it. I had the pork belly eggs Benedict. I was really hesitant to order as-is because of the cranberries and Brussels sprouts, but it was a risk I'm glad I took. Holy flavor combination! The Brussels sprouts had been cut down to just a few leaves, and they were tender and added a nice shot of flavor. The cranberries really did it for me, though. The tangy sweetness combined with the egg, pork belly and hollandaise was quite possibly one of the tastiest combinations I've ever had. Well done, Kanela! Service was lovely, fast and attentive. He was helpful with suggestions, and a lot friendlier than I would have expected from a place that's so en fuego. I recommend this place with all my heart, taste buds and tummy. I think everyone I was with really enjoyed it as well. Be prepared to wait for a while!
(5)
Irina G.
Yummy in my tummy. My cousin and I were pleasantly hungover and had just made a stop at Binny's for some free Saturday wine, so we walked into Kanela to try a new brunch place in my 'hood, and boy are we glad we did. We had a 15 min wait, which we conveniently waited at the bar and ordered some Julius Meinl finely crafted coffee beverages and a freshly squeezed strawberry orange juice that really held me over until we got to sit. The ambiance was lovely, not too overdone, just right, with adele and aretha franklin crooning us in the background. Maybe ten minutes after waiting and drooling over the menu we sat down and ordered a bougatsa (a pastry filled with pure heaven and topped with cinnamon and creme fraiche and berries) - only $4 but so worth every penny and an amazing way to start the meal. My cousin got the spicy feta omellete which came with house whipped feta cheese - are you kidding? She literally licked her plate clean. I opted for the duck confit hash - perfectly prepared and presented and once i mixed those over easy eggs into the duck confit, pure heaven was found inside my mouth (thats what she said) lol. Even the multigrain toast that came with our food came with freshly churned butter and the most perfect raspberry preserves ever (aside from my sister who gets her own raspberries and makes it in house too). Seriously, so fresh, so flavorful, the contrasts of sweet and salty, crunch and soft, everything was done just right. Needless to say, I wanted to try everything else on this menu, including more of their freshly squeezed juices (you can see the giant orange juicer right on the bar counter), and the lorraine scramble, and more juilius meinl!! I'll be back several times, i think, to try the whole menu. P.S. Asked the waiter and found out that kanela is greek for cinnamon - hence all the greek desserts, the housemade feta, etc. Greek brunch is definitely awesome my friends. OPA!
(5)
Central Lakeview Merchants A.
We have been to Kanela several times since they opened, and have enjoyed it every time. The menu items are amazing and we often try the daily special recommended from our servers. The owners are always around to offer a smile and handshake, making the experience that much better. Even though I was just there for lunch today, I'm already excited to go back.
(5)
Nancy C.
Delicious! Always receive excellent service and food keeps me coming back again and again. Duck confit hash is one of my faves.
(4)
Ay D.
Have been here a couple of times. 1st time was great. 2nd time was just ok. The good - ability to make reservations a day ahead of time, great drinks (mimosas, spiked coffees and teas, midday cocktails) The not so good - spotty service, not well stocked (ran out of several dishes) I had the smoked salmon with egg the first time I dined here, which was excellent. Forgot what else I tried to order, but they were out of that item. Washed that down with the hot toddy with Jameson - great antidote to a damp, chilly Sunday. I came in with two of my friends the second time I dined here, and we split the Greek salad, pork belly benedict, and French toast. I had a Julius Meinl coffee with kahlua, which was lovely. The Greek salad was missing olives and red onions, and we had to follow up with service for a couple of times to correct this - not what I'd expect from a restaurant with strong Greek influences. The pork belly benedict and French toast were good, but we didn't clean the plates as the dishes didn't stay warm for long. Still, I'd like to give this spot another try. I hear the omelets are killer, and their drinks made me happy both times.
(3)
Carolynne M.
So. We are all familiar with the following food items, correct? pork belly english muffin eggs brussel sprouts dried cranberries hollandaise Now imagine them ALL TOGETHER in the most sinful, incredibly decadent breakfast, maybe ever in the whole world. This is the breakfast I had at Kanela. Add to this Mienl french press coffee, fresh squeezed orange/carrot/apple juice and an amazing server, I might have to declare this my most favourite breakfast place in Chicago. Yeah I said it. Maybe in the WORLD. OK, maybe that's pushing it, but seriously folks, this place is no joke. Did you see those ingredients up there? PORK BELLY BENEDICT. YES. GO NOW. (er, unless it's like 5pm or 2am, then you are going to have to wait. So worth it though!)
(5)
Lidia L.
I first went to this place with high expectations for a great brunch. I was a little disappointed by the outcome. There were a couple highs and lows. What we had: Kanela rolls = cinnamon rolls These were awesome! They came out hot and cooked to perfection! I liked these a lot better than Ann Sather's cinnamon rolls. There was a perfect amont of frosting and it was a warm gooeyness of perfection! Red Velvet French Toast This is more of a straight up pastry than a breakfast dish. I had high hopes for this because everyone on yelp raved about it so much, but was a tad bit disappointed. It wasn't even french toast! It was literally a circular piece of red velvet cake laced with the cream cheese filling. This dish was alright but it wasn't to die for. Lorraine Scramble Simple scrambled eggs with pieces of bacon. They were pretty generous with their bacon pieces. All in all, nothing too great about this dish. Their potatoes were well seasoned and cooked to perfection. Macchiato Nothing too special. coffee with milk. I really wanted to try their eggs benedict with pork belly but they were out of pork belly on this fine morning. That was a disappointment. I would give this place another try.
(3)
Talia G.
We got to Kanela thinking it was still "Orange", the breakfast place that was there before. After the initial surprise and disappointment, we decided to give this place a try after scanning over the menu. It was brunch time on mother's day.... so the place was packed. However, they did have a nice outdoor area in the back. The weather was nice enough to sit outside, and therefore we didn't have to wait for a table to open up. I had a hot chai latte and it was very good. Unfortunately, chai lattes are not bottomless so after finishing up my cup I ordered a regular coffee. Not bad either. I had the french toast stuffed with yogurt and berries. It was amazing. My companions ordered salty stuff (omelets and eggs Benedict) and they seemed to be very happy with their choice. They offer great natural fruit juices and smoothies, which I highly recommend. Even though it was mother's day and all waiters were a bit flustered, our waitress was very kind and gave us great recommendations on which dishes to order. 1 criticism.... no mimosas :( BUT, the waitress told us they're getting their liquor license next month. I would rate the food and the service 4 stars. What put it over the top: DOG FRIENDLY PATIO. It made my day.
(5)
Jisha A.
Duck confet could use more duck, portabella was good, didn't allow for side substitution without charge, service a little slow. Decor's very trendy. They hv a parking lot, which seems great for the area. (not usable when games are going on though, I think)
(3)
Courtney W.
They were packed but we were sat quickly. I ordered plain Intellegista coffee and my boyfriend ordered a smoothie which was amazing. I ordered the pork belly benedict and it was scrumptious. There was a little too much fat on the pork belly, but hey, it's what I ordered. My boyfriend ordered an amazing omelette that he couldn't get enough of. From what I saw, a lot of people were ordering the waffles and chocolate bacon and appeared to be quite satisfied. I will go back for sure to try new things. From what I saw, it was BYOB. People had brought various mixings for bloody marry's and they were being prepared behind the bar. I loved it!
(4)
d b.
YUM YUM I adore the kanela chip pancakes!! The Julius Meinl coffee is always a success. The atmosphere is delightful and so is the service. My boyfriend loves the spicy potatoes not to mention the PB/banana smoothie. Comfort dining all the way with an imaginary twist. ...cozy restroom.
(5)
Nathaniel W.
This place is perfect if you want to experience some upscale breakfast in the Lakeview area. They have some very nice items on the menu that will make you excited with anticipation. I suggest the Pork Belly eggs Benedict. Make sure you have some of their potatoes, too. They have some nice mix juices as well that are pretty tasty. Cons: It can be REALLY busy which can affect their service. Very nice atmosphere, though. I recommend going just to check it out, at least.
(5)
Karyn V.
I was a little reluctant to go to Kanela (that means cinnamon in Greek) Breakfast Club since I had been a huge fan of Orange. I am glad that we went, and I even think I enjoyed the food more than Orange. The menu offers a wide range of brunch menu items that have their own unusual twist. We were told that Kenela makes its own juice blends every morning so I tried the orange + banana + strawberry + honey combination. It was both delicious and refreshing. I wish I could start every morning with a glass. For our meal, we ordered the loukomades to start (think doughnut holes dipped in honey). My friend who recommended Kanela ordered the chip pancakes (spiced multi-gran pancakes with creme anglaise and brown sugar butter), my boyfriend had the chorizo dish (eggs over easy, avocado, Chihuanhua cheese, salsa verde, jalapeno, cilantro, crema, toast), and I had the oatmeal with caramel drizzle and homemade turkey sausage. Everything was delicious and we practically licked out plates! If I still lived in Chicago, I could see this as becoming one my favorite places for breakfast. The food is reasonably priced and is very good. Warning: If you do not get to Kanela's before 10am on a Saturday, please be prepared to wait in line for at least 30-45 minutes.
(4)
Gary M.
Sunday. Peak brunch time.. what to do..? We bit the bullet and decided to go to Kanela's despite the anticipated long wait times but, just hold on a minute... we were seated within a minute of arriving! Brilliant! However, that is where the experience climaxed. After taking our order, the waiter quickly brought our coffee but then, 45 minutes passed and I finally asked where our eggs Benedict was... he went to check up and finally returned to say that it would be another ten minutes. I.e. they were just starting to prepare it for us (although a larger table had arrived after us and started eating already). Now, with that amount of lead time, I can only imagine the care and precision the chef was taking in producing our fine breakfast. Unfortunately, I think it was more like carelessness as the poached eggs arrived in a hard boiled disguise. The waiter did bring us four more after we had to complain and continued to fill our coffee until I reached a jittery state of delirium but unfortunately, in my opinion, when I only get to try brunch twice a week , two mistakes is just one too many. We were probably the bad table that day but that is still enough to deter me from coming back.
(2)
Lala S.
This spot is pretty legit. I had been wanting to try this place out but just hate dealing with parking in Lakeview. Fortunately, I found out they have a parking lot. Unfortunately, you can't park there when there's a game. Luckily, I found a good parking spot right away. The decor is here is super cute and kind of reminds me of a boutique hotel. It has a regency feel, which I totally dug. They have a smart seating arrangement that definitely maximizes seating in a small place. We started out with the Fritters. They were light and tasty and weren't too sweet or greasy. I tried the Lamb Burger which was surprisingly light and refreshing. The Chorizo and Eggs were good and filling. The coffee here is superb and the smoothies were also yummy. We'll definitely be coming back once in a while.
(4)
Mei J.
I wish I could give Kanela a better rating, because the food was pretty good- unfortunately it just wasn't good enough. (especially considering all the other great options in the area) We came to Kanela and were seated right away. We were given menus by our hostess/waitress and then she disappeared for 30 min (we timed it!). The table next to us was waiting to order as well. 30 min later, as we were getting up to leave, we finally got to place our order- and then proceeded to wait for ANOTHER 35 min for our food to arrive! There were only 2 of us- and we ordered from the menu, no substitutions, changes or anything that could cause a delay. The table next to us was still waiting to order (they waited 45 min to PLACE their order). Now... I'm used to long waits to be seated, I'm perfectly accustomed to waiting for my food at a busy restaurant, but the day we went to Kanela it was not packed- it wasn't as busy as some of the other restaurants in the area. So I really can't understand why it would take so long. When we finally got our food it was good, it just was not spectacular. Our food was a bit too salty, but otherwise delicious. Once they work out the kinks- hire more staff and cooks- I assume this place will be much better, but I'm not rushing to go back anytime soon.
(2)
Israel G.
The food it's ok, I had an omelet and it was extremely cover with cheese, potatoes over well done and hard as a rock, just 1 server in the whole restaurant with poor service, I can fine better food, better service and cheaper on the same neighborhood. The only good thing in this place the coffee and the monkey bread.
(2)
A H.
I'm surprised that I haven't made it here before today because this place is relatively close to where I live and the food is good. I agree with some of the previous reviews, it is a bit warm/stuffy in there but I was right under a fan so I felt fine. Wait wasn't too long on a Sunday afternoon either (about 20 minutes.) As to the food, I had eggs, veggie sausage, and potatoes (and french pressed coffee - yum!) I thought the potatoes were nicely spiced and they made my eggs well. My friend liked her food too. I didn't try any of the sweet dishes (pancakes, french toast, etc) but I kept seeing people around me ordering those things. I might have to try something like that next time. Overall, I enjoyed this restaurant. It was decently priced and food was good. That being said, there wasn't anything terribly unique on the menu.
(4)
Debbie F.
Went to Kanela on a Saturday morning. It was so crowded that a line began to form outside of the store. I read someone's review on 'chandeliers' and expected grandeur. Was disappointed, but not overly so. Kanela's design works for them - half brick walls, modern furniture, chalk blackboard. The staff were very friendly but service was sometimes delayed due to the number of customers. Food: Excellent hashbrowns and wholesome breakfast food. Portions: Large
(3)
vivian c.
We came here for a surprise bday brunch for my friend. They were super accommodating for us and our baby. The food was amazing. We got some complimentary monkey bread. The staff were super nice and sang happy bday to my friend. The bloody marys and mimosas were great. The music was 80s and awesome. And they take reservations! Five stars all around!!! Duck confit and chorizo awesome. Parking not bad on a sat pm.
(5)
Serg H.
Wow wow wow...... So this is my 3 attempt to eat at this brunch place and by the waiting time you might think that it's a very good place but I wouldn't know yet since the first 2 attempts, waiting time was over an hour and my party of 6 didn't want to wait. Well today I decided to give it another try and was excited cause I checked on yelp for hours and it said they closed at 3:30. I arrived at 2:30 and the place was empty with the exception of the employee cleaning up. She approached me and my partner and said that the kitchen was closed but that she was going to double check. I looked at my partner and said I thought they closed at 3:30. She comes back and says "yea kitchen is closed cause I think there was a leak in the kitchen". You think??? Or you guys just wanna get off early??? Why are the doors open to the public and you don't even know about an issue with the kitchen??? Also before I left I asked the girl for business hours and she confirmed that they closed at 3:30. Wow! If there was really an issue an hour before closing, why not write a note and posted by the door instead of been open to the public and not open for business??? This experience was just plain rude or just not handled properly.
(1)
Sparty S.
The wait was only 15 minutes for 2 people on a Saturday morning. That is pretty bad ass. We ended up sitting at the bar instead of waiting. The staff was very pleasant. My friend and I had a good time bantering with the people working behind the counter. I got the Kanela roll. Oh. My. God. Probably the best cinnamon roll I've ever had. So soft and fluffy, the perfect amount of icing.... blows Ann Sather cinnamon buns away. Seriously, I had to make them take it away before I could eat the whole thing and sufficiently spoil my appetite for my omelet. We both got the spicy feta omelet. No complaints whatsoever. This place is definately a diamond in the Chicago brunch ruff. GET THE KANELA ROLL!!
(5)
Anne H.
The food and dining experience are both blah. I was in a party of two and only had to wait 15 minutes for a table, but it took 45 minutes from the time we ordered for the food to come out. And that is not an exaggeration. The waiter did give us 20% off out bill, but the guys sitting at the table next to us got a discount off of their bill also so obviously this is a reoccurring problem. My chorizo and eggs were good, but the roasted potatoes had so much rosemary on them they were inedible. If you want a truly good BYOB brunch with fancy food, go up the road a few miles to M Henry.
(2)
Joshua B.
Came here for brunch last Saturday and everything was fantastic. There was about a 10 minute wait, which wasn't terrible considering it was Saturday at 11. While my friends and I waited we grabbed a couple drinks at the bar (Try the bottomless mimosas, they are made with fresh OJ and bottomless anything is awesome!!!). We ended up ordering the Red Velvet French Toast (as amazing as it sounds!), a Spicy Feta Flatbread (it was a special, but one of the best savory dishes I could imagine), and the Portobello Benedict. Being a vegetarian, it can be difficult to find things to eat at restaurants, but the Portobello Benedict was a fantastic alternative to the regular Eggs Benedict (which also looked good). Will definitely be back here again!!!
(5)
Sara K.
Came here for lunch in the middle of last week with a few girlfriends. Absolutely love the atmosphere, and the food was great! I had the chorizo dish, which was super tasty. Food can be great, and atmosphere can be great but if service lacks, it puts a bad taste in my mouth when deciding to give it a second chance. We came in and the place had 2 tables sitting and one waitress. For some reason she rushed us from begging to end. She greeted us rudely with "are you ready to order?". When the food came around she had forgot my girlfriends salad, which is fine it happens, but my girlfriend never got it after reminding her twice! So when we were brought the bill and were obviously charged for it, we called it to her attention and she just brought us a new check with zero apology. Great food, great atmosphere, but missing the third main ingredient.
(2)
AndrewSumi G.
The food was good. I had the Eggs Benedict, an smoothie, and a side of chicken sausage. The pork belly and brussel sprouts was a unique touch and well done instead of the traditional Canadian bacon. As far as service, it took 1 hour to get seated, part of the wait was because the server sat another party who claimed to be our part at the table. While this is was clearly incited by the nefarious actions of a 3rd party, the server never change, she should have
(2)
Lauren K.
WOW. What an incredible restaurant for brunch. The service is outstanding. All of the wait staff is incredibly friendly. I had an amazing Bloody Caesar, which converted me into actually liking Bloody Caesars. The red velvet french toast is to die for. Very rich but so delicious. All of the egg dishes are just what you want on a Sunday morning. I am so happy I found this restaurant!!
(4)
Berlin G.
I came on a Sunday and the place was packed but luckily the outdoor seating was open. But the issue with the outdoor seating is the fact they don't have it fenced off properly and every time the wind blew (and this is Chicago, so it was constantly blowing every which-a-way) the dust was flying in my water. Especially since the yard next to the place was purely dirt. Anyway on to the important part......the FOOD. Okay, so for a drink I ordered the "fresh" juice with carrots, apples, and berries. (I put the quotation marks because I'm a little skeptical about it being freshly juiced. I'm just sayin) For my meal I ordered the Pork Belly Benedict. It was pretty good, needed some salt and pepper but in all I enjoyed it. I wouldn't order it again and I say that purely because I want to try the blueberry pancakes next time. And I guess I answered that important question "would I go again?".
(3)
Carmen A.
The food there....Delicious! The service there....very very welcoming! The cleanliness...not so favorable. The cups were a little soiled and the table a little dusty. It also smells a little moldy as you walk in throught the seperating doors. BUT... because of their flavorful food... i can definetly see myself attending here again very soon!
(3)
Jason C.
Great service, amazing coffee and food (love the omelettes). If your a peanut butter fan, you will come back just for the smoothie. I'm here twice a week.
(5)
Rachael S.
Honestly, I want to LOVE Kanela. I really do. Everytime I go in there, everything on the menu looks sooo amazing and then I order and I am constantly just routinely disappointed. I have had a lot of things on the menu...the chorizo is good, the lorraine scramble with gruyere and bacon is wayyyy too smoky and salty, the spicy feta omelette is too soft and spicy, just basically everything is executed poorly. Perfect example, I went in a couple weeks ago and the special was an open faced hot turkey sandwich with stuffing, cranberry chutney and homemade stuffing. YUMMM right? NO. It was just so weird, the turkey wasn't white breast meat ans one would expect, it was shredded, smoked dark meat and just threw the flavor profile of the entire dish off. Weird. Things Kanela's does right, coffee and juice. Go to M. Henry. That is my advice.
(2)
Elyse D.
This was my second time going to Kanela and my first experience was far better. Though the food was really great (as it was last time) it was sooo slow to come out. I had a reservation for 6 on a Sunday morning (prime time brunch hours, I know) and they seated us quickly. After we ordered, however, we didn't see our waiter for a while and waited a very long time for our food. One of the people I was with actually got a parking ticket because their hour and a half meter time expired while we were eating. I ordered the breakfast skillet (on special) and it was really good. Last time I was there I ordered the lorraine scramble which I also really liked. I'm giving Kanela 4 stars because the food is great and they have julius meinl coffee. However, if I based it off my experience overall today, I would be giving it less.
(4)
Elisabeth W.
Delish dinner! Went to Kanela to try out the new dinner menu on Thursday night and so glad we did. My roommates and I had some appetizers (amazing tuna tar tar and hummus), the NY strip, chicken and scallops. Everything was cooked to perfection and beyond tasty (get the sweet potato side...out of control). Great drink menu and service too! So excited that my favorite brunch place offers dinner that's just as good. Can't wait to go back again!
(5)
Patti G.
I had breakfast at Kanela today (what else, right?). Their menu is divided into sweet and savory. I got a sweet dish - the banana split crepe, and it was wonderful! We started with the Kanela fritters, which were really amazing. The best for me was the fruit smoothie. All the fruit on each dish, and in the smoothie looked and tasted like it was picked yesterday. I can't wait to eat there again when local produce is available!!
(5)
Alysson L.
Eh. Boyfriend loved it-- I think because by catching the Saturday brunch rush, we got to enjoy a lively dining experience. He had the cheddar and ham crepes. I had the chorizo plate, and we shared a smoothie of some kind, bacon, and a kanela roll (read: a cinnamon roll). All were competent, but not spectacular. I agree with previous reviewers that being informed that all the water, including the ice cubes, is filtered did nothing except make me roll my eyes. I also really dislike the way a lot of the menu options like to prescribe for you how you should eat your eggs-- rather than the typical "main item + side item + eggs any style" formant, they tell you that in this case, your eggs should be over-easy, in this case, they should be scrambled, etc. Not ideal.
(3)
A B.
I've been here twice. First time was an okay experience, there were four of us and we waited about 45 before getting seated. Everything was okay till we ordered, they completely messed up my friends order and forgot to put it in, we got our food and she kept waiting, she didn't get her eggs till after we were all done, way after. They were apologetic and didn't charge, but still, it was annoying. My second visit was a group of five of us and everything was awesome. Our server Dora was just great, very attentive and explained everything on the menu and on the specials board. If all the servers were like her than the place would be getting five stars!!! My favorite is the French toast and Chorizo dish, for appetizer we always order the phyllo with the lemon inside and the mini Greek donuts, soooooo good!!! I love the fact that it's a BYOB and has parking for free!
(4)
Shannyn N.
I have been back to Kanela almost weekly since they opened the doors. MUCH better than Orange, and I liked Orange. Found parking for Kanela customers right next door, walked into a busy Sunday brunch crowd, but the hostess was very friendly and seated us right away. We had water and coffee on the table within a minute or so. The wait staff, even on the busiest of days, is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. I've tried many of the culinary diverse menu options and my favorites include: Pork Belly Benedict (with dried cranberries and roasted brussel sprouts, this dish is more delicious than I could have imagined) Smoked Salmon Sandwich (Lox topped with sunny side up eggs and pickled onions, this is amazing!) The Lamb Burger (it's a lamb burger....can't go wrong) and finally, if you like pancakes (which I really don't, but I'm obsessed with these..) Blueberry Pancakes, with fresh blueberries in a blueberry coulis sauce oozing all over the pancakes. STOP IT! In addition, my girlfriend, who is very particular and difficult, is always requesting substitutions and basically makes her order a complete pain for the server and kitchen, I'm sure, but they have always happily accommodated her requests and she is always thrilled about this. While I have been there on a couple occasions the owners walked up to our table and kindly asked us how everything was and if we needed anything, which I thought was very nice. Hands down one of my favorite brunch spots in Chicago and recommend anybody looking for something new to try it out!
(5)
Sophia K.
Amazing brunch! Loved the French toast and duck confit hash and sitting out on the patio was great! Good music and excellent food-were definitely coming back
(5)
Lisa S.
Food was good, our waiter Rob was great. He warned us that they were short staffed in the kitchen. The hostess was rude and overall almost ruined our brunch!
(4)
Utsa S.
We went in for a late lunch. Ordered spicy black bean burger, kanela chip pancakes and veggie omelette. The burger was very tasty, rest of the food was okay. Presentation was great and the server was very attentive. I was quite excited that they serve Julius Meinl coffee but it didn't taste as good as it does in the Julius Meinl located at Southport and Addison.
(3)
Heather R.
I had the privilege of going to Kanela on their 1st or 2nd day of being open for lunch with my coworkers, so I'm not sure my experience is irrelevant these days, as things may have changed. I walked in and immediately loved the decor, they played great music overhead, and everything on the menu sounded delicious. I ended up ordering the "Chocolate Covered Bacon Waffles" cause they just sounded too good to be true, or pass up for that matter...and let me tell you, they were!!!! I ate every last bite and drizzle of chocolate on my plate. It was definitely delicious, but it's really rich and not something I would consume again due to calorie content and being gluttonous! The service was impeccable and the head chef came out to the table to ask us how our meal was and see what we thought of the place, and we all raved It's very good, but I honestly feel it's a little too pricey for lunch. I truly believe they would get more business during the regular work week, if they brought their prices down a little bit. I know my coworkers and I (we work in the area) would go there more often, but the portions vs price is just a little too much for us. $12 for a burger at lunch is just a bit much for the neighborhood.
(3)
B C.
Kanela serves up a good upscale spin on greek brunch. I got the Greek sausage and feta omelette and it was a tasty smorgasbord of mediterranean stuff. Throw some homefries in there too! There, appetite quenched. Their bloody maries are huge.
(3)
Carrie D.
My friends and I like the food here and don't mind the wait because we are realistic, we live in Chicago. We've never had to wait more than 35 minutes and I've waited for buses longer than that! We've eaten here for a later breakfast/brunch, if you will on a Sunday before a Cubs game and early breakfasts on Saturday mornings. Their food is always good and they are very nice. Now that the patio is open it should be even better. You can also request to sit at the coffee/juice bar to eat and the servers try very hard to accommodate you. The food has always been good and having the juice bar is a plus. We'll keep going here.
(3)
Wes W.
I really enjoy coming here. Originally disappointed that Orange closed their doors here, but very happy with the replacement. The food is good and the atmosphere is nice. Like every place in Chicago, it is pretty loud. But like I said, every place in Chicago is like that. The servers have always been nice. Sometimes they forget to tell you about the special, but for the most part are very nice. I have brought several different friends here and they have always liked it. I've had several different items on the menu. I like all of the egg dishes (because that is what I like for breakfast and brunch). I don't eat a lot of pancakes, or baked goods, but my friends love them. I shared a crepe they had on special one day and it was so good. The only thing my friends have said that they consistently didn't like were the potatoes/home fries. Sometimes too crispy or over spiced. I have always loved mine, but I love potatoes. All in all, this is my new favorite neighborhood breakfast place and my go to restaurant for breakfast when I have friends in town.
(4)
Beth H.
Been here twice. First time, total win! Had the awesome red velvet french toast and were sure to come back. I think the first time we went we were in by around 10:00 a.m. or 10:30 on a Saturday or Sunday. This past Saturday was a total bust in regards to not only waiting for a table (which is to be expected for brunch on a Sunday), but after we were seated (after our 40 minute wait) we ordered our food and waited, and waited, and waited at least an hour before it arrived. The waiter was super apologetic, but didn't check in until about the 30-40 minute mark and offered us complimentary monkey bread. This wasn't a good sign letting us know that our food would still be quite a bit longer. The food did not disappoint. The strawberry orange juice is amazing. The red velvet french toast was delish. This dish, however, must be offset with something savory, so we also split the chorizo and egg dish which was also fantastic. Wish they could have gotten their act together on this. Waiting 40 minutes I can deal with, waiting another hour for food just makes people cranky. :) Their kitchen is super small and when I passed it early on in our visit, it seemed full of smoke, so I'm not sure if they were just "backed up" or if there was an incident.
(3)
Jean F.
Burnt toast. I had to actually ask if the pancakes were pre-cooked and then reheated. Raw veggies and unmelted cheese in the Western Omelette. Yolk hard in the Portobello Eggs Benedict. With all the rave reviews let's just hope we were the only people to catch them on a bad day. Bummer. I was totally hoping for an awesome experience.
(1)
Jeffrey A.
Best breakfast I've had in Chicago. Service was excellent. Food was great but the ambiance was the best. Place was packed with good looking people and everyone was having a great time. Perfect place to go for brunch and very reasonable price wise. I'm going to be a regular
(5)
Jay W.
Good riddance "Orange"! Kanela has it all...nice atmosphere, friendly staff, and awesome food! All at a reasonable price. I would highly recommend the kanela chip pancakes and cinnamon rolls. The coffee and fresh juice were also delicious! Even at prime brunch time never had to wait longer than 10 minutes. Definitely come here if you want to liven up your typical brunch food!
(5)
Bridget B.
So good, that I hate that I live next door. The menu takes a spin on breakfast favorites & ups the ante by adding a touch of gourmet. I cannot get enough of the bacon or stuffed French toast with apple chutney. I don't know what their hiring procedure is, but every server is wonderful & charismatic.
(5)
Alfredo G.
What a pleasant surprise the visit to Kanela turned out to be. Found out about it through Yelp and decided to give the place a try. A group of 4 of us were seated after 5 minutes or so. We had the option of waiting at a cool juice bar and order a drink or browse the menu. We then got 4 plates and shared. The chorizo dish was amazing. Great balance of flavors, very hearty and filling. We also got the bacon chocolate waffles and the stuffed french toast. Both great dishes. But the best was the monkey bread - gooey and yummy. With prompt, friendly service and reasonable prices - I'm definitely returning.
(4)
Maria D.
I am very selective with brunch, so Lula and Hot Chocolate are two of my favorites, this place certainly measures up! Excellent and unique pastry-starters, great choices of entrees... of course I would most recommend Pork Belly Egg Benedict! Amazing!!! The place is very cute inside and has friendly service:) Why only 4 stars? Well they are BYOB... but the staff isn't trained to handle your champagne... so they are a bit slow to set you up with glasses. Otherwise everything is always wonderful!
(4)
Bryan C.
I didn't want to give this place a bad review because it's brand new, and a lot of things can happen after a few weeks. I'm pretty forgiving in my reviews. First the good: It was a busy Saturday morning when we arrived. We didn't wait too long for our table. The complimentary breakfast doughnuts they give you is a nice touch...they were good, but you have to eat them really fast or they turn hard quickly. The juices were really good, I had strawberry, banana, orange, honey. The place looked pretty nice. Now the bad....... We got there at 11:45am, and we didn't get our food until 1:15PM...I'm not joking or exagerrating. The owner came over and apologized, and took off a few items off of our bill. That was a nice gesture, and I realize that they are brand new, but at that point I really didn't care about anything free...waiting that long is just ridiculous. The service wasn't that great either. Our waiter kept joking about the wait....the first time we cracked a smile, but after there was no results and him still joking...it wasn't funny anymore, but rather annoying. He also didn't come to check on us for awhile, and he kept forgetting what we ordered. The food finally arrived. It was ok...nothing great in my opinion. Maybe the wait jaded my taste buds. As I mentioned above, I felt bad for the owners..it's a new place...maybe it will get better. Don't let my experience ruin your perception.
(3)
Emily B.
Loved the neighborly, accommodating vibe. One friend had a ginormous salad which was reported as delicious and way more than she could eat, another the french toast flight (genius!) receiving many mmmms and ahhhs, and I had the spicy feta omelette which was a nice twist on a classic. Potatoes were not so memorable, but I would definitely go back!
(4)
Kalee H.
The food was great and loved the atmosphere, but the service was a different story. We got to Kanela's at 10am and didn't leave until 12:45 because they messed up our order two times. Not once did they offer to reduce our bill. I had a friend visiting form out of town and she didn't even get to eat because her food was so late and had to catch a flight. I might try the Old Town location, but defiantly will not be visiting the Lakeview location any time soon.
(3)
Keri M.
French Toast Flight - OMG - so good. This place is delish!
(5)
Katherine S.
Poor service, inept waitstaff and generally lethargic and apathetic approach to providing the customer with their meal. Ordered a cobb salad, almost 2 hours later our meals are served and there is NO CHICKEN on the cobb salad. Waiter never mentioned that they were out of chicken. I let him know there was no chicken and his response was: "Well, at this point, do you even want it?" No apology or explanation! After I said yes, I'd like chicken because right now I basically only have lettuce, tomatoes and a few pieces of avocado, he promised to bring the "best chicken ever" since apparently all the chicken had gone bad the last night and now they were replacing all the chicken. However, he NEVER brought any chicken, nor provided any explanation or apology for never providing the chicken. I left hungry.
(1)
April S.
Can't go wrong if you chose to go here for breakfast....there might be a wait on weekends but trust me it is worth it!!!
(5)
Matt L.
Two words -- bacon waffle. This decadent treat jumped out at me the moment I looked at the menu. The good news -- it's exactly as tasty as it sounds. Unbelievably good, coming complete with chocolate covered bacon, bacon dust, and a bourbon caramel sauce that started a party in my mouth. Very filling though, leaving plenty of opportunities for leftovers. Service was very friendly - and the server was rewarded as such in the tip - if a touch slow. As far as cost, fairly standard for brunch places throughout Chicago -- my friend and I got out with a $25 tab total for the two of us. Definitely looking forward to my return visit for brunch.
(4)
Michael N.
Great place for bunch! The Kanela roll as an appetizer is so delicious! It's their cinnamon roll and I'll add this, its warm, soft, and fresh every time! They also have a good selection of fresh squeeze juices and coffees. I had the Chorizo eggs over easy, avocado, chihuahua cheese, salsa verde, jalapeno, cilantro, crema, and toast. I'll get it again!
(4)
Lauren K.
I have been here several times. I have been with one friend, a few friends and 17 friends! The service has been great. The food is wonderful. I have tried or had over half the menu now. Everything has been excellent. I'm actually very surprised that everyone I have been here with loves what they order...you would expect in a group of 17 for at least one person to be a little unhappy or just content but everyone loved it! Everyone I have been with has gone back again. I highly recommend this place! I do prefer the Lorraine Scramble for breakfast, the Lamb burger is great for lunch! I had the crepes last time, amazing, but rich, but amazing!
(5)
Megan M.
Had brunch here when i was visiting from LA. WOW! the coffee, the bloody mary, and the omelet was amaazing! the service was excellent as well. Love their cute little cups! will def. come back when i visit again!
(5)
Chrissy P.
I've been to Kanela twice now and have had great experiences both times. They serve Julius Meinl coffee which is a plus with me and their fresh juices are delicious. If you want something super gluttonous I say get the Bacon Waffle but even their omelets and scrambles (spicy feta, chorizo and Lorraine, to be specific) are great. I recently had an order of the monkey bread and that was a really great way to start our breakfast without being overly sweet. If you're in the neighborhood and want to eat breakfast at a place that is Southport Grocery style in terms of food and ambiance with Ann Sather prices, Kanela is your match.
(4)
Jerry M.
Having been there before we were looking forward to breakfast this morning. Wow not a good experience unlike last time. The waitress as usual was great but the food has taken a sharp turn downward, at least with our order. We were there early before the crowds so the kitchen had all the time in the world ..and they took it. It took forever to get our food and it was stone cold and not very good. The nutella and banana crepes were cold, flavor ok. The 2 Western omelets were the smallest we have seen at any breakfast place, cold and not very good, mostly onions. when we told the waitress who was great about the issues she tried to get the manager, but they did not have time which is pathetic as it was not busy. I hope this is a onetime event but very disappointing.
(1)
Sara Q.
Nice decor and AMAZING food. Everything from the freely flowing excellent Viennese coffee, deliciously fresh squeezed OJ and strawberry juice, decadently good monkey bread, PORK BELLY Benedict, and eye opening stuffed French toast with whipped ricotta and fresh apple cinnamon chutney was fantastic. Our waitress was also very nice and attentive. Our new favorite breakfast place anywhere.
(5)
Karen K.
Another great breakfast spot. I met my mom here for a breakfast meeting last week. Free wi-fi, and plugs. Yay! Delicious coffee. Totally worked with my gluten-free routine. Gorgeous fruit in place of toast. My mom LOVED her breakfast. It was just great. No wait on a Friday am. Good service too. And a coffee to go for the ride home. Score! Enjoy!
(5)
Lyn B.
This place beat my expectations! I went with a girlfriend for brunch, and we really enjoyed it. The atmosphere was nice- felt like we were at a French cafe. The food was solid, as was the service. I'd definitely go back.
(4)
Brian C.
Tried this place on a Saturday...sat at the bar. A bit loud but nice atmosphere. They have great fresh juices and smoothies, good coffee too. Had the pork belly Benedict and Lorraine scramble--both were pretty good. The side of homemade chicken sausage lacked texture and needed "something". The menu is creative and the name is Greek, but the menu wasn't heavy on the Greek influence for breakfast foods (which is not necessarily a bad thing). Bar server was pleasant and prices were good.
(3)
Christopher M.
I just came back from my first visit to this new brunch spot, and I'll have to agree with other reviewers who noted that Kanela tries too hard. The interior is quite fancy for a brunch place but it's very nicely-done so that's fine with me. The problem with Kanela is getting your money's worth. I was actually very satisfied with my waffle and bacon, but the truth is, even as I write this I'm already starting to feel hungry again. The waffle was crispy on the outside and fluffy inside and was served with fresh strawberries, strawberry butter and a dusting of powdered sugar. Very tasty! Since I am a huge fan of peppered bacon, and theirs is a high-quality one, I really enjoyed it. The coffee was delicious and satisfying. My wife on the other hand, is pissed. The Kanela French Toast is definitely not "frenched" enough-- and by that I mean it's bone-dry in the middle, and needs to be more thoroughly soaked in the batter. Additionally, it's tiny-- only 2 pieces which is kind of ridiculous for $9, even if it is topped with creme fraiche, apricot jam and an orange slice. I don't think any normal adult gets full eating 2 pieces of French Toast. Even my tiny wife with her asian-sized appetite was still hungry after finishing it (although I should add that she's also a self-proclaimed french toast connoisseur ^_^ ). I wonder if perhaps going with the savory dishes is the way to get one's money's worth. I saw what some of the other customers were eating and the savory dishes looked not only delicious but also filling. My wife and I didn't experience any of the service problems that other yelpers wrote about, but I did notice that a nearby table with four customers was being neglected. I saw them waving their arms in desperation twice and also saw them stand up and approach the bar a few times in order to get the attention of the dining room staff. At the end of the meal, one of the owners stopped by to ask for our opinion so I was honest with him about the French toast experience. He seemed to genuinely interested in my feedback and promised to keep improving the restaurant. He offered us a complementary starter which we declined so he reduced the cost of the French toast, which was a nice touch. I would totally be up for going back to Kanela, but since I would have to go without my wife it seems unlikely to happen.
(2)
Amy L.
Solid brunch option. Good food, great service, BYO...I only have one complaint. They were playing some TERRIBLY bad country music when I was there. One song might not have been so bad but an entire album..ugh.
(4)
Colin O.
The general vibe I get from this place is that it tries to hard. From the staff to the food, there was too much effort. It never bordered on the snobbish pretense of hipster d-baggery; however, it put too much effort into the experience- like an over-eager date (not in a loose way, mind you). So the date started well. My group of two other people and I rolled in on a Sunday around 9:00 am, and the restaurant wasn't too busy. In fact, we practically had our choice of table, and there wasn't any crowding to follow. The staff was very friendly, and the later-discovered "aim-to-please" attitude started to show after some joking with a waitress- we weren't even sitting yet. We took our seats, and our server came over after a few minutes' lag, which has its pros and cons: - Pro: It gave us time to settle in and glimpse what's in store - Con: It's a Sunday morning, and I want some coffee. Pronto. We get our coffee orders taken- the coffee was Julius Meinl, which was a nice touch. It's a little too dark for me, but I like the effort toward quality. The waiter then asks if it was our first time, and it was. He proceeds into long spiel about how "our smoothies and juices come freshly squeezed every morning and that they're very delicious and tasty and wondeful and all the rave... Water comes straight to your table after having been freshly filtered with love... Our eggs have been hand-picked from organic, free-range chickens, free of disease, hormones and other nasty stuff... Oh, and did we mention our juices are freshly squeezed?" This is all great stuff, and I'm happy to have quality food brought to my table, but there was just too much effort to tell me all this when I'm already sitting down in the restaurant! Just give me a minute... Let me ask you a questions about the food... Let me order some food... Oh, and why don't you please put all the cool organic, natural, freshly squeezed stuff in writing someplace on the menu rather than ramble on about it? So we ordered two appetizers: monkey bread (a special that day) and loukoumades. The monkey bread wasn't like typical monkey bread in that it was more a muffin with a monkey bread topping- very tasty. The loukoumades were also pretty good, but if I'm going for a flavor of that sort, I'd rather just upgrade to baklava. Sure it's healthy for you, but what's the point of going for flavors like that and falling short? For breakfast, one of us ordered apple-cinnamon pancakes (a special that our waiter commented would be "criminal if these don't make it to the full time menu"). (As an aside, they're in the process of sorting out the menu, as the restaurant is still relatively new.) The other one of us had a egg and chorizo dish, and I had an egg, cheese and onion scramble dish. Overall, no dish wowed us. The chorizo dish was the best, because, honestly, chorizo for me is like bacon: it makes just about everything better. I wouldn't start putting it on dough nuts, but as a person who prefers a savory breakfast, chorizo + eggs + potatoes = winning in my mouth. So this was good from the couple bites I had. The key was that the chorizo was well-cooked- i.e. not greasy. Some places don't understand this; however, they do here. The next dish ordered was the stack of "criminally" good apple cinnamon pancakes, which, in short, was too spicy. They weren't spicy like a pepper, but rather too much clove. The texture was good, and the apple butter on top of the pancakes was a great touch, but the flavors need to be dialed back. Finally, my cheese, egg and onion scramble was underwhelming and probably the worst of all the dishes ordered. There was too much cheese in the dish, and it kept the eggs way too moist. Simply put, there was too much stuff in the eggs. What's wrong with liking eggs with cheese and onion? Here I had cheese and onion loosely held together by eggs. Keeping in theme of the over-eager date that aims to please, Kanela tries too hard, from its food to its staff. Let's address the latter first. I'm in the restaurant and don't need the hard sell. Please be friendly and help answer some questions. I promise to tip you 20% so long as you accomplish these tasks. Now back to the food... If the ingredients are as good as they claim, then why not let them stand on them on their own? Instead of adding to the quality of the dish, the effort only put me off.
(2)
Stephanie S.
Best breakfast I've had in Chicago. Red velvet french toast is a must. Service is excellent. We had a party of 10, made a reservation two days before, and sat the minute we got in. Totally want to go back.
(5)
William T.
Honestly, this was the worst meal I have had in years. The service was abysmal, none of the food came out at the same time and the wait was excruciating. Waitress never followed up to fill drinks or coffee. I had such high hopes for the pork belly benedict and bacon waffles. The pork belly was way undercooked so it was almost transparent it was so fatty, the combination of seasonings and sauce was just wrong and very unappealing, potatoes underdone. The whole staff ran around like chickens with their heads cut off. It looks like the kitchen which is 3/4 of the way towards the back prevents any kind of efficient flow, so often 3 or 4 wait staff waiting for food. There are so many wonderful brunch places in Chicago, I don't see how this place can compete. I would have gotten a much better meal from one of the generic pancake houses.
(1)
Dale H.
OK, Food was excellent, I had a bacon waffle, which was outstanding, and everyone who was with us enjoyed their food as well. However the service was very, very slow. I think they kinda forgot about us for a bit, people that ordered after us had ate, and I think even a few were leaving before we ate. Our server was very polite, and very apologetic, even brought a complimentary breakfast/desert as a way to say sorry. While we waited for our food, somewhere around 1/'2 hour or so, I was observing the staff, most of them appeared very frustrated. I hope this was just a bad day because it has such great potential.
(3)
Pheebe L.
Loukomades- greek donuts are great. Their chorizo b-fast is my fave. Their juices are fresh. Breakfast menu that is well thought of and well made. They have parking. Have been back and brought friends to this place so many times. Now my friends are fans too.
(4)
Alissa K.
Not too long of a wait for a Sunday morning. About 20 minutes, but NO room inside for waiting. Sat on the back patio at 11:30am. No umbrellas. A few of the table were in the shade, but the others relocated inside because it was too hot. The service was super slow. Took forever between every waitress interaction: menus, drinks, order, food, check, etc. However, the food was delicious! The lorraine scramble was excellent. Veggies were perfect size and well cooked so not too crispy crunchy. I also liked that it was a scramble, something different besides your usual omelette. The potatoes were also deliciously seasoned. We ordered the red-velvet french toast. It was literally pieces of red velvet cake with a cream cheese frosting swirl in the middle. It was surprisingly light, not overwhelmingly dense or rich like I expected. No need for syrup. We also ordered some lemon custard phyllo dough thing which was ok. It was warm, which I liked, and not sweet like I expected. Save room for the yummy meal though!
(4)
Anjali B.
This is my new favorite brunch place! The food is excellent, and consistent, the servers are friendly and not too pushy, it's kid-friendly, and it's just a few blocks from my apartment. I highly recommend the spicy feta omelette and the red velvet french toast. The spicy feta is SPICY, so be forewarned. The few times I've had the specials, I've been happy - last time it was a pulled pork sandwich with a very tasty relish/slaw. I will be back, and back again, and back again.
(5)
Whitni H.
HOORAY!!!!! I love this restaurant! We have been there two times and would frequent it much more often if it were closer as we live 100 miles away! It does NOT disappoint! Everything about it was amazing and delicious and contributed to a fantastic eating experience. Ahhhhh! :) It was crowded ( good sign to me and also the week-end ) but the wait was well worth it....not long though... I should add that as we went to the bar and had a coffee while we waited for the table and didn't finish it! ( I did see some alcoholic drinks that were tempting :D ) I loved the energy and eclectic feel to the bustling atmosphere. Lovely aromas filled the space of coffee and unique scrumptious delectables. The owners ( Chris C., and Peter and Chris L. ) were there on site and were welcoming and attentive as was our terrific waiter....he couldn't do enough to help us with the many enticing choices. The service was efficient and friendly to say the least. Now....the food! YUMMMMMY! It came to our table perfectly prepared and exactly what we would hope for....steaming hot and represented appropriately and according to the menu description....just what we expected! There was a ton of interesting menu selections... you can go from ordinary cuisine to the extraordinary, " you need to try me" dishes! and I enjoyed the diversity of possibilities. Take note of the neat juice drink combos. We were there for breakfast but hope to try the lunch menu as it clearly has flair and class. Sooooo I say....go for it! I know I will DEFINITELY be going back next time I get into the Chi town! YEAY! Can't wait!
(5)
Ryan B.
I had the portobella Benedict and was very disappointed. The problem was maybe today's cook. Today is Thursday and maybe it's better in the weekends. My hollandaise sauce had too much lemon juice. My poached eggs were over-cooked. Simple issues that make or break a dish.
(2)
Jason M.
Just discovered a great new breakfast joint. It seemed to have popped up out of nowhere. Ate there today and the food was great. The service was awesome. Everyone was so nice and freindly. My wife wants to know who was the designer who did the interior. Bacon waffles and Feta scramble. Who doesn't love bacon? It was perfect. Have to agree with other review about the music - perfect.
(5)
Caroline G.
I brunched at this spot in its former life as Orange a year or so ago. First of all, I was blown away by how much the look of the interior has improved (Orange was a dump). It has such a sleek, clean and welcoming look, most notably with huge leather banquettes. But more importantly, THE FOOD was just delish! I started with a creamy Julius Meinl soy latte, which was made perfectly, and I love that a brunch place offers lattes, in addition to plain old coffee. I was in the market for something sweet, so opted for the blueberry pancakes. Fluffy and piled high, with a yummy blueberry compote/syrup with a little dollop of whipped cream on the side. Just perfect. My girlfriends went savory, ordering the Pork Belly Benedict and Chorizo and Eggs, both served with crispy potatoes and toast, both tasty delights. Top it all off with friendly service and hottie owners, I will definitely be back next weekend!
(5)
E B.
If I could, I would give Kanela NO stars. I have been to Kanela in the past and although their service had been slow, I thought I'd give it another chance because the food was so good in the past. As of today, I can't say the same since I never received my meal. In fact, no one at my table received their breakfast, an hour after our order had been placed. The worst service in Chicago. We waited 20 minutes to be seated. Once seated we ordered coffee/OJ and some monkey bread for the table. Had we known we were going to have to wait over an hour to see any additional food, we would have left then. After placing our order and waiting over 30 minutes for our food (table of 3), we asked how much longer the wait would be and we were never given an answer. Instead, we were told that their entire kitchen staff never made it in to work that day and that they had a mod podge of cooks from local bars making the food. This does not leave a customer confident that what they think they ordered is what they are going to receive. After another 25 minutes (now 55 minutes after our order was placed) we asked again about our food and still, nothing. We finally just asked for our bill. As a paying customer, I don't care what's going on behind the scenes, especially when no one has apologized for the wait or given us an idea of how much longer we would need to wait. After asking for the bill a manager came over and when we told her why we wanted to bill she gave us an attitude. Her attitude surprised me but what surprised me more was the fact that they didn't comp the bill or even just the drinks since we were still waiting for it, over an hour after we ordered. We all ordered egg dishes, eggs don't take that long! This was definitely the worst experience ever. When I mentioned to the manager that they should comp something they had an attitude and said that "we at the food and need to pay for it." Of course we would eat the food, because we were expecting to get the rest of our meal shortly after that. Instead of taking care of their current, seated customers, they kept seating more tables without being able to handle it. If they didn't have the man power in the kitchen, then they shouldn't have been open on a busy Sunday. Also, as for the service. our empty plate that our monkey bread came on, as well as the empty juice classes we had, sat on the table the entire time. No one ever came by to remove the dirty dishes from our table. I would highly recommend that no one eats at this establishment. They have terrible service and bad attitudes.
(1)
GM D.
Hands down the best brunch place in the city. Everyone must try it. Amazing food, great environment and atmosphere! It is evident that lots of time and thought were put behind the menu, decor, and atmosphere. Job well done!
(5)
Julie B.
Okay, I loved this place the first time. And while it was a little disappointing they're no longer BYOB, the french toast flight made up for that! So it's a little like dessert for breakfast, but I'm okay with that. Amazing!
(5)
Karissa F.
I had a friend come into town from the suburbs this morning, and I decided to take her to Kanela based on the other Yelp reviews I read. (I had never been there before.) Our waitress greeted us right away, offering juice and coffee. We both passed at the time, but I look forward to trying one of their fresh squeezed juices in the future. As for the meal, I had a hard time deciding what to order, but my server suggested I try the chorizo- great recommendation! It was delicious! I didn't try any of my friend's Kanela chip pancakes, but she said they were some of the best pancakes she's ever eaten. The service was prompt all around; we did not have to wait to long to get our food. I can't wait to go back and try something new!
(5)
rebecca g.
Decided to give Orange's new replacement a shot, and was delighted. First of all, the service was fantastic--our server was really personable, helpful, and attentive, even at the height of the brunch rush. Seating, as it was with Orange, was a bit cramped, but they did a good job of keeping things moving. We ordered the Kanela roll, their take on a basic cinnamon roll, which was tasty and fresh--though a bit softer around the edges than I like mine to be. The Lorraine Scramble was hearty and tasty--with yummy bacon, gruyere, and charred scallions topped with a cute frico garnish. I also really liked their breakfast potatoes, which were well-seasoned, properly-grilled and perfectly cooked. Prices are comparable to other local brunch places--not cheap per se, but the quality was worth it.
(4)
Philippe F.
Yes, I came here because I thought it was still Orange :( The menu looked appetizing, so why not? I started off with an orange juice/scrawberry mix, which was the only juice available at the time, but then again, that's probably what I would have gone with anywho. It was scrawlicious! I was torn between the duck confit hash and the pork belly benedict. My only concern was the brussel sprouts in the benedict. Back and forth until finally I came to: Eenie Meenie Miney PORK! Not a bad decision at all. The pork belly was nice and fatty, and great combo with the cranberries and sprouts. The herbed potatoes were a little too herbed, and a little too well done. I goobled them up, but would have preferred them to have a light herb dusting and fluffy instead of borderline burnt. What will bring me back? My curiosity for the duck confit as well as the lamb burger.
(3)
Kathleen S.
Didn't have a great experience here. Seemed like they were a bit overwhelmed by the crowd - I had to ask for silverware, butter & syrup for my pancakes. And our starter came out after our main dishes. No apologies for anything - both servers were very abrupt and annoyed. The lattes were good but the pancakes & monkey bread were pretty mediocre.
(2)
Paige F.
Went here after leaving 11th City Diner because of absolutely terrible service and pleasantly found a new breakfast place. Their french toast and omelettes were great and the servers were friendly, attentive and helpful. I suggest the Kanela french toast; it's what I ate and it was very yummy. Only reason I didn't give them five stars is because I only like to do so after several great visits. I have no doubt that it will earn five stars in my book, though.
(4)
Alex A.
I don't even like breakfast foods that much but this place made me think twice. Incredible menu! The pork belly benedict was outstanding. In addition to their fresh squeezed juices they have several house made juice blends to try. We really dug their strawberry orange juice. Also, our server Aline was incredibly nice and friendly. So glad I moved close by!
(5)
Leslie B.
My first trip to Kanela Breakfast Club was excellent, they accommodated our large group and everyone's food was delicious and arrived timely. Because of this experience, I had no hesitation making a reservation for a Sunday morning with my large party (10-12). We arrived for our reservation promptly at 10:30 am. Upon arrival, I was told they had no record of our reservation, but they would try to get us seated quickly. In the hour that we waited for our table I saw the hostess make absolutely no attempt to get us seated. Several smaller parties arrived after us with no reservations and were seated, dined, and left while we were still waiting!! We waited outside in the 95 degree heat for our table with barely an apology from the hostess. Once we were finally seated, our waitress was very nice, but the food was mediocre and took forever. I will not be going back again.
(1)
Joe O.
Wow! Starting with the filtered water...the BEST water in town. I'd go just for that. Neverthess, excellent breakfast. Try the portobello omelette. Julius Mienel coffee. And prices lower than my neighborhood greasy spoon. Plus there's a parking lot. I've been back twice and plan to go back again with more friends.
(5)
Nick M.
Pretty good - I'd go back. Didn't have any problems with the wait as some people mentioned; maybe I was lucky.
(3)
jay d.
Amazing brunch spot. High quality ingredients, good service, a realy pleasant breakfast. I will be back. Coffee was very good. Great savory and sweet options. The place was fairly busy but service did not suffer.
(5)
Bob B.
Jennifer was a stellar waitress. She helped us (my date and I) decide what breakfast appetizer to choose, kept on top of the drink refills and made sure we were doing well the entire morning. The food was great too. Classy atmosphere compared to "Orange" which was there prior to Kanela. The wait on the weekend was the only downside, albeit typical for Chicago.
(5)
Ashley K.
Fred was an incredible server! The food was amazing- we had the mixed green salad with duck confit, eggs Benedict, and chicken pesto sandwich. The roasted potatoes were delicious. The duck was perfectly cooked. The chicken pesto was delectable- tender and succulent. The bottomless mimosas are a great deal and amazingly delicious- strawberry orange what?! I can't imagine a better place to spend my sunday afternoon.
(5)
christina t.
Love the food, the byob champagne and the adorable decor! Would easily be a 5 if not for this last point. The place has one of the rudest hostesses Ive ever encountered. Been there twice and twice it was the most unwelcome and awkward greeting. If you can get past her on a Sunday morning you will have a great experience but not sure how this hasnt already been remedied.
(4)
Will M.
I am grateful, grateful, grateful that someone has filled the empty spot that was once Orange. I really like the decor - much nicer than your average breakfast place. This is my third visit. The first two times I had the Chorizo dish, today I had the Pork Belly Benedict. I loved the Chorizo and kind of liked the Benedict. In both cases I don't like their hash browns. Way to over spiced. And there is one spice that - to me - makes it taste like mold or something. I'll have to ask them if they have a substitute - if not I probably won't go back. Kind of stupid to pay $20 for breakfast and not get potato that I would want to eat.
(3)
Samantha R.
This place is adorable and we got one of the friendliest waitresses I've had in a long time. All of the menu items sounded great and we weren't disappointed with our order. Delicious coffee and they are BYOB, so next time I'm bringing champagne. Can't wait to come back!
(5)
D L.
KBC is slowly moving up in my ranks of favorite breakfast spots. Their stuffed french toast is amazing. And their duck confit hash is decadent. The service can be spotty, but it's due in part to their popularity. It can be insanely busy on weekends. But worth it.
(4)
P S.
Rude attitude. The food was acceptable, but our multicolored haired tattooed waitress was just horrible. I'm OK with being unique, but rudeness as a server is a no-go. She was pushy, gave lip service, and couldn't get the order straight. I wanted to complain to the owner or manager, but it was such a mad house that nothing could be figured out. Won't be back.
(1)
Happiness L.
A surprise of greatness. I was walking past this place a couple weeks ago looking to get something to eat and noticed people going in so I went in too. Glad I did. Wonderful atmosphere, food, and service. Went back today and it gets better and better and better. Ask for Fred...he is personable and takes excellent care of his guests.
(5)
Mark T.
I do love Kanela! The coffee is top notch, the peanut butter smoothie is just heavenly and the breakfasts are just crazy good. I'd advise Kanela to try working out the kinks in the chocolate covered bacon though. The bacon needs to be saltier and crispier. Other than that, I've thoroughly enjoyed everything I've ever had here. Service is hit or miss but never bad.
(4)
Aleks W.
Tried out Kanela today with my toddler and a mom friend and her baby girl. They've removed all traces of Orange's homey, mismatched interior and gone for a sleek, swanky look with mod wallpaper and a leather bench across the long part of the restaurant. The Greek doughnuts to begin were a nice touch, and my kanela (cinnamon) chip pancakes were delicious, while the peppered bacon was a little too peppery. I love Julius Meinl espresso, and the mocha was delicious. The prices are a little high, though I find them on par with Southport Grocery and other higher-end brunch spots that serve "local, seasonal" food, and the decor and other clientele don't necessarily scream family friendly, though the staff was more than accommodating to our little ones. All in all, a nice addition to the central Lakeview brunch scene and an extra bonus that it's open at 7 a.m. every day so that parents can get in before the hangover crowd storms the gates.
(4)
Victoria M.
I've been to Kanela twice now and have loved it both times. I don't remember what I had on my first visit, but last week I went with a friend and we tried the Monkey Bread, the Greek Donuts (don't remember what they are called) and the portabella eggs Benedict. All three were quite yummy. I really enjoyed the Greek Donuts and Monkey Bread. The Greek donuts are drizzled with Greek honey, lemon and cinnamon. Very light and very good. I even liked to dip the Monkey Bread in the honey/lemon/cinn mixture. The eggs Benedict was good, but not certain I would order again. I felt like it was missing a little something. The portabella was a bit flavorless. Never the less, I will definitely go back.
(4)
Marcus Z.
The Red Velvet French Toast and Pork Belly Benedict....no joke....
(5)
Jennifer H.
This place still amazes me every time I come. This is now a frequent Saturday morning place for my running group to go. Last weekend we had 18 people again and every week, they get better and better at handling our large group. I'm always impressed that they make space for us, quick to get us coffee and do an amazing job getting the food out as quick as possible. They also now started breaking the check up by table, which has made it so much easier to figure out the bill. Service is outstanding and food is always great!
(5)
Julie S.
The food was okay. But not worth the wait at all. We waited 30 minutes to get a table, but then our food took an hour to come out the kitchen. It was really strange because the food didn't seem to be coming out the kitchen at all. When it finally did my crepes were cold, and my potatoes were under cooked. I've heard a lot of hype about this place, but to me it just wasn't worth the wait! Our server was nice. He also seemed frustrated with the slow speed of the kitchen. He said that they get swamped with take out orders, but to me it seems they should serve the people in the restaurant before they worry about take out orders. It seems like they don't really care if customers leave happy. I would not go back, at least not on a Saturday or Sunday when they're likely to be busy. If you ask me waiting an hour to get your food is crazy and not a good business practice!
(2)
Jennifer B.
Wow, this was the worst brunch experience ever. The wait for our table was the best part and even that was annoying. I ordered chocolate milk (which was just a box with a straw in it) and it took 15 minutes. I also ordered the pork belly benedict - another hour of waiting for that. I actually took one poke at it and the eggs were way over done and the potatoes were not cooked and the pork belly was tough. Needless to say I didn't eat any of it. My full plate and disgust went unnoticed. I will never return to this horrible place and recommend that you avoid it as well.
(1)
Katie C.
I tried this place for the first time a couple weeks back and I was extremly impressed! I tried the portabello benedict and the ceasar bloody mary and wouldnt let myself leave any food behind even though I was stuffed halfway through. I cant wait to go back to try a number of other things on the menu (Im gonna need a frequent buyer card). This isnt your average brunch place they offer a variety of fresh juice blends and unexpected combination dishes.
(5)
Iman W.
I'm a brunch novice. I can count how many times I've done brunch on one hand. Being awake early on a weekend is one thing, but being out in public, with people, socially eating...who DOES that? Apparently, a lot of people do that. When I got to Kanela's on New Year's Day, there was a line and a 30 minute wait for a table. They took my name, added me to their list, and said they would text me once our table was ready. I can't vouch for the effectiveness of this procedure because I never got a text. I was sitting at the bar and the hostess came and got me. Of note, that 30 minute wait was about 45-50, but it was a holiday, so I'll let it slide. There were a lot of options to choose from and though everything in me was screaming for french toast, I decided to go the savory route and order the lorraine scramble. Hmm...yeah. Err...hmm. The best way for me to describe it is that it would be really delicious if it was fresh out of the kitchen hot. But my order was lukewarm, borderline room temp, as if it had been sitting there for a while. My brunch companion said the same of her eggs benedict. Again, I can't say this is a regular thing. We all know holidays can be anomalies when it comes to service. So I'd still recommend it because it was warm enough for me to tell that it's pretty well made. The scramble came with plentiful roasted red potatoes but as it's been mentioned in other reviews, they're kind of bland. You'll need to sprinkle a little salt on those suckers. Everything in me also screamed for a mimosa but I just had grapefruit juice. I don't know if it's fresh but it was good enough for me. I didn't take much opportunity to check out the decor because it was so busy that day but the space is okay, a bit small. With the booth-like seating and the tables so close, it felt like communal dining. You sit right next to a stranger and you can't help but to be a part of their conversation. Which is fine if you're social and friendly. I'm neither of these things before noon. So would I go back to Kanela's...not on a holiday and probably not on a weekend. Too busy for me. If I just so happened to have a random Tuesday off while no one else does, absolutely.
(3)
Alli L.
This place used to be 5-stars because the old menu was amazing. It's called "kanela breakfast club" but they took the signature kanella (cinnamon chip) pancakes off the menu???? The stuffed french toast with ricotta, maple butter and walnuts was amazing but that's gone too -- replaced by gross french toast coated in corn flakes and coco puffs? No thanks! This used to be my go-to breakfast place, but not anymore. Service is also mediocre. if they brought back some old menu items, I'd definitely start coming again. But i'm just not impressed anymore. It's a shame because my friends and I loved this spot.
(3)
Pandora P.
I have been meaning to update this review for quite some time! Phil has changed my opinion of Kanela :) The last several visits he has been AMAZING and so has the service, food and especially the spicy Bloody Mary's (ask Phil to make them - he has the touch!) Kanela is a lovely escape on a weekday morning/afternoon
(5)
Rick T.
Apparently, I'm the last person to learn about this place. I get around quite a bit, yet when a friend said it was at 3231 N. Clark, I couldn't place it. Well, Kanela Breakfast Club was definitely worth "finding." They make their omelettes the way I love 'em: The eggs are cooked gently in a thin layer and are then wrapped around the ingredients, NOT baked into a thick yellow brick. Their online menu offers a Denver omelette (my go-to!) and I knew I had to be there. Walked in on a rainy Tuesday, sat down by the window and looked over the menu. There was no Denver omelette. Just fancy omelettes and skillets and a variety of eggs Benedict. Crestfallen, I inquired about the missing Denver. "Yeah," the server said, "We just changed up the menu." (See, I took this personally 'cuz I just wrote on Yelp! about a 24-hour diner in the neighborhood that had removed Denver omelettes from THEIR menu in favor of fancy skillets and stuff.) The server could plainly see the sorrow in my eyes. "If it's going to ruin your day, I'm sure we can make one for you." And they did. It was fantastic. Fresh, fluffy layers of egg gently wrapped around equally fresh Denver goodies. The potatoes may have been a bit over-done, but I ate every damned one of them, so they couldn't have been too bad. I was surprised by the server's willingness to go off-menu for me with no drama. And the breakfast was exactly as I had hoped. Hopefully, I'll be equally lucky when I go back for my next Denver.
(4)
Asenath N.
This place is pretty amazing! Came here for brunch with some friends and I was really impress. They have different options from sweet or savory breakfast dishes and also burgers and wraps. I ordered the breakfast skillet of the day and it was delicious. The food was so flavorful. The service was also really good. I will recommend this place to anyone who enjoys breakfast food and flavor! Will I go back? Yes!
(4)
Alexandria T.
One of my friends was in town and had plans with a large group for brunch at Kanela Breakfast Club. We meet around 11:30am, put our names in, and then headed to the Starbucks down the street to wait. We were told the wait would be two hours, and boy they weren't kidding. By the time all was said and down, I left brunch around 2:30pm. Was the wait worth it? I definitely didn't think so. A place that makes you wait two hours should be out of this world, but Kanela definitely fell short. Once we were finally seated, I ordered a Bloody Mary, and the table ordered some pastries to share. The monkey bread was my favorite of the bunch, but it wasn't anything spectacular. For my main, I went with the salmon benedict. It looked really good, but it was as good as any other place I could have waited 20 minutes to be seated at. Honestly, I was starving by the time we sat down, and it didn't even have the effect of starvation to make it taste out of this world. Unless you want to wait 2 hours for a pretty average brunch, I wouldn't suggest going to Kanela.
(2)
Jamille D.
This is my favorite brunch place! The food is amazing. My favorite is the red velvet French toast. It's not too sweet. The cream cheese syrup they put over it and strawberries are a perfect combination. The crab Benedict is great too and the salmon sandwiches. The staff is really nice. I get their red potatoes on the side with any entre I order. The seasoning on the potatoes are so good and they give you a lot! It gets really busy here and it might be hard for you to get seating for a big group. So I suggest you go during odd hours or really early. The wait is definitely worth it if there is a line. You will definitely leave this restaurant feeling more than satisfied and wishing to come back again.
(4)
Diego R.
No idea why this place has bad reviews. Consistantly amazing brunch food! I always get the Chorizo & Eggs with an order of Monkey Bread. Yes, service is slow but so what? Kick back, enjoy a drink or two and chat. Good things are worth waiting for!
(5)
Kara E.
So I've been to Kanela three times - my friends adore this place and keep dragging me here. First time I ordered standard grilled cheese and tomato soup. The grilled cheese was really greasy and the soup was just alright. Second time I tried Kanela I got the cereal flaked crusted french toast. Very disappointing. The french toast was hard and stone cold, the crusted cereal soggy on the outside. The last time I came here a couple weeks ago I decided to play it safe and order a simple two egg breakfast with potatoes on the side. I had ordered pretty much the exact same thing at Revolution for brunch the day before and decided to compare. Very mediocre in comparison to Revolution. The eggs were oily and slightly overcooked (Revolution had perfectly cooked eggs, not even oily or greasy), the potatoes were odd (Revolution's were amazing and came with the best bacon). It wasn't bad, it just wasn't all that great either (although the coffee drinks are great and the mimosa pitcher was fabulous). Kanela doesn't serve really bad food, its just pretty mediocre for what you get. With all the amazing brunch places in the city I wouldn't settle for this.
(2)
Bob M.
This used to be a go-to spot for brunch. It was quaint with high quality food. I had no problem waiting whatever amount of time I needed to wait to have brunch there. Today unfortunately was the last time I will be eating there. I noticed the decline start after they opened their second location in old town. They did away with the attractive paper menus for something laminated and standard looking and the food & service started lacking the attention to detail that made Kanelas so great. Ever since then they have very clearly transitioned from a high quality neighborhood spot to a commercial citywide chain (opening their 4th location soon). The service is terrible (although the people are nice) and the food is mediocre. While I was there today I saw many more meals go out for delivery than were actually served in the restaurant. I'm sure that's a lucrative business but there are tradeoffs to that approach. We waited over 30 minutes for our food in a not crowded restaurant while plenty of meals were being shuffled out by bike couriers. I think its telling that there were only a handful of people there at 9am on a beautiful Saturday morning. Several years ago there would have been a 45min wait. Bye Kanelas.
(2)
William B.
In a neighborhood with the brunch-density of East Lakeview, it's tough to stand out, and indeed the main reason I ended up proposing a breakfast outing here was because we'd been to so many other obvious choices so recently. Plus, Kanela is open early enough that you can go here for an actual breakfast, not just for brunch. Once you do go, the menu contains some nice surprises. The french toast is better than expected; the monkey bread has a delicious, yeasty tang to counteract the sweetness; and the spicy feta in its namesake omelette has a nice punch. But you can also see why they have some bad reviews for service. At least three major, separate, elements of our order were messed up, and our order wasn't ultimately super-complicated. The errors that we bothered to point out were corrected cheerfully, but they aren't exactly providing a seamless experience. I'm not dying to go back, either.
(3)
Kendrick W.
I find it tougher and tougher these days to find a brunch place that does both sweet and savory well, but KBC seems to have it down pat on both sides. The chorizo burrito is good stuff. The red velvet pancakes are delicious, but be prepared to accept the fact that you're really just eating cake for breakfast. So long as you're okay with that then you'll be in heaven. Maybe a little pricey for brunch, but certainly well worth it.
(4)
Little D.
Great delivery option! I ordered a couple of items for delivery on whim a couple weekends ago and I was surprised at how: 1. Courteous the delivery person was 2. The fresh and delicious quality of the food 3. Everything was nice and warm We ordered: The bacon grilled cheese: delicious and fresh! love the quality of the bacon! The raspberry french toast: delicious and fresh (you could back off on the cinnamon a little though) Grass fed burger: pretty darn good! One thing: You guys should have some type of herb mashed potato side option, too. I didn't care for the chips at all. The chips are just meh. I'm excited to try other items! I'll be back!
(4)
Kristina K.
Food was okay. We ordered delivery and I had less than a tablespoon of gravy on my 3 biscuits, which didn't even cover one biscuit. I also ordered the bacon waffles and there wasn't any syrup in our order. Pretty disappointing for a $50 order.
(2)
Aj M.
THIS BRUNCH MENU IS INSAAAANE. so good. I bring people here for brunch because they have something for every appetite. When we went we got the Smoked Salmon wraps with side salads and the potatoes. It was all delicious. For our day drink choice we picked the fresh strawberry mimosas - which were also fantastic. Only thing i wouldn't order again was the toddy/rumchata cocktail (I can't remember the name, cuz mimosas) but I assumed it was going to be a cold cocktail - because toddy coffee is cold brew - but it was just hot alcohol. It was still good but it was also like 70 degrees outside so it was just a bad combo. but everything else was great so i say "GO"
(5)
Connie P.
I used to love this place. Like, for real. Loved it. Their menu had a wide array of ingredients, sweet, savory, basically anything you wanted. My favorite was the dock confit hash. It was absolutely, without a doubt, my favorite brunch item ever. But, it looks like they changed the menu and removed the best thing they had on there. Internal tears have commenced... Aside from my disappointment in my favorite dish being removed from the menu, the menu looks to have moved away from "different" brunch items and resorted to traditional entrees you will see at other restaurants. For individuals that don't like to experiment with food, this is your new place! We put our name down during memorial weekend and luckily we only waited 15 minutes (only 2 of us). We were seated at about 11am, my friend and I chatted. we chatted some more. And some more. And some more after that. After we chatted for 30 minutes and catching up on life, we both looked at each other and said "where is our waitress"? We hadn't realized that we had been waiting for 30 minutes without a person coming over to our table, to give us water, menus, nothing. It was appauling. So much so that the table next to us, who were seated about 5-10 minutes before us, we almost done eating. They overheard us talking about how we were forgotten and they instantly got angry. So much so that they are the ones who flagged down another waitress, told her how we had been waiting with absolutely ZERO service for over 30 minutes, and how they came around the same time and they are were done. The waitress then came to us, apologized, stated that our waitress was new and was a little slow, and she would have her come over. Thankfully, she brought us water and some menus. We looked the menus over, and while we expected our actual waitress to come over, she did not. She actually never came over. The "fill in" waitress came over, asked if we had any questions. We said we wanted to order, and we ordered with her. Because we had a nail appointment at 1pm. And with their terrible service, we figured we would be late. We ordered. I got the Chicken Avocado BLT. It was disappointing. The sauce was terrible, the bread was so soft that it kept falling apart when I tried to pick it up. I'm not sure why they emphasize the "avocado", as I got 2 paperthin slices that literally covered 1/4 of my sandwich. I had to flag down the water guy to get more avocados, because I certainly was not waiting for any wait staff to come over. They tend to take a long time. My friend got a scamble. She liked it. But it wasn't anything spectacular. She also made mention that the last time she was there, the service was horrible. Yet, not as horrible as ours. Yay, we win. All in all, this place used to be good. I probably won't be coming back. I would rather go to somewhere in Lincoln Square, North Center or Bucktown for some better, and more different brunch options. If you have hours to spend, you can go here. Just remember, they don't take reservations, you will wait forever for your items, and the service will probably annoy you, causing you to be pissed off on the weekend - ie. the days of the week that you are happy because you aren't working. Thanks Kanela for making this a terrible start to my Sunday.
(2)
Pat E.
It was so hard to not get an omelette like the Spicy Feta, the Duck Confit Hash, or the blueberry pancakes. There was so much I wanted to try, but I used my KISS principle! I was tempted to get the signature Chocolate Covered Bacon Waffle per Steve Dolinsky from ABC7. I could look at the aforementioned items on the diners around me, but I wanted to try something different... I had been here before for a private party (What's up, Corona?) but never to eat. My friends ordered lunch (BLT and Tallgrass Beef Burger), but I want a la carte with two eggs and toast (pumpernickel), chicken sausage, and peppered bacon. Bacon had a ton of pepper (delicious for both bacon-getters at the table...yes, I know...not a word), chicken sausage was dry but tasted good (nothing a lil Sriracha can't handle), and eggs were delicious. Potatoes looked good and that burger with the fried egg...BABY! I highly recommend this place for a private party or breakfast/lunch.
(4)
Zachary A.
So, I've been on an egg's benedict kick for about 3 months now and basically seek any opportunity to go to brunch to get one, and Kanela did not let me down. Let's break this Sunday Funday down... Food: Really good! I ordered the salmon benedict and it was super delightful. I was incredibly happy with this choice and so happy to see an interesting, but comfortable, twist on a simple favorite. I love egg benedict creations, but I never want them to go so far off course that the only resemblance they have is benedict in the name. It had a ton of flavor and I would easily order this again. Drinks: I got the strawberry mimosa and blue moon mimosa and they were both amazing. Price: The prices were not bad at all. My salmon benedict was $12, and I thought that was reasonable for a salmon dish. The drinks were a little more heavy-handed at $7 each, but nothing crazy. Service: Our server was great and patient. A lot of brunch spots won't even talk to you if your whole party isn't ready, but Kanela didn't give us trouble, and for that, they get many bonus points. This will definitely be inserted into my brunch rotation.
(4)
Pedro P.
If I could give this a 4.5 out of 5 stars I would, it's really good. Chicago is already a city huge on places to have brunch so you need to have something special to stand out. Thankfully this place has really great food, friendly service, and looks very clean. I had the Lorraine Scramble and it was delicious, and this is coming from a guy who prefers his eggs over-easy. The prices are reasonable because you get quality food and amazing service. The only real critique I have is that the food portions could be bigger, but that's probably because I eat a lot. For most people the food portions will be perfect. But this is a minor critique. If you want to try out a new place for brunch in Chicago, you won't go wrong with Kanela Breakfast Club.
(4)
Mark Y.
Most incredible French toast ever!!!! And great eggs. And location, location, location
(4)
Heather E.
I was recently hear for a birthday brunch, and everything from the service to the food was a treat. I didn't realize it was a BYOB, but thankfully some of my gal pals were more prepared, and so we started off with some mimosas made with their awesome fresh squeezed orange juice. For brunch I split the chorizo dish with a friend. I liked the dish, but it didn't blow me away. What I really loved was their Greek yogurt. It had a a great, thick texture, and the usual sourness of Greek yogurt was offset by honey, fruit, and honey flavored granola. I thought of it as a healthy breakfast sundae. Delicious. Our server was really accommodating to our group, especially when it came time for cake. After the Big Jones Cakegate of birthday 2010, Kanela treated us and our cake like royalty. They allow cakes for special occasions, and do not charge a cake cutting fee... so our cake was sliced and served up for the birthday girl with a candle on top. Our whole group appreciated their friendly and accommodating service. Thanks Kanela!
(5)
Sara H.
Breakfast doesn't normally involve Duck Confit or Zesty whipped feta stuffing but at Kanela, any dinner can be made into a better breakfast. And any diner with an adventurous heart can reap the rewards! To Try: ~Spicy Feta Omelet (just stuffed with flavor) ~Lorraine Scramble (gruyere cheese and bacon, subtle smoky onion) ~Duck Confit Hash (orange truffle essence) ~Whatever the Special Pancake is ~Peanut Butter Smoothie (breakfast on it's own) With all these options, if you wuss out and get the 2 egg breakfast, I'm going to be very disappointed in you!
(5)
Jessica B.
Is the food a step above average? Slightly. Is the service? NO. I cannot give a brunch place, no matter how popular or conveniently located more than 3 stars when it takes them a ***FULL 45 minutes*** to deliver BRUNCH to the table. I am not sure if you understand the length of 45 minutes, people. Most places take 10-15 minutes, MAYBE 20-25 if a place is PACKED. This is not a 5-course meal, folks (well depending on what you order, I guess). Most people are enjoying breakfast foods...so why the wait? 45 minutes? It's a pancake!!! DANG!!!! Not only that, but the service is less than ideal- mainly due to lack of genuine friendliness. The food is good, I'll give them that., but it was nothing truly memorable. Plus, I got a droplet of butter with my blueberry pancakes. The waiter must have saw my expression because he was like "what? do you want more butter?" Uh...no thanks, I'd rather not wait another 25 minutes. Also had some weird dried out pastry thing...would not order that again, whatever that was. The mimosa's are good, get one. And the porkbelly is better than average for a porkbelly brunch dish. That's all. Do I want to come back? Nope. I'd rather explore my options in this lovely city.
(3)
Kathy K.
Went here for brunch on Saturday with a small group and we all enjoyed our meals. I had a spicy feta egg white omelette and it was perfectly made and very tasty. They are a busy place and could use a few more servers/hostesses. Our server did her job but wasn't very friendly. She looked swamped actually. We had reservations and it still took about 15-20 to be seated. I'd go back but maybe on a weekday when I can get better service. I would never go here on a weekend without a reservation.
(4)
Cassandra F.
I rarely write Yelp reviews, but this was necessary as a warning. I'm sure this place has very good food if you eat in, like a lot of folks are saying, but holy Toledo, their delivery (both food and customer service) is horrific. It has solidified the fact that I won't give them a try again even as an eat-in customer, especially because of the rudeness of the manager (see the "second" section). First: I ordered our food around 11AM. The food FINALLY arrived around 12:20. The guy delivering the food was dressed like a cyclist. I'm obviously a little confused because it's cold out and he's delivering food, but I think oh, he must have biked to work, and they have a car there. Or, if he did deliver on his bike, he MUST have it in some kind of warming bag. Ya know, Pizza Hut-style. NOPE. The food my boyfriend and I ordered, in the ballpark of $10-$15 EACH (total order of $40...this ain't cheap breakfast), is in a paper bag, at the top of his rucksack, to blow in the breeze. I should have just refused delivery, but I wanted to believe something had kept this food warm the entire way. Much to common sense belief, the food was ICE cold, like it had just come out of the refrigerator. Because outside is a refrigerator right now, clearly. Maybe this method of delivery works in June. Second: I call Kanela to complain. The girl who answered the phone asks me to hold for the manager. Manager gets on the phone. I explain that my food is ice ice cold, and that my delivery was brought on a bike on a cold fall day. He proceeds to lecture me about how they are a "green" company, and that they are protecting the environment, so that's why they deliver by bike; he then asks if I want it remade or refunded. I stated that while I appreciate their efforts to save the environment, it doesn't make sense that the guy was on a bike in the cold air, which is obviously why my food was cold, that it made no sense. He then YELLS at me that he's given me two options, and that I need to make a choice. I proceed to ask if they make it again, if the same BIKE will deliver it, since that CLEARLY was the problem. He again argues with me, saying I need to make a choice and that they'll "just find" someone to drive it over. I ask for it to be remade. Time: 12:30. Third: My new order arrives at 1:30. It's now been 2.5 hours since my hungry boyfriend and I originally ordered. I go downstairs to meet the guy. He laments to me how he had to drive alllll the way from Lincoln Park in his truck, with the heat full blast, wasting gas, to keep my food warm. He has me check the temperature of the food at the door from the outside of the containers. I tell him, I don't know, it's probably better than it would have been outside on a bike. He proceeds to storm out the door. I get upstairs with my food. The savory item was a LITTLE better, lukewarm. The crepes: FREEZING COLD AGAIN. I'm sorry, how hard is it to keep delivery food warm?! Delivery places do it every day!!!! Bottom line: WILL NOT order from here again, or waste my money on these people that think it's frustrating or too time-consuming to take care of their customers. Or maybe even apologize for the 2.5 hour wait for semi-edible food, or for the icebox food that was originally delivered. And a suggestion: take a hint from pizza delivery companies. REUSABLE WARMING BAGS. Much more "environmentally friendly" than the paper bags you package your food in, which you have to know most of the people you deliver to don't recycle.
(1)
Lauren P.
AMAZING BYOB (yes, BYOB) brunch spot that takes reservations. dreams do come true. first of all, i was lucky one of our party members was running late so i could spend approximately 30 minutes with the menu - because that's how long it took me to decide what to order. everything looks & sounds so incredibly good, it's hard to commit. after a recommendation from our attentive, sweet, angel of a waitress (no, srsly she was awesome,) i settled on the chorizo with a side of peppered bacon. ps anyone who orders a salad here might be an idiot. we started out with some monkey bread (tastes much like a fluffy cinnamon roll,) & loukoumades (fried dough with some honey & nuts on top.) the table was split on which was better, although i think monkey bread came out on top. wait -- have i mentioned the juices yet? this place is meant for boozy brunching. here you'll find 10 juices to mix with whatever your heart desires to BYO. i choose the banana + strawberry +orange + honey, which was borderline heavenly on its own or mixed with champers. although i had to settle on one dish for myself, i was lucky to have been with a large group so i was able to taste a few things. here's the DL: 1. chorizo - i could not have been any happier with my order; this stuff is the REAL DEAL. beyond delicious. the herb potatoes served on the side did not require ANY ketchup or extra seasoning & i'm a prett-ay big ketchup person. 2. pork belly benedict - RICH. good but be prepared for a very buttery hollandaise. poached eggs were a bit over cooked. 3. bacon waffle - needs less chocolate & more bacon! what came out of the kitchen was not what i pictured. too sweet, not enough savory. if you are a chocolate fiend, you will probably love this. 4. red velvet french toast - wowowowowow. whoever thought of this is a genius, but it's not something i would personally eat for brunch. toast was nice & fluffy; icing-type stuff served in the middle was sickeningly sweet. 5. peppered bacon - home run. crisp, not shriveled & the pepper didn't overpower the bacon flavor. plus, 4 slices for $3.50? score. shout out to the blackberry jelly that was served with my toast. ya, i kinda liked this place. just kinda. FIVE STARS! sorry orange, i don't miss ya.
(5)
Alison E.
Holy crepe that crepe was good. I ordered the special, which was (can you guess?) a berry crepe. Probably one of the best I've ever had. I think Mister got something with eggs, I dunno, I was too busy shoving crepe in my face. I also got potatoes, which were super tasty. The waiter was a bit absurdly nice and upbeat, but that's way better than being a jerkface. I would totally eat here again. Even if there weren't crepes (which I hope there will be...).
(4)
Heidi O.
On the one hand, damn, that was delicious breakfast. On the other hand, the server spilled my plate all over me when he was clearing the table. It was a silk shirt. It had just been dry cleaned. YES, I'm still angry. But that Lorraine scramble could help me forget. I can't remember the last time breakfast made me feel this way. And that soy chai was literally (said like Chris from parks and rec obviously) the best soy chai I have ever had. Perfect fresh squeezed orange juice. So, sticking with a theme, TREAT YO'SELF!
(4)
Tal C.
I go to Kanela at least once a month, and it's definitely a very welcome addition in our neighborhood. There can be a long wait on weekends (or even weekdays sometimes) so plan ahead and make a reservation. They're actually really great about honoring reservations, regardless of the group size, and they even take reservations for their patio (which is covered, so it's hard to get sun, but at least it's outside). One of the best things about this place is their juice/smoothie bar and coffee. They have a lot of fresh squeezed juices and freshly made smoothies, and all the ones I've tried have been refreshing and light, really great way to start off the morning (thought the peanut butter/chocolate shake probably isn't that light). Their coffee is Julius Meinl and they have a full espresso bar. As far as alcohol goes, they have bloody marys and mimosas (regular orange and also strawberry). They also have bottomless mimosas, but it's pretty pricey unless you're planning on getting totally trashed (I think $18, one mimosa was $6). I don't think they have any other type of alcohol but I could be wrong. As for food... The owner has an "eat dessert first" kind of mentality, so all the "starters" on the menu are sweet desserty types of food- monkey bread, donut-hole type things, etc. They're all pretty good, and really great to share. The monkey bread is especially delicious. The rest of the menu isn't huge, there are probably about 6-7 savory items and 6-7 sweet items, and some sides. Kanela means cinnamon, so wherever that word shows up on the menu, that's what you're getting yourself into. The Kanela chip pancakes are really rich and filling, if you like cinnamon and melted butter, they're the way to go. Their greek yogurt is also really really good if you're looking for something on the lighter side. I've tried about half the menu and haven't really been disappointed by anything. As for lunch, the pesto chicken sandwich is one of the better ones I've had, but I really tend to suggest going to a place with the words "breakfast club" in the name for breakfast. The only reason I took a star off is because the service can be really spotty. Sometimes it's great, and sometimes it takes 20 minutes for anyone to notice that you've been seated and bring you water/take your order. I know it gets busy, but part of the reason is because they sometimes don't do much to get people going once they've been seated. Overall though, definitely worth a visit.
(4)
Drake K.
I believe this is the best breakfast spot in the country. I have been to breakfast places across the country and nothing is as good as Kanela. Friendly servers and great food, very creative menu. I go out of my way to make it to Kanela when I am in Chicago!
(5)
Jonathan H.
I am stuffed. Finally a breakfast place with giant portions. Took my wife this morning and we sat down immediately. I have a raspberry and 4 other fruit smoothie which was really good, and only $1 more than the regular juices, so why not? For breakfast I had the Lorraine omelet. I don't know who Lorraine is, but her omelet kicks ass. It had scallions and bacon in it and it was very good. My wife had the Spicy feta Omelet. She gave me half. We like sharing. The food was well cooked and the service was very good. I like it a lot better than the place that was in this space before which was also a breakfast place. We'll definitely come back.
(5)
Justin B.
With organic and local ingredients, combined with tasty Julius Meinl coffee, this place rates as one of the best for breakfast. Atmosphere is upscale casual, with simple lines and a comfortable space. The noise level does tend to get a bit loud but you can still hear the people sitting across from you. The Lakeview crowd, east and west, come to enjoy. We arrived pretty early so didn't have to wait, but the place fills up quickly - and not sure if they take reservations. New parents beware - it's not really stroller friendly. The menu offers a selection of sweet and savory, mixing things like the loukoumades (a fried fritter with lemon-honey syrup and walnuts) and banana split crepes to a spicy feta omelette or chorizo and eggs. (I've only had breakfast here but the lunch items look pretty damn tasty. Either way, it's a win-win). The staff was great too. Pretty attentive and pleasant, despite the business of the place. Southport Grocery better watch themselves. They've got some serious competition. ;)
(4)
Linsey C.
Ok, my sister (who lives in Seattle) told me about this place. She found it on metro-mix when she was researching places for her visit here. She had me convinced when she mentioned the bacon waffles, with chocolate covered bacon, bacon dust and bourbon caramel sauce. Really?! I'm in!! She had the Lorraine scramble which we both loved, but sis felt there were a few too many onions. I also had the banana, strawberry, orange, honey, juice which was really good, though I'm still trying to figure out how you go about juicing a banana :) Service was ridiculous. In a good way. Attentive, super friendly. Kinda over the top, in a who-really-loves-their-job-that-much and a who-really-enjoys-talking-to-strangers kinda way. But, heck, just because I've gotten used to terrible customer service in the city, doesn't mean I can't appreciate good-ol'-fashion genuine kindness. I'm a Bongo Room lover and that is the stick to which I measure all brunch places...most, don't even come close. Kanela, thank you for providing me with a Bongo Room alternative, I'll be back!
(5)
Dana A.
I have been here a lot!! LOVE LOVE IT!! The service is great and though I usually stick with the same thing that I have most likely gotten 10 times is the spicy feta omelet (egg whites and mulitgrain toast), SOO DELICIOUS!! The best time to go for brunch is on saturday usually sunday is more crowded!!
(5)
Michael M.
I took my mother here for lunch and was pretty underwhelmed. First, they sat us at a table that was still dirty. We sat at the dirty table for a good 5 minutes until our waitress came by and cleaned it up. Next, it took another 10 minutes for us to see our waitress again to take our order. It then took close to an hour for 2 omelets to make it out of the kitchen. My mother also ordered a mocha, which came out lukewarm, but since it took so long to get, she soldiered through it. Our omelets were okay, but not worth $10 a pop or a 1 hour wait. The waitstaff seemed pretty stressed out, making me wonder if maybe they were short staffed. With that being said, there are too many good brunch/lunch places in the area to settle for this. Do yourself a favor and skip it. Ann Sather is a couple blocks away and much better. If you want to give this place a shot, they have vouchers at restaurant.com .
(2)
Bobby A.
I should've known better than to order breakfast food to be delivered, it's difficult to keep a waffle warm for an extended period of time. However, you could at least try for the ridiculous price Kanela charges. For 11 dollars, I got a tiny mess of a waffle with some chocolate sauce and a shriveled up piece of bacon, delivered to me on a bicycle, in a crushed container. Thanks! I admit it's probably unfair to review the place based on one delivery, and it may be a great experience in the restaurant itself, but this experience has soured me on this place forever. Don't offer delivery if you can't do it right. It's October, maybe a bike isn't the best mode of transportation when your customer would like to eat food that's warm or even room temperature. And the 5 dollar side of fruit came with mushy strawberries in an open container. I'm offended as a Greek. Kanela? Skata is what I got.
(1)
Allison S.
We came by kanela for brunch on a Sunday afternoon. We were told it was around a 20 minute wait and waited around that long. The inside area is pretty small and cramped and we were at a small two person table right next to another table. I was desperately needing coffee and quickly drank the coffee the server brought. The menu is diverse and it was hard to pick out a dish to get. I had the duck confit hash. It had an orange sauce that was very strong and overpowered the dish. There were also a lot of vegetables in the hash which made it almost stew like. During our meal out sever kept saying he would come by to refill our coffee and he never came. Finally when he said he would bring the check and we asked again for more coffee he realized he kept forgetting. The service has much to be improved on and my meal didn't blow me away. I would possibly stop by to try again if I happened to be in the area.
(3)
Anna H.
I was really excited to try this place as my boyfriend and I have been looking to try out new brunch places in lakeview and the menu looked amazing. Unfortunately I can't review the food because we got up and left before we could order. Let me preface this by saying I have NEVER gotten up and left a restaurant. Same with the BF--we're pretty laid back but these people were downright rude. We came in around 1ish on a Sunday and there people in the restaurant but it definitely wasn't packed. We were seated in the window right away, and then promptly ignored for the next 10 minutes. We weren't given water or menus and servers buzzed all around us tending to other tables. The table about 3 feet to the left of us got their check, chatted with their server, left, table was cleaned and visited several times to get it ready for the next customers. Not once did any of the people attending to that table acknowledge us. We made it very obvious, looking around trying to flag down help, and no one responded. We even saw a few servers looking right at us and discussing, yet no one made an effort to help us. We kept giving them chances but finally we'd had it so we got up and left. As we were leaving we commented to the lady sitting behind us who came in after us and also had a bit of a wait getting served, but managed to get their attention. She said "I guess you have to be aggressive to get served here." I'm sorry, but in my eyes you should never have to be aggressive to get service in a restaurant. We went to the new CBA that just opened on Belmont instead. No complaints there. Bummed because I really wanted to try this place.
(1)
Kathleen M.
Eeek! Worst pancakes I have EVER had. I didn't know you could mess up pancakes, but apparently it's possible. I got the Kanela Chip Pancakes, they were SO dry and had the worst after taste. They are multi-grain, which I have had this type at other places and have made them at home as well, and they've never had this type of odd taste. Blah. My friend got an omelette which was only so-so. Honestly, the only reason I'm giving it 2 stars was because of our server. I got jelly on my shirt and I looked up, and he had soda water waiting to get the stain out without even asking - very attentive. I guess try it for yourself, maybe you will like it, but for me...horrible.
(2)
Rebecca H.
I would really I've it 3.5. I think I need to go back and try it again.
(3)
Joel M.
The mug of Julius Meinl coffee was delicious, strong, and bottomless. The peppered bacon was cooked perfectly. The chorizo / avacado / chihuaha cheese egg dish was just plain delicious... I came in here hungover, starving, and tired and left feeling fresh, revived, and full. I was (and still am) a huge fan of Orange and I honestly think that this place can hold its own against the Chicago brunch staple. Its BYO so you can bring you're own Champagne for a brunch celebration over some Mimosas. Its probably one of the best hangover relief breakfasts in Lakeview (pair with a Power Jamba Juice smoothie for advanced symptoms).
(5)
Austin F.
Great service, great food at a very reasonable price, friendly staff, and we got our food within 10 minutes of ordering. Plus it has its own parking lot. What more could you ask for?
(5)
Kaitlin K.
Loved everything! I had the Lorraine Scramble with a fresh squeezed orange juice mimosa & coffee--it was all perfect. Cozy, high quality & great service.
(5)
Romeo V.
Good food, poor service. Ambience is subpar, There's 8 of us who dined in, our server got 2 of 8 drinks right.... And they're both glasses of water.
(1)
Kelly W.
Hm, Kanela. How do I put this? You made my clothes smell like brunch. And not like yummy brunch but like stale brunch. Is this weird? Dos anyone know what I'm talking about? Regardless, the layout in this place is a little weird-- mostly one main wall of long bench seating with a bunch of 2-top tables. This is logistically design flawed as my party of four was stuck waiting a long time for 2 couples, who were taking their sweet old time, to get up. Basically there was an open 2-top table to the left of each occupied table and all we needed was one couple to get open so the tables could be pushed together so we could be accommodated. Now the menu is actually really yummy sounding and the food is good. They did however, have a bit of a kitchen mix up and provided only 2 of the correct 4 dishes we ordered, causing my other two friends to have to wait. The waiter was very nice though and gave us some donuts on the house for the trouble. The coffee was not the good either, too strong and bitter but they do have really good/fresh juice so go with that. Overall, decent experience and I may give it another shot. However, seriously, wtf is with this place making my clothes smell like a greasy diner?!
(3)
Julia B.
Do your tastebuds a favor and go to Kanela for brunch, they will love you forever! Came here with my boyfriend for Sunday brunch last weekend and we both left stuffed! Kanela seems to be full of themes: Theme #1: Sweet and Savory-What our waitress insisted a good breakfast should be, so we did, I got the Chorizo omelet and the bf got eggs and sausage (both came with the BEST potatoes and toast). Also split the Kanela Chip Pancakes and OMG I could eat them everyday. Theme #2: FIltered-Was informed several times that water, ice, and coffee are made with filtered water, a little bit amusing to me, but hey you can't go wrong with filtered water. Theme #3: No condiments needed-a. Julius Meinl coffee tastes is so tasty you don't need cream and sugar (or maybe just a little). b. Potatoes are so flavorful you definitely don't need ketchup, and trust me I love my ketchup. c. Pancakes don't need maple syrup-they are perfectly fluffy and the Kanela chip ones come with a sweet butter and I think butterscotch chips? Other likes: Fresh cup of coffee in a to-go cup when you leave, the decor, friendly service. The decorations remind me of a fancy boarding house, and just like a boarding house the quarters are a little cramped, but nothing too bad. Prices are typical for such a trendy place, but worth it for the amount and quality of food you get. My tastebuds were so happy I will definitely have to treat them again sometime soon.
(4)
Sarah E.
YES! l love when I find great places that I haven't been to before! Added bonus when I didn't have to wait for a table, and didn't get glares from waiting patrons while I was still waiting for my brunch buddy. I've never had monkey bread before. I don't know why. It's awesome. Food was great. Coffee was always full and hot. Prices were more than reasonable. Service couldn't have been friendlier. I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Jessica R.
Red velvet French toast. MMM. Amazing breakfast flat bread - I don't even eat eggs but couldn't get enough of the goodness topped with scramble. Juice machine sits on the bar whereby your fresh squeezed mimosas or glass of orange juice are poured. Yum!
(4)
Lindsee R.
Ohhhhh Kanela, Kanela, Kanela, I was nervous, jittery, excited as walked through your doors. It may have been the 5k after a year of no consistent exercise, but I'd like to think it was how cute you are, how wonderful you smelled, how much I longed to taste your...monkey bread. It was my first time and you definitely did not disappoint. I don't want to seem ungrateful, but I must mention that I sat and sat and sat before being served of your delectable bounty and that left me a little frustrated. So, for next time, maybe we could skip all the hot side glances and speed up the getting to the good stuff. ::kisses:: yours, Lindsee
(4)
Jennifer R.
I really wanted to like Kanela Breakfast Club, but it fell short and was disappointing. We were seated immediately upon arrival, but for some reason never had a server assigned to our table. After waiting over 10 minutes I finally asked a young man who seemed confused, but stepped up to the plate and took our order. Kanela is Greek-owned and they serve Greek Frappe so I assumed they could make a Greek Freddo. Yea, that didn't work out so well. Horrible...just horrible. I understand that it wasn't on the menu and that was my bad, but my friend asked for a Greek Frappe and he brought her a latte. She drank it anyway, but seriously, the worst coffee I have ever had in my life. As for the food: Loukamades: They were hard. Not fresh. Spinach and Arugula Salad: It was ok. Nothing fancy. (Kanela management, please note: Arugula is spelled incorrectly on your menu). Chorizo: My friend liked it. I didn't try it. 'BLAH' is really all I can say about the experience.
(2)
Rachel S.
Went here on a Saturday morning for brunch and had the smoked salmon eggs benedict, monkey bread, coffee, and a strawberry orange mimosa. This place is great! I'll be back for brunch so I can try their flight of french toast. Have you ever heard sweeter words? "Flight of french toast"? The only thing better would be a flight of beignets (and taking fried dough to the face until you're in physical pain. I may or may not be speaking from experience.)
(5)
Emily Z.
Okay first of all this place has been open one week and they have a lot of kinks to work out still. I am going to preface this review by saying that I am excited to come back and see how far they've come in a month or so but I am also going to be honest and point out that our meal was perfect by no means. I am going to go out on a limb and say that almost all of these reviews already written are employees, considering the first three are 5 stars and this is the first review any of them have written, that's a little shady. Kenela's interior is a far cry from the bright blue and yellow walls of Orange; gorgeous, fancy, warm and modern. The walls are painted a lovely shade of pale green which pair perfectly with the dark wood tables and soft lighting offered by a sole chandelier and small track lighting. I love the 4ft tall upholstered back board and bench running along the northern wall. They had great music playing though it was a little loud at times as was the bus boy who kept clanking around silverware! We came around 11:30 on a rainy Sunday which is prime brunch time and Kanela's was definitley bumping. The crowd was young and beautiful as were the servers and staff so leave those sweats at home and dress to impress! The space is rather small and there is no real area to stand or sit if there is a wait which obviously cause's some issues in winter or rain. When we walked in the host was visibly frazzled and we were told it would be a 30 minute wait, he took our number down on his personal I-phone to give us a call when our table was ready, hmmm, I hope I don't get any drunk dials accidentally in the future from this kid. 30 minutes later my foot got run over by a stroller and we were taken back to our table in the back of the restaurant. We stood around for a few minutes while they got a bus boy to move some tables together and get them wiped off. Okay, so we finally get seated. Victory, or is it... Our server Jen came out and let us know that all their water and ice cubes are filtered and all their food is fresh and sourced locally, perfect, now get me some food before I eat my own arm. We ordered and then we brought out a plate of complementary loukamodes, warm and slightly chewey covered with sweet honey and crushed nuts, if only there were more than one for each of us my life would have been perfect. I think they are just giving them to guest complementary the first few weeks but it would be a nice touch to do always!! Over all I think we waited over an hour for our food to be delivered after we order it, the waitress apologized a few times but honestly I think something more should have been done, an hour! Luckily they have some fabulous fresh squeezed juices to pass the time. I had the kiwi, strawberry, orange. It was delicious and reasonably priced at $4. Everyone else had the Julius Meniel coffee that came out in their trademark cups with miniature pictures of creamer. I've never seen people enjoy coffee more! All the dishes came out beautifully presented and served with deliciously spiced breakfast potatoes. I had the duck confit that came out topped with two poached eggs. The duck was plentiful and moist, until... I bit into a bone. ah. We told the waitress and she apologized and took it off our bill. Okay no biggie by this point I am starved so I dig back in only to find another foreign object, a black hair. I know it happens I mean we all have hair but ick! Again we let the waitress know and she offered to get me anything else I wanted off the menu but by this point I was kind of over it. At our table we also had the chicken pesto sandwich (special), Lorraine scramble and the burger; all were well received though the table favorite was the Chorizo. Like I stated at the beginning I love the concept of Kanela; great atmosphere paired with fresh food and inventive options. I am sure they will get the kinks worked out and I will be able to bump it up a star or two. Come'on Kanela's you can do it!
(3)
Steve M.
Sunday Brunch, take 159. Target: Kanela Breakfast Club, a newly-opened (you guessed it) brunch place. While some items on the menu have a Greek bent (the bougatsa was tasty!), the majority of the offerings fall into American traditional fare. Please don't let this imply mediocrity, however. Kanela handled their business solidly. 5 minute wait on a Sunday morning to seat a party of two - thumbs up, though I suspect this will get tougher as word gets out. We waited a little longer than I'd have liked for a server to approach us, but the server herself redeemed the situation. I get the sense that we were not her responsibility, but seeing that there was a problem she stepped up and solved it right away. I ordered the duck confit hash, which I was pretty happy with - the orange truffle vinaigrette was a clever addition. The potatoes are delicious but very herby - after a few bites you're not going to want to let anyone see your teeth for a while. My girlfriend had the portobello benedict which she is still raving about fifteen hours later. I will be coming back at least two more times; first to try the pork belly benedict and then to see if their lunch menu is anything like their brunch menu.
(4)
J D.
My third time eating at this breakfast club and I must say the food is mediocre. I have truly wanted it to be something more and better, but the quality of ingredients and plate execution is lacking. I'd be willing to pay a higher price-point for better quality. That noted, the service is most attentive despite the atmosphere being somewhat hectic on a Saturday morning: this is to be expected for a neighbourhood breakfast club. Keep up the great service approach, but please do something about offering more inspired dishes and ingredients on the menu. Here's to hoping!
(2)
Van L.
okay these are my requirements for an amazzzzinnggg better-than-your-average-spot brunch: -booze. check - mimosas, bloodies be here. -great coffee. check - julius meinl. greek frappes? yes. -menu: both savory and sweet options. check. unique twists on original breakfast staples? check. and specials. woot. -bonuses: great juice options if that floats your boat. i'm a fan of the benedict - pork belly with brussel sprouts. so delicious. (i haven't ventured away from it, just tried my friends food...) why not five stars you ask? no, it's not the wait. that just happens in chicago at brunchtime. service. had to wait for silverware. coffee sometimes comes with food, not beforehand. etc. it's hit and miss. last visit, i wasn't waited on for 5 minutes because "we looked like the couple that just left." oh yes, that couple was asian. thanks. we do all look the same.
(4)
Liz P.
After going here for brunch, I cannot understand how anyone could rate this below 4 stars. It has everything you want from a Chicago brunch place - good service, delicious coffee, and fun new dishes to try out. I think this place walks the perfect line between comforting and adventurous on the brunch scale. To those who think it tries to hard...well, maybe you should stick to [gasp] IHOP...or Dennys. And to those who said they weren't full...well, I think you need to work on your portion size because no one that I went with ate another full meal until well over 6 hours later. OH - and on non-cubs game days there is a parking lot! Score! Onto the food - our group ordered: Spicy Feta Omelet: whipped feta + red onion + red chili pepper + tomato served with toast Chorizo eggs over easy + avocado + chihuahua cheese + salsa verde + jalapeño + cilantro + crema served with toast Lorraine Scramble: peppered bacon + gruyere cheese + charred scallions served with toast Pork Belly Benedict: english muffins + poached eggs + brussel sprouts + dried cranberries + hollandaise Oh, and coffee...lots and lots of coffee. And it was perfect on a rainy day. Personally, I can only speak for the chorizo egg dish and it was magnificent [and surprisingly light based on all of the ingredients]. The chorizo was the perfect amount of spice [for me that means not too spicy] and the avocado was perfectly ripe and really pulled the dish together. This is one of those dishes that I will now struggle to not order every single time I return since I want to try out other parts of the menu. I will, however, insist that anyone else I am with that has not yet tried it goes for it due to its sheer awesomeness. My three friends ordered the other dishes and everyone was equally pleased with their selection as me. I will most likely attempt the pork belly benedict on my next visit since I love eating pig in all forms. All in all, the perfect brunch experience. Now lets just see what happens when the weather is actually nice and a line forms when I'm there. I'll just have to remember my magical first experience...
(5)
Ashley G.
Not much to say besides this place is unreal. Can you say, "Pork belly benedict"? For two people, our total bill came to $30 and we had the pork belly benedict and the duck sandwhich accompanied by coffee and a delicious orange, strawberry, banana, honey juice. If you haven't tried Kanela, get on it!
(5)
Chris S.
Well done breakfast/brunch/whatever you want to call it. Julius Meinl coffees, fresh-squeezed juices, some of the best standards, like French toast and pancakes, that I've had in a long time. I'm not much for eating just bread for breakfast, but if all French toast was like the stuff here, I'd be apt to have it a lot more often. The duck confit hash was great, and other dishes on the menu make me want to go back and try them. An emphasis on making things well and from scratch puts Kanela at least near the top of the list for brunch-type places.
(4)
Maxwell C.
I went there today after reading all the glowing reviews. Guys, what is going on here? This place is horrible. The coffee was not good even though they claim it's from Julius Meihl. The bacon waffle was disgusting. DISGUSTING. It was just covered with chocolate and some bourbon crap. It was awful. I had to scrape off all the chocolate and bacon nasty bits and just eat the waffles by itself. My boyfriend ordered the pork belly dish and the pork belly was bland. It wasn't even seared or anything. It looked and tasted like it was just boiled or something. Awful. And the potatoes were so over spiced that they were bitter. I would never step food into this place again. The only thing that this place has going for it is the hot host that took us to our seats.
(1)
Mary W.
Solid brunch spot! I came here at 10 am on New Year's day and was seated right away-definite plus! I had the Kanela French Toast- mind blowingly delish! The lemon creme fraiche and apricot sauce gave it the right amount of sweet without being too sugary. I also opted for a side of peppered bacon- not too soft, not to crisp and delightfully thick. They gave be 4 big slices- enough to share. Service was quick- and Julius Meinl coffee (YUM) flowed. Will definitely come back!
(4)
anna s.
This is an awesome local place and quickly became a fave of mine. I probably go there about once or twice a month since may. I am a huge fan of the Pork Belly Eggs Benedict. I also love the crepes and stuffed french toast. I have pretty much tried the whole menu. Sandwiches are also pretty good. Service is always good. Beautiful ambiance and decor. Fresh squeezed juices and Amazing coffee. Very reasonable prices. Definitely a neighborhood gem.
(4)
Jackie W.
I have totally been back many times and I love this place.... We all have bad days!
(4)
Lindsey C.
Kanela is awesome!!!! Get there early or expect to wait. They have a fully-stocked bar of delicious Julius Meinl coffees and espressos. Coffee was amazing; my husband had a mocha which was also incredible. I had a strawberry-orange juice which was the most delicious fruit drink I have ever had- clearly fresh juices!!! The food was great too- I got a lorraine scramble and my husband had the chorizo and eggs. Great experience! The decor is really nice too- exposed brick, huge high-back booth seats... very nice!
I went to Kanela a few weeks ago, and I was not impressed. I kinda miss Orange. The wait time to get seated was short (less than 10 minutes), given that we showed up around 11am for Sunday brunch. The service was bad enough that I will not go bad, and this is why: 1) While we were serving ourselves some water, we accidentally spilled some. The table was slanted and the water was running towards my husband, so we needed napkins ASAP, but it took us a while to get her attention considering that our waitress was standing just a few feet away. 2) It's really loud, so loud to the point that it is hard to hold a decent conversation. 3) The coffee arrived cold because it sat there for a while before our waitress decided to check on it and bring it to our table. 4) Food was ok, but bad service trumps it, unfortunately.
(2)
David D.
Wow - Just ate there. Had the Chorizo and eggs and the Pork belly Benedict. It was fantastic. The meal started with 3 donut balls that were delicious. The place looks great. Not like your typical brunch spot. Most look very plain. Kanela has a beautiful interior. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The Chef came out to check on everyone, which was a great touch. The music is great. Sometimes you go to a brunch place and get stuck next to the only speaker and you leave with a headache. The speakers were evenly spaced throughout so no one gets stuck next to the loud speaker. Who ever designed the audio is genius. I have a new brunch place and looking forward to eating there again and trying the rest of the menu.
(5)
Katie R.
yum. i had the waffle which came with the best creme fraiche ever. tried a bite of my friend's crepes which were reallllyyy yummy as well. my other friend's portabella benedict looked devine, and she said it was pretty good. i wish the environment was lighter (it was a bit dark for my taste, for a brunch place that is) and that there weren't a couple of malfunctions during our meal - those being the waffle machine having some sort of meltdown - which resulted in a much long wait for our food (sans comp) and the credit card machine being "down". however, it was so yummy it was worth it.
(4)
Terris A.
I have been going to this location pretty much since the day they opened and I have never been disappointed. Their staff are usually on point, the service is never really slow even when they are super busy during Saturday and Sunday. Coffee-yummy. They have fresh squeezed juice- plus. Their bloody marys are good! I try to make it early before the long wait on the weekends- but worth the wait for sure!
(5)
Bethany B.
One of my new favorite brunch spots! I came here over Labor Day weekend with a friend from out of town. We had about a 45minute wait on Monday morning at about 11:30. For food, we shared the loukoumades (which are so-o good we were using our forks to try and scoop up the leftover honey syrup when the fritters were gone), the duck confit hash, the portobello benedict, and the vegetarian sausage. All the food was amazing with the exception of the vegetarian sausage - we joked it looked (and tasted) just like a Boca burger, and instead of having vegetarian sausage on the menu they should offer a veggie burger. Also noteworthy - the juice blends were both surprising and delicious. I am not usually a fan of vegetable juice, but I loved to orange + carrot + apple blend.
(5)
Stephanie M.
I love you, Kanela. So brunch is a pretty big deal in my circle. When we brunch, we brunch well. And nowhere to date, has brought us as a collective as much joy as Kanela. The fresh juice, the monkey bread, the fabulous entrees, and Gary. Oh, Gary. So, Gary is our server. Every time we come to Kanela, we ask for Gary. Gary's real name is Phil, but we dubbed him the name Gary the first time we came in, and it's stuck. We do love Gary, but I have to say, the service at Kanela in general is pretty fab. There is an energy at this place that just makes people happy. It helps to have alcohol, and coffee, and maybe even combine the two into the nirvana that is the RUMCHATA LATTE. Dat shyt iz gud. I have enjoyed every meal I have had at Kanela, favoring the lamb burger, cooked medium rare with a side salad. A few of us stopped in last Thursday to try the dinner, and Kanela did not disappoint. A) we had our beloved Gary serve us. B) the food was fan-effing-tastic. C) so were the drinks. We ordered for a starter the cauliflower gratin, and the stuffed meatballs. Delicious. For dinner, we ordered the truffle mushroom risotto, the bacon macaroni and cheese, and the salmon drizzled in a curry sauce, and sprinkled with capers. Portions were small, as I guess it was supposed to be treated as more of a tapas-style dining, which I can tooooootally work with. I got a Belvedere dirty martini to go with my dinner, and I finished the night with a RumChata latte. Everything about Kanela rocks my socks, EXCEPT! Except that they are ending dinner service after this week. :( That lost them a star... I am secretly hoping that this one star deduction is enough to put dinner back on the table! I LOVE YOU KANELA... KEEP DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING!!!!
(4)
Derek B.
Very great brunch experiences at this plate. First, their beverage selection is good. Lots of coffee and tea drink options. Service has always been efficient, and the staff very friendly.
(4)
Deanne B.
This is my FAVORITE breakfast/lunch place. . . . They make amazing coffee, and the chef is amazing and the food is soooooo delicious. . . . On the healthy side, the salads are always a winner. However, if you really want to talk about their most delicious food. . . . The french toast flight is unbelievably insane. . . . I work from home, and this place is great to bring the computer and have a nice long afternoon with great coffee, amazing food and friendly service. . . . However, it's also a great place for a nice, long lunch with a group. . . . Great atmosphere!
(5)
Julie B.
Just like at home.
(5)
Jewel L.
Looking for a great breakfast place in the area, we found Kanela on yelp. I ordered what caught my eye on the reviews, pork belly eggs benedict. Everything was good, really good...just not great. Oh, and this place has nothing to absorb sound, so don't expect to be able to hear the conversation at your own table. I guess unless you yell.
(4)
Kristen B.
Kanela is a total hit or miss. When you hit it on the right day, it is amazing (delicious, different menu, fun atmosphere). On a wrong day, you're sitting by the kitchen and paying for a fairly expensive breakfast and waiting for an hour after ording to be served lukewarm food. I'm sick of the other breakfast options around the area, and I like the lorraine scramble at Kanela enough to keep going back. Though, in the four separate times that I've ordered it, it has come out lukewarm. Overall - worth a try. Try not to get seated around the kitchen!
(3)
Andrea C.
kanela breakfast club is a nice addition to the lakeview brunch scene! it has a tasty and creative menu, adorable decor and a very pleasant waitstaff! the bf and another couple decided to give it a try after reading a few good reviews here. we got there earlyish (about 10am), which turned out to be a good time...we beat the rush and were seated right away. as we were leaving the place was packed and there were lots of people waiting outside. it's not a huge space, but it sure is cute. unfortunately, we did not receive the greek donuts many have spoken of, but the rest of our food was pretty good. everyone had coffee and i got the greek coffee, which was really tasty. we wanted to try a sweet and a savory, so had the lorraine scramble and the bacon waffle and both were really good! i personally really liked the chocolate covered bacon and the lorraine was perfectly savory! service was a little slow toward the end of our meal when things started to get crowded, but all in all, we had a very nice experience.
(4)
Kelly A.
I've been to quite a few (if not most) brunch spots in Chicago and although Kanela is new to the roster, it's quickly becoming one of my favorites. One of the things I love about this place is that the menu is very creative. There are a lot of fun options that I haven't seen elsewhere like the spicy feta omelet, duck confit hash, and the pork belly benedict. However, if you crave something more traditional they also have more standard fare like the two eggs, western omelette and blueberry pancakes. Overall my experience here was great but there were a couple of things keeping it from a 5-star review. One, the service can be spotty. One visit I found it perfectly attentive, the next we were hardly checked on and our starter didn't arrive until after our main dish. (They did explain later that it was because we arrived on the early side and the dough for our starter wasn't ready yet, but if they had told us that at the time of order, we might have skipped it.) Also, some dishes are better than others. The spicy feta omelet, banana split crepes, western omelette and eggs benedict all received strong reviews. The loukoumades and duck confit hash were just okay. It could have been just our batch of loukoumades but they tasted undercooked and were a bit on the bland side. I'm not sure I'd bother ordering this again. The duck confit hash had good flavor, but was on the dry side. I never understand how anything made with duck confit could be dry, but it was. The amount of duck meat was also pretty minimal so don't expect a big portion there. Even with these misses though there was enough delicious food on the menu to still warrant 4 stars.
(4)
Brent H.
This is my favorite local place for brunch. Great coffee, excellent sweet and savory options. The fresh juices are both numerous and delicious; also, as long as there isn't a Cubs game, they have free parking which is very nice.
(5)
Zach J.
I stopped in to kanela the other day by myself and ate at the bar. It was a pretty great experience except for the fact that it was REALLY loud. I literally had to yell at the bartender that was taking my order. When I go to brunch, I kind of expect a more chill attitude. The coffee wasn't great but the Chorizo was amazing! If you go there, definitely have the Chorizo. I didn't have any trouble finding pay parking on the street.
(4)
Jenny b.
I miss Orange, but I do like Kanela. Food is good & interesting. They have a lox sandwich which is pretty much the key to me enjoying a restaurant. The staff is friendly. Most mornings are a little crowded for my liking--feels a little claustrophobic. Service is slow, but it's brunch. The one time I DID mention I had to get somewhere quick the service was very fast. The bacon waffle is not for me, but fun to try once!
(4)
Jeff M.
I am always looking for a new place for Sunday brunch and finally tried the Kanela Breakfast Club with two friends. The host turned out to be the owner (Chris is his name) and he was very friendly as well our waitress. We shared the Kanela roll to start and it was amazing. I had the stuffed french toast which has an apricot-jalapeno chutney which sounds odd but is actually very good. My friends also shared an omelette which was spicier than they expected but tasty nonetheless. I would definitely add this place to my list of Sunday brunch spots. Yes, it's crowded on the weekend but our wait time was less than 20 minutes. The crowd is mixed - families, older, younger, gay, straight, etc. and the ambience is casual. Chris recommended the lamb burger for lunch so I am sure I will go back to try that soon. All-in-all thumbs up!
(4)
Carly L.
Kanela means Cinnamon. This I did not know. Nor did I know that this little breakfast joint, just minutes walking distance from my apartment, was turning out such a delicious breakfast menu. I went to Kanela Breakfast Club with my visiting parents and absolutely enjoyed my experience from the food to the service--everything was fantastic. I ordered the Kanela French Toast and sampled off my parents plates who ordered the Spicy Feta Omelette and the special of the day, the Butternut Squash Crepes. Hands down, the order Queen was my Mom with the Butternut Squash Crepes (think Pumpkin Pie for breakfast; and don't be surprised if this makes it to the regular menu for Fall), but I was also happy with my French Toast and would order my Dad's Spicy Omelette (and it did have a kick) again if I was in the mood for a savory breakfast as opposed to sweet. The only thing that made me go "eh, I've had better" was the coffee. I thought it was a little weak and slightly watered down, but maybe that's just a matter of taste. Will definitely be going back and would definitely recommend this place to anyone in the Lakeview area.
(4)
Anne-Marie P.
Eggs Benedict with Brussels sprouts and cranberries do not a good breakfast make. They brought me what I ordered, so I do share the blame, but I'm giving Kanela one star for even having this on their menu.
(1)
Simone C.
I went for breakfast one day because I was in the area and a friend of mine warmly suggested this place. I had the red velvet french toast that was rich and spectacular. I also ordered a refreshing grapefruit and apple juice and even the Julius Meinl coffee that they serve adds points to this place. I went one morning on a weekday, and it wasn't hard to find a seat. However, I've heard that for a Sunday brunch might require some wait to be seated. I think it's worth it though.
(4)
Adam E.
Excellent place to grab brunch in Chicago. Delicious good with great service. Try the spicy feta omlette and great drinks. See you next time.
(5)
Ken O.
After receiving the updated AAdvantage restaurant list, I though I'd would try it - worth the AA points... so glad I did! Went today (Wednesday afternoon) for a late breakfast. The space is small and trendy. The restaurant was not loud as I thought it could have. I didn't hear anyone's conversation. I was seated against the wall across from the kitchen - no big deal. I was able to see the other great meals as they came out of the kitchen. My server, Matt, was fantastic!! I would like recommend him to anyone. I had ordered the scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes and side of meat platter which I picked the ham. Also, a choice of toast. The sourdough toast was a great choice. Food came shortly, not long of a wait. The food was very good. The breakfast potatoes has a slight kick to them. I wish the ham was a little bigger. Overall - great food and service! I will certainly come back to this restaurant.
(5)
Athena C.
We came here before our Wrigley Stadium Tour for brunch. It was 12ish and we were lucky enough not to wait at all. The restaurant was spacious and had great decor with freshly squeezed juice bar. We started with a fresh berry smoothie. It tastes fresh but feels a little watered down? I am not sure if it is because they don't add artificial substance or just because they might have added water? I also got a cup of coffee, which was great with refill. I decided to get the Chorizo sausage, which comes with minced chorizo with guacamole, cheese and sour cream on the side with some home fries. There are also toasted whole grain bread and sunny side up egg on top. My dish was very delicious and the portion is just right. The price seems alright compared to that in NYC. My husband tried their chocolate bacon waffles with maple syrup. The waffles come with bacon on top and bacon inside too. The sweet and salty combination is a genius mix and the waffle is fluffy and savory drenched in syrup and confection sugar. I love this place!
(4)
Saba A.
A smaller joint, but cute, located in Lakeview, near the Brown line. My friends got a table near the door around 10:10 A.M. when this place was already crowded on this cold Saturday morning. Coffee was light roast and tasty. Our server was friendly and my friends thought he had an "actor" voice on, which was cool, and he came around enough. Here's the menu: kanelacafe.com/KanelaMen… We ordered: - Spicy Feta Omelet: I'm not a huge fan of feta, but the spice rocked it! I loved every bite and I bet I'm going to try that again if I return -Lorraine Scrabble: My friend finished every bite of hers -Duck Confit Hash: My friend who appreciates all types of food couldn't swallow this one down. It had a bit of bone to it too, and when I mentioned it to the waiter, he spoke about how sometimes that accidentally happens because of how many ingredients (or something) a duck has. Soooo, I guess the duck wasn't worth the risk. For next time: We have to get sweets! The crepes looked amazing and so did a muffin, and we saw people getting those! Overall, a good meal. I don't regret coming, but I may just hit Bakin' and Eggs instead unless I just have a sweet mouth. Good experience. And it is BYOB, if you want to make your Bloody Mary, and the special on the menu today was "Hangover Omelette" but don't worry, it seemed more of a family restaurant inside. No one will fall asleep at the table next to you, I hope.
(4)
Briandi L.
Visited here after a long St. Patty's Day Weekend! Two of us had the breakfast skillet, 1 person had the breakfast burrito, 1 had the breakfast flatbread and another ordered a la carte. Everything was presented nicely! We also ordered the monkey bread as our breakfast dessert and I must say that was the best part! It is def. a must try visiting here! The atmosphere is quaint and cozy but yet you don't feel smothered by other diners. I highly recommend eating here!
(4)
Tomas T.
Food was good and priced fairly for the neighborhood. I had the salmon benedict which was really well done and nicely plated. The noise level was off the charts and left me with a headache.
(3)
Callan M.
its good
(4)
Nicki W.
Can we say, love at first sight? I have this awful habit of continuing to frequent the same five brunch spots near my apartment. Why you ask? They are reliable, comfortable and close. There are so many other options out there so I'm starting to run down a list of new brunch spots to try. Let's do this. Kanela is refreshing. It's cute, sassy, delightfully charming and delish. The interior was very appealing with the beautiful lighting, color schemes and cozy booths. I came for brunch during the week but I assume this place packs em in on the weekends. Everything on the menu looked so good, but a standout item on the menu for me was the Banana and Strawberry Crepes with chocolate sauce and whip cream. I'm a total sucker for sweets, but usually they aren't what I think of in the morning. I had to try it because my mouth was watering. I also got a side of their potatoes. The crepes were AMAZING...and if I were out to brunch with a couple of people I would get that as an appetizer to share between 4 people. So GOOD. The potatoes on the other hand were just kinda MEH and bland. I enjoy the potatoes at Toast much better. They also have cute little juice concoctions and plenty of caffeine filled beverages to wake your right up. Service was satisfying as well. It's nice when a server keeps an eye on you but realizes that you're content just chillin' and reading your book while eating. The music was the best part as Jennifer Lopez, Mya and Mariah Carey busted it out and I was jamming while chowin' down. LOVE the old school tunes! GO! :)
(5)
Kathleen C.
YUM YUM YUM YUM YUM!! So...while trying to convince my friend to go elsewhere for brunch, she mentioned this spot which was "close" to her apartment. "Close" is apparently a relative term as I'm pretty sure it was a mile and a half (and we walked), but hey, exercise is good for you.... We lucked out and were seated immediately (yay!) and I soon discovered a lovely, warm cup of Julius Meinl coffee in my hand. Having visited the real Julius Meinl in Austria, I was thrilled that the coffee was just as delicious. So, not being able to decide what to order, we settled on sharing 2 items...the BLT (with an added fried egg) and the bacon waffles. What are bacon waffles you ask? These are waffles with bits of deliciousness AND chocolate covered bacon on top. Yes! I said it - chocolate covered bacon. Whoohoo! If it only had whipped cream....It was very rich, but very tasty. Anyway, the BLT was wonderful (we asked for a fried egg and I should have been more specific and asked for it over easy, as I like them really runny, but it was still really tasty). The bacon was peppered and really wonderful. And the potatoes?! Wow - I don't know what they did to them, but they were some of the best breakfast potatoes I've had. Food is a definite 5. Service was good and they didn't rush us even though it was busy (don't worry, we didn't hog the table for too long...). A 5 for service. The bathrooms...not bad...clean and tastefully decorated...a 4.The spot is also really cute and warm and welcoming. It was bright and lively as well, which makes for a really cheerful brunch. A 5 for atmosphere. Value...wow! $13 each for brunch...might be some of the best brunch food for the price! A 5 for value. Would I visit again - yes! Also, I was happy to see when we left that we really were lucky...there were people waiting down the block!
(5)
Morgan P.
Delicious food and good service. Would recommend going early on the weekends as this place packs up fast!
(4)
Molly L.
There are few things in life that satisfy my hunger (or hangover-if applicable) as much as a damn good brunch. Don't you agree? Br+unch, combines the best breakfast foods with the mid day time frame of lunch into a winning combination. I've been looking for a nock your socks off brunch place in my neighborhood and I have found some A-OK ones, but Kanela Breakfast Club takes it to another level of YUM. They break up the menu into three main "S's" - Starters, Sweet & Savory We came ready to play, so my brunch partner and I ordered 1 sweet and 1 savory dish each from the menu, splitting them up between us to see what Kanela had to offer across the spectrum. I am sweet...so naturally - just kidding, but seriously. I got the Red Velvet French Toast, how could you pass on that combination of words on a menu?? HOW?! It was to die for, red velvet...less of a toast feel, more of a cake feel w/ cream cheese frosting, strawberries and crème anglasie. They also serve it was syrup but unless you're Buddy the Elf I don't think you'll need it. SO GOOD. ($10) My boyfriend had an internal struggle trying to pick between the Spicy Feta Omelette and the Smoked Pork Belly Benedict - he landed on the Benedict, and I'm glad he did because I got to enjoy half of it! On the other hand I'm sure the spicy feta is delish, which just gives us another thing to try when we come back. Back to the Benedict....in the typical Benedict fashion - 2 English muffins, 2 poached eggs, brussel sprouts, dried cranberries and the most delicious hollandaise sauce I've ever had. I'm not sure how all those tastes blend together so perfectly, but one thing is for sure who's ever whipping up these masterpieces in the kitchen knows what they're doing. ($11) We also both got a strawberry orange mimosa...can't go wrong there. We got one each but there is an option for BOTTOMLESS mimosa. See they want you to nurse that hangover :). I'd definitely recommend check this place out, you'll problem see me there when you do!
(4)
Yesenia C.
Spontaneously selected Kanela for brunch on a saturday around 1pm, was happy that it would only be about 30 minutes wait time for a table of two. They have a system where they text message you when your table is ready so we got to sit comfortably in our car instead of idling outside. Once inside the waitress (Jenny?) was very sweet and attentive, took our drink order and upon arriving with drinks took our meal order. It did seem like we waited a little too long for our food, but the restaurant was Uber full so i let it slide. I had the Duck Confit with eggs and potatoes.. oh the potatoes. probably some of the best seasoned red potatoes I've had in a while. I had to send my eggs back for a little more cook but the waitress didn't seem to mind and brought them back within 2 minutes if that. The confit was deliciously seasoned, not too greasy. My mom had the Kanela French toast, two eggs and side of bacon.. The french toast were devoured and the bacon was sprinkled with some cracked red pepper and Just crispy enough. We'll definitely put it on the list of places to go.. Nothing spectacularly special about it, but it was a good experience and again, very attentive staff. :)
(3)
N P.
Went for brunch and I REALLY enjoyed it. It's a bit smaller than I expected. We walked in at 3:10 and were told that the kitchen was closed - my heart sank since we drove 45 minutes to get here. They sympathized and said we could order anything except pancakes, which was fine. There was plenty more to choose from! I had a cappuccino which was perfect - not too bitter, but you could still taste the coffee. The Kanela roll is just a cinnamon roll but it was so light and fluffy. Great to split, hot and fresh. We shared the Red Velvet french toast and chorizo omelette. The french toast wasn't really french toast - it was more of a rolled up sweet bread with a cream cheese filling. Whipped cream on the side as well as maple syrup but honestly you don't need the syrup! It was three huge slices, and I could barely finish one. The omelette was actually veggies/meat on bottom topped with two eggs over easy. It was very flavorful - lots of avocado easy on the salt. A nice serving of potatoes and toast on the side. I think the prices are very reasonable and so are the portions. Music was a little too loud since there were only a handful of customers. And go in 30 minutes prior to closing!
(4)
Lin H.
I came here last Sunday for brunch with two friends. We got there at 2 and they were pretty busy, but we were able to get a table by the door. I was a little hesitant, as I've heard complaints about bad service, but I was pleasantly surprised. Our server was great. Friendly, timely, and patient with us when we took a few visits to decide on our orders. Bloody Marys are good and food was good. I will definitely be going back again.
(3)
S.C. B.
I waited 90+ minutes for the delivery of two mediocre bagels from Kanela Breakfast Club. Considering that i did not receive any explanation or apology from Kanela, this will be the last time I order from Kanela Breakfast Club. Not going to miss it, to tell you the truth.. .their food has always been overpriced and, well, forgettable.
(1)
Christian E.
This is a total favorite... I mean it's awful. Go away. Mine. You can't have it! Okay, in all truthfulness, they have a creative menu with some simply killer options. I have been here near a half-dozen times and they have friendly service and great food. The French Toast Flight (5 different types of french toast) is TO DIE FOR! It's on the "daily specials," but has been there for some time. (That would be pretty much my only complaint: they don't tend to vary the specials often...) The spicy feta flat-bread or omelet is terrific, their Chorizo is quite yummy as well. The place gets packed early, so come with some patience. It is worth it. Also, not great for large groups, unless you are ready for a serious wait.
(5)
Peggy N.
Meh. My burger was overcooked/charred. Random guacamole on it was totally flavorless. Came with "mixed greens" on the side, which you would think would be a salad, but is just literally not-quite-fresh greens. Service was slow, place was loud. May be persuaded to return for a more breakfast-y brunch choice. Would give an extra 1/2 star for the free parking lot.
(2)
Kelly C.
Definitely my new favorite brunch spot in the neighborhood. Food is excellent, with a range of good tasting, good for you and everything in between. The decor is exposed brick and brown banquettes which give it a fresh yet cozy feel. The menu has all kinds of delectable treats from the loukoumade (fried dough covered in honey, cinnamon and toasted walnuts) to the golden beet and duck confit salad. I'm not a fan of eggs, so I love a good brunch place that has alternatives (although the eggs benedict looked really good ...). While our service was slow (reason unknown), the service at tables all around seemed on point and fast. I'll be going back since I don't think it's a trend. Great for brunch with a few friends, couples or young parents with one kid (more than that would be overwhelming in the small space).
(4)
Liza P.
This place is really busy on Sunday mornings, so it takes a long time for the food to come. Also, it's really noisy so having a casual conversation gets to be kind of hard. The food is amazing though. They had a french toast flight special when I went, which was small servings of four different kinds of french toast. Something to be aware of is that their "french toast" is basically made from cake batter. Not that that's a bad thing or anything because it was delicious, but just realize that you're basically ordering a giant cake for breakfast. You'll probably feel ashamed of yourself afterwards, so it's best not to tell others.
(4)
Andy M.
There are few things I enjoy more than weekend breakfast. Eggs, sausage and enough coffee to keep a large horse awake for a month. See description above. Kanala does all these things perfectly. The place is utterly amazing!! We started out with a pot of French press coffee. This coffee was delicious and strong enough to wake the dead. For my food selection I opted for the Chorizo and Eggs with a side of Chicken Sausage. This artery clogging breakfast was just what the Doctor ordered. It was all quite tasty, but the Chicken sausage was the star of the show. It was delicious. The bottom line on Kanela is a delectable one: For amazing food, delicious coffee and wonderful service, head down to the Kanela Breakfast Club. You will get fed like a king and treated like royalty. The whole experience was awesome.
(5)
Shradha A.
A personal record! For what? Returning to the same place twice back to back weekends!! But why? The food here is really really good! The first time we tried the fried dough balls, spicy feta omelet and lorraine scrambler. And then? We didn't talk for 30 minutes as we focused 100% on the food - and this is two otherwise very talkative girlfriends. What next? Well we had friends visiting from LA so we made a reservation for the following Saturday to have them try this amazing breakfast place. Final verdict? They enjoyed it too! And this time I tried the red velvet french toast - out of the world, no really!
(5)
Ryan C.
Had a good experience here for a Sunday brunch. Server was great and the food was also very good. I had eggs Benedict and was pretty impressed. Also, the spicy bloody Mary was very tasty and had just the right amount of spice.
(4)
Alicia B.
This is a great place for brunch! I called a few days in advance and got a reservation for 11:30am on a Sunday which I thought was great considering other reviews said to expect a really long wait. There was 4 of us and each wanted everything on the menu so we ended up sharing everything. They had a special with a french toast flight. YES PLEASE!! There was everyone's favorite. It came with red velvet, so so good. They did a great job of not making the cream cheese frosting too sweet. Must get! The other flavor was orange. I was intrigued and very pleasantly surprised. Banana bread flavor with real bananas in between the layers. And the 4th was lemon. I'm not a huge lemon fan but this was still delicious. Next we had the duck confit hash. This was a little too greasy for me. And I thought the eggs could have been cooked for maybe just a minute longer. I don't mind sunny side up for some fo the white was still raw. The spicy feta omelet was good. A little too spicy for my taste buds but I am a spicy sissy. Then we got the regular eggs benedict. This was really good. I was interested to see how they were going to use brussel sprouts in this meal and thought it was very cleaver. They were shaved and on top of the english muffin with the egg on top of that. Very good. Not only is the food amazing but they make all different kinds of juices in house. The strawberry/ orange juice mimosa's are good. My fiance got the bloody mary and i definitely had quite a few sips of that too. Overall I would absolutely recommend this place!!
(4)
Meredith K.
I was here for dinner. Great space, great people, great drinks. A lovely time! I hesitate to post my review because I don't want to see it becoming crazy busy like it is for breakfast! We started with hummus and the beet salad. The salad had the most generous amount of goat cheese I have ever seen. Needless to say it was great. The hummus was generous as well. We needed more pita and veg to make a dent in it. I had the mushroom risotto which was delicious. Very cheesy, truffle-y and I think there were 3 kinds of mushrooms served 3 ways. If they added broth it would be an amazing soup. My boyfriend had the steak and he was so happy. He said it was fantastic. We got a side of the cauliflower gratin which was not needed but also just ok. It needed some pep like curry powder. We need to get up at the crack of dawn to try this place for breakfast. I'll defintely be back again for a nice cozy dinner.
(4)
Dulce P.
Okay. Although this review isnt the greatest. I will definitely give this place another chance. We waited for about a half hour, and the place was jam packed. Which should be a good sign? I ordered the lorraine scramble. The eggs were runny. But the red potatoes were good. The service was great, the waiter was so understanding. I did leave a comment card and explained about the food and the service. I signed up for their email list and get all sorts of free appetizer offers and such.. I repeat, I will give them another chance.
(2)
Chitown H.
So if your at the bar by yourself, how long should it take to get your entree? I wouldn't know cause I waited 45 mins and still nothing! I only sat there cause the hostess said it would be 45 mins for a table. A guy next to me had breakfast and left before I got mine. So I just left. If the bartender (u know who u r) at least would've acknowledged me and said "I'm sorry your breakfast is taking so long" or even if he lied to me about something I might've stayed. I got nothing. I've been in this business over 20 yrs and I know when things get busy you have to at least acknowledge your customer cause there the ones paying the bill and essentially tipping you, Right? Face the music kid cause it's gonna happen again. It's not like he didn't know I was waiting cause the bar is small. I was right in front of him the whole time. Were they busy? Yes. But c'mon! Ask yourself this, how long for an eggs benedict (which he raved about) and a short stack? I hate to be that guy but I am on this one. I hate when customers complain about me but I look at it as constructive. I had other choices for brunch that day. I chose Kanela because I went online and look for a new brunch place and you guys stood out. Oh well maybe next time. We will see. Good luck to you...
(1)
Char Y.
wonderful experience completed with a wonderful waitor we came late on a weekday and called ahead to make sure that they were still open, our waiter was super nice and helpful. we ordered duck confit hash - need more duck! red velvet french toast - BEST!!! salmon benedict - wonderful texture and combination really loved place for breakfast food! will come back!
(4)
Caroline M.
(Week)Day off! One perk of having weekdays off is I never have a wait at breakfast places. I arrived a little earlier than my friend and her son, in hopes of getting some caffeine in my system. Nope. No one offered me any. In fact, no one approached our table until my friend arrived 10 minutes after me. Isn't that a little unacceptable? Eventually we placed our order and got that well deserved Julius Meinl coffee. Cream is served in tiny uber cute white containers. Awww. I got the pork belly benedict, complete with delicious potatoes on the side. The pork belly was just okay. It wasn't too crispy, so the fat was really chewy. The other components of the dish were great though---brussels sprouts and cranberries (huh?)......Yum! It sounded like a strange combo but it was good. I had food envy over my friends duck confit hash with sunny side up eggs. Next time, I'd like to try a sweet dish--bacon waffles anyone?? yes please! Usually decor doesn't stick out to me, however, I really loved the gorgeous chandeliers in the restaurant. And I must say that their music selection was perfect. I felt like they were playing my favorite Pandora station. I liked that very, very much. A solid 3 stars. For now....
(3)
Jeff Z.
Nice place. Had a carmelized onion omelet and a coffee. Both excellent.
(4)
Jane Y.
FIVE STARS!! Kanela Breakfast Club moves to the top of my list of favorite breakfast spots in Chicago! Tops Bongo Room, Toast, Orange and many others by a mile. The duck confit hash and the red velvet french toast are both TO DIE FOR! Food comes out a little slowly but is more than worth the wait!
(5)
Lizzy Z.
Amazing! We arrived as the place opened and had a perfect experience from start to finish. Our waiter was welcoming even though we were the first group there early and we had refilled water and coffee the whole time. The food was delicious! We had the bacon waffles, cinnamon pancakes, and Lorraine eggs. Everything was exceptional and fresh. Love this place and wish I lived in Chicago to go again!
(5)
Joanne J.
I didn't even know such a thing as cinnamon chips (used in the kanela chip pancakes at Kanela) existed until I went to Kanela for brunch. Now I'm totally addicted to them and found them to buy and bake with on my own at Southport Grocery. LOVE the kanela rolls too!
(5)
Sam P.
Love the chill ambiance here. The staff was extremely friendly which I find very important at a breakfast place. Loukamades were awesome. My wife used to make and serve these at greek fairs and usually can only find them at the greektown festival once a year. Probably the only place around here that serves them. She had the red velvet french toast which was awesome if you like a sweet breakfast. I had the vegetable sandwich with roasted potatoes which was fantastic. Both of these dishes had a very clean presentation. I know americanos are as straight forward as you can get, but people can manage to screw them up. Mine was perfectly drawn and piping hot which makes my day. We will DEFINITELY be going back. I'd have to argue that the vegetarian sausage is definitely not homemade, nor very good. It was just a side dish though. All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed our first experience there and plan on hitting it up often.
(5)
Jennie P.
Just went Kanela today. I've been waiting to try this place but it's more of a fancy breakfast place so not a place to take the hubby. First, the decor was beautiful! It's amazing how much bigger this place looks than Orange. I have to say, the place seems a little disorganized. No one seemed to be sure which tables were reserved but we manged to find a seat away from the bacholorette party (who was staring the party at 11 am!) The food was great! I had the lorraine scramble and the best latte I ever had. we split the monkey bread. Not that service was bad, but they seemed lost - our server didn't know what some of the drinks were and didn't tell us the specials. God only knows what goes on if it's busy.
(4)
Corinne W.
Saw the review on Hungry Hound and headed over there at once. Very attractive place with and interesting menu. Staff very helpful, coffee cups filled promptly and food great. My husband had the waffles with chocolate covered bacon...very wonderful. I had the tuna sandwich which was great and on the best bread ever. We highly recommend this attractive restaurant and its wonderful food and ambience. Service was the best!
(5)
Gina V.
Kudos to this neighborhood, Brunch GEM! Upon arrival the friendly hostess informed us that they were running a bit behind in the kitchen and it would be around a 30 minute wait for our food and they were very sorry but they understood if we didn't want to be seated. Since it's a BYOB we figured we'd get started on our own drinks and enjoy the atmosphere. First, their juices to mix with our champagne were awesome then to our surprise, they brought out a complimentary sticky bun to ease the wait. Our meals were at the table before we knew it. The duck confit hash was lighter than I had expected it to be (in a good way) and my friend's scramble was full of flavor and color. We truly enjoyed our meal and overall experience - Kanela owners, if you're reading this - please take pride in knowing your staff is representing you well - they were friendly and helpful and combined with a tasty menu - you'll get our business any day! Thank you!
(5)
Dalia A.
This place was amazing! My friend and I stumbled into this gem after being exhausted and traveling for hours with little to no sleep. Rob, who I believe is the "Manager", was amazing! So sweet, helpful, and funny!! He made us feel right at home in Chicago (is it just me or is everyone nice in chu-town?). We really enjoyed talking with him! Not to mention, I got the LOX & BAGEL with sliced smoked salmon, red onion, tomato, cucumber, capers, chive cream cheese on a bagel. It was perfect, with fresh ingredients, and fresh fish. I want it again and again!
(5)
Irineo B.
I came here with 2 of my girlfriends on Christmas. Good that my friend checked out to see that there wasn't a long wait because the last time I tried to come here, it was packed with a 2 hour wait! This restaurant has a pork belly eggs Benedict that is so good it will make you simply cry. I had the loukamades and the chrozio breakfast. My goodness did it just make my breakfast experience for 2011. The service was great and they anticipate guest service needs pretty good.
(5)
Patrick A.
We have come to this restaurant multiple times now and it's the same issue every time. The hosts are rude, clearly always distracted in their phones rather than doing their job, waits unbearably long while tables are left empty. The food here is the only reason we continue to come back. Your eggs Benedict and sweet treats are to die for. However, two stars due to terrible service from the walk in, first experience. This issue has also been two hosts every time. One is an African American girl who was on Facebook for 5 min before talking to us, and said 30 min wait even with tables open. Asked her why and she responded with you are not the only one waiting. The other was a blond hair girl who had zero system and or clue on how to be a host and use an iPad. Also again stayed on her phone and ignored guests regularly. I'd really suggest a different hiring standard for your host.
Perhaps one of the worst breakfast experiences ever, and this from place with super high rankings and reviews. Two tables and the waitress was frazzled. The food came out super slow. Dreadful on all levels. The pancakes were spongy. The French Press coffee came out late and was yellow in color and giant grounds floating around. After giving up on that the regular coffee was subpar, and it was like pulling teeth to get refills.
(1)
attitude a.
Ordered the eggs benedict and the feta omelet for delivery. The delivery guys drives a scooter, so the poached eggs exploded all over the benedict. The feta omelet was filled with undercooked onions. The entire meal was just sloppy. Do yourself a favor and go to Over Easy, Selmarie or Marmalade. They don't deliver, but with the state of this meal, that's not my priority anymore.
(1)
Rits T.
Long line always make it so interesting. Finally got to try this Breakfast place. Love it. Need to go back to try more.
(4)
Tricia D.
What a disappointment! I can't remember the last time I was left so unsatisfied after a meal... especially since the last time I visited Kanela (Old Town location), I left thinking about the french press coffee and french toast flight for weeks and weeks. We arrived shortly before 1pm on Sunday (still prime time brunch hour) and didn't have to wait for a table. Score! Our (newbie) waiter stopped by within minutes to take our drink orders, and my iced Americano arrived 5 minutes later. It was cold, refreshing, and served up in a cute mason jar! Totally worth the $3. Everything after this point went downhill, underground, and traveled deep into the magma of the earth. While I had a riveting conversation with my husband about everything from how kale isn't as nutritious the superfood as it's made out to be (guess that chicken and kale skillet I ordered wasn't as vitamin-mineral packed as I hoped!) to how hangry I was getting and whether I'd really start eating the strawberry jam on the table straight up (I did), it didn't distract me from noticing that it took our food literally 45 minutes to arrive. The A team was definitely not in the kitchen. Actually, was anybody in the kitchen? We could count over a handful of waiters and bus staff floating around and noticed most tables were occupied but with no plates of food in front of the diners. Agony! Yes, 45 minutes later, our brunch of a kale and chicken skillet and 2 eggs with bacon and pork belly on the side arrived. This "skillet of the day" was the blandest I've ever had. While herbs were visible on the potato cubes, they were super dull. The chicken had a weird, spongy texture and tasted like it was ground up and/or leftover from a Mediterranean restaurant down the block, and I got literally 4 shreds of cheese in the skillet. Oh... and the monkey bread I had ordered as an appetizer was forgotten. The waiter hadn't put the order in, even though he had a notepad with him when he took our order. Frustrating! Said monkey bread was comp'ed and brought out as dessert, but skip it. I was expecting fluffy, flavorful, soft pull-apart bread, but what I got resembled a baked crouton dish drowning in cinnamon and walnuts.
(1)
Tiffany F.
This was my second time dining in at Kanela and I was very disappointed. When we arrived, everyone was way too busy to greet us. Then, when we were finally brought our menus, our table still has not been cleaned. Our waitress didn't actually come to take our order for a while longer. Then, we waited for our food for about 40 minutes while the people next to us, who got there after we did, got their food 10 minutes before us. The waitress was extremely inattentive and didn't bring our check for a while either. The food was really good though. And for that reason, I will definitely be back to give them another shot. But, my boyfriend didn't get toast or avocado with his meal when it was supposed to come with both.
(3)
Jason B.
Great staff and I love just about anything on their menu. I was there with my fiancee and friends and we didn't realize it but we stayed WAY past closing time. Usually someone reminds you or somehow says to you "hey it's time to go." We were made welcome as people cleaned up and went about their business. The fresh orange juice and champagne is wonderful. Coffee is great as well. Food is goodie mcgood good good. Check it out!
(5)
Rachel B.
I'm not sure if this place moved or just changed since the last time I was here two years ago, but either way, big improvement! The removal of bottomless mimosas is sad, but has definitely improved the patronage (read: no more annoying college kids getting stupid drunk). I'll take it. We spent the morning moving furniture and were famished by the time we got here. It was about noon- prime brunch time- but we were seated immediately. Our waitress promptly greeted up and sold us on a pitcher of Bloody Mary's. The "mini grilled cheese" garnish (actually a very cold sliver of a sandwich consisting of a single slice of cheese between 2 pieces of toast) was the only disappointing part of it. The actual Bloody Mary was delicious. Could have used a heavier pour on the vodka, but I suppose I don't need to get sauced every time I go to brunch....actually, yes, yes I do. Our second round of drinks (pomegranate ginger twistery) were equally disappointing on the alcohol content, so I'm knocking down what could have been a 5-star experience to a 4. The food- ohhhhh, I could have ordered everything on the menu. First, I love how that they divide their brunch items into "Sweet" and "Savory" categories, though many of the savory items were both sweet AND savory (e.g. Pork Belly Benedict is brown-sugar rubbed and has cranberries). I got the California Benedict with pepper bacon. The sriracha hollandaise was freaking genius, which was great because the veggies seemed to be just steamed and needed the flavor boost. I would have liked a little garlic sautee on the spinach. My girlfriend got the Spicy Feta Omelette, which was much better than my dish. The flavors were delicious and that spicy feta cheese was amazing- the bitterness of the cheese mixed well with the heat. Next time, I'm trying the biscuits and gravy and the chicken and waffles (after spending 2 hours at the gym beforehand). Our neighbors ordered both dishes and they looked incredible. Overall, good food, good prices, little stingy with the booze but the prices are reasonable so whatever. Definitely give it a try.
(4)
Girlatchicago L.
I went back recently with a few friends in town visiting. Unfortunately the service has went down. What a disappointment! I was going to show my out-of-town friends how great this place is since I had such a great experience last time! The front door host is the worst. She is rude and did not do a good job at greeting people and letting people know their table is available. She never called us. After waiting for 1 hr+, we asked her when is the table available. She basically rolled her eyes and said it was available 15 min ago....so why did you not say anything?? Then the wait for food is long (45 min at least) and it was not as good as expected...the crab cake one was just pure disappointment. The waitress was super nice tho.... Hope you get your things together...
(2)
Hilary G.
So far the seasonal alcohol drinks are smooth. Interior looks fab, something out a New York City chic bar, but they're playing sweet soft Carolina music. The menu offers a short but delicious looking variety of breakfast/brunch only options ranging from sweet to hearty while still appealing to those who won't eat meat. We ordered some traditional favorites and the soup special (buffalo soup of the day) and we were not disappointed! This is one one of my new fav brunch spots! Only downside is I do wish the bar was more of an actual bar instead of a chopping block, cutting board, or meal prep station. Other than that it's a fav establishment!
(4)
Zak N.
Visiting friends in Wicker Park, we chose Kanela over Bongo Room because the menu looked more interesting and I am partial to Greek food. Greek breakfast in particular gets short shift in America. As do Greek service standards. Boy am I glad we chose Kanela! We wandered in an waited a full minute for someone to greet us. No one came, but the cook behind the counter finally looked up and told us we could choose a seat. While we waited, I swapped my water glass for one at the next table. It's nice to see evidence that they clean their dishes at Kanela, and I wanted to make sure someone else benefited from seeing the same dazzling soap-kissed edges. Another couple of minutes later, a waitress showed up. It's really exciting to experience this new method of service, wherein the servers adopt a casual, unhurried pace. It resonates with the classic Greek lifestyle. The waitress wore a brown t-shirt mottled with authentic Greek stains. She took our order and brought us coffee, an imported Austrian mega-brand that is far superior in its charcoal taste to those prissy local artisanal roasters that coffee snobs rave about. Our food came in typically Chicagoan portions. I got the Lorraine scramble and my wife ordered the Monte Cristo, which was pretty awesome on that brioche. The home fried potatoes were well-cooked but rather heavy-handed with the dried herbs. Our server asked us if we wanted hot sauce, and we said yes, which in the new style of service means waiting five minutes before asking the cook. "We don't have hot sauce," he apologized, "we only have sriracha and tabasco." I am not sure what he thought I meant by hot sauce. The server disappeared for the remainder of the meal. When I discovered a previous guest's lipstick on my coffee mug, it took about five or six minutes before our server checked in on us. The place wasn't that busy, so I guess there was some important business to attend to in the back. Industriousness is a virtue, right? We weren't offered refills on our coffee, though I did venture to ask as we were paying our check and was told that refills are free and did we want some. I said yes, but in to-go cups please, as we were all ready to leave. All in all, I did OK, given that I am a visitor here and unaccustomed to this new style of service. It does shed light on the current state of the Greek economy perhaps, and in anticipation of Greece possibly leaving the Eurozone, I tipped in drachmas.
(2)
J M.
Last time I was there was exactly a year ago, on a first date with my girlfriend. Kanela was going to be our anniversary spot...frankly, I'd sooner take her to IHOP for a spaghetti dinner. No Kanela chip pancakes ever again (despite being told they could be requested), the cinnamon roll substitute was (only) ok. Service for a Tuesday was S L O W. It took no less than 10 minutes to get greeted and offered coffee, probably because everyone was gathered around another table YAMMERING ON AND ON AND ON AND ON about how they know each other from the Streeterville store and namedrop! namedrop! namedrop! Oy. When we did get coffee, it was delicious. The entrees were (thank god) characteristically plate-licking good. I wish it was good enough to go back, but without the kanela chip cakes, I'd rather explore the 'hood for a new favorite.
(1)
Katie M.
My roommate and I adore this restaurant for the food, but my review is about the staff! We went into eat for her birthday and the server Paul and bartender Will were AMAZING. They were so incredibly friendly and made our whole experience awesome!! They were super attentive and recommended food and drinks that we loved. Thanks guys!!!!!
(5)
Steve T.
Service was exceedingly slow. We were told they were short staffed, but ultimately sitting on the patio we felt like we were being ignored. The waiter kept apologizing for the short staffing, but from the moment we got there things went wrong. Coffee took over 20 minutes to arrive after ordering, the waiter brought 2 coffee and 3 empty mugs because they were running out. The juicer was broken as well so you could only get certain juices... apparently not requiring the juicer. Once the food was ordered it took almost 45 minutes to come out. It was a Sunday, probably one of their busiest days. The managers need to figure out their staffing and coverage model because it was abysmal. The food overall was ok after the wait but from a service perspective unless it improves I will not be back.
(2)
Jeff A.
Service was great. Food was even better. Go a little early before the 9:30-10:00am rush. Chicken and waffles were good enough to order again.
(4)
Lisa B.
Had the sausage gravy and biscuits. Was not tasty and the biscuits were old, like rocks. It was really busy on a Friday early afternoon, lots of LOUD and fussy small children and our waitress came to our table ONCE after we were finished eating to ask how everything tastes. Needless to say I didn't eat my brick biscuits and the sausage was waaaaay overseasoned with safe to the point I couldn't taste the meat at all, so I didn't eat that either. Pretty disappointed in this place after all the hype!
(3)
John S.
I've had a couple items here w/ two different set of friends, and I don't think this is anything special. The first time around I had the spicy feta omlette which I thought was a solid choice, nothing spectacular though. The serve a side of potatoes that are just bland, you have to add salt to get your taste buds going. Second time around I got the pork belly benedict, and that was disappointing. I wouldn't get it again, and again the potatoes were unflavorful. I believe I got a hot chocolate which was actually good, but the food should be the highlight. My friend got the western scramble and she disliked it and had to use hot sauce to get more flavor... c'mon man! The monkey bread is delicious, but again anything with cinnamon, sugar, and honey is hard to hate.
(3)
Sohini G.
Food was actually pretty great. Service. Terrible. Took over an hour to get our food and no one was apologetic or answered our questions as to how long it would be. One of the entrees had an ingredient that wasn't listed on the menu, when my friend wasn't able to eat it she only replaced the meal when we asked her too. And our waitress almost didn't take it off the tab. Thank god the food and coffee were good otherwise it would've been a terrible experience. I'd def eat here again but would recommend a different location.
(2)
Ryan L.
Ever since moving to Chicago in 2012 people have raved about how great brunch is at Kanela. So, on New Years Eve day a few weeks ago a friend and I decided to give it a go. We opted to try the Lakeview location and when we walked in we were told it would be a 20 minute wait. Much to our surprise we were seated within minutes and were provided menus immediately. Then the waiting game began. About 10 minutes later a waiter stopped by to take our orders. We provided both our drink and our food orders and the waiter mentioned that they were very short staffed and only had 1 cook in the kitchen. I ordered the steak and egg sandwich while my friend got an omelette. Our drink order arrived quickly however the waiter slopped half my coffee on the table and onto the floor all over my shoes. He quickly returned with a fresh cup but made no apology for spilling on my shoes. We then waited about 30 to 45 minutes for our meals to come out and they were actually really good, matching the quality we had been promised by anyone who had ever suggested going to Kanela. The steak on my sandwich was cooked perfectly and the egg and ciabatta bun we good too. The breakfast potatoes were a little over spiced but decent. The only thing I hated about my sandwich was I asked for it without onions and it came with them on. I scrapped off the onions losing half the cheese but didn't really fuss over it. As for the omelette, my friend cleaned the plate so I guess it was good! My Kanela experience didn't go as well as planned but the food was pretty good. I'm willing to give Kanela another shot however their service next times needs to be better. Also, I'm still baffled at the fact that they only staffed 1 cook in the kitchen on New Years Eve day. In a city like Chicago where we are all brunch crazy you'd imagine management would know to staff more people especially on or around a national holiday where foodies are bound to be out eating. As for spilling coffee on me, it happens. But at least apologize. I'll be happy to update this review if my next visit is better... My verdict... 2 Stars. If my food had come out perfectly I would have given Kanela a 3 and if the service was better I would have given a 4.
(2)
Kyle P.
Had a great breakfast on Saturday. Sat in the window, had a great waitress, waited like 5 mins max (not usual with good weather), great three pigs skillet and probably the best English muffin and chive cream cheese I have had in a long time.....great experience
(5)
Meaghan M.
I ordered from Grub Hub and my food arrived cold and soda spilled all over the bag. The biscuits and gravy had no gravy on them. I will never order from here again
(1)
Cecil S.
Great restaurant for breakfast, brunch and/or lunch. Tried the Kanela Rolls as a starter, and kid you not, the most flavorful cinnamon roll I've ever had. Wanted to try a light breakfast item so chose the Kanela French Toast (didn't really like this orange sweet sauce that was on the second piece of toast, but the other Kanela sauces were good). Love that they incorporate whipped cream into most dishes too. Quick and kind wait staff, it's simple enough to the point where you seat yourself, but quality service to the point where you enjoy your meal. (Also a part of AA Dining Miles Rewards program).
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : No Best Nights : Thu, Sat, Sun Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Justine M.
Cute spot but disappointing. Got the eggs benedict (that has pork belly and brussel sprouts). The brussel sprouts were unseasoned and too much. Actually, the entire dish had no flavor. Just all trendy ingrediants thrown into a trendy dish. We also got a kanela roll (cinnamon roll) and the greek doughnuts. The kanela roll was utterly dry. Not how a good cinnamon roll shoudl be. The greek doughnuts had a fluffy texture, but the syrup (honey and lemon) was wayy too sweety. And they doughnuts were swimming in a pool of it. Small, crowded, not great food. Not coming back.
(2)Cara M.
I never really wake up in time for the brunch rush- and since I actually work at a brunch place, I try to avoid that crowd at all costs.... which is why this review is for Kanela between the hours of 1pm-close. My boyfriend wanted to come here because he said he saw the line out the door one morning as he was driving by, so he wanted to try it after that rush, and honestly it's worth waiting till the crowds die down. We usually go during the week and (aside from our other Logan Square brunch spot) this is the go-to place. Usually he just has to say the name and I'm in. Service is always great everyone is always super sweet and attentive. The fresh squeezed OJ, and the salmon benedict are both great. (The last time they didn't have the benedict on the menu... which was upsetting) Either way this place has my heart- and my tummy.
(5)XTreats X.
Not terrible but both of our plates had 1 over cooked egg and one runny.. Which is odd. Kanela roll is just a cinnamon roll. Chorizo and eggs had too much chorizo. Crab cakes were mushy. It was pretty good but nothing you couldn't get at a diner
(2)Cory B.
We went there for brunch Saturday didn't have to wait. Service was good food was delivered quickly. Steak sandwich was awesome all eggs Benedict dishes were too.
(4)Joe E.
I went here for my best friend's private birthday party. They rented out the venue to hold the event from 7 to 10 PM. I've been to few breakfast/brunch style restaurants in the city, and they are all pretty similar in layout. They are skinny buildings that are usually wood paneled with a patio open in the back during the summer. Kanela is no exception to this. I had 2 appetizers of watermelon and feta. Both were very fresh. The menu for regular business hours looks enticing, but I cannot review that since I did not have a chance to sample anything off of it. For now, Kanela is a solid place to hold a private event. Not sure what the cost was, but there were about 30-40 people comfortably tucked in the main room, which also held the bar.
(3)Mallory C.
Every time I come to Kanela I instantly feel at home. Not only is the staff/ service impeccable, but they sincerely love what they do and that energy is contagious. They get me so excited about the delectable dishes I usually order two. I personally found myself craving the 'Spicy Feta Omelette' daily after having tried it for the first time. The tyrokafteri (spicy whipped feta) is sensational, I've never had anything quite like it. If you're in the mood for something to tame that sweet tooth of yours, I highly recommend the 'Red Velvet French Toast'. It comes out hot & oh so moist, draped in cream cheese frosting, creme anglaise, and fresh cut strawberries. Trust me this will do the job, morning, noon and night it's simply to die for! -Cameron
(5)Harry V.
When we arrived we had a ten minute wait which is ALWAYS a great problem even for the customer at an establishment that has been around for more than 6 months. This lets me know a couple of items as a customer. First when it is busy others appreciate the food and service they receive here. Second the food is fresh, because it is being rotated and no one wants to eat food that has the potential of being used past their shelf life. Third an establishment that is busy is making money and can afford to pay for extra help. This locations shows they do that because the restrooms are nice and clean. If the restrooms are clean then most likely the rest of the establishment is clean. I built my own egg white omelette with green pepper and feta cheese. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and sometimes scares me to eat out, so it is not ruined. It was a great feeling when receiving my food and seeing it was made correctly. The food tasted great which is nice because it is not misleading. That is all I had there for my first time but will return and try some other items next time. Service was great as well. They had a host there that had the establishment under control and was very good at communicating with guests and team members. The manager Peter was working the floor better than I have seen at other locations. He was helping the host and making sure to get guests down faster by busing tables and seating guests. When he wasn't doing that, he was running food and checking with his staff to make sure his staff was happy. You don' t normally see this from a manager checking to see if the staff is happy and in good spirits, even though they are running around taking care of their guest. With all of that Peter did a great job touching tables and thanking guests for coming in and promoting his staff and establishment. Overall when you find a location that makes you feel like home, you want to return and try it again. I will be returning to this location as soon as Thanksgiving since I know they are open for breakfast.
(5)Stephanie A.
Nice menu, but... Weak coffee Numerous mistakes from the kitchen., runny whites undercooked potatoes. Expensive too!
(2)Ryan G.
Ate here yesterday for first time. The place was hopping! Waited about half hour for table. They used Yelp SeatMe to communicate via text when table was ready. This made it possible to carouse the neighborhood a bit while waiting, plus it kept a line from jamming up the entrance. There really was no place to wait inside the restaurant which was jam packed and loud. Well worth the wait. The food was top notch and service was excellent. The hostess, server, and manager were each attentive to our needs. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Garrett H.
We just ate here this morning, the food was unreal. Honestly for the price this was one of the best breakfasts I have ever had. I got biscuits and gravy and they were incredible.
(5)Brooke M.
This is the perfect place to eat! Id you want excellent service, great food and great atmosphere! I absolutely will give Kanela breakfast club a 5 star rating from the service to the food. This was my first time eating here and it will not be my last! The servers/waiters make their job look fun, and they communicate with their customers very well. I sat at the bar where my server/bartender (Rain) waited on me. I told him this is my first time coming here and he suggested some food items I should try. And I tried the spicy feta cheese omelet with potatoes. One word Delicious! I cant wait to go back! Thanks Rian!
(5)Aleks S.
The food was delicious. Amazing potatoes served with the salmon egg Benedict. The rest of the menu also sounded very Yummy, would love to come back and try some more items off the menu. The coffee was nice and strong and the Bellini was nicely balanced. Service was friendly and really enjoyed the atmosphere
(5)Chris W.
This rating is based on a delivery, so make no judgments about the quality of the dine in food based on it. I ordered the raspberry cheesecake French toast and the mixed berry waffle. After tax and delivery charges the total came out to 31 dollars. When the food was delivered, almost an hour and a half later, it was cold and soggy. We had to reheat the food ourselves to regain some semblance of crispiness. Also, the delivery driver was not friendly, and seemed annoyed that people were actually having their food delivered (when it seems like running the deliveries is his main job). Also lacking were the portion sizes. At most restaurants, a 10 dollar portion should be enough to leave you full. Not so here. The waffle was not much larger than an eggo, and yes I did mean waffle, singular. The French toast portion was better, but still not close to justifying the price, considering it came with no sides. I feel like the food might have been better if it had been eaten in the restaurant fresh out if the kitchen, but please don't order delivery and expect anything better than the week old leftovers you probably already have sitting in your fridge.
(1)Jason M.
I walked in on a Saturday morning and was promptly seated. Unfortunately, that was the only positive bit of customer service I got. I sat for at least five minutes before anyone came over, and only then as I became visibly annoyed with people who came in after me being waited on first. I started with the loukoumades, which was good, and held me over as I then waited over 20 minutes for my meal. By the time my plate arrived, the group that came after me had already eaten and were waiting for their check. The duck confit hash isn't hash at all, just some pulled, dry duck meat covered by two eggs with a side of roasted potatoes. It was very bland and disappointing. The waiter brought the check and said "I'll take this whenever you're ready", to which I immediately responded "I'm ready", but he ignored me and walked away. In fact every single time he came over it was like he couldn't get away fast enough. I got the distinct impression that the wait staff saw a single diner and all said "not it!", preferring to aim for bigger tips at other tables. They desperately need a stopper on their entrance door, as it slams violently and I ended up hearing it about 50 times. One of the busboys spilled milk on the floor and it sat for a few minutes before being cleaned up even after he saw it. The noise level is almost deafening. Nothing would ever get me to set foot in this place again. Batter & Berries treated me right, I'll go back to them.
(1)Michael R.
Ordered online for pick up. Didn't realize if you hit cash you need to pay for cash for a pick up order. So your $10.00 goes to $13.00, no big deal. Little irritating, except when you are just running in to get something. Well the meter expires because you expect to take 5-7 minutes to get your order, pay, and jump back in your car and head on your merry way. Well, when said cash was handed, took 6 minutes to get money from the back plus you had to wait to use an atm that you didn't expect. How do you have a cash drawer with no money in it? So now instead of paying just $10.00 for a quick meal, it's turned into $10.00 for a meal, $3.00 for atm fee and now $150.00 for a parking ticket that shouldn't have happened. New total of $163.00 for 2 eggs, bacon and potatoes. Not to mention that the customer service in the small amount of time there was not friendly at all and it felt like they were deer in headlights. It's a shame since the food is so good, but for me, not worth the hassle. Been here 3 times and 1 out of 3 for good service isn't bad right?
(2)Peter O.
Wonderful! Delicious! S. and I visited today for early, pre-crowd Sunday brunch and Kanela won our tongues, stomachs and hearts. We began with the Kanela Roll, a delightfully egg rich, light, layered cinnamon roll that was not at all gloppy as we all know is nearly standard. Dynamite Julius Meinl coffee, always our favourite. S. enjoyed her two gigantic scrambled eggs and wheat toast, we split an order of thick Peppered Bacon (mmmyummy!) and I had the Lorraine Scramble: peppered bacon + gruyère cheese + caramelized onions + buttered multi-grain toast = an exemplary balance of flavours and textures. Potatoes were typical pan fried cubes, really slightly bland and not the meal's standout though served in large quantities. Hey, how about crumbled bacon and cheese added to the potatoes? Why not! Why. the Hell. not! Also, many meretricious mimosas made for much mirth and merriment. A nearly full bar (NO JAMESON!) Our server, Emily A,, could not have been more clever, kind, thoughtful and generous. Seek her out. From now on, we will do just that. An absolute winner to visit again and again. ~New recipe Peter O. and S.: Now with more nitrates and nitrites!
(4)Tony H.
I like Kanela as a place to go during the week. It's easier to get in and the food is pretty good. I'm especially happy that they accommodated some requests the other day for additions to my omelet. What I appreciated the most that day was the friendliness of the server - very kind and helpful. This is on my go to list of places to brunch in Lakeview.
(4)Chicago S.
This place looks so nice and the service was great, that's the only reason I give it 2 and not 1 starts. The food was terrible. We got the Kanala cake which was so dry. The crab cake Benedict was a joke. I wonder if they use frozen crab cake patties. So simply gross. The scrambled eggs were dry and over done. Almost chocked again. Place looks nice, maybe they just had a bad day. But bad enough for me not to come back.
(2)Hrudaya S.
I went to brunch with two friends, and as expected we had quite a long wait. It was a Sunday, so we had around an hour wait. The food though, was totally worth the wait. I got the chai and the spicy feta omelette, and I loved it. Our server was really nice and he knew the menu well and made some good recommendations as well.
(4)Jackie C.
The food here was delicious!!! We came for a bridal shower for a group of 25. The service was stellar all things considered. Adam was really on top of everything and was very attentive to the host and the bride which is truly what matters. I would love to come back with a smaller group and the "regular" dining experience. It's a little out of my way but I think it will be a great place to go to when we have visitors since it is in a different part of town.
(5)Aimee R.
Food was sooo good!! We had the duck confit hash and the stuffed raspberry cheesecake French toast. Minus a star for the time it took to get the food. almost an hour, on top of already waiting an hour to get seated. The server came by and told us the kitchen was backed up a couple times. Oh well, food was worth the wait.
(4)Jovanna F.
My two best friends and i decided to go to Kanela (Saturday, Oct 25) after our manicures across the street in preperation for my wedding the next day. We were all in a good mood in light of my wedding festivities. We sat at the bar since we couldn't afford to wait for a table. After a while of waiting (about 45 minutes) for our food, talking and just being plain giddy and excited about getting married the next day, we realized we had been waiting a really long time. We didn't have all day because of the other things I had going on that day for the wedding. We asked many times about how much longer it would be and we just kept getting vague answers. We were very nice and explained we really needed to get going but this made no difference. Our waiter seemed flustered and stressed but not at all apologetic about how long we had been waiting. Finally, literally, after more than an hour and a half of waiting we said we could not wait any longer and really needed our food. Our waiter gave us a look like "do what you got to do". We waited some more and finally told him we had to go. I think he said something like "sorry about that". So we left without EVER getting our food. I felt like they were relieved we were leaving because it was one less party to make food for. We were given NO incentives to come back and again, they did not feel bad at all about how long we had waited. It was terrible. We ended up going across the street to the falafel place where we scarfed down our food before heading downtown to where my wedding festivities were taking place later on. I have never left a restaurant without getting my food. An awful experience. Whoever is running this place needs a wake up call.
(1)Jamie L.
I didn't know I hadn't falling head over heals until I tried Kanela's waffles with crispy, chocolate entrenched bacon. I would recommend going with a couple friends, so you can share and still have their innovative renditions on the classic eggs benedict-with crabcake!
(4)Michael P.
So, for some reason I can't put my finger on, I feel like I shouldn't be able to give this place 5 stars, but based on my visit I can't find a reason not to. We started with coffee and an Americano, both of which were very good (they came in Julius Meinl cups and I have no reason to believe the coffee was not from Julius Meinl). Next, we ordered the Chorizo and Eggs and the Wild Mushroom and Arugula Benedict. Both were excellent. The chorizo was not at all greasy, the salsa verde was good (could have used a little more kick, but that's personal preference), the cheese, the eggs, the hash browns, all excellent (hash browns could have been a little more browned, but again, personal preference). Partway through the meal, I orderred an orange and grapefuit juice blend. Very good with ZERO pulp. I hate pulp I frickin' hate it. I don't trust people who like it. And who in the hell are the derelicts who buy juice not just with pulp, but with EXTRA pulp?!?! Nutjobs, all of them. Anyways, the Benedict was excellent as well. Eggs done perfectly, sriracha hollandaise tasty, great breakfast. And, to top it all off, the portion size can be described as abundant. Re: the service, I obviously cannot speak to the problems others have experienced, but our server was attentive, got the order correct, and had our food out to us in a very reasonable amount of time, especially considering the place was packed. Again, I don't know why I feel like I shouldn't be able to give this place 5 stars, but in all fairness I can't find a reason not to. I will be back.
(5)Lauren B.
What a fabulous brunch spot. I love the variety and quality of not only the dishes but the speciality drinks as well. I had the black and bleu salad with bleu cheese dressing. I always order this at every restaurant if it is available. It was the best black and bleu I have had.. Not to mention the dressing ( all dressing is made in house). Trendy ambiance and friendly waitstaff. Bring your friends, business partners or even a first new romantic interest for a great brunch experience!
(4)John C.
Eat here. Soon. I've been to Kanela (both the Clark st. and Old Town location) countless times, and they are ON POINT every single time. Things to get: --Fresh squeezed juice. It's expensive, but worth it. Check out that funky looking machine, too. --Monkey Bread. I don't care if it's for monkeys; it's still delicious. --Fried Egg Sandwich. My personal favorite. The bagel is authentic, and the flavors are just wonderful. --Banana Split Crepes. Life-changing. My girlfriend makes all kinds of noises when she eats these. They are good noises. Give this place a shot. If you have to wait to be seated, do it. It'll be worth it, and they usually move through the wait times quickly.
(5)Colle J.
Don't even know what the food taste like. The photos look good but calling in to order was a disorganized nightmare. Horrible customer service. After being place on hold several times they would not take an order on the phone. The alternative - ordering on line takes as long as dining in and with all that time I could go to the grocery store and buy the food and cook it myself. No food taste that good. It's just not worth it. Bad customer service to make the customer work that hard to give you money support your business. No thanks, Philip the manager.
(1)Carrie L.
Came here to check out their breakfast on a random Thursday before the weekend masses. The waitstaff was really nice, the menu was interesting. I ended up getting the daily skillet - ham, peppers, swiss & pesto. I think I just made the wrong choice, the pesto made this exceptionally oily, paired w/ the swiss, I ended up w/ a heavy feeling. I'll be back to give this another try and hopefully a better review.
(3)Derrick B.
Not sure what the mediocre reviews are for, but this place has some pretty good brunch food. I always make it a point to take visiting guests here. The only downfall is their service is terribly slow and not the best.
(4)Sarah O.
This breakfast is amazing. We started with the Kanela roll, the most delicious and decadent cinnamon roll I've ever eaten. The coffee was perfect. My iced tea was home brewed. I got the BLT, better than average, with spicy mayo and real chunks of turkey. The real showstopper, though, was the dish my boyfriend ordered - chorizo and eggs. It was creamy, spicy, eggy and just heavenly. The only problem is that they're very full on the weekend - make sure you've got some time to spend. They will take down your phone number and text you when your table is ready, so that alleviated a lot of the normal waiting for a table issues. We got to go walk around while we waited. All around a great experience and breakfast. Go here!
(5)Jen K.
Based on the other Yelp reviews, I was expecting an average experience, but I was definitely mistaken. I went to brunch with 2 friends. I was the first one there, and usually restaurants make you wait to be seated until the whole party is there, but not here, which I loved. The mimosas and bloody's were delicious and reasonably priced, but we did go only a week after they stopped with the bottomless option, which was sad to hear, since that's how it was still advertised. Everything we ordered was delicious, especially the red velvet french toast, but it's rich, so I would suggest sharing it. It's a very cute breakfast place. All the staff had a great attitude and our waiter was so nice and very accommodating.
(5)Anna F.
This place is amazing! Great service and food and the parking is free! The strawberry orange juice is really good and the prices are great.
(5)Geniene M.
Lovely! Went here for a Friday morning breakfast meeting with a co-worker. Called ahead regarding some food restrictions and they were able to easily get me the information i needed and accommodate my eating needs. Chad was a phenomenal and charismatic server and made sure everything came just the way we ordered it!! Food was delicious, coffee was even better. Overall a nice experience :)
(5)Lynn N.
We randomly walked past this location heading back from the Chicago Half Marathon. Coming from Portland and eating not-so-fantastic food since our plane landed - this was a fantastic surprise! I had the cheddar broccoli soup and side of potatoes. Yum! My friend ordered the Kaneli French Toast and it was perfect. Thanks for a great morning!
(4)Mitchell Y.
I don't understand brunch. Why not just eat lunch? It's clearly the superior meal. Kanela singlehandedly makes me doubt that statement. The key thing about Kanela is that they just execute perfectly. The menu may look like every other brunch menu, but I guarantee you Kanela makes the dish better. Case in point? Breakfast potatoes. While breakfast potatoes can be good, I'm not sure anyone has ever thought they were revelatory. The first time I tried the breakfast potatoes at Kanela I put down my fork and literally had to wait a minute before I was ready to eat more since I could not handle how potatoes could be so good. You will have many experiences like that here. On the sweet side I recommend the Red Velvet French Toast or Banana Split Crepes. Somehow both dishes manage to be light and refreshing rather than heavy. If they have the French Toast Flight special (sample sizes of four different french toasts) drop everything and order it. For savory, if the place was burning down and I could only save two recipes, they would be the Lorraine Scramble and Pork Belly Benedict. The benedict is just this amazing combination of flavors and textures where no ingredient overpowers another. The scramble, which has bacon, gruyere, and carmelized onions comes together perfectly. Again, it's about the execution of common ingredients. The one (1) weakness of the menu is starters. The baked goods (Monkey Bread, Kanela Roll) are hit and miss. Sometimes they're soft and wonderful, others they are very dry. Other appetizers just don't rise to the level of the rest of the menu. They used to carry an amazing Bougatsa, but it seems to have disappeared. That one downside is completely overshadowed by the great location (with easy parking for a surbanite like me) and very nice staff. No matter how busy it seems, they always take time to chat and the food still comes quickly. Ultimately this is the Platonic ideal of breakfast. He wasn't seeing a circle on that cave wall; it was a Kanela pancake.
(5)Rick P.
Fantastic food! I honestly think you could order anything here and it will be better than expected. Coming from a non-Chicago resident though...
(5)Jessica N.
Sad to see Orange disappear, so Kanela's had big shoes to fill. + They accomodate our large group the week of + Unlimited mimosas with delicious juice - Boody Mary is oversized without oversized vodka serving. It ended up being too acidic and impossible to finish which is a shame + Service was great, and very accommodating of our unlimited mimosa requests :) Food was overall quite tasty. Duck Confit Hash came heavily recommended. Duck was tasty and eggs were perfectly cooked. I would come back to try more!
(4)Kaela C.
Get there early or there will be a long wait. Kanela is the best brunch I've had so far in Chicago. Amazing choice of pancakes, creative Benedict plates, dark chocolate bacon, and spicy Bloody Marys, this is a go to place. I have been there more than once and often when I crave breakfast (or brunch, who doesn't) I immediately think of Kanela. Every time it have gone I've had great service, even on one occasion when it was extremely busy, the server gave me a complimentary muffin because I was still waiting for my food. Kanela cares for the people they serve and what goes in their tummies. If you don't ever try their food, I'm judging you.
(5)Chelsea B.
I am so sad to be updating my previously 5 star review. I have been a loyal Kanela customer for years! But within the last year it's really taken a turn for the worst. It started when they delivered my food and as the waiter put the plate on the table, the food slid off and into my purse that was next to me on the bench. Still charged me for my food even though I ate two slices of the flat bread I ordered. But I said I'd continued to go back because I loved their food. Went back shortly after and the food was just ok and the service slow. Thought that was a fluke. Then a short time later, I met a friend there and the service was horrible. But we were both servers and totally understand that you get busy and they seemed very under staffed, so we let it go. The food was ok. Not amazing like it usually is. Again, thought it was a fluke. Then went back again last Saturday. It was pretty early still so it wasn't busy yet. We walked in and was told to sit wherever. There were three of us and there were several tables to choose from. We sat and waited and waited.... 15 minutes before we were offered menus. Then another 10 before he came back for a drink order. Other tables that sat after us had already gotten food before we were given our 3 waters and 2 coffees. We finally ordered and again.... Waited. It wasn't until I was able catch the waiter and ask for a refill and ask about the food that he came back. He went to check on our order and it came out a few minutes after. At this point we had been there over an hour. Once it came it was very underwhelming. My friend and I ordered the same thing, California Benedict, and hers showed up with no avocado. And all of our potatoes were way undercooked and hard. At this point we were just wanting to hurry and go since we didn't plan on a quick bite taking 1 1/2 hours. The waiter didn't come back until he brought us the check. Normally I am very forgiving with slow service. I've been there and know that things can get crazy. But that's the thing. It wasn't a busy day. There were multiple open tables. And multiple tables had come and gone and resat all before getting our food. It was honestly the worst service I've had at a restaurant in a long time. Unfortunately I think we are going to take Kanela off our list of go to brunch places. It's been my favorite in the area for years but there has been too many times lately that I have left unhappy with the food or service.
(1)Rachael K.
I've been here a few times and I don't understand why they don't have better reviews. The service is great, really friendly staff and very accommodating. Nice crowd and atmosphere, AND they play Queen. You can add flavors in their coffee, I got the pumpkin, duh. Yummy. I order the Lorraine scramble every time I come here because it's just the bomb. I add avocado and substitute a salad for the potatoes because it's so fresh. The salmon wrap is also delicious! The pickled onions give it a great flavor and who doesn't love cream cheese? There's a bit of a wait when you come, but it's definitely worth it.
(5)Jessica Y.
I came across Kanela when I was looking for a brunch spot over Memorial Day Weekend. One of the news stations had recommended it, and since I was running out of brunch places I haven't tried, this one seemed like a good one. Plus, there's free parking (except during Cubs home games). My friends and I started off with some drinks (I had the strawberry mimosa, Friend #1 had the pineapple mojito, and Friend #2 ordered the peanut butter and banana smoothie). Both of the alcoholic drinks were tasty (they squeeze their own juices), but the smoothie looked (and I guess, tasted) disgusting. The peanut butter looked a bit too watery, and wasn't mixing well with the watery banana. It got shoved to the side of the table. BUT the food was great. I ordered the duck confit hash with poached eggs, Friend #1 got the Lorraine scramble (included some scrumptious caramelized onions), and Friend #2 got a western omelet. I was happy with my dish, but though the duck could've been more flavorful. It was a unique hash, and the eggs were poached perfectly. I'm really glad we got to check this place out!
(3)Ryan P.
Visited Kanela at around 11AM this Sunday for brunch. We were seated immediately at a great table for a family and given a high chair right away. Our server introduced himself shortly thereafter, offered coffee and greeted our 7 month old with enthusiasm. I was interested in both the Chorizo and the Eggs Benedict (mainly for the pork belly). I told the server I was between those two, but would also prefer not to have the english muffin with the eggs benedict because I'm gluten free. He quickly offered to use the chorizo below the poached eggs instead. Yes, this is a perfect idea! My wife had the duck confit hash and liked it very much. My meal was phenomenal, spicy chorizo, perfectly poached eggs and excellent pork belly. Their potatoes are good as well. It was a great environment and even though the restaurant was full, there was adequate space between tables and even a spot to park our stroller. We will be returning to Kanela Breakfast Club!
(5)Drake G.
Like most Lincoln Parkers I've had Kanela come to my rescue for a hangover delivery once or twice during the winter, but had never been in there... Just a great brunch spot with nothing to complain about. Service was friendly and attentive and the food was all delicious. I had the Portobello Benedict and fruit, it was terrific. They also have a wide variety of fresh squeezed homemade juices and smoothies; definite must gets. I had the wheat grass+blueberry+ strawberry+ honey smoothie. I didn't think I'd love it cause of the wheatgrass, but it made my meal and my morning. If you're nearby, do yourself a favor, and just do Kanela for brunch. There's a million places in the area, but you can't go wrong with this one. Ciao.
(5)Jackie T.
My husband and I went there for the 1st time and we fell in love! Everything was great! The service, the location (with free parking @lakeview location) and the food! The red velvet french toast dish was delicious as well as the lorraine and duck dish! The potatoes that were served with the lorraine and duck were so perfectly cooked I literally could order a side of those and be full and happy! The portions were also perfect! Not too much but not too little! Will definitely go back!
(5)Carolyn L.
I'd been meaning to go to brunch here for years and finally got the chance a couple of months ago. It was worth the wait. Including the wait to even get in. But luckily my friend was running late so the timing was good! When we got inside, the service, despite the place being packed and busy, was great. I ordered the duck confit hash. I usually go for something sweet at brunch but I love hash and duck. And was in the mood for a little savory that morning. The serving size was perfect and it turned out to be delicious. My friend ordered one of the omelettes, which was also great. The staff let us stay at our seats as long as we wanted and we enjoyed some coffee while we caught up. I'd love to go back and try some of the french toast there! They all looked delicious.
(4)Devin S.
I live on the same street and this is an absolute go to! Food is great and the service is even better. if you get lucky you'll get Rob who is probably the best/coolest waiter in Chicago. Fantastic food and a wonderful atmosphere. My go to's are the Monkey Bread and the California Benedict. Quality all around!
(5)Marisol A.
Cute little brunch spot just down the road from my place. I went with the Lorraine scramble which was pretty good but the potatoes on the side were just awful. Way overcooked that it wasn't even edible. I was only able to pick out a few from the plate that I was able to eat without breaking my jaw. If it wasn't for that, then I'd have no complaints. The drinks were good, the staff was friendly. But come on, this is a breakfast place that serves potatoes on almost all of their dishes. Get your potatoes on point!!
(3)Mike G.
We stumbled into Kanela this afternoon and were pleasantly surprised. Its advertised as a breakfast place, but we had the Chicken Avacado Sandwich (yummers) and the Cobb Salad...... both were great. Can't wait to go back and try some of their breakfast selections.
(4)C B.
love love love love this place! The Bacon infused waffles are to die for! Will be going back soon!
(5)KB C.
One of the better breakfast joints in the area- what exactly makes for a perfect review anyway? It was a fab meal and I'll stop by again to further my evaluation. It's great- stop by and give them a try.
(4)Charlotte I.
Waiting 50 minutes for our food... and it was nothing special. Had to ask multiple times for table standards (more jam, ketchup, etc), and I was asked to have my plate taken away twice before I was finished. I know it's busy on a Sunday at noon, but then get the food out faster. Wouldn't go back, there are better places to go for brunch. If the food had been out of this world, maybe I would feel more neutral about it, but it was really nothing out of the ordinary.
(2)David H.
Kanela has a great menu, but just doesn't execute on the quality of the food. I've been here a few times and my scrambled eggs are always overcooked by at least 3 minutes! the staff is slow. don't let the attractive menu jade your decision in going here, its not worth it.
(2)Aaron C.
Greasy and sour is what sticks out in memory. Came for brunch with a friend around noon. Service was friendly and charming, and while we were both excited about the menu options, I was heavily disappointed when I tasted the food. For mains, we got the Duck Confit Hash and Pork Belly Benedict. As dessert, we wanted to try the loukoumades, but since they were out, we got the bougatsa. It didn't take too long for food to come out, but I'd rather it did because it came out lukewarm. I know duck is a fatty meat, I grew up eating it, but this just didn't have the amount of flavor I'm used to, and there was just too much grease. Sourness from the Worcestershire sauce was the most prominent taste. The slice of pork belly was simply sautéed, but tough to bite through, which made it awkward to eat with the rest of the benedict. I ended up taking it out and taking a bite each time I bit the rest. The flavors here were also lacking and it was another grease experience for me. If you've read other reviews, then I'll confirm that yes, the potatoes are overcooked hard little bits. The meal ended with the bougatsa. With soggy phyllo, we had trouble finishing it off. Did we come on a bad day? Looking at other photos, the potatoes look so much better than the ones we received. The coffee and espresso were fine, but that not what we came for. Check, please.
(2)Brian F.
The place was relatively empty when I arrived on a weekday morning and was excited to try the eggs benedict. The dish came with the English muffin covered in brussel sprout leaves and a small smear of hollandaise. The pork belly was an interesting twist over ham but made the dish more difficult to eat as you have to remove the layers of fat. Finally there were no dried cranberries to be found anywhere. I asked the waiter for some extra hollandaise and started digging in. It was good but not great. The brussel sprout leaves kind of overpowered the other tastes and in the end I had to push them off to the side. And the novelty of the of the pork belly wore off when I had to spend my time separating the fatty layers and pushing them to the side. It just doesn't seem to be a well thought out dish. I would come back to try some other dishes..
(3)Genna B.
love their california benedict and spicy bloodys!
(4)Gina S.
We went during the week around 10 am. Not only did we score VIP street parking without trying, there was no wait and it was very low-key. The hubby got the Western omelette. Only question, "how did they get it so perfect?" It was a flawless bundle of pepper, onion, ham and cheddar. Overall it was okay, nothing that made me want another sample bite off his plate. I had the bacon waffles, waffles topped with chocolate covered bacon and drizzled in caramel and more chocolate and dusted with powdered sugar. Despite all the sweetness, I was in love with only the first 4 bites...after that I was having trouble focusing on the task of eating it. Super rich and sugary...perhaps it's best shared?
(3)Timmy C.
Just had breakfast here today and it was amazing. I ordered the Spicy Feta Omelette with a side of fruit. My girlfriend had the California Benedict. We split each dish so we could try both. Absolutely delicious!! Our server was Rob and he provided excellent service. Was quick and attentive, it was a great experience. Also, I got their hot coco. Wow!!
(5)Yvonne B.
M has this opinion that the Boystown neighborhood of Chicago has a deficiency of good restaurants. A lot of them are just normal, nothing-to-write-home-about sort of deals. I knew to pay attention when M was excited about introducing me to Kanela - especially when she raved about their Bloody Mary's. We checked in with the hostess where she entered M's name and cell phone number into an iPad. She told us it would be a fifteen minute wait (around 11:15 Saturday morning) and that she would text us when our table was ready. We thought that was pretty cool because it gave us time to peruse nearby stores while we waited. There is no waiting room in Kanela. Later (after we'd been seated), we observed a couple post themselves awkwardly in the small space between the door and the hostess stand and crowding the nearby table. That was poor taste IMHO and I recommend that readers of this review busy themselves outside of the restaurant while waiting for their table. ANYWAY... our server was friendly and attentive despite being jostled about in a crowded restaurant. The pervasive feeling of the restaurant was jovial but not so loud that it infringed upon our easy table conversation. M was right about the Bloody Mary's. Mine was huge and delicious and laden with all kinds of garnishes. They did not stop at just a lime wedge. No. There was lime and lemon, a spear of olives, a stick of celery, and a pickled bean. I loved it because even sans garnishes the Kanela Bloody Mary was had fabulous flavor! M's morning libation consisted of two mimosas (because they were so delicious that she couldn't stop at one). We got a monkey bread appetizer that was good but did not meet M's standard. She claimed that the monkey bread that I make at home is superior but I thought that Kanela did a fine job of it. I don't remember what M got for her brunch entree. It involved eggs and she liked it but only ate half. She liked it better than what she got during her previous Kanela visit. I got the bacon waffle and a side of bacon. The bacon waffle was a disappointment. I could taste the bacon flavor in the waffle bread but only in the first couple of bites. The bacon flavor all but disappeared once I poured the bourbon syrup and spread the whipped cream over it all. There were also slices of chocolate covered bacon over the top. The whole concoction was far too sweet for my taste and the saccharine additions served to drown the natural bacon wonderful-ness. It was an absolute crime that the dish was not better balanced - especially considering that the shining star was supposed to be the bacon. C'est le vie. Kanela was good and we will probably choose that spot when in Boystown. I'm pretty sure that we'll get other dishes than the ones that we tried at Kanela on Saturday.
(4)Dina M.
I'm a repeat guest here, but this was by far the worst experience ever!!!! Our food was dry and old. Looked like it sat under a heat lamp for a while. Tasted horrible. When we mentioned all of this to our server she said she would mention it to the manager where they took off $7. Our bill was $57 so after came out to $50. Only good things were the Bloody Mary's. Very disappointed and I will never come back. To let a guest leave with a bad experience and not even try to remake anything or at least comp the food that we obviously only took a bite of is very bad business. Epic fail.
(1)Peter K.
This was my first experience at this restaurant. Service was amazing, my cappuccino was made just as I asked and breakfast for all three of us was fresh and delicious. We ordered skillet of the day which was filled with fresh veggies. I even ordered another breakfast to go for my mom!
(5)Kristen D.
Finally made it to Kanela after my roommate had raved about it for over a year. I ordered the french toast flight, which was complete with Red Velvet, Orange, Lemon Poppyseed (w blueberries), and Banana Walnut french toast pieces. The FTF was alright, but I think I expected a very different type of french toast for what I received. Our waitress warned me that they're a bit "cake-y" vs. regular french toast though, so I suppose I should have expected that. I loved the Banana Walnut and the orange and lemon poppyseed were just fine, but the red velvet was where I expected a bit more. Maybe I'm just a snob about french toast, or red velvet, but I wasn't thrilled with that one. Sad! Our waitress, though she took a bit of time waiting on us, was so sweet to accommodate our pitcher of mimosa request. For $35, you get a pitcher of mimosa to share for the table. Great deal, since that gets everyone about 4 - 5 glasses, depending on how quickly everyone else is drinking ;) My favorite was my friends hash brown potatoes that I kept stealing off her plate. SO GOOD!
(4)Donnita T.
Had the chicken avocado sandwich and salad. Food was delicious and service excellent, thanks, Rob!!!!
(4)Rachel W.
The food was great and our server was awesome but it was hard to have a nice relaxing breakfast with the music from the radio in the kitchen louder than the music in the dining room. Maybe turn it down just a bit.
(3)Nina G.
It was my first time in Chicago so I wanted something that would wow my tastebuds...I was looking for a breakfast spot that would accommodate a party of 6 on a Saturday morning, and this spot was able to seat us immediately. Their whole menu had lots of options and all of them looked tasty, and i loved that they constantly refill your coffee cup. My boyfriend ordered the eggs benedict, which was decent. I ordered the crunchy french toast but didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I was. The berries were sour and the french toast is rolled in corn flakes. I didn't think it would be that difficult to chew, but it was surprisingly a little hard for french toast. I should've tried the almond joy latte and monkey bread...
(3)Joel G.
Hit this for brunch on Saturday. Decent size crowd but as we were two we were seated fairly quickly. There was some delay in getting waited on but the waitress for very apologetic and set us up with a cinnamon bun with lemon custard and blueberries. Service after that was great and the treat was very tasty. Breakfast was great, had the duck confit hash which was very tasty and delivered very quickly. The atmosphere is nice, the food is solid, Julius Mienl coffee is solid. Overall a great little place close by to me which I will make a regular stop for breakfast. Several other items on the menu that look pretty darn good. Funny as I recall over 25 years ago this place was called Cafe Voltaire which was owned by a hippy couple. Open mic night, espresso shots were a quarter, espresso drinks were .75 before there was a Starbucks anyone heard of. Dumpy little place we frequented to get our under age caffeine buz on before going over to Medusa's. Now 25 years later I brunch at this place with a buddy on a Saturday afternoon. Ahhh your 40's..... Chicago certainly has changed but I feel the same (sans the salt and pepper) I shall return for breakfast.... and we will see what is in store for this location in 25 more years ;)
(4)Jeff J.
I can absolutely understand why people would wait an obscene amount of time to get some breakfast here. Normally, I really don't get why certain breakfast foods taste different-- it's all the same to me. But Kanela really does a great job of elevating the breakfast experience. Duck confit with some runny eggs? Yes please. Could there have been a little more duck? Sure... but, no biggie. I also added a side of pork belly. DELICIOUS! I mean, you can get way better samgyeopsal at Korean bbq, but for breakfast, this was pretty good. Inventive + great execution.
(4)Adrianne C.
Love Kanela! We take family every time they are in the city. Fresh, quality ingredients with an interesting chalk board menu that changes.
(5)S G.
Trendy spot with comfortable atmosphere. Service is prompt and staff is friendly. Went for breakfast today, but won't return. Food is clearly not prepared by a chef. People could probably make these dishes better at home. Breakfast potatoes were especially oily and overcooked. Steak was acceptable, but forgettable. I ordered the egg white omelette as well. While it was nice and big, it was just way too greasy and threw off the flavor of the vegetables in it. The side of oatmeal was dry and hard and tasted like it had been sitting under a heat lamp. Pancakes were flavorful, but so rubbery you needed to cut them with a knife. For the $50.00 we paid for breakfast for 2, I'd rather go to Ann Sather for much better prepared food at a fraction of the cost.
(2)Kristina V.
This is my favorite brunch place in the city. Every time I go, the customer service is excellent and the food is consistently delicious. The coffee is good and they now serve alcoholic beverages. My favorite dish is the spicy feta omelette, delicious!!
(5)Kyle D.
Went here for brunch on a chilly Sunday morning after a long night out and it was almost near perfect. The food is fantastic, I had the spicy feta om and my date had red velvet french toast. Both were delicious. The service was fast and friendly. The only downside was that it was really crowded and cramped and a little noisy but other than that it was great! Service: 9/10 Atmosphere: 8/10 Food: 8.5/10
(4)Calli A.
This review is mostly for the third party delivery service for Kanela's. I had ordered delivery for breakfast the other morning and I was very unhappy with my order. The box looked so shaken that my breakfast didn't even look edible. I was very disappointed. After contacting the restaurant, the owners were very helpful and their high level of customer service made me very happy. However, the delivery guy that delivered my food personally texted me a day later and complained that he was getting in trouble and he wanted to meet in person to talk... That was very disturbing. But Kanela's took care of me and that was all I wanted. I do hope they somehow find a new delivery company because people on bikes should not be delivering entree's unless your jimmy johns. I will continue dining with Kanela's in person, but never delivery again. Hope this helps when others want recommendations on delivery... GO IN PERSON! Its delicious and better service!
(3)Claudia D.
Service was OK. My spicy feta egg white omelette was four stars tasty. The husband found the duck confit hash too greasy for his taste with many large pieces of skin throughout his serving which he found most unappetizing. He won't order that again. Street parking was not difficult on a Monday at about noon. OK if you're in the neighborhood, but not worth a special trip.
(3)Chloe F.
The red velvet french toast was amazzzing. Everyone else wanted a bite of it! Can't wait to go again.
(5)Mahsa T.
I did as my fellow Yelpers told me to and ordered the duck confit hash, and while it was pretty tasty, it didn't knock my socks off--not that I was wearing any in the summertime. It's a good idea to order the French toast flight so you can get a little something sweet and sample a few different kinds, but still order a savory breakfast item. My favorite was the red velvet French toast, followed closely by the banana French toast. The Bloody Mary was amazing. Service was attentive when our server was around, however, he would disappear for long periods during which we were stuck flagging other people down for things we needed. Though there were some good things about Kanela, it's not enough to bring me back.
(3)Kelsey K.
Really wanted to like this place more, as it is very cute & cozy and I live nearby. Service was good, food was generally pretty tasty, but there were two things that really irked me: 1. We were there pretty early (8am), and it was very obvious that our hash browns were made with yesterday's potatoes. 2. My boyfriend ordered chocolate milk. The menu states "Horizon Organic Chocolate Milk", and yet I see our server pour generic white milk out of a gallon jug into a glass, add Hershey's chocolate syrup, stir it with a spoon and bring it to our table. Right on top of the bar in the middle of the restaurant! Not sure what he was thinking...am I crazy to be pissed off by this?? Quality control people!
(2)Beba G.
There are so many things wrong with this place! The service was cold and the menu just had nothing interesting on it. My egg choice was dry and the potatoes were probably cooked very early on the morning and were dry as well and over cooked! The server never came back to check on his table and as much as i tried flagging him down to ask for what i needed, he just never looked back my way.. Stop hiring cute kids for aesthetic reasons.. Get efficient staff and get it together in the kitchen! Kanela just doesn't cut it in a city like this where there is some bad ass competition!
(2)R A.
Kanela is hit or miss. I've had amazingly good food. I used to love their kanela chip pancakes. But when you remove the item that your restaurant is named for, it's not a smart thing. Now I'll order the blueberry pancakes, which can be amazingly fluffy and soft at one visit, and at the next very rubbery and hard to chew at the next. I'd say out of 4 visit, 2 times I couldn't eat the pancakes. I have no idea why they can be so delicious at one visit, and so bad at the next.
(3)Nick G.
One of the most mediocre brunch experiences I've had. Service was awful to put it politely. Food was under seasoned and in a group of 6 there was about a 15 minute window until we actually all had our food.... And then our 'appetizer' arrived. Once we ate and were denied to split our bill, luckily there was an auto-grat of 18%. I asked our server for some sriracha and was encouraged to try the sriracha hollandaise.... Which he then forgot. All around just not good.
(2)Michael U.
When going for brunch in Chicago N. Clark St. is generally a good call - M. Henry, Over Easy, Orange, Ann Sather, Big Jones...let's just say Lakeview and Andersonville aren't hurting for their eggs, pancakes, and bacon - but having already been to the big names and wanting an eclectic weekday breakfast experience this visit to Chicago would bring us to a relative newcomer - the Greek offerings of Kanela Breakfast Club. Greeted pleasantly by our server, Tara S. at the door we were asked where we'd like to sit and with a four top in the middle of the room selected we sat - two of us in sturdy wood chairs and one in the booth. With the restaurant largely modern (think exposed brick, wood, tile) yet restrained save for a couple of crystal chandeliers and a small coffee bar to the right we were next presented with menus, offered coffee, and left to make decisions while light pop music played overhead. With a strong cup from Julius Meinl with caramel notes and a satin finish brewed quickly (and refilled consistently without need for request throughout our meal) Tara would return to take our orders and to give us her opinions on what dishes she considers must haves. Inquiring as to whether two appetizers and three entrees would be too much she informed us that it would "probably be fine" as the chef focuses more on quality than quantity - but that this would be "quite a bit of food." With the restaurant largely empty it would be perhaps ten minutes before our first dishes would arrive - in this case a favorite of both my aunt and myself in the form of "monkey bread" that really wasn't much like pull-apart monkey bread at all, but rather a dense muffin loaded with smooth pureed banana, notes of cinnamon and walnuts, and a nearly soufflé-like top with a slightly gooey crumb. Served warm it was excellent, but at $4 perhaps a bit overpriced for a muffin. Moving next to the dish recommended strongly by our server, my mother's favorite item of the meal was the Bougatsa. At $4 and essentially the same size/weight as the monkey bread this flat pastry featured dainty crisp phyllo encompassing what was described as "lemon-honey custard" but what instead tasted almost like meyer lemon curd given its density and subdued sweetness. Complimented with fresh strawberries and a wisp of whipped cream it truly was tasty, though getting more than a bite proved somewhat daunting as mom seemed to be guarding it with fork and knife. With appetites primed and plates cleared as coffee was refilled once again it would be a short while before our main courses would arrive and with the ladies selecting sweets I opted instead to go savory for the second morning in a row by selecting the duck confit hash with sunny side eggs, charred scallions, and a sauce described as orange truffle vinaigrette. Served not really as "duck confit hash" but rather as duck confit + hash, the fowl itself was excellent and paired nicely with the acidic yet earthy sauce while the potatoes were buttery, loaded with herbs, and slightly smoky from the inclusion of the crispy scallions. Completing the plate with two nicely prepared eggs topped with just a drizzle of olive oil all the flavors married nicely while a side of 9-grain toast with butter and strawberry jam proved quite handy for sopping up the runny egg and vinaigrette. Having already established my mother's love for lemon her selection of the Kanela French Toast with apricot and sweet lemon crème fraiche came as no surprise and while I'm traditionally not a fan of citrus I personally thought this the best dish of the morning largely because the golden brioche with a pillowy custard center was so exquisitely done that it may rank amongst the best textured French Toasts of all time. While certainly never one to shy away from a breakfast too sweet, an additional surprise in the Kanela French Toast was the light accents of the accoutrements - the crème only mildly kissed with lemon and the apricot compote a smear on the plate. Surely the addition of pure maple syrup didn't hurt, but it also wasn't necessary to make this dish shine. For my aunt's selection she surprisingly selected what has seemingly become Kanela's most highly acclaimed dish - the Bacon Waffle with Chocolate Bacon, Bourbon Caramel, and Bacon Dust - and like the French Toast it was quite impressive albeit a little bit heavy handed. Beginning first with the bacon riddled waffle, it was a nice balance of sweet and savory with the bacon largely serving as exclamation points of flavor in the golden dough. Topped with grated bacon and two strips of slightly chewy pork dipped in chocolate and resting above drizzles of salty caramel and bitter chocolate I actually think the dish may have been better off without the bacon dust if only to mellow the salinity - but then again, the chocolate did a nice job of creating a balance so perhaps simply drizzling a bit of chocolate on the waffle itself would have helped.
(4)Zakia C.
This is a nice small diner of sorts. It's located close to shopping, the Brown line, wriggleyville to its north, & the fun of boystown to its east. All & all, it is in the midst of everything. Please NOTE: IT is NOT a BYOB. ( Yeah, We were Disappointed.) After trying this place out on a hungry brunch exploration, I was not too impressed. For that day's meal, we elected to go with the stuffed French Toast and " The Fried Egg" with a side of chicken sausage. Now let's not forget, I'd like to consider myself a French Toast Connoisseur (LOL). So, YES- the stuffed French Toast was good,but, it didn't give me the tingles nor did it make me want to dance in my seat. Without these two key components, I would not want to steer you in the wrong direction. However, the food as a whole was enjoyable. The Fried Egg while different it holds its own in terms of the menu, ask them to sub the Pulled Pork & it is most definitely a returnable dish. As for the Chicken Sausage, forgo it. Best attribute would be they offer FREE parking. So, if you are feeling adventurous, why not drive over and try it out. Rating: 2 NOMS. Serving size is not for sharing. Ambiance: cute, simple & nice for brunch. Service: The Server knows the MENU. (Should've gotten 3 stars for that, ).
(2)Andi J.
Great brunch spot that never disappoints in terms of food. Even their yogurt parfait is so simple but so delicious. The wait can be long on the weekends - but well worth it. The patio in the back is fantastic too!
(5)Sarah V.
I swear I'm not letting my internal struggle over my intense debate of pork belly askew my review. Do I like it...? Is it a little too fatty...? What's that smell...? Why is it so chewy...? Should I love it because everyone else does...? Woah, am I a follower...? Obviously I ordered the eggs benedict with pork belly. PB aside, the benedict was pretty great with brussel sprouts and dried cranberries. Daring, but works well. The entire menu sort of unfolds with each item more obscure than the next. I have only had the benedict a fork-full of a few of the sweets, which the future in-laws seemed to enjoy, but what I did try was pretty tasty. Unfortunately our zany and kind waiter couldn't quite get the "service" portion of his job criteria down just right, because we often went without water glasses refilled and coffee mugs going dry. And seeing as how it was a beautiful day out we decided to sit on their patio, which is nicely nestled next to the giant kitchen exhaust fan, complete with with constant wind tunnel reeking of pancake and pork, and sports horribly rickety, uncomfortable chairs, but the in-laws chose this over the cacophony of noise going on inside the restaurant. I'd love to try another brunch dish, but it will be when it's a bit more quiet, and when it's raining so I don't have to sit on junkyard chairs that permanently smell of egg.
(3)Magen R.
Two friends and I tried this place on a weekday and were seated immediately. We started out with the monkey bread as an appetizer. It was not like traditional monkey bread but it was good, it's worth noting that while it was good it definitely was not great. Not sure if I'd order it again. I ordered the chorizo for my meal and my friends ordered the spicy feta omelette and the duck confit hash. All of the food was good and everyone cleaned their plates. I will say again though that mine was good not great. Kanela was fine but I'm not sure if I would try it again. I think it's a little pricey and that you could get a better breakfast elsewhere for an equal or less price.
(3)Kim B.
My boyfriend and I came here for breakfast at 7:30am on a Sunday morning. Unfortunately, the staff picked this day to show up 30 minutes late. We had to wait in our car until someone unlocked the front door at 8:00am. Strike one. I hoped the service and food would make up for the morning but it didn't. Why? First off, the restaurant was dirty and they had JUST opened. There were crumbs on the seats (from the night before?) and our utensils weren't fully washed and had dried food stuck to them. Strike two. The service here was also very disappointing. There were only two other couples in the restaurant so we assumed we would get fast service. This was definitely not the case. It took way too long for the waiter to take our food order, for our food to arrive, and even for us to receive our check! All of the staff seemed slow and confused and when my boyfriend asked about the bad service we received, our waiter admitted that it was because everyone was late that morning. Strike three. Sadly, the food did not make up for the experience either. The red velvet french toast did not taste like red velvet and the duck confit hash was dry and overcooked. I'm not sure why everyone raves about these dishes. Do yourself a favor: avoid this place!
(2)Marianne H.
Got a certificate on restaurant.com . Came here with my husband. Not guilt-free food, but worth it. I had the red velvet French toast and it was basically like eating cake for breakfast. Don't know why I hadn't thought of that before! Thought it was delicious, but I only ate half of it, because I'm sure if I ate the whole thing I would end up like my husband who got the bacon chocolate waffles, ate them all, and felt defeated the next few hours. Kind of pricey, but there was almost no waiting for our food (I think we went on a weekday). Will definitely come back!
(5)Melissa S.
I have never had hollandaise sauce before yesterday! The salmon Benedict OMG delicious! This place is pricey and the service is kinda slow but the freshly squeezed juice/juice blends and Benedict options make up for it.
(4)J R.
Delicious brunch food! My friend and I have a regular brunch outings here -- we wouldn't consider going anywhere else! I've never had a bad meal; everything on the menu is fantastic. The service is great too -- we always request to be in Tony's section! He's awesome, and always remembers us and treats us like old friends.
(5)Leslie B.
Cozy spot with a great atmosphere! Came in around 10:30 on a Saturday morning and was thrilled to have no wait. This is definitely a family establishment so be prepared for children in high chairs, but what else is new for Lakeview/Wrigley/LP brunch spots? My boyfriend was lured by the pulled pork scramble special, but ended up being disappointed. I think he was anticipating more flavor in the pork, and it really wasn't there. He was also full of jealousy staring at my plate...the portion size of his was nowhere near the size of mine. I ordered the chorizo with eggs over easy on top. The dish also included avocado, chihuahua cheese, salsa, jalapeno, plus a few other items. It was so spicy (which I love) and full of flavor. There was just a lot going on in general. Didn't even come close to finishing this monster of a breakfast, but I would definitely recommend it. Love that Kanela has Julius Meinl coffee! Our waiter was incredibly friendly and couldn't have been more attentive. Contrary to previous reviews, I think he asked if he could "top us off" over four times during the meal. Glad I came by Kanela!
(4)Andre W.
Word to my good friends that invited me here for brunch last weekend. They heard good things about the place and were very interested in trying it. Its funny because this place has actually been there awhile and I had no knowledge of it... When we arrived @ 1PM we were welcomed to a full house and was told that it was a 30-35 minute wait. Not bad as I wasn't dying of starvation yet and actually our wait wound up being only 15-20 mins...sweet! We got a great seat for three by the wall which was cool and comfy. Our server was a really cool guy that never heard of a beermosa (which I was in dire need of). It wasn't on the menu and I didn't want them experimenting so I went with a bloody mary (or two) which was pretty good and mildly spicy. I was feeling eggy so I went with the spicy feta omelet which includes spicy whipped feta cheese (of course..lol), tomato, red onions and fresno pepper. It was really good and had great flavor as the feta was placed on top of the omelet. The omelet comes with toast as well. Service-wise our server was pretty good. They seemed to be backed up in the kitchen so it took awhile for our for to come out so we got semi full from the bloody marys. I wanted a beer at one point so I ordered an Amstel Light and that even took awhile to come out and once it came it was almost room temperature. I didn't even have the energy to make the server take it back, but I was a little annoyed. The place itself is pretty cool as I love places with exposed brick walls and chalkboard menus. Check it out as the menu looks pretty good...By the way, they open for dinner on some nights
(4)Sara J.
Being new to Chicago and a self proclaimed food snob, I've struggled to find a good brunch spot that really wows. Kanela's is AMAZING! The menu offers a perfect balance of sweet and savory items. They even have fun starters (monkey bread!!). I went with a group of friends-we all ordered different things and each one was mind blowing. The French toast is out of this world-and I usually don't like sweets. The chorizo eggs are to die for. And the lorraine scramble.....orgasmic. And the atmosphere is wonderful. Best of all they take reservations, be sure to call ahead and skip the wait.
(5)Nancy R.
Love it here!! Friendly environment and awesome food!!! I came to Chicago just to eat this again :) had the Chocolate covered Bacon Waffles and my hubby got the Western Omelette :) delish
(5)Liz K.
Thoroughly enjoyed Kanela - no wait on Saturday morning at 10, for 7, since we ate on the back patio with heaters (60 degrees on December 1st is more than fine with me!). Service was a little spotty, I think because we were the only table in the back and she wasn't walking by us on a regular basis. Everyone was SO excited that there was Julius Meinl coffee, which I've never had and didn't have then but I suppose must be a good thing! My friend also raved about the orange juice (for $4 I would hope it would be good!). Food wise, no one went hungry, that's for sure. I was torn between several items on the menu, which is always a good dilemma. Ended up with the open-face smoked salmon sandwich, which was a nice break from my usual Benedict selection, but not too far of a deviation. My only complaint is that not only did it not come with capers, they didn't even have any! Smoked salmon without capers is practically a sin. Luckily the sandwich was good enough on its own, and the breakfast potatoes filled any leftover gaps. All in all, left an impression that makes me want to visit again, and for about $15 per person, seemed incredibly reasonable.
(4)Leah C.
average at best... it's rare that i eat out for breakfast because i'm not a huge fan of the breakfast sweets and the breakfast savories (i.e. eggs), i'm comfortable making at home for a fraction of the price. now that we have a dining partner that awakes at 630 AM, we find ourselves frequenting the brunch circuit a bit more. that said, i'm always hopeful for a adventurous yet delicious dining experience as i would a date night dinner. unfortunately, kanela did not step up to the plate. i don't consider myself the best cook...heck, i don't consider myself a cook, period. with every bite of my breakfast at kanela, all i could mumble was "i can do better". i make some mean chilaquiles (minus the chorizo) and yummy monkey bread in comparison to kanela, i'm shocked to report. my husband's grilled cheese with egg and tomato soup were again something that i could whip up at home with the help of a can opener. perhaps we need to go back and try some of the items listed in the other reviews?
(2)Amy R.
Just. Fabulous. I went with a friend to check this place out a couple of weeks ago and we got right in. The tables are crammed together, but not so much so that you're annoyed. The decor is modern and standard. Our server was fantastic. Super attentive, offered up suggestions (not that we needed them, everything looked amazing) and paced our order very well. We split the red velvet French toast, then I ordered the smoked salmon Benedict and Aaron got the pork belly Benedict. The French toast is. To. Die. For. I don't quite understand why we'd put fresh strawberries on red velvet, but they were brush-offable. The French toast was insanely flavorful without feeling completely gluttonous. My smoked salmon Benedict (a special) was delicious - satisfying, tasty, and different. Aaron's pork belly was perfectly cooked and pure fatty decadence - just as it should be. We each got a massive Bloody Mary with cucumber vodka which was a refreshing twist on the classic without being too far out there. Brunch was a little more expensive than usual, but not prohibitively so. And we got cocktails, so to be expected. All in all, great stuff. We'll be back for more soon.
(4)John B.
Service is just embarrassing. Sat down to eat and after 15 minutes we were not acknowledged. Visibly miffed, we got up to leave and no one made an offer to stop us or inquire. Go up Halsted to the "tree" spot if you value great quick service in an unpretentious and bright environment.
(1)Kegan C.
Pretty damn good food there. Who would've known? We almost walked out because they were packed and there's really no place to wait without being in the way. Glad we waited. My kids and mom loved the chocolate bacon. My smoked salmon sandwich was so amazing. Prices are reasonable. Call ahead for reservations, especially on a Sunday! Four stars. Could have been five had it not been for the uncomfortable "waiting" area.
(4)Stephanie H.
This is a tough one to review. Met up with 2 friends at Kanela's for the 45 minute wait for brunch. The three of us were were well-versed Yelp-wise to know what to expect. As we were seated we went ahead and ordered a Kanela roll and monkey bread. The roll was good, the monkeybread is a flat out FAIL. It is not what you think it is at all, but instead a dry muffin concoction that you need a glass of water to get it down. I ordered the 2 eggs breakfast and it was fine, the others ordered the chorizo (she said it was really good) and the pork belly eggs benedict (pork belly was tough as expected from the reviews). Also, our food took awhile- shocker- but our server was really nice. The one benefit I see is that there were quite a few things of interest on the menu so I'm tempted to come back and try something else, but probably not on the weekend. They also now serve dinner, but if you can't get breakfast right....
(3)Ha V.
I was introduced to Kanela on my very first trip to Chicago. A few month later, a couple trips back and a final decision to move to Chicago, Kanela is now the 'Sunday Spot' among my group of brunch buds. Cute place - both indoor and out in the back. Everything is clean and quaint, and the staff are so friendly that we always look forward to seeing them again. They have a great sweet items menu, and I so appreciate their savory menu. Some small tips: - Everyone should definitely try their french toast flight, which is not on the menu but very much existent.The citrus-y sesame seed-y one is my faaaaavorite! - If you order the chocolate-bacon item, do ask them to serve the chocolate on the side as my order was far too sweet and just looked a hot mess. - Caesar Bloody Mary over the regular one. - Continue to ask them if they will ever offer unlimited mimosas - with enough pressure, they just might!
(4)Meredith B.
I was thwarted in my first attempt to go here by an hour wait. Hint - go on a Tuesday! They're open on weekdays so take a half day from work and skip the long lines! The place is a trendy, clean space that is not-too-big, thus the lines. All of the food sounds AMAZING on the menu, and also very rich so this is not a place for a light meal. This food is a splurge. I had the duck confit hash and it was excellent, though not nearly finishable for little me! Service was timely yet relaxed and friendly. I'd love to come back and try something else. Don't come hungover - come when you have the presence of mind to enjoy a complex, fresh breakfast made with love and great ingredients. The hash was a bit rich for me, but it was clearly a brilliant dish. Come hungry and have your breakfast horizons expanded.
(4)Stephanie L.
Yes, I have definitely had better. Came here on a Thursday afternoon, like 11ish. Our server was a girl that looked like she hated the world. Not to mention, she wasnt good or friendly. The coffee is Julius Meinl! Yay, I like there coffee. I would have liked more attentive coffee service, but that was kind of the theme of this girl. The menu sounded pretty good. Friend had a GC so we decided to try some 'apps.' We decided on the greek yogurt and the monkey bread. The greek yogurt was delicious! It was covered with granola, honey, strawberries and blueberries. I would have liked more fruit, but overall, very good. The monkey bread was a sad cry for monkey bread. When I have had monkey bread, its like ooey-gooey, buttery, cinnamony, etc. Not here, dry, powdered sugared, gross? I needed to take a drink of coffee to get it down. This was not monkey bread. I had a hard time deciding on breakfast or lunch. Ultimately, lunch won with the roasted veggie sandwich with mixed green salad. Well, the veggies were flavorless. I think the portabello was the same that they used for the portabello benedict?? I bet they just roast them all up together, however, they really need to put some seasoning on it or marinade. Other than that, there was like spinach and goat cheese (very small amount with little flavor). Oh and a tiny smear of relish, which I couldnt taste at all...but thats what the menu said. It was served up on sourdough toast that was WAY to hard. It cut my mouth it was so crunchy??? It felt like it had been up in the window for like 25 minutes. I couldve thrown it against the wall and it wouldnt have budged. Frisbee golf anyone? The 'mixed greens salad' was far from a salad. It was literally bagged mixed greens thrown on my plate with balsamic dressing on the side. Nothing else. A whole heap of mixed greens...hardly a salad and it wasnt even tossed? According to the menu, the mixed greens salad has a lot of stuff in it...none of which was present in my sad, little side salad. Its cheap and they have booze. $18 bottomless mimosas. We didnt do, however, if you are looking to booze, this would probably be the way to go. Most of the dishes were under $11. Maybe I should have ordered breakfast? Maybe I should have killed our server with more kindness? Maybe I should have just ordered the greek yogurt, but who goes to brunch to get yogurt? Maybe I should have complained about my food? Overall, whoever says this is the best brunch place...must not have been to many places OR maybe they know a secret about what to get on the menu more than I.
(2)Adam K.
The freddo coffee is delish with just the right hint of sweetness. I had the spicy feta omelette; it was cooked to perfection and served with a side of red potatoes. Pure savory goodness. I was also eyeing the French toast flight, but I'll have to try that next time. Can't wait. Also, it is a loud not necessarily crowded brunch place with a friendly staff but only after you seat yourself. I'm giving this place four stars for their food!
(4)Vanessa P.
My husband and I came here on a whim. We came in about 9:30am and it was getting pretty busy, so we were able to jump on a couple of seats at their little breakfast bar. The service was very good and the food did come out pretty quick. Our food was okay. I had the spicy feta omelet. To me, it was just decent and not so spicy. I liked the breakfast potatoes much more. The coffee was delicious. Our coffee was put into to-go cups because they seemed to have run out of ceramic cups. So that was odd. But the best thing about this place? They deliver! There were so many orders going to delivery drivers, that it's obviously a pretty popular choice. I don't know why more breakfast places don't deliver, but it's a genius idea and I plan on using it. Soon.
(4)S. E.
We'd had our eye on this place for a while, and finally went today. I guess the rating should be about 2.5 stars... Husband and I split the lemon bougatsa, which is a phyllo pastry filled with lemon/cheese filling and the whole thing is served warm with whipped cream. It was very good. So was my iced mocha drink. Service overall was pretty good, considering how busy they were. Everything else was underwhelming. I had the bagels and lox, described as such: "sliced smoked salmon + red onion + tomato slices + capers + chive cream cheese + NYC bagel." It is listed under the "savory" column on their menu, which promises that such items are "served with herb roasted red potatoes." The bagel was soft and squishy, despite having been toasted, and had very little cream cheese on it, so my meal ended up tasting a lot like salmon on Wonder Bread might. And it didn't come with a side of potatoes. When I asked the waiter about this, he said "no, this isn't served with a side." ...Interesting that their menu states otherwise. Husband had the pork belly Benedict, which DID come with a side of potatoes, and when I tasted them, I decided I was better off without them... they were over-herbed to the point of looking like someone had dumped a bag of lawn clippings on them, and they didn't taste much better. Husband said his Benedict was "OK." And to top it all off, I asked for an iced tea about the time our appetizer plates were collected, and never received it. I know they are very busy, and clearly, someone likes this place, but I don't feel the need to revisit Kanela. There are other places to go nearby that don't require a 30-minute wait and that serve better food for about the same cost.
(2)Deanna D.
Very cute place with great service, good food, and nice ambiance. We stopped in here for a breakfast and had: kanela roll- freaking amazing! spicy feta omelette- light and tasty. duck confit hash- filling and delicious Overall a very good experience! I will be back!
(4)SS H.
My friend and I stopped in spur of the moment for brunch. So delicious! It was a weekday so there was no wait and the service was prompt. The server did an excellent job of offering suggestions. The lamb burger was outstanding as well as the side salad. My friend had the duck confit hash which was also scrumptious, and he's picky with his duck! My friend has been back at least one more time since we first visited. He lives closer to the restaurant than I do, otherwise I would have beat him to it.
(5)Kyle H.
Kanela Breakfast Club is a Breakfast Club I don't mind being stuck in all day detention with! The food is amazing, and although all the cool kids are swarming to Kanela, the atmosphere is lively and comfy. On my first visit in January, I had the Kanela French Toast with apricot fruit syrup. It was paired heavenly with their drip coffee poured in little Julius Meinl teacups. (Get bigger coffee cups, I like a big pour!). My breakfast partner had the Duck Confit Hash with poached eggs, and it was amazing. You gotta try it! You had me at the letter "K", but I wanted to visit again before reviewing. And so I did this weekend- got there around 9am on a Sunday, and the Breakfast Club was empty. But by 9:30, it filled to the brim with families and couples, sated and bleary-eyed, ready to gorge on KBC's excellent offerings. I had heard the Bacon Waffle with chocolate-covered bacon was epic. The bacon was completely unidentifiable as meat, and looked like a melted Hershey's bar in the shape of bacon! I could see that bacon being offered as a stand alone in a candy store. It was served with a side of whip cream, and maple syrup. The syrup was completely unneccesary, as the Bacon Waffle is sweet enough on its own. And yes, the Bacon Waffle= Epic! I heart Kanela Breakfast Club. I'll be back soon. Don't you forget about me!
(5)Roxanne R.
Unfortunately I did not throw my fist in the air after leaving this Breakfast Club. I went with a friend and we both had the strawberry orange juice. It was a bit on the sweet side but it was still a yummy beverage. My friend had the Pork Belly eggs benedict. He said the pork was a little dry and that the brussel sprouts and cranberries added too much unnecessary flavor. He also asked for a side of avocado but it was a little brown and mushy :-\ I had the chorizo+ over easy eggs. I like chorizo and eggs separated so I liked my meal. Over easy egg over a bed of chorizo and avocado. Portion sizes are large so I was very fulfilled. I wasn't crazy about the potatoes though. Not the proper seasoning and most were soggy. Surprising b/c those are hard to mess up. The service was a bit inconsistent. It took a long while to get our meal, but when we did the waiter stopped by several times to check up on us. All in all it's good but I'm not likely to return any time soon.
(3)Charlene S.
Was here a few years ago when it took over orange. Not so memorable. Decided to give it another chance while walking past and realized that we may have to wait on a Sunday morning. No problem. Showed up w my daughter to request seats. After telling us our wait would be 20-25 minutes and taking our name the hostess said "our 2 high chairs are currently being used. " she said they would still be occupied after the 25 minute wait she quoted us. So I said "forget it". Wtf. For a place that says kid friendly... And they only a have 2 high chairs? BS.
(1)Christy L.
Arriving at noon for brunch on Sunday, our party of three waited about 45 minutes to be seated. The space is small, which I think explained the wait more than the quality of the food. We started by sharing the Kanela roll and monkey bread. The Kanela roll was a cinnamon roll; not as gooey as Cinnabon and not as tasty as Zed 451. Maybe it had less calories. The monkey bread was dry like a Starbucks muffin. For my meal, I had the eggs benedict over pork belly. It was delicious but could have been just as good without the pork belly, which was overcooked and dry. The Julius Meinl iced coffee was excellent, and even better the server who was on top of refilling it. Great service! So, all in all, for breakfast in this neighborhood, it's A-OK. Don't go out of your way to eat here. And if there's a wait, I'd give the nod to Deleece right up the street.
(3)Andrea R.
I can't say I"m too bummed that the original Orange closed because they seem to be popping up on more street corners than Starbucks these days. In it's place I am psyched to see the Kanela Breakfast Club. I'm assuming that you'll have to wait awhile to brunch here on the weekends, but if you're lucky enough to be a woman of leisure during the week you'll have plenty of tables to choose from. While I"m not a woman of leisure, I am fortunate enough to work from home...and enjoyed a delicious lunch here today with 2 of my colleagues. Everything on the menu looked pretty incredible, but I went w/ the chorizo: eggs over easy, avocado, chihuahua cheese, salsa verde, jalapeno, cilantro, creama. Uh-mazing! My mouth was on fire eating it, although maybe I'm not very tolerant of spice because my dining partner in crime Jelena Z didn't find hers to be very spicy. As many yelpers have pointed out they also serve Julius Meinl coffee, which has never really done it for me. Our waitress was a total sweetheart though and even brought over some complimentary Loukoumades when we were just hanging out after our meal. As Colleen C mentioned to me they weren't very weightwatchers friendly (our diet of choice these days), but they were well worth the extra points.
(4)Jelena Z.
KBC, yo! Like Andrea R, I had the chorizo dish, topped with over easy eggs, avocado, chihuahua cheese, salsa verde, jalapeno, cilantro and crema. Unlike Andrea R, I thought the dish was easy on the spice. Then again, I'm strangely unaffected by spice, heat, peppers, all of it. I'm hardcore! I ate every last bit of it, beyond the comfortably full point. Translation: It was terrific. But you know what wasn't so terrific? Noticing the lingering smell of cooking oil in my hair for hours afterward. Kanela, I'm re-naming you Canola. Let's get some ventilation up in here! I'll return for the most luscious chorizo I've had in some time, but certainly not with a fresh blow-out.
(4)Susan F.
I really don't have anything bad to say about this place. We came on their first Sunday opening, got a table, had to wait awhile for food, but it was worth it. There have been several brunch places in this space and none last too long. However, I think the signage of Kanela is enough to bring in some avid brunchers if they do their research. The ambiance is modern and romantic with ample seating, a bar area, and a massive chandelier. Their menu consists of Julius Meinl coffee--yea!! and a sweet and savory collection of omelettes, french toast, pancakes, lamb burger, crepes, etc. We started with coffee. Then, the servers brought out mini donut-type "appetizer" balls. I ordered the Lorraine Scramble with black toast(rye) accompanied with whipped butter and marmalade and the beau had the Spicy feta omelette. Both were awesome and served up with home-style potatoes. Everything on the menu looked amazing and even better in person :) The prices are pretty comparable to any competition, if not a little better. I will def. give Kanela another one of my Saturday or Sunday mornings some time soon. Fo sho.
(4)Nicole M.
Visiting my friend from out of town and this is her favorite breakfast spot. We enjoyed a few mimosas with their fresh-squeezed strawberry orange juice while waiting for our table. We were seated on their patio which was very nice! I had their breakfast skillet special - potatoes, onions, ham, veggies, cheese topped with two eggs. SO GOOD. The potatoes were really well seasoned and ratio of cheese to veggies and ham was excellent. Friend got the eggs benedict which looked amazing with the pork belly and brussels sprouts. Definitely original and the bite I stole was great. Our server was super enthusiastic and helpful. The place isn't huge so there can be a wait, but well worth it.
(5)Cat G.
Pretty negative experience overall. We just stood around the door for several minutes before anyone even approached us. We noticed that it was pretty hot in there... high 80s outside and it didn't feel much cooler indoors, like the air hadn't been turned on. We waited almost 15 minutes before water was brought and our drink orders were taken. AND the place was practically empty. There were literally two other tables with four people total in the whole place. Almost an hour went by before we got our food... not sure what took so long since the place was practically empty. The food was extraordinarily mediocre and way overpriced for what we got. The waiter seemed really uninterested in being there and wasn't very knowledgeable about anything on the menu. This was my second visit to this place... I went once when it first opened and had the same experience. I thought I'd give it another try to see if they had a better handle on things. Waste of money and I won't ever go back. There are too many other brunch spots in Chicago that are infinitely better.
(1)Alyssa R.
I visited Kanela Breakfast Club for a New Year's brunch, and was completely pleased. Although I had to walk there for quite a while in the freezing cold, it was absolutely worth it! My boyfriend had a burger, which he said was very good, and I had the red velvet french toast. All I can say about the french toast is that it was one of the best meals I have ever had! It melted in my mouth, and although I am normally a picky eater, I could not get enough. The food is what made the walk and the wait worth it. The service is friendly, but a little slow. Upon arriving our waiter immediately fixed our table when he saw how wobbly it was. After placing our orders, though, the food took quite a while to arrive. However, there was fortunately no wait to get a table. The crowd on the day we went was definitely very young; mostly 20's and 30's. There was one family with a young child there, and they seemed a little out of place. My recommendation is to visit the Kanela Breakfast Club. You won't regret it!
(5)Christine J.
I didn't know much about this place, but I saw the huge lines and Hungry Hound's smiling face on the wall, I figured it'd be pretty good. Man, Chicago loves its brunch. I'm just grateful that a place like this takes reservations. I had the eggs benedict, which they made their own with brussel sprouts. The food was elevated brunch and everyone's food looked pretty good. It's really nice that they serve Julius Meinl coffee too in Julius Meinl coffee cups. The restaurant is a little small and there's only one bathroom stall for women, but I would come back as long as I had a reservation.
(4)Sarah D.
Went there today for bunch. Checked in and told us it would be 20-30 minutes for a table for the three of us which we thought wasn't bad for a Saturday afternoon. After waiting 45 minutes we started getting antsy and asked the hostess how much longer. The host said 10 minutes and that we would have the next three top table that opened up. When we finally saw a three top table getting up we got so excited... just to be let down. They put a two people at the table that sat three people despite the fact that we could clearly see another table that only sat two getting up. Why would they make us wait longer when we had already been waiting the longest out of any of the parties there?? Also irritating to see another table of six people sitting with only two people there. Why are you seating incomplete parties of people when you are so busy and we have been waiting so long?? After an hour and 15 minutes of waiting and just about ready to go somewhere else we FINALLY got a table. The host did apologize and told us she was training someone so the wait time was a little off.... yeah it was 45 minutes off. At this point we were so hungry and grumpy... it was going to be hard to enjoy this experience. Checking in at 11:30am and not getting sat until 12:45pm on empty stomachs doesn't make a happy trio. My friend's coffee cup was dirty. The Rum Chata Latte was good. When we finally got our food it was kind of cold and very average if not below average food. I had the portabello benedict and side of vegetarian sausage. My friends had crepes and the skillet of the day. None of us were impressed with the food. Definitely not worth the hour and fifteen minute wait for the table plus another 20 minutes for the food to come out. The food was of course way over priced. Basically you pay to be in this hip, cool atmosphere with hipster looking staff and mediocre food. My friend complained at the end and they gave us a $15 off the next meal but really we have no intention of going back to this place. I would say do your palette and wallet a favor and go somewhere else. We probably would have been more happy going to Clarke's diner around the corner.
(1)Dee C.
Drinks Kanela kiss: absolute vodka, st. Germain, fresh squeezed,lemon juice, with sparking wine. I thought it was an ok drink,. Nothing spectacular or anything. kanela sangria: pretty good sangria. Food: sauteed spinach: garlic confit: When they say garlic, they MEAN garlic. Lots of garlic. It tasted great though! Flatbreads: tomato, basil, fresh mozzarella. This was so good we ordered a second one. Mac and cheese. My husband liked the mac and cheese. He said it tasted good. Overall...I would go back....but I think I want to try their breakfast next time.
(4)Andrew S.
I've been a regular for breakfast at Kanela, but decided it was time to try out their new dinner menu on a Thursday night. One of the food-related decisions I've made in a long time! Decided to go with the NY Strip steak because...why not?! I figured I'd test them with one of my favorite foods and they sure delivered! Perfectly cooked and plated. Service was also great. Not sure how picky some other people are but I don't expect to be treated like royalty when I visit a restaurant. Greet me, seat me, get my drinks, take my order, bring my food, check up, bring the bill. Done, done, done, done, done, done, done. All with a great attitude and knowledge of the restaurant and menu. I'll for sure be back again soon!
(4)Ken L.
Ordered a pick-up on a Saturday late afternoon and I guess they had a long day. My experience is really bad and nothing ruined a weekend faster than a bad brunch! I specifically ask for cutleries for my order, but very unfortunately it was not provided. Also, the to-go boxes are full of grease and bread-crumbs! It's a mess! I appreciate that they made my order of coffee only when I arrive so that it is warm, but they didn't even got my order right! There's no sugar in my coffee at all! And worst of all, the food burnt thru half of the styrofoam container, so basically half of our $25+ order couldn't be eaten! For the part that would be eaten (since we were extremely hungry) didn't wow us at all. The french toast was extremely sweet, and the ham and cheese crepe was extremely salty. I really expected better service and experience for such price. Not coming back!
(1)David K.
So, I unintentionally went on a brunch tour of Lakeview this weekend (Kanela, Deleece, and Ann Sather), and I have to say that Kanela is the winner. We went on a Monday so there was no wait to sit (one of my biggest complaints from the last time I went), and the food was just outstanding. I cannot get enough of their Pork Belly Benedict! Also, the coffee is so good! And you have to try the Monkey Bread! We usually order the loukoumades, but we went for the Monkey Bread this time--it was really great! Everyone was happy with this place--definitely a great spot. Love it! Also--word on the street is that they're doing dinner now--I'm super intrigued and will have to stop in to try it out.
(5)Sarah P.
I visited Kanela for a late brunch on a Sunday morning. Our wait was only about 15 minutes which seemed completely reasonable for weekend brunch in Chicago. However, when you add the 45 min - an hour wait that we had to endure to actually get our food, it was totally not worth it! We ordered pretty promptly after we sat down. We ordered three dishes plus the monkey bread to nibble on first. After about 45 minutes (without a visit from our waiter of course) he finally brought us a cinnamon roll to make up for the wait. As he said it down, he stopped himself as he remembered we had ordered monkey bread. He put down the cinnamon roll anyway saying, "Well this one is better anyway! Your food will be out soon!" The cinnamon roll was DRY. I have a bigger than normal issue with dry baked goods but even my friends agreed. The only reason we finished almost all of it was because we were SO hungry from the long wait. Our food finally came out, followed by our monkey bread, which was even worse than the cinnamon roll! It was more like a dried out cinnamon muffin. The food was decent at best and SO not worth the wait. Will definitely not be back!
(1)Abishek M.
Great food! Loved the Lorraine scramble and red velvet french toast. Good sized portions too. Service was awfully slow though. It took them over 30 minutes to bring us the food after taking the order. Also the outdoor seating arrangement is uncomfortable as the tables have no umbrellas and it was very hot and bright in the sun.
(3)John Blue H.
Wow. Showed up here at 2:30 today (4/9/12) to an empty restaurant with a woman wiping the counters down. "Sorry, our kitchen is closed," then saw the disappointment in our eyes as this was the only restaurant that was open late for brunch on a Monday, "but let me double check with the kitchen..." Uhhhh, yeah... Comes back, "Yeah, sorry the kitchen IS closed." Us: "what time do you guys close?" Her: "3:30, but there was a leak so we had to close the kitchen early. Sorry. " Really? But your doors are open, you're cranking music and your wiping down the counters excited to get out of here early. Yeah, okay. Apparently they don't need business and resort to lying in order to close the door early. Rude.
(1)Ran L.
Decent food, but I was not Wow-ed by it the two times I've been here (first time got the Chorizo, second time the Lorraine Scramble). Their bloody marys are good, though, and very serious!
(3)Hale L.
To be honest. We were expecting another breakfast joint at this location called "Orange." We remembered the long line last summer. Wifey is on a permanent health food kick, she heard the "Orange" had great vegetarian options and a beatnick atmosphere. She ordered the Eggs benedict with portobella mushrooms and I ordered the Chorizo breakfast. Both solid dishes. The mushroom was meaty and the sauce rich. The Chorizo dish was plentiful and spicy. We also had fresh squeezed juice for $4. A bit overpriced and the juice seemed watery. I didn't see a kid's menu. Good service. A brand new spankin' brunch place. We came in early afternoon, so missed the hustle and bustle. We gotta find that "Orange" place.
(4)Kayu T.
Besides the long wait for the food since it was a weekend, everything was great! I had the special Pesto Chicken Sandwich ($9), it came w potatoes and salad. It was perfect! The bread was amazingly fresh, the chicken was grilled to perfection and the mozzarella was to die for. My friend had Tomato Tortellini soup ($4) and she loved it. It was a bowl, not a tiny cup. My BF had the Chorizo breakfast ($11) - it tasted good but it was not nearly as "spicy" as mentioned from the waitress. Also, the only negative comment about this plate was that it was extremely small. I don't think a regular 6ft 2" dude would be full from it. I would skip the "freshly squeezed" apple juice ($3/$4???). I can tell it was not fresh nor was it squeezed because it looked and tasted too processed. Maybe they just meant the orange juice??? Overall, it was a great brunch with a fair price. Will go back again, much later in the afternoon that is.
(4)Sarah S.
My friend and I came her on a Sunday morning and we got seated right away. Good service. Food was good too. I got the Portabello Mushroom Eggs Benedict which came with a side of potatoes. Very good.
(4)Jon D.
Rarely will I leave a place feeling worse than when I had walked in, especially after a night out having a few too many drinks. As we walked out of Kanela Breakfast club, my stomach dropped, and I felt as though someone had grease bombed my gut. It may sound like 1st world white people problems, but a bad brunch ruined my day, and it's only 10:15am. The Good: They had some Greek specialties, which makes me personally happy. They were out of Frappe coffee though. The food was bought out quickly, although missed us the first time around. The decor is modern and warm. The Bad: Where to start? Mienl Coffee tastes like it was grown in a tobacco field and made about 2 hours prior. My duck confit hash was slimy and greasy, the sunny side up eggs on top were solid throughout. The side of peppered bacon was thin as paper and flaccid, sitting in a pool of grease. My girlfriends open-faced salmon sandwich was mostly tomato, and there was no question if she wanted a salad or potatoes which was a menu option. She also ordered a carrot-orange-honey juice which was forgotten, and when it arrived, warm and unimpressive. As I said before, the service was so-so, quick in the beginning and then slow throughout the rest, and without any charm or warmth. We hurried out after our bill was eventually collected, and bought a jamba juice, as it was the only thing we could think of that could reverse the grossness. We're currently lying on the bed feeling awful, and generally hating life.
(1)Mary B.
My husband and I joined our two friends at Kanela this morning and absolutely loved it. The service was excellent; the drinks were outstanding; and the food was delicious. We will definitely return.
(5)Jose R.
I love this place for brunch! The Monkey bread paired with the Greek Yogurt (honey + berries + granola) (these are two separate items) and a cup of Cappuccino (Meinl espresso + steamed milk + generous foam) is a great start to a delicious breakfast. I loved this place for dinner and am sadden they no longer offer it. It was equally as delicious as Breakfast/Brunch.
(5)Michael H.
The food was mediocre and the service was good. I had the pork belly eggs Benedict and my partner had the chocolate bacon waffles. I'm a huge fan of eggs Benedict and I love pork belly. On our visit, the pork belly was tough and Benedict sauce tasted a bit off. My partner was not impressed with the chocolate bacon waffles. The home fries were cripsy and tasty. The atmosphere is a cool mix of modern and antique and the service was friendly and attentive. I would return to try other items on the menu.
(3)Jonathan U.
Overall the breakfast was really good. My main complaints are the portion sizes per the cost. I had crepes and got 2 very small crepes that would be a good dessert and it was $9. A tiny juice was $4. It was all delicious, but very pricey for the size.
(4)Erick N.
I was a little reluctant to try Kanela Breakfast Club as the restaurant it replaced (Orange with a Peel) was one of my favorite brunch joints and some of the recent reviews were mixed. I finally gave Kanela a shot a couple of weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised by how good the experience was. Kanela was the total package; they did a great job making the interior of the restaurant more attractive, the menu is amazing - very creative with tons of exciting brunch items, the food quality was way up there, our waiter was energetic, friendly and even entertaining and they took good care of our large group. I encourage you to arrive early on weekends for brunch as we were seated instantly, but by the end of our meal they were becoming quite crowded. They also have the option of al fresco dining, which is always a plus. My wife and I are big coffee drinkers, so having good coffee at brunch is essential. Kanela did not disappoint here and they feature Julius Meinl coffee; very good. They also were very fast to refill our mugs as we emptied them. The Loukoumades is a great way to kick off the meal (a sweet fried dough type pastry). The Chorizo dish with eggs, salsa, avocado, cilantro and cheese is one of the best brunch items I have ever had. Definitely give this dish a try! I tried some of my wife's bacon waffle with chocolate covered bacon and that was a real treat as well (she had to fend me off with her fork from taking a second helping). There is definitely something for everybody on the menu. Pretty much our entire group consumed every morsel of food off the plate, it was that good. The price of the meal for the quality of the food is very reasonable and the portions are generous. Our first experience at Kanela was so good we went back again the next weekend and the repeat was just as good. My wife and I really enjoy weekend brunch and Kanela ranks right up there with our other favorite spots in the city and will become part of our regular rotation. We look forward to many more brunches at Kanela and encourage everybody in the Lakeview neighborhood to try out Kanela.
(5)Steven J.
Great chorizo breakfast and monkey bread. The Meinl coffee was amazing and all served by the hottest boyz!
(5)Vivian M.
I absolutely loved this place. My mom and I came here for brunch. She had the Spicy Feta Omelette and I had the Lorraine Scramble, with a side of the Greek Yogurt (honey, berries, etc.) to satisfy my sweet tooth as well. In addition, we also had mimosas and coffee to set the meal off just right. Mmmm - mmm! Both dishes were very delicious and came out within a reasonable time. The service was friendly and the decor and cleanliness of the place is very nice, and impressionable. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a lovely breakfast/brunch, you won't be disappointed.
(4)Mere W.
I'm a little surprised by some of the reviews on bad service. My friend and I swore here for breakfast on a Friday morning and our service was impeccable! Our server was really attentive (make, unlike some of the other reviews) and he even helped me customize my order. He let me do "light" bacon sin my Lorraine scramble (I know, I'm the only person in the world that doesn't love bacon.). Maybe it was because it was a Friday instead of a Saturday or Sunday? The food and the coffee were both very good and I would go again in a heartbeat - too bad I live hundreds if miles away. Hopefully they fix the weekend service issues so others can enjoy the food.
(5)Samantha L.
I am so depressed! The last time I came here, I was super pumped about getting the pork belly benedict, which was my favorite brunch in Chicago. However, this place got much more popular since my previous trip, and my friend and I had to wait about an hour and a half for a table, despite the fact there were a couple open tables for two and the server estimated it would take up to 45 minutes. The hostess was pretty terrible at her job, and reasoned they were trying to sit three people at one of those tables, but somehow didn't think to add one chair from one of the tables and waste one table temporarily, nor did she think to seat two tables for two until one was available for three. To make matters worse, my pork belly benedict was BAD. It was nothing like what I had the first 3 times I tried it. The pork belly was dry, and at first, I thought the eggs were bad, and asked the server if he could bring me new ones from the kitchen. Once he brought new ones, I concluded it was actually the hollandaise sauce that tasted funky. Both sets of eggs were not well-done poached eggs either. All in all, the meal was horribly disappointing, and I was so sad it suddenly sucked! I'm afraid to go back and try it again out of fear of another super long wait and terrible meal. Is this what popularity does to some places?! Sad face. : (
(2)Emy F.
My GF and I have been waiting to try this place for a while, but every time we were in the area was normally not during their hours. So we planned our trip there this morning and I think both of us agreed that it fell kinda flat. I get that it is a "Greek breakfast place", but I guess I wasn't expecting waffles and the pancakes to be so sour. I get it, it's probably made from Greek yogurt (yay for healthy), but it was so sour that the syrup, whipped cream, and coulis (Delicious) could not take away the sourness. Imagine eating really sour sourdough bread. The service was great, our waiter was nice and for a Friday morning it had a decent crowd. We were overcharged for one of our drinks the menu said $4, but it was $6 and the coffee was kind of weak overall. Overall, we wouldn't do any of the "sweets" from their menu again, it was far too sour. I would try the savory menu items in the future, but again I wasn't overly impressed and I'm sure there are better options.
(3)Alina O.
We went there very excited to try a new place. The hostess has lovely. Our server was very kind, but not attentive. We asked 3 times for a smoothy. After all the food was out, we asked if he cold check on the smoothie, and he came back and said they had not made it....did he forget to put he order in?? ..we had to ask o the syrup and ketchup from other servers because he was not around. In addition to the food being cold, and the poor service, the noise in the restaurant makes it tough to hear your own group of 4. They could use some fabric on the ceiling to minimize the sound.
(1)DC F.
This restaurant was suggested to me by three different people, so I decided to give it a try and I was very pleased by my experience. I went with my boyfriend and his sister for brunch. It was a Friday morning and they were not as busy as I was expecting them to be. We were seated immediately upon entering the building. The menu had so many choices that it took a while for all of us to decide on something. We each got a different type of fresh fruit juice- which was so good it they didn't last past the first bite of our meals. I am not a huge fan of "sweet" breakfasts so I decided to stick to something more savory- the spicy feta omelette with a side of roasted red potatoes. Mmmm. It was delicious. I love feta and goat cheese so it was delicious to have a dish with more than just a sprinkle of this delectable treat. My boyfriend got the chocolate covered bacon waffle. He loved it and I thought it was delicious- however, I would not have ordered it for myself and I don't even want to think about the amount of calories involved! The waffle is topped with a bourbon caramel, powdered sugar, and a side of syrup. The syrup is not necessary with how sweet this dish is already. My boyfriend's sister couldn't make up her mind so our server suggested a french toast flight. I must say I was jealous of her dish after they all came out. The flight consisted of four different types of french toast and a side of syrup- but again, I don't think syrup is necessary. The flight included an orange french toast, red velvet french toast, poppyseed french toast, and a banana french toast. It was all delicious and very moist! Overall, the experience was great and it is definitely a place that I would take any visitors coming to Chicago, a brunch with the girls, or a nice little date with the boyfriend. Enjoy!
(5)Jenna C.
This review is for the SERVICE ONLY.... Our server was pleasant and nice enough, but the poor woman was stuck serving the entire place (which in turn meant that a lot of the customers were neglected). This was not her fault, I know - but this is the second time I come here and this happens. If anyone in management is reading this - consistency and organization would go a long way! Aside from the slow and neglectful service, the food was still very delicious. I hope they get their act together so that I can keep coming back.
(2)Georgia K.
I took my mother here for brunch during the week ... no wait, woohoo! We were seated promptly and were given attentive service throughout our meal. Of course, we started with the oooey-gooey loukoumades (my mama didn't raise no fool), and they were top-notch. AND Julius Meinl coffee? Yes, please. My spicy feta omelet... decent, but nothing to write home about. The seasoned potatoes...yummy. My mom's lamb burger... total win- a bit spicy and dripping with savory tzatziki sauce. On my next visit, I'll be ordering that or perhaps a different breakfast option. Welcome to Lakeview, Kanela! You are definitely a welcome addition to the 'hood's brunch scene.
(4)Sadat A.
One of my new favorite weekend breakfast spots. I've tried coming here a couple of times in the past couple of months, but finding parking is a big headache. Fortunately, I was able to check out Kanela Breakfast Club last week. It was a fantastic time, with a super friendly staff and really tasty food. The smoothies were super on point! The Chorizo and Eggs were some of the best ever. Our server was quick and attentive. It was a great experince and cant wait to go back sometime soon.
(4)Kristin R.
Unfortunately, I was completely underwhelmed with Kanela Breakfast Club. We attempted a new brunch spot following our weekly run, and this is where we landed. The menu looked awesome, and it could have been that I just ordered wrong. They did have a nice selection of sweet and savory options. I typically err to the savory side, as too much sweetness too early in the morning doesn't agree with me. Here is a brief rundown of the experience: Service: super friendly and snappy. I walked to the bar to wait to be seated and I was immediately helped. Our server was also fantastic. Coffee: bomb, in a good way. They have julius meinl so you really can't lose with that. Food: eek! I ordered the spicy feta omelette and I did not like one bit. Way way way too runny of an omelette for my liking. I don't like runny eggs. Ever. Put a runny egg in front of me and I would just as soon starve. Consequently, I was immediately turned off. I only ate my rosemary potatoes, which were excellent, and my sourdough toast with butter. The butter here, by the way, is not your typical butter. They put something sweet in it. Not sure if it's honey...but it was pretty delish. Ambiance: it was hoppin' on a Saturday morning (around 10 am), so it was busy and busting, which was no big deal. What was a big deal was how loud it was. It's just a loud place overall, and then they also had the music blasting. The music was good...who doesn't love the Beatles? But, just way too loud. And, that's all I have to say. If/when I come back, I would probably just order the straight up 2 eggs, toast and potatoes, since I really got unlucky with this crazy omelette. Most yelpers seem to like this place, so I seem to be in the minority, but I felt compelled to share my opinion nonetheless.
(2)Kristin S.
I came here with a large group, like of 15. They were very accommodating, even taking a breakfast reservation (can't find many places that will do that!). Coffee was excellent and they kept our cups filled. Our server was really patient, they had our party in for a long time as we wait for our last person to arrive, which was about 40 minutes after we had sat down. I had the lorraine scramble, a lovely savory consisting of peppered bacon, gruyere cheese, charred scallions and caramelized onion. It was a nice combination of flavors and well seasoned. No need for salt or pepper here. It came with a side of toast and of some herbed cubed potatoes. The potatoes, which I did not have room for, were a little over the top with herbs for me. I did however bring them home to my husband, who devoured them and thought they were just lovely. I also had a side of their monkey bread. It was fun to see this on their menu. It had toasted walnuts. lots of brown sugar and butter. It was fun to pull apart and eat. One of my friends had the red velvet pancakes with a cream cheese frosting, strawberries and crème anglaise. I only had a bite, but it was devine. Was it really breakfast or just slices of cake? Either way, everyone who sampled it thought it was fabulous.
(4)Casey N.
My homegirl and I came for brunch on a Sunday around 1 PM and the wait was 20 minutes, not bad. The food was solid. Everything on the menu looked so awesome, we had a hard time making up our minds. We both started off with Bloody Marys, which were super tasty with a nice kick. Two thumbs up. Then we shared an order of the monkey bread, which was dense, buttery and delicious. For our entrees, I went with the duck confit hash, while she ordered the portobello benedict. Duck confit hash was stellar- generous helping of duck with an orange truffle vinaigrette, topped with two eggs sunny side up and served with toast and the world's yummiest little herb roasted potatoes. Both the duck and eggs were cooked to perfection. I couldn't get enough of the potatoes and I'm not usually a fan of potatoes that aren't fries or hash browns. Ambiance was also solid. Trendy-ish vibe, very loud due to all chatter from a packed house. Nice decor. Comfy booths. Service could have been better. Nothing was terribly slow, but I asked for ice for our lukewarm water and the waitress said no problem and then vanished. Also, she never checked in with us after our food arrived. But the major issue was the temperature. The place isn't very big and it was incredibly hot and stuffy in there. Not a good sign when it's more comfortable outside in the middle of the day in July than it is in your restaurant. Plus, the water was warm. If it's Sunday afternoon, I am most likely hungover and in need of some very cold water and very strong AC. Kanela failed me on both counts. However, given my love for brunch I would return to sample more of the menu. Also, they recently started offering dinner and the selections looked pretty tasty, so I'd be down for that as well.
(4)atrack b.
Random brunch with some friends. Spur-of-the-moment choice. I had the bacon/chocolate waffles, one of their fresh-squeezed juices, and the spicy feta omelette. While the omelette was whatever, I loved everything else. (The waffle had the perfect texture.) Will be back.
(4)Alex T.
We found this place while searching on the fly for some breakfast in the neighborhood- I saw the words "red velvet french toast" and was sold. Oh holy mother of god is it good. It's like red velvet cake mixed with angelfood mixed with bread pudding mixed with ecstasy. I was actually *sad* that I couldn't finish it all (it's a big serving, and rich) but at least my husband managed to put it away. He had some sort of duck hash and had similarly good things to say. The monkey bread was also fantastic. I'd like to come back and try the chocolate-bacon-bourboncaramel waffle, but I know in my heart I'll just get the french toast again. We were there on a weekday and pretty much the only ones there, so that's probably the time to go if you don't want a wait, haha. The service was fine, though like I said, we were the only ones there.
(5)Kate M.
Well, hello there, Kanela Breakfast Club. :::bats eyelashes::: Do you mind if I call you just "Kanela"? Oh, only your friends call you Kanela? Hhhmmm, hopefully I can find some way to make you my friend. Oh gosh, you're so sweet, and mmmm, savory too. What's that? Am I seeing a breakfast club? No, no I'm not, I'm currently not seeing any breakfast club but you. :::slowly licks lips::: I'm so flattered you'd ask, yes, I'd love to go steady with you. Does that mean I can enjoy your...mmmmm...delicious duck confit hash with perfectly poached eggs and raspberry sauce whenever I want? :::bites lower lip::: And I can slowly devour your Kanela french toast every morning? What's that? Oh yes, I always wake up in the mood for it. I'm clearly smitten with you, Kanela. I can't wait to see you again...
(5)Ryan U.
Worst service I have had at a restaurant in years...I have never written a Yelp review before, but felt so strongly about this that I felt it necessary. Came here on New Year's Day with my brother and his girlfriend and waited over an hour for food that never came. At no point did the waiter or anyone else let us know how long it might take, they just kept saying their chef didn't show up...if the chef didn't show up maybe they shouldn't have opened for the day. We finally decided to leave and asked for the check for the coffee/OJ we had ordered. At that point the manager came over and told us again that the they were having issues, offered no apology and seemed offended that we were going to leave...they charged us for the drinks, didn't take anything off the bill even though we had waited over an hour and were leaving the restaurant without eating. It gets better...we were so ticked off that we called the restaurant and asked to speak to the owner. A guy named Peter, who said he was the owner but we later found out was not, answered and told us if we were unhappy we should have asked them to take the drinks off the bill...at this point my friend suggested that they should have offered and mentioned that she had family in the restaurant industry and this service wasn't acceptable...to which Peter replied "I'm Greek, I invented the restaurant industry..."Admittingly, I don't know much about the origins of the restaurant industry, but I'm guessing it would have tanked centuries ago if this toolbox had anything to do with starting it. On a positve note, I ended up grabbing a bagel from the Chicago Bagel Authority afterwards...took about 5 min and was great...should have just gone there to begin with.
(1)Chip H.
Hands down the best brunch spot in the city!! The flight of French Toast is incredible! The menu offers a great selection of drinks and food. Never had a bad meal here. The service is great!!
(5)Adam B.
Overall it was a good brunch spot. Waited about 25-30 min for 4 people on a Sunday. There is a nice small outdoor seating area in the back. Chorizo and eggs were good, would have been better if the eggs were a little runny though. They said over easy but they were served over medium to over hard. Place had a nice variety of breakfast and lunch options. Our group shared the crepes and was a very nice way to end the brunch, it was very sweet - would be hard to eat for an entire meal but a great dish to share at the end.
(4)Claudia B.
It was an interesting experience I had today. My girlfriend and I had brunch here, it was my first time, my girlfriend came once before, she recommended the fresh squeezed juices...I didn't like them much, they don't taste fresh. I had the duck confit mixed greens, which I liked, the warm dressing/sauce it came with, i could've lived without, she had the feta omelet that she loves. The start of the brunch was weird and slow in particular. They didn't have the first wine I chose, the second choice came warm after 15 minutes of waiting, and when I looked at the wine specials, the girl decided to give me a deal on the wine because of the 2 fails. I appreciated the effort, I just wish she was more knowledgeable about what's in the house. Overall, the portions are pretty big, the ambiance is european, tables are nice size, but the service so-so, I won't rush going back...
(3)R J.
I must compliment Kanela's for emphasizing quality ingredients that are perfectly proportioned and balanced for the money. I like places like Nookies, Yolk, and Toast, but I always feel unpleasantly full when leaving them because they give you double Chicago-sized portions and no way to buy a normal sized entree. Here, I left smiling, not too full and not hungry -felt like I just had a great breakfast for $20, and can still function for the rest of the day. Saw this resto reviewed on Thrillist this morning. So glad I checked it out. Had the $11 Waffles with chocolate covered bacon, drizzled with caramel and bacon dust, plus an extra side of thick bacon. 5 star breakfast dish. Great decor, CTA location or easy parking right outside for now. Super-nice server said they just opened two days ago. This is a home run. Next visit must try the pork belly Benedict.
(5)Meg K.
Most breakfast places in Lakeview my mom thinks is too snobby/too over priced or too much of a scene. She LOVES Kanela and so do I. On non Cub home games there is free parking which is seriously clutch. The flavored french toast (especially red velvet) is melt in your mouth delicious. I also love the Lorraine scramble. Ideally, I go with my mom and we share the french toast flight and Lorraine scramble. They also have a bar which I have always wanted to get a mimosa...but I just can't rationalize paying 7/9 bucks for $2 bottle of champagne (I'm assuming it's cheap champagne). Anyway, sometimes it is uncomfortable seating. The table are really close to eachtoher and during cold days the front of the restaurant is freezing. The staff is very nice. I have been a lot and they always look at me like they've never seen me. I am no one famous, so I shouldn't expect to be treated with a friendly welcome, but it annoys me a little. What the heck. I wish they had a ten punch card or something, on your 10th visit get a free mimosa! Oh PS no reservations unless you have a big party then you can call ahead.
(4)Ted M.
Truly a fantastic blend of fine dining elegance with the laid back suave of breakfast on the patio in the summer. Perfect dishes to satisfy every taste-bud and beyond. From sweet too savory and vegan alike, every appetite will be fully taken care of. Wonderful wait staff and a great all around restaurant for every occasion.
(5)Amanda R.
My husband and I ate here about a month ago using a Gilt City deal, which I think is the best deal I have ever received for dinner. It included a bottle of wine and plenty of money ($60 maybe?) to spend on their already-reasonably-priced menu. The wine, although not amazing, was very good for the price (umm, free?), and the food and service were great. We shared the bacon mac 'n cheese, goat cheese and mushroom flatbread, beet salad, chicken with polenta and spinach, sweet potatoes with caramelized onions and fried egg, and the chocolate molten cake. I was pretty full about halfway into it, but we knew we had to power through to use all of our Gilt City voucher. Highlights were the mac 'n cheese (who doesn't love gooey, cheesy, mac with bacon, cooked in a tiny, steaming, cast-iron skillet?!), flatbread, and sweet potatoes. I really have to comment on the unique deliciousness of the sweet potatoes - I have now started eating a runny fried egg on pretty much every vegetable, starch, or meat I can find in my apartment. I actually feel pretty dumb that I have restricted my runny-egg-consumption to breakfast dishes before now. Anyways, with all of the crazy crowds at brunch, why are more people not going to dinner at Kanela? Try it, you won't be disappointed.
(4)Alex M.
So, I went back because it was good. Like, 5 stars good. I thought. Well, maybe it was because it was a busy morning, blah blah blah. I don't care. My "special" bacon french toast was disgusting. Totally off on the whole flavor goodness and our waiter was forgetful. he had to ask for our drink order 3 times before he got it right. i have sympathy for him but come on...get a pen and paper then. Welp. Don't see me going back. Bummer.
(3)Amanda Y.
This is a great breakfast spot for more than your average breakfast. We frequently take guests and our children here. The food has always been delicious.
(5)Sopla R.
Here we go again....chipped/gashes in dinnerware.. what the ?? What do you say is the big deal? It's just a chip? No. first of all it's NEVER OK in a restaurant to serve food on a chipped plate or in a broken glass (duh) and these were not teeny tiny easily unseen chips.. these were full out (flashing "TOSS ME" kind of chip and gashes!!) If a plate is sealed it can't harbor bacteria. So potentially, if you, or your child were to cut yourself on a plate that has bacteria on it then what?? IT"S A HEALTH ISSUE!! I know things happen, all the time, but you take care of it as swiftly as you can. You don't "IGNORE IT".. and lastly, it's just unattractive right? How is it that 2 large dinner sized plates with 2 major dime plus sized chips and cracks on each plate for a total of 4...could make it out of the kitchen and then be placed by a server in front of us without so much as ANY hesitation? Because, the people who run this restaurant do not teach their staff or practice basic best practices in their restaurant. The food: Duck Con-fit Hash conceptually, not exactly elevated as I think it wanted/could be. The portion hidden underneath the eggs was pretty lackluster you really wanted more of a hash texture yet all it was was bits of duck, very few veggies it was almost like they were running out of it? good thing you get a lot of potatoes and the eggs and toast) eggs were actually cooked perfectly. So kudos for that. We also had the Eggs Benedict as well. They looked really good but I didn't try them. My SO said they were good but nothing exceptional in the land of Eggs Benedict brunch foods that is. The Bloody Mary was nice and spicy and of course, crammed with the usual suspects. Back to the chippy dinnerware saga: which unfortunately, completely ERASED whatever pleasant experience we thought we were having.. Not only did it "erase" it also "planted seeds of doubts" ..because if their standards are so low to allow this what else is going on back there in the kitchen one could wonder? This was our first time here.. We were promptly by a chilly window table (which was fine.. just to note) our server was actually really good until..we got our food. He was friendly, and knowledgeable. So things were on a positive uptick already..then, I looked down at my plate... I noticed a large gash of a chip on my plate then I noticed yet another one on the opposite..then, my SO checked his plate and noticed one on his that was a bit smaller than mine and then after a spin yep.. you guess it.. the fourth one. TWO dinner plates with FOUR, count em' potential bacteria ridden-cutting chips!! (When I have time, I'll upload the proof) What I don't get is this: There are SO many opportunities for issues to arise in any given dining experience; good and bad, why on earth do you allow something you ACTUALLY have control over to happen?? Teach your expediter and your staff (all of them) the basics. Always look at the plate BEFORE it makes it out of the kitchen. Tell everyone to toss these chipped plates for Gods sake. It's called breakage and it's built into every restaurant's budget. If it does arise, teach your staff to how to handle these situations. Empower them to be able to react accordingly. Our service up until this point was actually quite good. He was attentive nice and upbeat and knowledgeable. When he swung by to check after dropping off the plates, I pulled him aside and politely, even jokingly said on another day, I would have asked you to remove them but we were thinking oh well we'll just roll with it. He assured me he would "tell" them about it. I think he was genuine enough. But he left it at that. He didn't nor did the manager ever stop by or offer ANYTHING like hey the bloody marys' on us.. I mean it might lower your check average but in the long run you would've saved me as a customer.... He really should have not even asked? He should have taken our plates immediately no questions asked and remade the food. He should have INSISTED. That would have been the proper way to handle this. Don't make me (the customer) have to feel like I'm making a big deal about nothing. Don't even let me eat off of these plates. Instead, he allowed me to be gracious so he didn't have to be. This happens far too often in the restaurant industry with this level of dining. Everyone is taught to do nothing with a smile and I blame myself for not telling him to remake them. Never again. No, won't be back and it's a shame because it's a cute enough place and the food was decent for the price. But I really don't want to give you my business if you don't care about health standards.
(1)Scott N.
What do you do when it's so loud in a place that you have to scream to talk to the person across from you? Yep, turn on music louder than the talking. Loved this place first time, but never again. 2 stars b/c if I reviewed after my first experience it would have gotten 3 stars, and after this experience, 1.
(2)Ang R.
I wanted to love Kanela. I hated Orange with a passion, so anything had to be an improvement, right? Well, sorta. For some reason, I felt like the food was overpriced and a little overrated. Maybe the balance was off. I don't know. I liked the meal while I was eating it, but afterwards I thought, "You know, that was kinda unmemorable and standard." And the diet pepsi was so subpar it was sad. That's the worst ever, when a restaurant can't handle its fountain. Sigh. I got the pork belly benedict. The hollandaise was good, but the eggs were a wee bit overcooked. I do like more yolk splashing out and moistening my dish. I can't say that I want to go back. It feels too expensive.
(3)Izzy N.
I think Kanela is okay, definitely not five star worthy. I've been a couple of times so I've had the red velvet french toast, the french toast flight, the portobello benedict and Oregon chai lattes. The red velvet is pretty good- not very toast like, very dessert like. The french toast flight was a lot and overkill on the sugar for me. I think this is better shared but some of the french toast weren't very good on the plate like the orange one and the lemon poppy seed one.. and I call it one cuz again it's not very toast like but more like cake like. Meh. The Portobello benedict is okay with a decent amount of veggies but it's kinda bland my friends. All I wanted to do was put ketchup on it or something to help it out. The hot sauce I asked for helped it out just a little. I don't think I'd get this again unless I smuggled in some sirarcha to flavor that thing up. The potatoes that come with it are okay. It's alright I guess if you're in the area but you're not missing out if you haven't tried it yet.
(3)Danielle D.
Phenomenal!!!! Just moved up to Lakeview with my boyfriend and we wanted to try out a new place for Brunch. I found Kanela on Yelp and decided to check it out. It did not miss the mark. So this is what we had.......... - Loukoumades - these are little puffs of donut/fritter heaven with drizzled honey and crushed nuts - served complimentary because we had to wait for a table a little longer than expected - freshly juiced orange, carrot, apple juice - freshly juiced carrot, apple, berry juice - 2 eggs with toast and bacon - sounds totally vanilla BUT the bacon was cooked to perfection, the potatoes were nice and crisp and the preserve that went with the toast was so good - my boyfriend had the Chorizo dish - now I dont normally like Mexican, but I found myself continuing to go back to his plate for more - The red velvet french toast was the icing on the cake -Im pretty sure that they make their own bread that is rolled out thin with a shmear of cream cheese and then rolled to make a bread loaf, sliced and then used as the french toast. They serve it with creme anglais and strawberries. Now I love red velvet so Im pretty picky, I have tried the red velvet pancakes at the Bongo Room, however, they dont even come close to comparing to how good this french toast was. So much so, that Im calling tomorrow to make a reservation for next weekend, as we have friends in town and Im eager to share this gem with them!!!!
(5)Ryan E.
My partner and I have been here a few times for brunch and a few times now for dinner. We've always loved the breakfasts but the dinner is amazing! They aren't too busy yet in the evenings but I think they take reservations. They also have outdoor seating. For dinner we've had the: scallops flatbread pork chicken mac and cheese (with bacon; it was so good it made me moan!) brussels sprout (again, with bacon!) cheese plate We've always had great service too. Fred is the nicest person on earth (he really is); always recognizes us and remembers our names. We missed Fred tonight but Ryan took great care of us so we'll definitely be back.
(5)Eric W.
Kanela hits a home run for brunch in an area in need of something new. The spot sits where Orange used to be and while the idea of an "upscale brunch" isn't new, Kanela does a great job. Get here soon because I can tell its going to be a crowd favorite in this neighborhood. The lady and I arrived at roughly 1030 and I'm pretty sure every table but ours was occupied. The decor is sort of a modern vintage vibe, which is pretty cool. I dig the black chandelier in the front. Before we even ordered our food, the waitress brought us a free breakfast appetizer. Some sort of fried dough w/ walnuts and honey. HELL YEA! Off to a good start. I checked out the menu beforehand and instantly I decided I needed to have the spicy feta omelet, and it was DAMN good... so was the bacon on the side. The lady had some sort of scramble which was also really good. Next time I want to get the lamb burger or pork belly benedict. If there was a negative, its that the service was really slow. I don't necessarily blame them because it was their first Sunday brunch service. Probably still working the kinks out. I will definitely be back. Takeaways: * Slow service due to opening weekend jitters * Great coffee * Surprisingly not too pricey considering the quality of ingredients used ~ $29 for brunch for 2 with coffees and a side of bacon
(4)Joseph H.
Woah. This place was awesome. Let me break it down... 1. Bloody Mary - Nothing like I've ever had. Not very strong tomato, but used cucumber vodka which worked really well. Just got their liquor license, so they asked for feedback. Bigger pickle please! 2. Chorizo & Eggs - Big time taste. Chorizo was different. Don't think chorizo on a burrito. More like corn beef hash texture. Potatoes were not great, but no bad either. Probably the only OK thing on the dish. 3. Toast - Raspberry jam looked homemade that is for sure. 4. Kanela Roll - This starter was completely unnecessary but it was still fantastic. I also sampled the pancakes which were HUGE. 3 giant pancakes. My girlfriend managed to eat one of them. My guess is that this place becomes a new staple of the new hood.
(5)Lim K.
Loved the food! Greek doughnuts, red velvet French toast, French toast flight, two eggs with bacon, except for chocolate covered bacon. The chocolate tested good but it was too much chocolate I could not taste the bacon. Service was good. We will definitely go back.
(4)John M.
Kanela is my favorite breakfast place in Chicago! It's close proximity has a little something to do with it, but I am a brunch fanatic and they are always a slam dunk. I've been here many times and haven't been let down yet. From ambience, to service, to of course the food, Kanela never fails. Make sure to get a sweet to start out the meal like the lemon bougatsa. I'm not much of a sweets person, but they are seriously amazing.
(5)Mindy W.
Oh, hi, Kanela...I love you. You should move to Columbus so we can be together forever. The long wait on a Sunday morning was totally worth it. I had the pork belly eggs Benedict. I was really hesitant to order as-is because of the cranberries and Brussels sprouts, but it was a risk I'm glad I took. Holy flavor combination! The Brussels sprouts had been cut down to just a few leaves, and they were tender and added a nice shot of flavor. The cranberries really did it for me, though. The tangy sweetness combined with the egg, pork belly and hollandaise was quite possibly one of the tastiest combinations I've ever had. Well done, Kanela! Service was lovely, fast and attentive. He was helpful with suggestions, and a lot friendlier than I would have expected from a place that's so en fuego. I recommend this place with all my heart, taste buds and tummy. I think everyone I was with really enjoyed it as well. Be prepared to wait for a while!
(5)Irina G.
Yummy in my tummy. My cousin and I were pleasantly hungover and had just made a stop at Binny's for some free Saturday wine, so we walked into Kanela to try a new brunch place in my 'hood, and boy are we glad we did. We had a 15 min wait, which we conveniently waited at the bar and ordered some Julius Meinl finely crafted coffee beverages and a freshly squeezed strawberry orange juice that really held me over until we got to sit. The ambiance was lovely, not too overdone, just right, with adele and aretha franklin crooning us in the background. Maybe ten minutes after waiting and drooling over the menu we sat down and ordered a bougatsa (a pastry filled with pure heaven and topped with cinnamon and creme fraiche and berries) - only $4 but so worth every penny and an amazing way to start the meal. My cousin got the spicy feta omellete which came with house whipped feta cheese - are you kidding? She literally licked her plate clean. I opted for the duck confit hash - perfectly prepared and presented and once i mixed those over easy eggs into the duck confit, pure heaven was found inside my mouth (thats what she said) lol. Even the multigrain toast that came with our food came with freshly churned butter and the most perfect raspberry preserves ever (aside from my sister who gets her own raspberries and makes it in house too). Seriously, so fresh, so flavorful, the contrasts of sweet and salty, crunch and soft, everything was done just right. Needless to say, I wanted to try everything else on this menu, including more of their freshly squeezed juices (you can see the giant orange juicer right on the bar counter), and the lorraine scramble, and more juilius meinl!! I'll be back several times, i think, to try the whole menu. P.S. Asked the waiter and found out that kanela is greek for cinnamon - hence all the greek desserts, the housemade feta, etc. Greek brunch is definitely awesome my friends. OPA!
(5)Central Lakeview Merchants A.
We have been to Kanela several times since they opened, and have enjoyed it every time. The menu items are amazing and we often try the daily special recommended from our servers. The owners are always around to offer a smile and handshake, making the experience that much better. Even though I was just there for lunch today, I'm already excited to go back.
(5)Nancy C.
Delicious! Always receive excellent service and food keeps me coming back again and again. Duck confit hash is one of my faves.
(4)Ay D.
Have been here a couple of times. 1st time was great. 2nd time was just ok. The good - ability to make reservations a day ahead of time, great drinks (mimosas, spiked coffees and teas, midday cocktails) The not so good - spotty service, not well stocked (ran out of several dishes) I had the smoked salmon with egg the first time I dined here, which was excellent. Forgot what else I tried to order, but they were out of that item. Washed that down with the hot toddy with Jameson - great antidote to a damp, chilly Sunday. I came in with two of my friends the second time I dined here, and we split the Greek salad, pork belly benedict, and French toast. I had a Julius Meinl coffee with kahlua, which was lovely. The Greek salad was missing olives and red onions, and we had to follow up with service for a couple of times to correct this - not what I'd expect from a restaurant with strong Greek influences. The pork belly benedict and French toast were good, but we didn't clean the plates as the dishes didn't stay warm for long. Still, I'd like to give this spot another try. I hear the omelets are killer, and their drinks made me happy both times.
(3)Carolynne M.
So. We are all familiar with the following food items, correct? pork belly english muffin eggs brussel sprouts dried cranberries hollandaise Now imagine them ALL TOGETHER in the most sinful, incredibly decadent breakfast, maybe ever in the whole world. This is the breakfast I had at Kanela. Add to this Mienl french press coffee, fresh squeezed orange/carrot/apple juice and an amazing server, I might have to declare this my most favourite breakfast place in Chicago. Yeah I said it. Maybe in the WORLD. OK, maybe that's pushing it, but seriously folks, this place is no joke. Did you see those ingredients up there? PORK BELLY BENEDICT. YES. GO NOW. (er, unless it's like 5pm or 2am, then you are going to have to wait. So worth it though!)
(5)Lidia L.
I first went to this place with high expectations for a great brunch. I was a little disappointed by the outcome. There were a couple highs and lows. What we had: Kanela rolls = cinnamon rolls These were awesome! They came out hot and cooked to perfection! I liked these a lot better than Ann Sather's cinnamon rolls. There was a perfect amont of frosting and it was a warm gooeyness of perfection! Red Velvet French Toast This is more of a straight up pastry than a breakfast dish. I had high hopes for this because everyone on yelp raved about it so much, but was a tad bit disappointed. It wasn't even french toast! It was literally a circular piece of red velvet cake laced with the cream cheese filling. This dish was alright but it wasn't to die for. Lorraine Scramble Simple scrambled eggs with pieces of bacon. They were pretty generous with their bacon pieces. All in all, nothing too great about this dish. Their potatoes were well seasoned and cooked to perfection. Macchiato Nothing too special. coffee with milk. I really wanted to try their eggs benedict with pork belly but they were out of pork belly on this fine morning. That was a disappointment. I would give this place another try.
(3)Talia G.
We got to Kanela thinking it was still "Orange", the breakfast place that was there before. After the initial surprise and disappointment, we decided to give this place a try after scanning over the menu. It was brunch time on mother's day.... so the place was packed. However, they did have a nice outdoor area in the back. The weather was nice enough to sit outside, and therefore we didn't have to wait for a table to open up. I had a hot chai latte and it was very good. Unfortunately, chai lattes are not bottomless so after finishing up my cup I ordered a regular coffee. Not bad either. I had the french toast stuffed with yogurt and berries. It was amazing. My companions ordered salty stuff (omelets and eggs Benedict) and they seemed to be very happy with their choice. They offer great natural fruit juices and smoothies, which I highly recommend. Even though it was mother's day and all waiters were a bit flustered, our waitress was very kind and gave us great recommendations on which dishes to order. 1 criticism.... no mimosas :( BUT, the waitress told us they're getting their liquor license next month. I would rate the food and the service 4 stars. What put it over the top: DOG FRIENDLY PATIO. It made my day.
(5)Jisha A.
Duck confet could use more duck, portabella was good, didn't allow for side substitution without charge, service a little slow. Decor's very trendy. They hv a parking lot, which seems great for the area. (not usable when games are going on though, I think)
(3)Courtney W.
They were packed but we were sat quickly. I ordered plain Intellegista coffee and my boyfriend ordered a smoothie which was amazing. I ordered the pork belly benedict and it was scrumptious. There was a little too much fat on the pork belly, but hey, it's what I ordered. My boyfriend ordered an amazing omelette that he couldn't get enough of. From what I saw, a lot of people were ordering the waffles and chocolate bacon and appeared to be quite satisfied. I will go back for sure to try new things. From what I saw, it was BYOB. People had brought various mixings for bloody marry's and they were being prepared behind the bar. I loved it!
(4)d b.
YUM YUM I adore the kanela chip pancakes!! The Julius Meinl coffee is always a success. The atmosphere is delightful and so is the service. My boyfriend loves the spicy potatoes not to mention the PB/banana smoothie. Comfort dining all the way with an imaginary twist. ...cozy restroom.
(5)Nathaniel W.
This place is perfect if you want to experience some upscale breakfast in the Lakeview area. They have some very nice items on the menu that will make you excited with anticipation. I suggest the Pork Belly eggs Benedict. Make sure you have some of their potatoes, too. They have some nice mix juices as well that are pretty tasty. Cons: It can be REALLY busy which can affect their service. Very nice atmosphere, though. I recommend going just to check it out, at least.
(5)Karyn V.
I was a little reluctant to go to Kanela (that means cinnamon in Greek) Breakfast Club since I had been a huge fan of Orange. I am glad that we went, and I even think I enjoyed the food more than Orange. The menu offers a wide range of brunch menu items that have their own unusual twist. We were told that Kenela makes its own juice blends every morning so I tried the orange + banana + strawberry + honey combination. It was both delicious and refreshing. I wish I could start every morning with a glass. For our meal, we ordered the loukomades to start (think doughnut holes dipped in honey). My friend who recommended Kanela ordered the chip pancakes (spiced multi-gran pancakes with creme anglaise and brown sugar butter), my boyfriend had the chorizo dish (eggs over easy, avocado, Chihuanhua cheese, salsa verde, jalapeno, cilantro, crema, toast), and I had the oatmeal with caramel drizzle and homemade turkey sausage. Everything was delicious and we practically licked out plates! If I still lived in Chicago, I could see this as becoming one my favorite places for breakfast. The food is reasonably priced and is very good. Warning: If you do not get to Kanela's before 10am on a Saturday, please be prepared to wait in line for at least 30-45 minutes.
(4)Gary M.
Sunday. Peak brunch time.. what to do..? We bit the bullet and decided to go to Kanela's despite the anticipated long wait times but, just hold on a minute... we were seated within a minute of arriving! Brilliant! However, that is where the experience climaxed. After taking our order, the waiter quickly brought our coffee but then, 45 minutes passed and I finally asked where our eggs Benedict was... he went to check up and finally returned to say that it would be another ten minutes. I.e. they were just starting to prepare it for us (although a larger table had arrived after us and started eating already). Now, with that amount of lead time, I can only imagine the care and precision the chef was taking in producing our fine breakfast. Unfortunately, I think it was more like carelessness as the poached eggs arrived in a hard boiled disguise. The waiter did bring us four more after we had to complain and continued to fill our coffee until I reached a jittery state of delirium but unfortunately, in my opinion, when I only get to try brunch twice a week , two mistakes is just one too many. We were probably the bad table that day but that is still enough to deter me from coming back.
(2)Lala S.
This spot is pretty legit. I had been wanting to try this place out but just hate dealing with parking in Lakeview. Fortunately, I found out they have a parking lot. Unfortunately, you can't park there when there's a game. Luckily, I found a good parking spot right away. The decor is here is super cute and kind of reminds me of a boutique hotel. It has a regency feel, which I totally dug. They have a smart seating arrangement that definitely maximizes seating in a small place. We started out with the Fritters. They were light and tasty and weren't too sweet or greasy. I tried the Lamb Burger which was surprisingly light and refreshing. The Chorizo and Eggs were good and filling. The coffee here is superb and the smoothies were also yummy. We'll definitely be coming back once in a while.
(4)Mei J.
I wish I could give Kanela a better rating, because the food was pretty good- unfortunately it just wasn't good enough. (especially considering all the other great options in the area) We came to Kanela and were seated right away. We were given menus by our hostess/waitress and then she disappeared for 30 min (we timed it!). The table next to us was waiting to order as well. 30 min later, as we were getting up to leave, we finally got to place our order- and then proceeded to wait for ANOTHER 35 min for our food to arrive! There were only 2 of us- and we ordered from the menu, no substitutions, changes or anything that could cause a delay. The table next to us was still waiting to order (they waited 45 min to PLACE their order). Now... I'm used to long waits to be seated, I'm perfectly accustomed to waiting for my food at a busy restaurant, but the day we went to Kanela it was not packed- it wasn't as busy as some of the other restaurants in the area. So I really can't understand why it would take so long. When we finally got our food it was good, it just was not spectacular. Our food was a bit too salty, but otherwise delicious. Once they work out the kinks- hire more staff and cooks- I assume this place will be much better, but I'm not rushing to go back anytime soon.
(2)Israel G.
The food it's ok, I had an omelet and it was extremely cover with cheese, potatoes over well done and hard as a rock, just 1 server in the whole restaurant with poor service, I can fine better food, better service and cheaper on the same neighborhood. The only good thing in this place the coffee and the monkey bread.
(2)A H.
I'm surprised that I haven't made it here before today because this place is relatively close to where I live and the food is good. I agree with some of the previous reviews, it is a bit warm/stuffy in there but I was right under a fan so I felt fine. Wait wasn't too long on a Sunday afternoon either (about 20 minutes.) As to the food, I had eggs, veggie sausage, and potatoes (and french pressed coffee - yum!) I thought the potatoes were nicely spiced and they made my eggs well. My friend liked her food too. I didn't try any of the sweet dishes (pancakes, french toast, etc) but I kept seeing people around me ordering those things. I might have to try something like that next time. Overall, I enjoyed this restaurant. It was decently priced and food was good. That being said, there wasn't anything terribly unique on the menu.
(4)Debbie F.
Went to Kanela on a Saturday morning. It was so crowded that a line began to form outside of the store. I read someone's review on 'chandeliers' and expected grandeur. Was disappointed, but not overly so. Kanela's design works for them - half brick walls, modern furniture, chalk blackboard. The staff were very friendly but service was sometimes delayed due to the number of customers. Food: Excellent hashbrowns and wholesome breakfast food. Portions: Large
(3)vivian c.
We came here for a surprise bday brunch for my friend. They were super accommodating for us and our baby. The food was amazing. We got some complimentary monkey bread. The staff were super nice and sang happy bday to my friend. The bloody marys and mimosas were great. The music was 80s and awesome. And they take reservations! Five stars all around!!! Duck confit and chorizo awesome. Parking not bad on a sat pm.
(5)Serg H.
Wow wow wow...... So this is my 3 attempt to eat at this brunch place and by the waiting time you might think that it's a very good place but I wouldn't know yet since the first 2 attempts, waiting time was over an hour and my party of 6 didn't want to wait. Well today I decided to give it another try and was excited cause I checked on yelp for hours and it said they closed at 3:30. I arrived at 2:30 and the place was empty with the exception of the employee cleaning up. She approached me and my partner and said that the kitchen was closed but that she was going to double check. I looked at my partner and said I thought they closed at 3:30. She comes back and says "yea kitchen is closed cause I think there was a leak in the kitchen". You think??? Or you guys just wanna get off early??? Why are the doors open to the public and you don't even know about an issue with the kitchen??? Also before I left I asked the girl for business hours and she confirmed that they closed at 3:30. Wow! If there was really an issue an hour before closing, why not write a note and posted by the door instead of been open to the public and not open for business??? This experience was just plain rude or just not handled properly.
(1)Sparty S.
The wait was only 15 minutes for 2 people on a Saturday morning. That is pretty bad ass. We ended up sitting at the bar instead of waiting. The staff was very pleasant. My friend and I had a good time bantering with the people working behind the counter. I got the Kanela roll. Oh. My. God. Probably the best cinnamon roll I've ever had. So soft and fluffy, the perfect amount of icing.... blows Ann Sather cinnamon buns away. Seriously, I had to make them take it away before I could eat the whole thing and sufficiently spoil my appetite for my omelet. We both got the spicy feta omelet. No complaints whatsoever. This place is definately a diamond in the Chicago brunch ruff. GET THE KANELA ROLL!!
(5)Anne H.
The food and dining experience are both blah. I was in a party of two and only had to wait 15 minutes for a table, but it took 45 minutes from the time we ordered for the food to come out. And that is not an exaggeration. The waiter did give us 20% off out bill, but the guys sitting at the table next to us got a discount off of their bill also so obviously this is a reoccurring problem. My chorizo and eggs were good, but the roasted potatoes had so much rosemary on them they were inedible. If you want a truly good BYOB brunch with fancy food, go up the road a few miles to M Henry.
(2)Joshua B.
Came here for brunch last Saturday and everything was fantastic. There was about a 10 minute wait, which wasn't terrible considering it was Saturday at 11. While my friends and I waited we grabbed a couple drinks at the bar (Try the bottomless mimosas, they are made with fresh OJ and bottomless anything is awesome!!!). We ended up ordering the Red Velvet French Toast (as amazing as it sounds!), a Spicy Feta Flatbread (it was a special, but one of the best savory dishes I could imagine), and the Portobello Benedict. Being a vegetarian, it can be difficult to find things to eat at restaurants, but the Portobello Benedict was a fantastic alternative to the regular Eggs Benedict (which also looked good). Will definitely be back here again!!!
(5)Sara K.
Came here for lunch in the middle of last week with a few girlfriends. Absolutely love the atmosphere, and the food was great! I had the chorizo dish, which was super tasty. Food can be great, and atmosphere can be great but if service lacks, it puts a bad taste in my mouth when deciding to give it a second chance. We came in and the place had 2 tables sitting and one waitress. For some reason she rushed us from begging to end. She greeted us rudely with "are you ready to order?". When the food came around she had forgot my girlfriends salad, which is fine it happens, but my girlfriend never got it after reminding her twice! So when we were brought the bill and were obviously charged for it, we called it to her attention and she just brought us a new check with zero apology. Great food, great atmosphere, but missing the third main ingredient.
(2)AndrewSumi G.
The food was good. I had the Eggs Benedict, an smoothie, and a side of chicken sausage. The pork belly and brussel sprouts was a unique touch and well done instead of the traditional Canadian bacon. As far as service, it took 1 hour to get seated, part of the wait was because the server sat another party who claimed to be our part at the table. While this is was clearly incited by the nefarious actions of a 3rd party, the server never change, she should have
(2)Lauren K.
WOW. What an incredible restaurant for brunch. The service is outstanding. All of the wait staff is incredibly friendly. I had an amazing Bloody Caesar, which converted me into actually liking Bloody Caesars. The red velvet french toast is to die for. Very rich but so delicious. All of the egg dishes are just what you want on a Sunday morning. I am so happy I found this restaurant!!
(4)Berlin G.
I came on a Sunday and the place was packed but luckily the outdoor seating was open. But the issue with the outdoor seating is the fact they don't have it fenced off properly and every time the wind blew (and this is Chicago, so it was constantly blowing every which-a-way) the dust was flying in my water. Especially since the yard next to the place was purely dirt. Anyway on to the important part......the FOOD. Okay, so for a drink I ordered the "fresh" juice with carrots, apples, and berries. (I put the quotation marks because I'm a little skeptical about it being freshly juiced. I'm just sayin) For my meal I ordered the Pork Belly Benedict. It was pretty good, needed some salt and pepper but in all I enjoyed it. I wouldn't order it again and I say that purely because I want to try the blueberry pancakes next time. And I guess I answered that important question "would I go again?".
(3)Carmen A.
The food there....Delicious! The service there....very very welcoming! The cleanliness...not so favorable. The cups were a little soiled and the table a little dusty. It also smells a little moldy as you walk in throught the seperating doors. BUT... because of their flavorful food... i can definetly see myself attending here again very soon!
(3)Jason C.
Great service, amazing coffee and food (love the omelettes). If your a peanut butter fan, you will come back just for the smoothie. I'm here twice a week.
(5)Rachael S.
Honestly, I want to LOVE Kanela. I really do. Everytime I go in there, everything on the menu looks sooo amazing and then I order and I am constantly just routinely disappointed. I have had a lot of things on the menu...the chorizo is good, the lorraine scramble with gruyere and bacon is wayyyy too smoky and salty, the spicy feta omelette is too soft and spicy, just basically everything is executed poorly. Perfect example, I went in a couple weeks ago and the special was an open faced hot turkey sandwich with stuffing, cranberry chutney and homemade stuffing. YUMMM right? NO. It was just so weird, the turkey wasn't white breast meat ans one would expect, it was shredded, smoked dark meat and just threw the flavor profile of the entire dish off. Weird. Things Kanela's does right, coffee and juice. Go to M. Henry. That is my advice.
(2)Elyse D.
This was my second time going to Kanela and my first experience was far better. Though the food was really great (as it was last time) it was sooo slow to come out. I had a reservation for 6 on a Sunday morning (prime time brunch hours, I know) and they seated us quickly. After we ordered, however, we didn't see our waiter for a while and waited a very long time for our food. One of the people I was with actually got a parking ticket because their hour and a half meter time expired while we were eating. I ordered the breakfast skillet (on special) and it was really good. Last time I was there I ordered the lorraine scramble which I also really liked. I'm giving Kanela 4 stars because the food is great and they have julius meinl coffee. However, if I based it off my experience overall today, I would be giving it less.
(4)Elisabeth W.
Delish dinner! Went to Kanela to try out the new dinner menu on Thursday night and so glad we did. My roommates and I had some appetizers (amazing tuna tar tar and hummus), the NY strip, chicken and scallops. Everything was cooked to perfection and beyond tasty (get the sweet potato side...out of control). Great drink menu and service too! So excited that my favorite brunch place offers dinner that's just as good. Can't wait to go back again!
(5)Patti G.
I had breakfast at Kanela today (what else, right?). Their menu is divided into sweet and savory. I got a sweet dish - the banana split crepe, and it was wonderful! We started with the Kanela fritters, which were really amazing. The best for me was the fruit smoothie. All the fruit on each dish, and in the smoothie looked and tasted like it was picked yesterday. I can't wait to eat there again when local produce is available!!
(5)Alysson L.
Eh. Boyfriend loved it-- I think because by catching the Saturday brunch rush, we got to enjoy a lively dining experience. He had the cheddar and ham crepes. I had the chorizo plate, and we shared a smoothie of some kind, bacon, and a kanela roll (read: a cinnamon roll). All were competent, but not spectacular. I agree with previous reviewers that being informed that all the water, including the ice cubes, is filtered did nothing except make me roll my eyes. I also really dislike the way a lot of the menu options like to prescribe for you how you should eat your eggs-- rather than the typical "main item + side item + eggs any style" formant, they tell you that in this case, your eggs should be over-easy, in this case, they should be scrambled, etc. Not ideal.
(3)A B.
I've been here twice. First time was an okay experience, there were four of us and we waited about 45 before getting seated. Everything was okay till we ordered, they completely messed up my friends order and forgot to put it in, we got our food and she kept waiting, she didn't get her eggs till after we were all done, way after. They were apologetic and didn't charge, but still, it was annoying. My second visit was a group of five of us and everything was awesome. Our server Dora was just great, very attentive and explained everything on the menu and on the specials board. If all the servers were like her than the place would be getting five stars!!! My favorite is the French toast and Chorizo dish, for appetizer we always order the phyllo with the lemon inside and the mini Greek donuts, soooooo good!!! I love the fact that it's a BYOB and has parking for free!
(4)Shannyn N.
I have been back to Kanela almost weekly since they opened the doors. MUCH better than Orange, and I liked Orange. Found parking for Kanela customers right next door, walked into a busy Sunday brunch crowd, but the hostess was very friendly and seated us right away. We had water and coffee on the table within a minute or so. The wait staff, even on the busiest of days, is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. I've tried many of the culinary diverse menu options and my favorites include: Pork Belly Benedict (with dried cranberries and roasted brussel sprouts, this dish is more delicious than I could have imagined) Smoked Salmon Sandwich (Lox topped with sunny side up eggs and pickled onions, this is amazing!) The Lamb Burger (it's a lamb burger....can't go wrong) and finally, if you like pancakes (which I really don't, but I'm obsessed with these..) Blueberry Pancakes, with fresh blueberries in a blueberry coulis sauce oozing all over the pancakes. STOP IT! In addition, my girlfriend, who is very particular and difficult, is always requesting substitutions and basically makes her order a complete pain for the server and kitchen, I'm sure, but they have always happily accommodated her requests and she is always thrilled about this. While I have been there on a couple occasions the owners walked up to our table and kindly asked us how everything was and if we needed anything, which I thought was very nice. Hands down one of my favorite brunch spots in Chicago and recommend anybody looking for something new to try it out!
(5)Sophia K.
Amazing brunch! Loved the French toast and duck confit hash and sitting out on the patio was great! Good music and excellent food-were definitely coming back
(5)Lisa S.
Food was good, our waiter Rob was great. He warned us that they were short staffed in the kitchen. The hostess was rude and overall almost ruined our brunch!
(4)Utsa S.
We went in for a late lunch. Ordered spicy black bean burger, kanela chip pancakes and veggie omelette. The burger was very tasty, rest of the food was okay. Presentation was great and the server was very attentive. I was quite excited that they serve Julius Meinl coffee but it didn't taste as good as it does in the Julius Meinl located at Southport and Addison.
(3)Heather R.
I had the privilege of going to Kanela on their 1st or 2nd day of being open for lunch with my coworkers, so I'm not sure my experience is irrelevant these days, as things may have changed. I walked in and immediately loved the decor, they played great music overhead, and everything on the menu sounded delicious. I ended up ordering the "Chocolate Covered Bacon Waffles" cause they just sounded too good to be true, or pass up for that matter...and let me tell you, they were!!!! I ate every last bite and drizzle of chocolate on my plate. It was definitely delicious, but it's really rich and not something I would consume again due to calorie content and being gluttonous! The service was impeccable and the head chef came out to the table to ask us how our meal was and see what we thought of the place, and we all raved It's very good, but I honestly feel it's a little too pricey for lunch. I truly believe they would get more business during the regular work week, if they brought their prices down a little bit. I know my coworkers and I (we work in the area) would go there more often, but the portions vs price is just a little too much for us. $12 for a burger at lunch is just a bit much for the neighborhood.
(3)B C.
Kanela serves up a good upscale spin on greek brunch. I got the Greek sausage and feta omelette and it was a tasty smorgasbord of mediterranean stuff. Throw some homefries in there too! There, appetite quenched. Their bloody maries are huge.
(3)Carrie D.
My friends and I like the food here and don't mind the wait because we are realistic, we live in Chicago. We've never had to wait more than 35 minutes and I've waited for buses longer than that! We've eaten here for a later breakfast/brunch, if you will on a Sunday before a Cubs game and early breakfasts on Saturday mornings. Their food is always good and they are very nice. Now that the patio is open it should be even better. You can also request to sit at the coffee/juice bar to eat and the servers try very hard to accommodate you. The food has always been good and having the juice bar is a plus. We'll keep going here.
(3)Wes W.
I really enjoy coming here. Originally disappointed that Orange closed their doors here, but very happy with the replacement. The food is good and the atmosphere is nice. Like every place in Chicago, it is pretty loud. But like I said, every place in Chicago is like that. The servers have always been nice. Sometimes they forget to tell you about the special, but for the most part are very nice. I have brought several different friends here and they have always liked it. I've had several different items on the menu. I like all of the egg dishes (because that is what I like for breakfast and brunch). I don't eat a lot of pancakes, or baked goods, but my friends love them. I shared a crepe they had on special one day and it was so good. The only thing my friends have said that they consistently didn't like were the potatoes/home fries. Sometimes too crispy or over spiced. I have always loved mine, but I love potatoes. All in all, this is my new favorite neighborhood breakfast place and my go to restaurant for breakfast when I have friends in town.
(4)Beth H.
Been here twice. First time, total win! Had the awesome red velvet french toast and were sure to come back. I think the first time we went we were in by around 10:00 a.m. or 10:30 on a Saturday or Sunday. This past Saturday was a total bust in regards to not only waiting for a table (which is to be expected for brunch on a Sunday), but after we were seated (after our 40 minute wait) we ordered our food and waited, and waited, and waited at least an hour before it arrived. The waiter was super apologetic, but didn't check in until about the 30-40 minute mark and offered us complimentary monkey bread. This wasn't a good sign letting us know that our food would still be quite a bit longer. The food did not disappoint. The strawberry orange juice is amazing. The red velvet french toast was delish. This dish, however, must be offset with something savory, so we also split the chorizo and egg dish which was also fantastic. Wish they could have gotten their act together on this. Waiting 40 minutes I can deal with, waiting another hour for food just makes people cranky. :) Their kitchen is super small and when I passed it early on in our visit, it seemed full of smoke, so I'm not sure if they were just "backed up" or if there was an incident.
(3)Jean F.
Burnt toast. I had to actually ask if the pancakes were pre-cooked and then reheated. Raw veggies and unmelted cheese in the Western Omelette. Yolk hard in the Portobello Eggs Benedict. With all the rave reviews let's just hope we were the only people to catch them on a bad day. Bummer. I was totally hoping for an awesome experience.
(1)Jeffrey A.
Best breakfast I've had in Chicago. Service was excellent. Food was great but the ambiance was the best. Place was packed with good looking people and everyone was having a great time. Perfect place to go for brunch and very reasonable price wise. I'm going to be a regular
(5)Jay W.
Good riddance "Orange"! Kanela has it all...nice atmosphere, friendly staff, and awesome food! All at a reasonable price. I would highly recommend the kanela chip pancakes and cinnamon rolls. The coffee and fresh juice were also delicious! Even at prime brunch time never had to wait longer than 10 minutes. Definitely come here if you want to liven up your typical brunch food!
(5)Bridget B.
So good, that I hate that I live next door. The menu takes a spin on breakfast favorites & ups the ante by adding a touch of gourmet. I cannot get enough of the bacon or stuffed French toast with apple chutney. I don't know what their hiring procedure is, but every server is wonderful & charismatic.
(5)Alfredo G.
What a pleasant surprise the visit to Kanela turned out to be. Found out about it through Yelp and decided to give the place a try. A group of 4 of us were seated after 5 minutes or so. We had the option of waiting at a cool juice bar and order a drink or browse the menu. We then got 4 plates and shared. The chorizo dish was amazing. Great balance of flavors, very hearty and filling. We also got the bacon chocolate waffles and the stuffed french toast. Both great dishes. But the best was the monkey bread - gooey and yummy. With prompt, friendly service and reasonable prices - I'm definitely returning.
(4)Maria D.
I am very selective with brunch, so Lula and Hot Chocolate are two of my favorites, this place certainly measures up! Excellent and unique pastry-starters, great choices of entrees... of course I would most recommend Pork Belly Egg Benedict! Amazing!!! The place is very cute inside and has friendly service:) Why only 4 stars? Well they are BYOB... but the staff isn't trained to handle your champagne... so they are a bit slow to set you up with glasses. Otherwise everything is always wonderful!
(4)Bryan C.
I didn't want to give this place a bad review because it's brand new, and a lot of things can happen after a few weeks. I'm pretty forgiving in my reviews. First the good: It was a busy Saturday morning when we arrived. We didn't wait too long for our table. The complimentary breakfast doughnuts they give you is a nice touch...they were good, but you have to eat them really fast or they turn hard quickly. The juices were really good, I had strawberry, banana, orange, honey. The place looked pretty nice. Now the bad....... We got there at 11:45am, and we didn't get our food until 1:15PM...I'm not joking or exagerrating. The owner came over and apologized, and took off a few items off of our bill. That was a nice gesture, and I realize that they are brand new, but at that point I really didn't care about anything free...waiting that long is just ridiculous. The service wasn't that great either. Our waiter kept joking about the wait....the first time we cracked a smile, but after there was no results and him still joking...it wasn't funny anymore, but rather annoying. He also didn't come to check on us for awhile, and he kept forgetting what we ordered. The food finally arrived. It was ok...nothing great in my opinion. Maybe the wait jaded my taste buds. As I mentioned above, I felt bad for the owners..it's a new place...maybe it will get better. Don't let my experience ruin your perception.
(3)Emily B.
Loved the neighborly, accommodating vibe. One friend had a ginormous salad which was reported as delicious and way more than she could eat, another the french toast flight (genius!) receiving many mmmms and ahhhs, and I had the spicy feta omelette which was a nice twist on a classic. Potatoes were not so memorable, but I would definitely go back!
(4)Kalee H.
The food was great and loved the atmosphere, but the service was a different story. We got to Kanela's at 10am and didn't leave until 12:45 because they messed up our order two times. Not once did they offer to reduce our bill. I had a friend visiting form out of town and she didn't even get to eat because her food was so late and had to catch a flight. I might try the Old Town location, but defiantly will not be visiting the Lakeview location any time soon.
(3)Keri M.
French Toast Flight - OMG - so good. This place is delish!
(5)Katherine S.
Poor service, inept waitstaff and generally lethargic and apathetic approach to providing the customer with their meal. Ordered a cobb salad, almost 2 hours later our meals are served and there is NO CHICKEN on the cobb salad. Waiter never mentioned that they were out of chicken. I let him know there was no chicken and his response was: "Well, at this point, do you even want it?" No apology or explanation! After I said yes, I'd like chicken because right now I basically only have lettuce, tomatoes and a few pieces of avocado, he promised to bring the "best chicken ever" since apparently all the chicken had gone bad the last night and now they were replacing all the chicken. However, he NEVER brought any chicken, nor provided any explanation or apology for never providing the chicken. I left hungry.
(1)April S.
Can't go wrong if you chose to go here for breakfast....there might be a wait on weekends but trust me it is worth it!!!
(5)Matt L.
Two words -- bacon waffle. This decadent treat jumped out at me the moment I looked at the menu. The good news -- it's exactly as tasty as it sounds. Unbelievably good, coming complete with chocolate covered bacon, bacon dust, and a bourbon caramel sauce that started a party in my mouth. Very filling though, leaving plenty of opportunities for leftovers. Service was very friendly - and the server was rewarded as such in the tip - if a touch slow. As far as cost, fairly standard for brunch places throughout Chicago -- my friend and I got out with a $25 tab total for the two of us. Definitely looking forward to my return visit for brunch.
(4)Michael N.
Great place for bunch! The Kanela roll as an appetizer is so delicious! It's their cinnamon roll and I'll add this, its warm, soft, and fresh every time! They also have a good selection of fresh squeeze juices and coffees. I had the Chorizo eggs over easy, avocado, chihuahua cheese, salsa verde, jalapeno, cilantro, crema, and toast. I'll get it again!
(4)Lauren K.
I have been here several times. I have been with one friend, a few friends and 17 friends! The service has been great. The food is wonderful. I have tried or had over half the menu now. Everything has been excellent. I'm actually very surprised that everyone I have been here with loves what they order...you would expect in a group of 17 for at least one person to be a little unhappy or just content but everyone loved it! Everyone I have been with has gone back again. I highly recommend this place! I do prefer the Lorraine Scramble for breakfast, the Lamb burger is great for lunch! I had the crepes last time, amazing, but rich, but amazing!
(5)Megan M.
Had brunch here when i was visiting from LA. WOW! the coffee, the bloody mary, and the omelet was amaazing! the service was excellent as well. Love their cute little cups! will def. come back when i visit again!
(5)Chrissy P.
I've been to Kanela twice now and have had great experiences both times. They serve Julius Meinl coffee which is a plus with me and their fresh juices are delicious. If you want something super gluttonous I say get the Bacon Waffle but even their omelets and scrambles (spicy feta, chorizo and Lorraine, to be specific) are great. I recently had an order of the monkey bread and that was a really great way to start our breakfast without being overly sweet. If you're in the neighborhood and want to eat breakfast at a place that is Southport Grocery style in terms of food and ambiance with Ann Sather prices, Kanela is your match.
(4)Jerry M.
Having been there before we were looking forward to breakfast this morning. Wow not a good experience unlike last time. The waitress as usual was great but the food has taken a sharp turn downward, at least with our order. We were there early before the crowds so the kitchen had all the time in the world ..and they took it. It took forever to get our food and it was stone cold and not very good. The nutella and banana crepes were cold, flavor ok. The 2 Western omelets were the smallest we have seen at any breakfast place, cold and not very good, mostly onions. when we told the waitress who was great about the issues she tried to get the manager, but they did not have time which is pathetic as it was not busy. I hope this is a onetime event but very disappointing.
(1)Sara Q.
Nice decor and AMAZING food. Everything from the freely flowing excellent Viennese coffee, deliciously fresh squeezed OJ and strawberry juice, decadently good monkey bread, PORK BELLY Benedict, and eye opening stuffed French toast with whipped ricotta and fresh apple cinnamon chutney was fantastic. Our waitress was also very nice and attentive. Our new favorite breakfast place anywhere.
(5)Karen K.
Another great breakfast spot. I met my mom here for a breakfast meeting last week. Free wi-fi, and plugs. Yay! Delicious coffee. Totally worked with my gluten-free routine. Gorgeous fruit in place of toast. My mom LOVED her breakfast. It was just great. No wait on a Friday am. Good service too. And a coffee to go for the ride home. Score! Enjoy!
(5)Lyn B.
This place beat my expectations! I went with a girlfriend for brunch, and we really enjoyed it. The atmosphere was nice- felt like we were at a French cafe. The food was solid, as was the service. I'd definitely go back.
(4)Brian C.
Tried this place on a Saturday...sat at the bar. A bit loud but nice atmosphere. They have great fresh juices and smoothies, good coffee too. Had the pork belly Benedict and Lorraine scramble--both were pretty good. The side of homemade chicken sausage lacked texture and needed "something". The menu is creative and the name is Greek, but the menu wasn't heavy on the Greek influence for breakfast foods (which is not necessarily a bad thing). Bar server was pleasant and prices were good.
(3)Christopher M.
I just came back from my first visit to this new brunch spot, and I'll have to agree with other reviewers who noted that Kanela tries too hard. The interior is quite fancy for a brunch place but it's very nicely-done so that's fine with me. The problem with Kanela is getting your money's worth. I was actually very satisfied with my waffle and bacon, but the truth is, even as I write this I'm already starting to feel hungry again. The waffle was crispy on the outside and fluffy inside and was served with fresh strawberries, strawberry butter and a dusting of powdered sugar. Very tasty! Since I am a huge fan of peppered bacon, and theirs is a high-quality one, I really enjoyed it. The coffee was delicious and satisfying. My wife on the other hand, is pissed. The Kanela French Toast is definitely not "frenched" enough-- and by that I mean it's bone-dry in the middle, and needs to be more thoroughly soaked in the batter. Additionally, it's tiny-- only 2 pieces which is kind of ridiculous for $9, even if it is topped with creme fraiche, apricot jam and an orange slice. I don't think any normal adult gets full eating 2 pieces of French Toast. Even my tiny wife with her asian-sized appetite was still hungry after finishing it (although I should add that she's also a self-proclaimed french toast connoisseur ^_^ ). I wonder if perhaps going with the savory dishes is the way to get one's money's worth. I saw what some of the other customers were eating and the savory dishes looked not only delicious but also filling. My wife and I didn't experience any of the service problems that other yelpers wrote about, but I did notice that a nearby table with four customers was being neglected. I saw them waving their arms in desperation twice and also saw them stand up and approach the bar a few times in order to get the attention of the dining room staff. At the end of the meal, one of the owners stopped by to ask for our opinion so I was honest with him about the French toast experience. He seemed to genuinely interested in my feedback and promised to keep improving the restaurant. He offered us a complementary starter which we declined so he reduced the cost of the French toast, which was a nice touch. I would totally be up for going back to Kanela, but since I would have to go without my wife it seems unlikely to happen.
(2)Amy L.
Solid brunch option. Good food, great service, BYO...I only have one complaint. They were playing some TERRIBLY bad country music when I was there. One song might not have been so bad but an entire album..ugh.
(4)Colin O.
The general vibe I get from this place is that it tries to hard. From the staff to the food, there was too much effort. It never bordered on the snobbish pretense of hipster d-baggery; however, it put too much effort into the experience- like an over-eager date (not in a loose way, mind you). So the date started well. My group of two other people and I rolled in on a Sunday around 9:00 am, and the restaurant wasn't too busy. In fact, we practically had our choice of table, and there wasn't any crowding to follow. The staff was very friendly, and the later-discovered "aim-to-please" attitude started to show after some joking with a waitress- we weren't even sitting yet. We took our seats, and our server came over after a few minutes' lag, which has its pros and cons: - Pro: It gave us time to settle in and glimpse what's in store - Con: It's a Sunday morning, and I want some coffee. Pronto. We get our coffee orders taken- the coffee was Julius Meinl, which was a nice touch. It's a little too dark for me, but I like the effort toward quality. The waiter then asks if it was our first time, and it was. He proceeds into long spiel about how "our smoothies and juices come freshly squeezed every morning and that they're very delicious and tasty and wondeful and all the rave... Water comes straight to your table after having been freshly filtered with love... Our eggs have been hand-picked from organic, free-range chickens, free of disease, hormones and other nasty stuff... Oh, and did we mention our juices are freshly squeezed?" This is all great stuff, and I'm happy to have quality food brought to my table, but there was just too much effort to tell me all this when I'm already sitting down in the restaurant! Just give me a minute... Let me ask you a questions about the food... Let me order some food... Oh, and why don't you please put all the cool organic, natural, freshly squeezed stuff in writing someplace on the menu rather than ramble on about it? So we ordered two appetizers: monkey bread (a special that day) and loukoumades. The monkey bread wasn't like typical monkey bread in that it was more a muffin with a monkey bread topping- very tasty. The loukoumades were also pretty good, but if I'm going for a flavor of that sort, I'd rather just upgrade to baklava. Sure it's healthy for you, but what's the point of going for flavors like that and falling short? For breakfast, one of us ordered apple-cinnamon pancakes (a special that our waiter commented would be "criminal if these don't make it to the full time menu"). (As an aside, they're in the process of sorting out the menu, as the restaurant is still relatively new.) The other one of us had a egg and chorizo dish, and I had an egg, cheese and onion scramble dish. Overall, no dish wowed us. The chorizo dish was the best, because, honestly, chorizo for me is like bacon: it makes just about everything better. I wouldn't start putting it on dough nuts, but as a person who prefers a savory breakfast, chorizo + eggs + potatoes = winning in my mouth. So this was good from the couple bites I had. The key was that the chorizo was well-cooked- i.e. not greasy. Some places don't understand this; however, they do here. The next dish ordered was the stack of "criminally" good apple cinnamon pancakes, which, in short, was too spicy. They weren't spicy like a pepper, but rather too much clove. The texture was good, and the apple butter on top of the pancakes was a great touch, but the flavors need to be dialed back. Finally, my cheese, egg and onion scramble was underwhelming and probably the worst of all the dishes ordered. There was too much cheese in the dish, and it kept the eggs way too moist. Simply put, there was too much stuff in the eggs. What's wrong with liking eggs with cheese and onion? Here I had cheese and onion loosely held together by eggs. Keeping in theme of the over-eager date that aims to please, Kanela tries too hard, from its food to its staff. Let's address the latter first. I'm in the restaurant and don't need the hard sell. Please be friendly and help answer some questions. I promise to tip you 20% so long as you accomplish these tasks. Now back to the food... If the ingredients are as good as they claim, then why not let them stand on them on their own? Instead of adding to the quality of the dish, the effort only put me off.
(2)Stephanie S.
Best breakfast I've had in Chicago. Red velvet french toast is a must. Service is excellent. We had a party of 10, made a reservation two days before, and sat the minute we got in. Totally want to go back.
(5)William T.
Honestly, this was the worst meal I have had in years. The service was abysmal, none of the food came out at the same time and the wait was excruciating. Waitress never followed up to fill drinks or coffee. I had such high hopes for the pork belly benedict and bacon waffles. The pork belly was way undercooked so it was almost transparent it was so fatty, the combination of seasonings and sauce was just wrong and very unappealing, potatoes underdone. The whole staff ran around like chickens with their heads cut off. It looks like the kitchen which is 3/4 of the way towards the back prevents any kind of efficient flow, so often 3 or 4 wait staff waiting for food. There are so many wonderful brunch places in Chicago, I don't see how this place can compete. I would have gotten a much better meal from one of the generic pancake houses.
(1)Dale H.
OK, Food was excellent, I had a bacon waffle, which was outstanding, and everyone who was with us enjoyed their food as well. However the service was very, very slow. I think they kinda forgot about us for a bit, people that ordered after us had ate, and I think even a few were leaving before we ate. Our server was very polite, and very apologetic, even brought a complimentary breakfast/desert as a way to say sorry. While we waited for our food, somewhere around 1/'2 hour or so, I was observing the staff, most of them appeared very frustrated. I hope this was just a bad day because it has such great potential.
(3)Pheebe L.
Loukomades- greek donuts are great. Their chorizo b-fast is my fave. Their juices are fresh. Breakfast menu that is well thought of and well made. They have parking. Have been back and brought friends to this place so many times. Now my friends are fans too.
(4)Alissa K.
Not too long of a wait for a Sunday morning. About 20 minutes, but NO room inside for waiting. Sat on the back patio at 11:30am. No umbrellas. A few of the table were in the shade, but the others relocated inside because it was too hot. The service was super slow. Took forever between every waitress interaction: menus, drinks, order, food, check, etc. However, the food was delicious! The lorraine scramble was excellent. Veggies were perfect size and well cooked so not too crispy crunchy. I also liked that it was a scramble, something different besides your usual omelette. The potatoes were also deliciously seasoned. We ordered the red-velvet french toast. It was literally pieces of red velvet cake with a cream cheese frosting swirl in the middle. It was surprisingly light, not overwhelmingly dense or rich like I expected. No need for syrup. We also ordered some lemon custard phyllo dough thing which was ok. It was warm, which I liked, and not sweet like I expected. Save room for the yummy meal though!
(4)Anjali B.
This is my new favorite brunch place! The food is excellent, and consistent, the servers are friendly and not too pushy, it's kid-friendly, and it's just a few blocks from my apartment. I highly recommend the spicy feta omelette and the red velvet french toast. The spicy feta is SPICY, so be forewarned. The few times I've had the specials, I've been happy - last time it was a pulled pork sandwich with a very tasty relish/slaw. I will be back, and back again, and back again.
(5)Whitni H.
HOORAY!!!!! I love this restaurant! We have been there two times and would frequent it much more often if it were closer as we live 100 miles away! It does NOT disappoint! Everything about it was amazing and delicious and contributed to a fantastic eating experience. Ahhhhh! :) It was crowded ( good sign to me and also the week-end ) but the wait was well worth it....not long though... I should add that as we went to the bar and had a coffee while we waited for the table and didn't finish it! ( I did see some alcoholic drinks that were tempting :D ) I loved the energy and eclectic feel to the bustling atmosphere. Lovely aromas filled the space of coffee and unique scrumptious delectables. The owners ( Chris C., and Peter and Chris L. ) were there on site and were welcoming and attentive as was our terrific waiter....he couldn't do enough to help us with the many enticing choices. The service was efficient and friendly to say the least. Now....the food! YUMMMMMY! It came to our table perfectly prepared and exactly what we would hope for....steaming hot and represented appropriately and according to the menu description....just what we expected! There was a ton of interesting menu selections... you can go from ordinary cuisine to the extraordinary, " you need to try me" dishes! and I enjoyed the diversity of possibilities. Take note of the neat juice drink combos. We were there for breakfast but hope to try the lunch menu as it clearly has flair and class. Sooooo I say....go for it! I know I will DEFINITELY be going back next time I get into the Chi town! YEAY! Can't wait!
(5)Ryan B.
I had the portobella Benedict and was very disappointed. The problem was maybe today's cook. Today is Thursday and maybe it's better in the weekends. My hollandaise sauce had too much lemon juice. My poached eggs were over-cooked. Simple issues that make or break a dish.
(2)Jason M.
Just discovered a great new breakfast joint. It seemed to have popped up out of nowhere. Ate there today and the food was great. The service was awesome. Everyone was so nice and freindly. My wife wants to know who was the designer who did the interior. Bacon waffles and Feta scramble. Who doesn't love bacon? It was perfect. Have to agree with other review about the music - perfect.
(5)Caroline G.
I brunched at this spot in its former life as Orange a year or so ago. First of all, I was blown away by how much the look of the interior has improved (Orange was a dump). It has such a sleek, clean and welcoming look, most notably with huge leather banquettes. But more importantly, THE FOOD was just delish! I started with a creamy Julius Meinl soy latte, which was made perfectly, and I love that a brunch place offers lattes, in addition to plain old coffee. I was in the market for something sweet, so opted for the blueberry pancakes. Fluffy and piled high, with a yummy blueberry compote/syrup with a little dollop of whipped cream on the side. Just perfect. My girlfriends went savory, ordering the Pork Belly Benedict and Chorizo and Eggs, both served with crispy potatoes and toast, both tasty delights. Top it all off with friendly service and hottie owners, I will definitely be back next weekend!
(5)E B.
If I could, I would give Kanela NO stars. I have been to Kanela in the past and although their service had been slow, I thought I'd give it another chance because the food was so good in the past. As of today, I can't say the same since I never received my meal. In fact, no one at my table received their breakfast, an hour after our order had been placed. The worst service in Chicago. We waited 20 minutes to be seated. Once seated we ordered coffee/OJ and some monkey bread for the table. Had we known we were going to have to wait over an hour to see any additional food, we would have left then. After placing our order and waiting over 30 minutes for our food (table of 3), we asked how much longer the wait would be and we were never given an answer. Instead, we were told that their entire kitchen staff never made it in to work that day and that they had a mod podge of cooks from local bars making the food. This does not leave a customer confident that what they think they ordered is what they are going to receive. After another 25 minutes (now 55 minutes after our order was placed) we asked again about our food and still, nothing. We finally just asked for our bill. As a paying customer, I don't care what's going on behind the scenes, especially when no one has apologized for the wait or given us an idea of how much longer we would need to wait. After asking for the bill a manager came over and when we told her why we wanted to bill she gave us an attitude. Her attitude surprised me but what surprised me more was the fact that they didn't comp the bill or even just the drinks since we were still waiting for it, over an hour after we ordered. We all ordered egg dishes, eggs don't take that long! This was definitely the worst experience ever. When I mentioned to the manager that they should comp something they had an attitude and said that "we at the food and need to pay for it." Of course we would eat the food, because we were expecting to get the rest of our meal shortly after that. Instead of taking care of their current, seated customers, they kept seating more tables without being able to handle it. If they didn't have the man power in the kitchen, then they shouldn't have been open on a busy Sunday. Also, as for the service. our empty plate that our monkey bread came on, as well as the empty juice classes we had, sat on the table the entire time. No one ever came by to remove the dirty dishes from our table. I would highly recommend that no one eats at this establishment. They have terrible service and bad attitudes.
(1)GM D.
Hands down the best brunch place in the city. Everyone must try it. Amazing food, great environment and atmosphere! It is evident that lots of time and thought were put behind the menu, decor, and atmosphere. Job well done!
(5)Julie B.
Okay, I loved this place the first time. And while it was a little disappointing they're no longer BYOB, the french toast flight made up for that! So it's a little like dessert for breakfast, but I'm okay with that. Amazing!
(5)Karissa F.
I had a friend come into town from the suburbs this morning, and I decided to take her to Kanela based on the other Yelp reviews I read. (I had never been there before.) Our waitress greeted us right away, offering juice and coffee. We both passed at the time, but I look forward to trying one of their fresh squeezed juices in the future. As for the meal, I had a hard time deciding what to order, but my server suggested I try the chorizo- great recommendation! It was delicious! I didn't try any of my friend's Kanela chip pancakes, but she said they were some of the best pancakes she's ever eaten. The service was prompt all around; we did not have to wait to long to get our food. I can't wait to go back and try something new!
(5)rebecca g.
Decided to give Orange's new replacement a shot, and was delighted. First of all, the service was fantastic--our server was really personable, helpful, and attentive, even at the height of the brunch rush. Seating, as it was with Orange, was a bit cramped, but they did a good job of keeping things moving. We ordered the Kanela roll, their take on a basic cinnamon roll, which was tasty and fresh--though a bit softer around the edges than I like mine to be. The Lorraine Scramble was hearty and tasty--with yummy bacon, gruyere, and charred scallions topped with a cute frico garnish. I also really liked their breakfast potatoes, which were well-seasoned, properly-grilled and perfectly cooked. Prices are comparable to other local brunch places--not cheap per se, but the quality was worth it.
(4)Philippe F.
Yes, I came here because I thought it was still Orange :( The menu looked appetizing, so why not? I started off with an orange juice/scrawberry mix, which was the only juice available at the time, but then again, that's probably what I would have gone with anywho. It was scrawlicious! I was torn between the duck confit hash and the pork belly benedict. My only concern was the brussel sprouts in the benedict. Back and forth until finally I came to: Eenie Meenie Miney PORK! Not a bad decision at all. The pork belly was nice and fatty, and great combo with the cranberries and sprouts. The herbed potatoes were a little too herbed, and a little too well done. I goobled them up, but would have preferred them to have a light herb dusting and fluffy instead of borderline burnt. What will bring me back? My curiosity for the duck confit as well as the lamb burger.
(3)Kathleen S.
Didn't have a great experience here. Seemed like they were a bit overwhelmed by the crowd - I had to ask for silverware, butter & syrup for my pancakes. And our starter came out after our main dishes. No apologies for anything - both servers were very abrupt and annoyed. The lattes were good but the pancakes & monkey bread were pretty mediocre.
(2)Paige F.
Went here after leaving 11th City Diner because of absolutely terrible service and pleasantly found a new breakfast place. Their french toast and omelettes were great and the servers were friendly, attentive and helpful. I suggest the Kanela french toast; it's what I ate and it was very yummy. Only reason I didn't give them five stars is because I only like to do so after several great visits. I have no doubt that it will earn five stars in my book, though.
(4)Alex A.
I don't even like breakfast foods that much but this place made me think twice. Incredible menu! The pork belly benedict was outstanding. In addition to their fresh squeezed juices they have several house made juice blends to try. We really dug their strawberry orange juice. Also, our server Aline was incredibly nice and friendly. So glad I moved close by!
(5)Leslie B.
My first trip to Kanela Breakfast Club was excellent, they accommodated our large group and everyone's food was delicious and arrived timely. Because of this experience, I had no hesitation making a reservation for a Sunday morning with my large party (10-12). We arrived for our reservation promptly at 10:30 am. Upon arrival, I was told they had no record of our reservation, but they would try to get us seated quickly. In the hour that we waited for our table I saw the hostess make absolutely no attempt to get us seated. Several smaller parties arrived after us with no reservations and were seated, dined, and left while we were still waiting!! We waited outside in the 95 degree heat for our table with barely an apology from the hostess. Once we were finally seated, our waitress was very nice, but the food was mediocre and took forever. I will not be going back again.
(1)Joe O.
Wow! Starting with the filtered water...the BEST water in town. I'd go just for that. Neverthess, excellent breakfast. Try the portobello omelette. Julius Mienel coffee. And prices lower than my neighborhood greasy spoon. Plus there's a parking lot. I've been back twice and plan to go back again with more friends.
(5)Nick M.
Pretty good - I'd go back. Didn't have any problems with the wait as some people mentioned; maybe I was lucky.
(3)jay d.
Amazing brunch spot. High quality ingredients, good service, a realy pleasant breakfast. I will be back. Coffee was very good. Great savory and sweet options. The place was fairly busy but service did not suffer.
(5)Bob B.
Jennifer was a stellar waitress. She helped us (my date and I) decide what breakfast appetizer to choose, kept on top of the drink refills and made sure we were doing well the entire morning. The food was great too. Classy atmosphere compared to "Orange" which was there prior to Kanela. The wait on the weekend was the only downside, albeit typical for Chicago.
(5)Ashley K.
Fred was an incredible server! The food was amazing- we had the mixed green salad with duck confit, eggs Benedict, and chicken pesto sandwich. The roasted potatoes were delicious. The duck was perfectly cooked. The chicken pesto was delectable- tender and succulent. The bottomless mimosas are a great deal and amazingly delicious- strawberry orange what?! I can't imagine a better place to spend my sunday afternoon.
(5)christina t.
Love the food, the byob champagne and the adorable decor! Would easily be a 5 if not for this last point. The place has one of the rudest hostesses Ive ever encountered. Been there twice and twice it was the most unwelcome and awkward greeting. If you can get past her on a Sunday morning you will have a great experience but not sure how this hasnt already been remedied.
(4)Will M.
I am grateful, grateful, grateful that someone has filled the empty spot that was once Orange. I really like the decor - much nicer than your average breakfast place. This is my third visit. The first two times I had the Chorizo dish, today I had the Pork Belly Benedict. I loved the Chorizo and kind of liked the Benedict. In both cases I don't like their hash browns. Way to over spiced. And there is one spice that - to me - makes it taste like mold or something. I'll have to ask them if they have a substitute - if not I probably won't go back. Kind of stupid to pay $20 for breakfast and not get potato that I would want to eat.
(3)Samantha R.
This place is adorable and we got one of the friendliest waitresses I've had in a long time. All of the menu items sounded great and we weren't disappointed with our order. Delicious coffee and they are BYOB, so next time I'm bringing champagne. Can't wait to come back!
(5)D L.
KBC is slowly moving up in my ranks of favorite breakfast spots. Their stuffed french toast is amazing. And their duck confit hash is decadent. The service can be spotty, but it's due in part to their popularity. It can be insanely busy on weekends. But worth it.
(4)P S.
Rude attitude. The food was acceptable, but our multicolored haired tattooed waitress was just horrible. I'm OK with being unique, but rudeness as a server is a no-go. She was pushy, gave lip service, and couldn't get the order straight. I wanted to complain to the owner or manager, but it was such a mad house that nothing could be figured out. Won't be back.
(1)Happiness L.
A surprise of greatness. I was walking past this place a couple weeks ago looking to get something to eat and noticed people going in so I went in too. Glad I did. Wonderful atmosphere, food, and service. Went back today and it gets better and better and better. Ask for Fred...he is personable and takes excellent care of his guests.
(5)Mark T.
I do love Kanela! The coffee is top notch, the peanut butter smoothie is just heavenly and the breakfasts are just crazy good. I'd advise Kanela to try working out the kinks in the chocolate covered bacon though. The bacon needs to be saltier and crispier. Other than that, I've thoroughly enjoyed everything I've ever had here. Service is hit or miss but never bad.
(4)Aleks W.
Tried out Kanela today with my toddler and a mom friend and her baby girl. They've removed all traces of Orange's homey, mismatched interior and gone for a sleek, swanky look with mod wallpaper and a leather bench across the long part of the restaurant. The Greek doughnuts to begin were a nice touch, and my kanela (cinnamon) chip pancakes were delicious, while the peppered bacon was a little too peppery. I love Julius Meinl espresso, and the mocha was delicious. The prices are a little high, though I find them on par with Southport Grocery and other higher-end brunch spots that serve "local, seasonal" food, and the decor and other clientele don't necessarily scream family friendly, though the staff was more than accommodating to our little ones. All in all, a nice addition to the central Lakeview brunch scene and an extra bonus that it's open at 7 a.m. every day so that parents can get in before the hangover crowd storms the gates.
(4)Victoria M.
I've been to Kanela twice now and have loved it both times. I don't remember what I had on my first visit, but last week I went with a friend and we tried the Monkey Bread, the Greek Donuts (don't remember what they are called) and the portabella eggs Benedict. All three were quite yummy. I really enjoyed the Greek Donuts and Monkey Bread. The Greek donuts are drizzled with Greek honey, lemon and cinnamon. Very light and very good. I even liked to dip the Monkey Bread in the honey/lemon/cinn mixture. The eggs Benedict was good, but not certain I would order again. I felt like it was missing a little something. The portabella was a bit flavorless. Never the less, I will definitely go back.
(4)Marcus Z.
The Red Velvet French Toast and Pork Belly Benedict....no joke....
(5)Jennifer H.
This place still amazes me every time I come. This is now a frequent Saturday morning place for my running group to go. Last weekend we had 18 people again and every week, they get better and better at handling our large group. I'm always impressed that they make space for us, quick to get us coffee and do an amazing job getting the food out as quick as possible. They also now started breaking the check up by table, which has made it so much easier to figure out the bill. Service is outstanding and food is always great!
(5)Julie S.
The food was okay. But not worth the wait at all. We waited 30 minutes to get a table, but then our food took an hour to come out the kitchen. It was really strange because the food didn't seem to be coming out the kitchen at all. When it finally did my crepes were cold, and my potatoes were under cooked. I've heard a lot of hype about this place, but to me it just wasn't worth the wait! Our server was nice. He also seemed frustrated with the slow speed of the kitchen. He said that they get swamped with take out orders, but to me it seems they should serve the people in the restaurant before they worry about take out orders. It seems like they don't really care if customers leave happy. I would not go back, at least not on a Saturday or Sunday when they're likely to be busy. If you ask me waiting an hour to get your food is crazy and not a good business practice!
(2)Jennifer B.
Wow, this was the worst brunch experience ever. The wait for our table was the best part and even that was annoying. I ordered chocolate milk (which was just a box with a straw in it) and it took 15 minutes. I also ordered the pork belly benedict - another hour of waiting for that. I actually took one poke at it and the eggs were way over done and the potatoes were not cooked and the pork belly was tough. Needless to say I didn't eat any of it. My full plate and disgust went unnoticed. I will never return to this horrible place and recommend that you avoid it as well.
(1)Katie C.
I tried this place for the first time a couple weeks back and I was extremly impressed! I tried the portabello benedict and the ceasar bloody mary and wouldnt let myself leave any food behind even though I was stuffed halfway through. I cant wait to go back to try a number of other things on the menu (Im gonna need a frequent buyer card). This isnt your average brunch place they offer a variety of fresh juice blends and unexpected combination dishes.
(5)Iman W.
I'm a brunch novice. I can count how many times I've done brunch on one hand. Being awake early on a weekend is one thing, but being out in public, with people, socially eating...who DOES that? Apparently, a lot of people do that. When I got to Kanela's on New Year's Day, there was a line and a 30 minute wait for a table. They took my name, added me to their list, and said they would text me once our table was ready. I can't vouch for the effectiveness of this procedure because I never got a text. I was sitting at the bar and the hostess came and got me. Of note, that 30 minute wait was about 45-50, but it was a holiday, so I'll let it slide. There were a lot of options to choose from and though everything in me was screaming for french toast, I decided to go the savory route and order the lorraine scramble. Hmm...yeah. Err...hmm. The best way for me to describe it is that it would be really delicious if it was fresh out of the kitchen hot. But my order was lukewarm, borderline room temp, as if it had been sitting there for a while. My brunch companion said the same of her eggs benedict. Again, I can't say this is a regular thing. We all know holidays can be anomalies when it comes to service. So I'd still recommend it because it was warm enough for me to tell that it's pretty well made. The scramble came with plentiful roasted red potatoes but as it's been mentioned in other reviews, they're kind of bland. You'll need to sprinkle a little salt on those suckers. Everything in me also screamed for a mimosa but I just had grapefruit juice. I don't know if it's fresh but it was good enough for me. I didn't take much opportunity to check out the decor because it was so busy that day but the space is okay, a bit small. With the booth-like seating and the tables so close, it felt like communal dining. You sit right next to a stranger and you can't help but to be a part of their conversation. Which is fine if you're social and friendly. I'm neither of these things before noon. So would I go back to Kanela's...not on a holiday and probably not on a weekend. Too busy for me. If I just so happened to have a random Tuesday off while no one else does, absolutely.
(3)Alli L.
This place used to be 5-stars because the old menu was amazing. It's called "kanela breakfast club" but they took the signature kanella (cinnamon chip) pancakes off the menu???? The stuffed french toast with ricotta, maple butter and walnuts was amazing but that's gone too -- replaced by gross french toast coated in corn flakes and coco puffs? No thanks! This used to be my go-to breakfast place, but not anymore. Service is also mediocre. if they brought back some old menu items, I'd definitely start coming again. But i'm just not impressed anymore. It's a shame because my friends and I loved this spot.
(3)Pandora P.
I have been meaning to update this review for quite some time! Phil has changed my opinion of Kanela :) The last several visits he has been AMAZING and so has the service, food and especially the spicy Bloody Mary's (ask Phil to make them - he has the touch!) Kanela is a lovely escape on a weekday morning/afternoon
(5)Rick T.
Apparently, I'm the last person to learn about this place. I get around quite a bit, yet when a friend said it was at 3231 N. Clark, I couldn't place it. Well, Kanela Breakfast Club was definitely worth "finding." They make their omelettes the way I love 'em: The eggs are cooked gently in a thin layer and are then wrapped around the ingredients, NOT baked into a thick yellow brick. Their online menu offers a Denver omelette (my go-to!) and I knew I had to be there. Walked in on a rainy Tuesday, sat down by the window and looked over the menu. There was no Denver omelette. Just fancy omelettes and skillets and a variety of eggs Benedict. Crestfallen, I inquired about the missing Denver. "Yeah," the server said, "We just changed up the menu." (See, I took this personally 'cuz I just wrote on Yelp! about a 24-hour diner in the neighborhood that had removed Denver omelettes from THEIR menu in favor of fancy skillets and stuff.) The server could plainly see the sorrow in my eyes. "If it's going to ruin your day, I'm sure we can make one for you." And they did. It was fantastic. Fresh, fluffy layers of egg gently wrapped around equally fresh Denver goodies. The potatoes may have been a bit over-done, but I ate every damned one of them, so they couldn't have been too bad. I was surprised by the server's willingness to go off-menu for me with no drama. And the breakfast was exactly as I had hoped. Hopefully, I'll be equally lucky when I go back for my next Denver.
(4)Asenath N.
This place is pretty amazing! Came here for brunch with some friends and I was really impress. They have different options from sweet or savory breakfast dishes and also burgers and wraps. I ordered the breakfast skillet of the day and it was delicious. The food was so flavorful. The service was also really good. I will recommend this place to anyone who enjoys breakfast food and flavor! Will I go back? Yes!
(4)Alexandria T.
One of my friends was in town and had plans with a large group for brunch at Kanela Breakfast Club. We meet around 11:30am, put our names in, and then headed to the Starbucks down the street to wait. We were told the wait would be two hours, and boy they weren't kidding. By the time all was said and down, I left brunch around 2:30pm. Was the wait worth it? I definitely didn't think so. A place that makes you wait two hours should be out of this world, but Kanela definitely fell short. Once we were finally seated, I ordered a Bloody Mary, and the table ordered some pastries to share. The monkey bread was my favorite of the bunch, but it wasn't anything spectacular. For my main, I went with the salmon benedict. It looked really good, but it was as good as any other place I could have waited 20 minutes to be seated at. Honestly, I was starving by the time we sat down, and it didn't even have the effect of starvation to make it taste out of this world. Unless you want to wait 2 hours for a pretty average brunch, I wouldn't suggest going to Kanela.
(2)Jamille D.
This is my favorite brunch place! The food is amazing. My favorite is the red velvet French toast. It's not too sweet. The cream cheese syrup they put over it and strawberries are a perfect combination. The crab Benedict is great too and the salmon sandwiches. The staff is really nice. I get their red potatoes on the side with any entre I order. The seasoning on the potatoes are so good and they give you a lot! It gets really busy here and it might be hard for you to get seating for a big group. So I suggest you go during odd hours or really early. The wait is definitely worth it if there is a line. You will definitely leave this restaurant feeling more than satisfied and wishing to come back again.
(4)Diego R.
No idea why this place has bad reviews. Consistantly amazing brunch food! I always get the Chorizo & Eggs with an order of Monkey Bread. Yes, service is slow but so what? Kick back, enjoy a drink or two and chat. Good things are worth waiting for!
(5)Kara E.
So I've been to Kanela three times - my friends adore this place and keep dragging me here. First time I ordered standard grilled cheese and tomato soup. The grilled cheese was really greasy and the soup was just alright. Second time I tried Kanela I got the cereal flaked crusted french toast. Very disappointing. The french toast was hard and stone cold, the crusted cereal soggy on the outside. The last time I came here a couple weeks ago I decided to play it safe and order a simple two egg breakfast with potatoes on the side. I had ordered pretty much the exact same thing at Revolution for brunch the day before and decided to compare. Very mediocre in comparison to Revolution. The eggs were oily and slightly overcooked (Revolution had perfectly cooked eggs, not even oily or greasy), the potatoes were odd (Revolution's were amazing and came with the best bacon). It wasn't bad, it just wasn't all that great either (although the coffee drinks are great and the mimosa pitcher was fabulous). Kanela doesn't serve really bad food, its just pretty mediocre for what you get. With all the amazing brunch places in the city I wouldn't settle for this.
(2)Bob M.
This used to be a go-to spot for brunch. It was quaint with high quality food. I had no problem waiting whatever amount of time I needed to wait to have brunch there. Today unfortunately was the last time I will be eating there. I noticed the decline start after they opened their second location in old town. They did away with the attractive paper menus for something laminated and standard looking and the food & service started lacking the attention to detail that made Kanelas so great. Ever since then they have very clearly transitioned from a high quality neighborhood spot to a commercial citywide chain (opening their 4th location soon). The service is terrible (although the people are nice) and the food is mediocre. While I was there today I saw many more meals go out for delivery than were actually served in the restaurant. I'm sure that's a lucrative business but there are tradeoffs to that approach. We waited over 30 minutes for our food in a not crowded restaurant while plenty of meals were being shuffled out by bike couriers. I think its telling that there were only a handful of people there at 9am on a beautiful Saturday morning. Several years ago there would have been a 45min wait. Bye Kanelas.
(2)William B.
In a neighborhood with the brunch-density of East Lakeview, it's tough to stand out, and indeed the main reason I ended up proposing a breakfast outing here was because we'd been to so many other obvious choices so recently. Plus, Kanela is open early enough that you can go here for an actual breakfast, not just for brunch. Once you do go, the menu contains some nice surprises. The french toast is better than expected; the monkey bread has a delicious, yeasty tang to counteract the sweetness; and the spicy feta in its namesake omelette has a nice punch. But you can also see why they have some bad reviews for service. At least three major, separate, elements of our order were messed up, and our order wasn't ultimately super-complicated. The errors that we bothered to point out were corrected cheerfully, but they aren't exactly providing a seamless experience. I'm not dying to go back, either.
(3)Kendrick W.
I find it tougher and tougher these days to find a brunch place that does both sweet and savory well, but KBC seems to have it down pat on both sides. The chorizo burrito is good stuff. The red velvet pancakes are delicious, but be prepared to accept the fact that you're really just eating cake for breakfast. So long as you're okay with that then you'll be in heaven. Maybe a little pricey for brunch, but certainly well worth it.
(4)Little D.
Great delivery option! I ordered a couple of items for delivery on whim a couple weekends ago and I was surprised at how: 1. Courteous the delivery person was 2. The fresh and delicious quality of the food 3. Everything was nice and warm We ordered: The bacon grilled cheese: delicious and fresh! love the quality of the bacon! The raspberry french toast: delicious and fresh (you could back off on the cinnamon a little though) Grass fed burger: pretty darn good! One thing: You guys should have some type of herb mashed potato side option, too. I didn't care for the chips at all. The chips are just meh. I'm excited to try other items! I'll be back!
(4)Kristina K.
Food was okay. We ordered delivery and I had less than a tablespoon of gravy on my 3 biscuits, which didn't even cover one biscuit. I also ordered the bacon waffles and there wasn't any syrup in our order. Pretty disappointing for a $50 order.
(2)Aj M.
THIS BRUNCH MENU IS INSAAAANE. so good. I bring people here for brunch because they have something for every appetite. When we went we got the Smoked Salmon wraps with side salads and the potatoes. It was all delicious. For our day drink choice we picked the fresh strawberry mimosas - which were also fantastic. Only thing i wouldn't order again was the toddy/rumchata cocktail (I can't remember the name, cuz mimosas) but I assumed it was going to be a cold cocktail - because toddy coffee is cold brew - but it was just hot alcohol. It was still good but it was also like 70 degrees outside so it was just a bad combo. but everything else was great so i say "GO"
(5)Connie P.
I used to love this place. Like, for real. Loved it. Their menu had a wide array of ingredients, sweet, savory, basically anything you wanted. My favorite was the dock confit hash. It was absolutely, without a doubt, my favorite brunch item ever. But, it looks like they changed the menu and removed the best thing they had on there. Internal tears have commenced... Aside from my disappointment in my favorite dish being removed from the menu, the menu looks to have moved away from "different" brunch items and resorted to traditional entrees you will see at other restaurants. For individuals that don't like to experiment with food, this is your new place! We put our name down during memorial weekend and luckily we only waited 15 minutes (only 2 of us). We were seated at about 11am, my friend and I chatted. we chatted some more. And some more. And some more after that. After we chatted for 30 minutes and catching up on life, we both looked at each other and said "where is our waitress"? We hadn't realized that we had been waiting for 30 minutes without a person coming over to our table, to give us water, menus, nothing. It was appauling. So much so that the table next to us, who were seated about 5-10 minutes before us, we almost done eating. They overheard us talking about how we were forgotten and they instantly got angry. So much so that they are the ones who flagged down another waitress, told her how we had been waiting with absolutely ZERO service for over 30 minutes, and how they came around the same time and they are were done. The waitress then came to us, apologized, stated that our waitress was new and was a little slow, and she would have her come over. Thankfully, she brought us water and some menus. We looked the menus over, and while we expected our actual waitress to come over, she did not. She actually never came over. The "fill in" waitress came over, asked if we had any questions. We said we wanted to order, and we ordered with her. Because we had a nail appointment at 1pm. And with their terrible service, we figured we would be late. We ordered. I got the Chicken Avocado BLT. It was disappointing. The sauce was terrible, the bread was so soft that it kept falling apart when I tried to pick it up. I'm not sure why they emphasize the "avocado", as I got 2 paperthin slices that literally covered 1/4 of my sandwich. I had to flag down the water guy to get more avocados, because I certainly was not waiting for any wait staff to come over. They tend to take a long time. My friend got a scamble. She liked it. But it wasn't anything spectacular. She also made mention that the last time she was there, the service was horrible. Yet, not as horrible as ours. Yay, we win. All in all, this place used to be good. I probably won't be coming back. I would rather go to somewhere in Lincoln Square, North Center or Bucktown for some better, and more different brunch options. If you have hours to spend, you can go here. Just remember, they don't take reservations, you will wait forever for your items, and the service will probably annoy you, causing you to be pissed off on the weekend - ie. the days of the week that you are happy because you aren't working. Thanks Kanela for making this a terrible start to my Sunday.
(2)Pat E.
It was so hard to not get an omelette like the Spicy Feta, the Duck Confit Hash, or the blueberry pancakes. There was so much I wanted to try, but I used my KISS principle! I was tempted to get the signature Chocolate Covered Bacon Waffle per Steve Dolinsky from ABC7. I could look at the aforementioned items on the diners around me, but I wanted to try something different... I had been here before for a private party (What's up, Corona?) but never to eat. My friends ordered lunch (BLT and Tallgrass Beef Burger), but I want a la carte with two eggs and toast (pumpernickel), chicken sausage, and peppered bacon. Bacon had a ton of pepper (delicious for both bacon-getters at the table...yes, I know...not a word), chicken sausage was dry but tasted good (nothing a lil Sriracha can't handle), and eggs were delicious. Potatoes looked good and that burger with the fried egg...BABY! I highly recommend this place for a private party or breakfast/lunch.
(4)Zachary A.
So, I've been on an egg's benedict kick for about 3 months now and basically seek any opportunity to go to brunch to get one, and Kanela did not let me down. Let's break this Sunday Funday down... Food: Really good! I ordered the salmon benedict and it was super delightful. I was incredibly happy with this choice and so happy to see an interesting, but comfortable, twist on a simple favorite. I love egg benedict creations, but I never want them to go so far off course that the only resemblance they have is benedict in the name. It had a ton of flavor and I would easily order this again. Drinks: I got the strawberry mimosa and blue moon mimosa and they were both amazing. Price: The prices were not bad at all. My salmon benedict was $12, and I thought that was reasonable for a salmon dish. The drinks were a little more heavy-handed at $7 each, but nothing crazy. Service: Our server was great and patient. A lot of brunch spots won't even talk to you if your whole party isn't ready, but Kanela didn't give us trouble, and for that, they get many bonus points. This will definitely be inserted into my brunch rotation.
(4)Pedro P.
If I could give this a 4.5 out of 5 stars I would, it's really good. Chicago is already a city huge on places to have brunch so you need to have something special to stand out. Thankfully this place has really great food, friendly service, and looks very clean. I had the Lorraine Scramble and it was delicious, and this is coming from a guy who prefers his eggs over-easy. The prices are reasonable because you get quality food and amazing service. The only real critique I have is that the food portions could be bigger, but that's probably because I eat a lot. For most people the food portions will be perfect. But this is a minor critique. If you want to try out a new place for brunch in Chicago, you won't go wrong with Kanela Breakfast Club.
(4)Mark Y.
Most incredible French toast ever!!!! And great eggs. And location, location, location
(4)Heather E.
I was recently hear for a birthday brunch, and everything from the service to the food was a treat. I didn't realize it was a BYOB, but thankfully some of my gal pals were more prepared, and so we started off with some mimosas made with their awesome fresh squeezed orange juice. For brunch I split the chorizo dish with a friend. I liked the dish, but it didn't blow me away. What I really loved was their Greek yogurt. It had a a great, thick texture, and the usual sourness of Greek yogurt was offset by honey, fruit, and honey flavored granola. I thought of it as a healthy breakfast sundae. Delicious. Our server was really accommodating to our group, especially when it came time for cake. After the Big Jones Cakegate of birthday 2010, Kanela treated us and our cake like royalty. They allow cakes for special occasions, and do not charge a cake cutting fee... so our cake was sliced and served up for the birthday girl with a candle on top. Our whole group appreciated their friendly and accommodating service. Thanks Kanela!
(5)Sara H.
Breakfast doesn't normally involve Duck Confit or Zesty whipped feta stuffing but at Kanela, any dinner can be made into a better breakfast. And any diner with an adventurous heart can reap the rewards! To Try: ~Spicy Feta Omelet (just stuffed with flavor) ~Lorraine Scramble (gruyere cheese and bacon, subtle smoky onion) ~Duck Confit Hash (orange truffle essence) ~Whatever the Special Pancake is ~Peanut Butter Smoothie (breakfast on it's own) With all these options, if you wuss out and get the 2 egg breakfast, I'm going to be very disappointed in you!
(5)Jessica B.
Is the food a step above average? Slightly. Is the service? NO. I cannot give a brunch place, no matter how popular or conveniently located more than 3 stars when it takes them a ***FULL 45 minutes*** to deliver BRUNCH to the table. I am not sure if you understand the length of 45 minutes, people. Most places take 10-15 minutes, MAYBE 20-25 if a place is PACKED. This is not a 5-course meal, folks (well depending on what you order, I guess). Most people are enjoying breakfast foods...so why the wait? 45 minutes? It's a pancake!!! DANG!!!! Not only that, but the service is less than ideal- mainly due to lack of genuine friendliness. The food is good, I'll give them that., but it was nothing truly memorable. Plus, I got a droplet of butter with my blueberry pancakes. The waiter must have saw my expression because he was like "what? do you want more butter?" Uh...no thanks, I'd rather not wait another 25 minutes. Also had some weird dried out pastry thing...would not order that again, whatever that was. The mimosa's are good, get one. And the porkbelly is better than average for a porkbelly brunch dish. That's all. Do I want to come back? Nope. I'd rather explore my options in this lovely city.
(3)Kathy K.
Went here for brunch on Saturday with a small group and we all enjoyed our meals. I had a spicy feta egg white omelette and it was perfectly made and very tasty. They are a busy place and could use a few more servers/hostesses. Our server did her job but wasn't very friendly. She looked swamped actually. We had reservations and it still took about 15-20 to be seated. I'd go back but maybe on a weekday when I can get better service. I would never go here on a weekend without a reservation.
(4)Cassandra F.
I rarely write Yelp reviews, but this was necessary as a warning. I'm sure this place has very good food if you eat in, like a lot of folks are saying, but holy Toledo, their delivery (both food and customer service) is horrific. It has solidified the fact that I won't give them a try again even as an eat-in customer, especially because of the rudeness of the manager (see the "second" section). First: I ordered our food around 11AM. The food FINALLY arrived around 12:20. The guy delivering the food was dressed like a cyclist. I'm obviously a little confused because it's cold out and he's delivering food, but I think oh, he must have biked to work, and they have a car there. Or, if he did deliver on his bike, he MUST have it in some kind of warming bag. Ya know, Pizza Hut-style. NOPE. The food my boyfriend and I ordered, in the ballpark of $10-$15 EACH (total order of $40...this ain't cheap breakfast), is in a paper bag, at the top of his rucksack, to blow in the breeze. I should have just refused delivery, but I wanted to believe something had kept this food warm the entire way. Much to common sense belief, the food was ICE cold, like it had just come out of the refrigerator. Because outside is a refrigerator right now, clearly. Maybe this method of delivery works in June. Second: I call Kanela to complain. The girl who answered the phone asks me to hold for the manager. Manager gets on the phone. I explain that my food is ice ice cold, and that my delivery was brought on a bike on a cold fall day. He proceeds to lecture me about how they are a "green" company, and that they are protecting the environment, so that's why they deliver by bike; he then asks if I want it remade or refunded. I stated that while I appreciate their efforts to save the environment, it doesn't make sense that the guy was on a bike in the cold air, which is obviously why my food was cold, that it made no sense. He then YELLS at me that he's given me two options, and that I need to make a choice. I proceed to ask if they make it again, if the same BIKE will deliver it, since that CLEARLY was the problem. He again argues with me, saying I need to make a choice and that they'll "just find" someone to drive it over. I ask for it to be remade. Time: 12:30. Third: My new order arrives at 1:30. It's now been 2.5 hours since my hungry boyfriend and I originally ordered. I go downstairs to meet the guy. He laments to me how he had to drive alllll the way from Lincoln Park in his truck, with the heat full blast, wasting gas, to keep my food warm. He has me check the temperature of the food at the door from the outside of the containers. I tell him, I don't know, it's probably better than it would have been outside on a bike. He proceeds to storm out the door. I get upstairs with my food. The savory item was a LITTLE better, lukewarm. The crepes: FREEZING COLD AGAIN. I'm sorry, how hard is it to keep delivery food warm?! Delivery places do it every day!!!! Bottom line: WILL NOT order from here again, or waste my money on these people that think it's frustrating or too time-consuming to take care of their customers. Or maybe even apologize for the 2.5 hour wait for semi-edible food, or for the icebox food that was originally delivered. And a suggestion: take a hint from pizza delivery companies. REUSABLE WARMING BAGS. Much more "environmentally friendly" than the paper bags you package your food in, which you have to know most of the people you deliver to don't recycle.
(1)Lauren P.
AMAZING BYOB (yes, BYOB) brunch spot that takes reservations. dreams do come true. first of all, i was lucky one of our party members was running late so i could spend approximately 30 minutes with the menu - because that's how long it took me to decide what to order. everything looks & sounds so incredibly good, it's hard to commit. after a recommendation from our attentive, sweet, angel of a waitress (no, srsly she was awesome,) i settled on the chorizo with a side of peppered bacon. ps anyone who orders a salad here might be an idiot. we started out with some monkey bread (tastes much like a fluffy cinnamon roll,) & loukoumades (fried dough with some honey & nuts on top.) the table was split on which was better, although i think monkey bread came out on top. wait -- have i mentioned the juices yet? this place is meant for boozy brunching. here you'll find 10 juices to mix with whatever your heart desires to BYO. i choose the banana + strawberry +orange + honey, which was borderline heavenly on its own or mixed with champers. although i had to settle on one dish for myself, i was lucky to have been with a large group so i was able to taste a few things. here's the DL: 1. chorizo - i could not have been any happier with my order; this stuff is the REAL DEAL. beyond delicious. the herb potatoes served on the side did not require ANY ketchup or extra seasoning & i'm a prett-ay big ketchup person. 2. pork belly benedict - RICH. good but be prepared for a very buttery hollandaise. poached eggs were a bit over cooked. 3. bacon waffle - needs less chocolate & more bacon! what came out of the kitchen was not what i pictured. too sweet, not enough savory. if you are a chocolate fiend, you will probably love this. 4. red velvet french toast - wowowowowow. whoever thought of this is a genius, but it's not something i would personally eat for brunch. toast was nice & fluffy; icing-type stuff served in the middle was sickeningly sweet. 5. peppered bacon - home run. crisp, not shriveled & the pepper didn't overpower the bacon flavor. plus, 4 slices for $3.50? score. shout out to the blackberry jelly that was served with my toast. ya, i kinda liked this place. just kinda. FIVE STARS! sorry orange, i don't miss ya.
(5)Alison E.
Holy crepe that crepe was good. I ordered the special, which was (can you guess?) a berry crepe. Probably one of the best I've ever had. I think Mister got something with eggs, I dunno, I was too busy shoving crepe in my face. I also got potatoes, which were super tasty. The waiter was a bit absurdly nice and upbeat, but that's way better than being a jerkface. I would totally eat here again. Even if there weren't crepes (which I hope there will be...).
(4)Heidi O.
On the one hand, damn, that was delicious breakfast. On the other hand, the server spilled my plate all over me when he was clearing the table. It was a silk shirt. It had just been dry cleaned. YES, I'm still angry. But that Lorraine scramble could help me forget. I can't remember the last time breakfast made me feel this way. And that soy chai was literally (said like Chris from parks and rec obviously) the best soy chai I have ever had. Perfect fresh squeezed orange juice. So, sticking with a theme, TREAT YO'SELF!
(4)Tal C.
I go to Kanela at least once a month, and it's definitely a very welcome addition in our neighborhood. There can be a long wait on weekends (or even weekdays sometimes) so plan ahead and make a reservation. They're actually really great about honoring reservations, regardless of the group size, and they even take reservations for their patio (which is covered, so it's hard to get sun, but at least it's outside). One of the best things about this place is their juice/smoothie bar and coffee. They have a lot of fresh squeezed juices and freshly made smoothies, and all the ones I've tried have been refreshing and light, really great way to start off the morning (thought the peanut butter/chocolate shake probably isn't that light). Their coffee is Julius Meinl and they have a full espresso bar. As far as alcohol goes, they have bloody marys and mimosas (regular orange and also strawberry). They also have bottomless mimosas, but it's pretty pricey unless you're planning on getting totally trashed (I think $18, one mimosa was $6). I don't think they have any other type of alcohol but I could be wrong. As for food... The owner has an "eat dessert first" kind of mentality, so all the "starters" on the menu are sweet desserty types of food- monkey bread, donut-hole type things, etc. They're all pretty good, and really great to share. The monkey bread is especially delicious. The rest of the menu isn't huge, there are probably about 6-7 savory items and 6-7 sweet items, and some sides. Kanela means cinnamon, so wherever that word shows up on the menu, that's what you're getting yourself into. The Kanela chip pancakes are really rich and filling, if you like cinnamon and melted butter, they're the way to go. Their greek yogurt is also really really good if you're looking for something on the lighter side. I've tried about half the menu and haven't really been disappointed by anything. As for lunch, the pesto chicken sandwich is one of the better ones I've had, but I really tend to suggest going to a place with the words "breakfast club" in the name for breakfast. The only reason I took a star off is because the service can be really spotty. Sometimes it's great, and sometimes it takes 20 minutes for anyone to notice that you've been seated and bring you water/take your order. I know it gets busy, but part of the reason is because they sometimes don't do much to get people going once they've been seated. Overall though, definitely worth a visit.
(4)Drake K.
I believe this is the best breakfast spot in the country. I have been to breakfast places across the country and nothing is as good as Kanela. Friendly servers and great food, very creative menu. I go out of my way to make it to Kanela when I am in Chicago!
(5)Jonathan H.
I am stuffed. Finally a breakfast place with giant portions. Took my wife this morning and we sat down immediately. I have a raspberry and 4 other fruit smoothie which was really good, and only $1 more than the regular juices, so why not? For breakfast I had the Lorraine omelet. I don't know who Lorraine is, but her omelet kicks ass. It had scallions and bacon in it and it was very good. My wife had the Spicy feta Omelet. She gave me half. We like sharing. The food was well cooked and the service was very good. I like it a lot better than the place that was in this space before which was also a breakfast place. We'll definitely come back.
(5)Justin B.
With organic and local ingredients, combined with tasty Julius Meinl coffee, this place rates as one of the best for breakfast. Atmosphere is upscale casual, with simple lines and a comfortable space. The noise level does tend to get a bit loud but you can still hear the people sitting across from you. The Lakeview crowd, east and west, come to enjoy. We arrived pretty early so didn't have to wait, but the place fills up quickly - and not sure if they take reservations. New parents beware - it's not really stroller friendly. The menu offers a selection of sweet and savory, mixing things like the loukoumades (a fried fritter with lemon-honey syrup and walnuts) and banana split crepes to a spicy feta omelette or chorizo and eggs. (I've only had breakfast here but the lunch items look pretty damn tasty. Either way, it's a win-win). The staff was great too. Pretty attentive and pleasant, despite the business of the place. Southport Grocery better watch themselves. They've got some serious competition. ;)
(4)Linsey C.
Ok, my sister (who lives in Seattle) told me about this place. She found it on metro-mix when she was researching places for her visit here. She had me convinced when she mentioned the bacon waffles, with chocolate covered bacon, bacon dust and bourbon caramel sauce. Really?! I'm in!! She had the Lorraine scramble which we both loved, but sis felt there were a few too many onions. I also had the banana, strawberry, orange, honey, juice which was really good, though I'm still trying to figure out how you go about juicing a banana :) Service was ridiculous. In a good way. Attentive, super friendly. Kinda over the top, in a who-really-loves-their-job-that-much and a who-really-enjoys-talking-to-strangers kinda way. But, heck, just because I've gotten used to terrible customer service in the city, doesn't mean I can't appreciate good-ol'-fashion genuine kindness. I'm a Bongo Room lover and that is the stick to which I measure all brunch places...most, don't even come close. Kanela, thank you for providing me with a Bongo Room alternative, I'll be back!
(5)Dana A.
I have been here a lot!! LOVE LOVE IT!! The service is great and though I usually stick with the same thing that I have most likely gotten 10 times is the spicy feta omelet (egg whites and mulitgrain toast), SOO DELICIOUS!! The best time to go for brunch is on saturday usually sunday is more crowded!!
(5)Michael M.
I took my mother here for lunch and was pretty underwhelmed. First, they sat us at a table that was still dirty. We sat at the dirty table for a good 5 minutes until our waitress came by and cleaned it up. Next, it took another 10 minutes for us to see our waitress again to take our order. It then took close to an hour for 2 omelets to make it out of the kitchen. My mother also ordered a mocha, which came out lukewarm, but since it took so long to get, she soldiered through it. Our omelets were okay, but not worth $10 a pop or a 1 hour wait. The waitstaff seemed pretty stressed out, making me wonder if maybe they were short staffed. With that being said, there are too many good brunch/lunch places in the area to settle for this. Do yourself a favor and skip it. Ann Sather is a couple blocks away and much better. If you want to give this place a shot, they have vouchers at restaurant.com .
(2)Bobby A.
I should've known better than to order breakfast food to be delivered, it's difficult to keep a waffle warm for an extended period of time. However, you could at least try for the ridiculous price Kanela charges. For 11 dollars, I got a tiny mess of a waffle with some chocolate sauce and a shriveled up piece of bacon, delivered to me on a bicycle, in a crushed container. Thanks! I admit it's probably unfair to review the place based on one delivery, and it may be a great experience in the restaurant itself, but this experience has soured me on this place forever. Don't offer delivery if you can't do it right. It's October, maybe a bike isn't the best mode of transportation when your customer would like to eat food that's warm or even room temperature. And the 5 dollar side of fruit came with mushy strawberries in an open container. I'm offended as a Greek. Kanela? Skata is what I got.
(1)Allison S.
We came by kanela for brunch on a Sunday afternoon. We were told it was around a 20 minute wait and waited around that long. The inside area is pretty small and cramped and we were at a small two person table right next to another table. I was desperately needing coffee and quickly drank the coffee the server brought. The menu is diverse and it was hard to pick out a dish to get. I had the duck confit hash. It had an orange sauce that was very strong and overpowered the dish. There were also a lot of vegetables in the hash which made it almost stew like. During our meal out sever kept saying he would come by to refill our coffee and he never came. Finally when he said he would bring the check and we asked again for more coffee he realized he kept forgetting. The service has much to be improved on and my meal didn't blow me away. I would possibly stop by to try again if I happened to be in the area.
(3)Anna H.
I was really excited to try this place as my boyfriend and I have been looking to try out new brunch places in lakeview and the menu looked amazing. Unfortunately I can't review the food because we got up and left before we could order. Let me preface this by saying I have NEVER gotten up and left a restaurant. Same with the BF--we're pretty laid back but these people were downright rude. We came in around 1ish on a Sunday and there people in the restaurant but it definitely wasn't packed. We were seated in the window right away, and then promptly ignored for the next 10 minutes. We weren't given water or menus and servers buzzed all around us tending to other tables. The table about 3 feet to the left of us got their check, chatted with their server, left, table was cleaned and visited several times to get it ready for the next customers. Not once did any of the people attending to that table acknowledge us. We made it very obvious, looking around trying to flag down help, and no one responded. We even saw a few servers looking right at us and discussing, yet no one made an effort to help us. We kept giving them chances but finally we'd had it so we got up and left. As we were leaving we commented to the lady sitting behind us who came in after us and also had a bit of a wait getting served, but managed to get their attention. She said "I guess you have to be aggressive to get served here." I'm sorry, but in my eyes you should never have to be aggressive to get service in a restaurant. We went to the new CBA that just opened on Belmont instead. No complaints there. Bummed because I really wanted to try this place.
(1)Kathleen M.
Eeek! Worst pancakes I have EVER had. I didn't know you could mess up pancakes, but apparently it's possible. I got the Kanela Chip Pancakes, they were SO dry and had the worst after taste. They are multi-grain, which I have had this type at other places and have made them at home as well, and they've never had this type of odd taste. Blah. My friend got an omelette which was only so-so. Honestly, the only reason I'm giving it 2 stars was because of our server. I got jelly on my shirt and I looked up, and he had soda water waiting to get the stain out without even asking - very attentive. I guess try it for yourself, maybe you will like it, but for me...horrible.
(2)Rebecca H.
I would really I've it 3.5. I think I need to go back and try it again.
(3)Joel M.
The mug of Julius Meinl coffee was delicious, strong, and bottomless. The peppered bacon was cooked perfectly. The chorizo / avacado / chihuaha cheese egg dish was just plain delicious... I came in here hungover, starving, and tired and left feeling fresh, revived, and full. I was (and still am) a huge fan of Orange and I honestly think that this place can hold its own against the Chicago brunch staple. Its BYO so you can bring you're own Champagne for a brunch celebration over some Mimosas. Its probably one of the best hangover relief breakfasts in Lakeview (pair with a Power Jamba Juice smoothie for advanced symptoms).
(5)Austin F.
Great service, great food at a very reasonable price, friendly staff, and we got our food within 10 minutes of ordering. Plus it has its own parking lot. What more could you ask for?
(5)Kaitlin K.
Loved everything! I had the Lorraine Scramble with a fresh squeezed orange juice mimosa & coffee--it was all perfect. Cozy, high quality & great service.
(5)Romeo V.
Good food, poor service. Ambience is subpar, There's 8 of us who dined in, our server got 2 of 8 drinks right.... And they're both glasses of water.
(1)Kelly W.
Hm, Kanela. How do I put this? You made my clothes smell like brunch. And not like yummy brunch but like stale brunch. Is this weird? Dos anyone know what I'm talking about? Regardless, the layout in this place is a little weird-- mostly one main wall of long bench seating with a bunch of 2-top tables. This is logistically design flawed as my party of four was stuck waiting a long time for 2 couples, who were taking their sweet old time, to get up. Basically there was an open 2-top table to the left of each occupied table and all we needed was one couple to get open so the tables could be pushed together so we could be accommodated. Now the menu is actually really yummy sounding and the food is good. They did however, have a bit of a kitchen mix up and provided only 2 of the correct 4 dishes we ordered, causing my other two friends to have to wait. The waiter was very nice though and gave us some donuts on the house for the trouble. The coffee was not the good either, too strong and bitter but they do have really good/fresh juice so go with that. Overall, decent experience and I may give it another shot. However, seriously, wtf is with this place making my clothes smell like a greasy diner?!
(3)Julia B.
Do your tastebuds a favor and go to Kanela for brunch, they will love you forever! Came here with my boyfriend for Sunday brunch last weekend and we both left stuffed! Kanela seems to be full of themes: Theme #1: Sweet and Savory-What our waitress insisted a good breakfast should be, so we did, I got the Chorizo omelet and the bf got eggs and sausage (both came with the BEST potatoes and toast). Also split the Kanela Chip Pancakes and OMG I could eat them everyday. Theme #2: FIltered-Was informed several times that water, ice, and coffee are made with filtered water, a little bit amusing to me, but hey you can't go wrong with filtered water. Theme #3: No condiments needed-a. Julius Meinl coffee tastes is so tasty you don't need cream and sugar (or maybe just a little). b. Potatoes are so flavorful you definitely don't need ketchup, and trust me I love my ketchup. c. Pancakes don't need maple syrup-they are perfectly fluffy and the Kanela chip ones come with a sweet butter and I think butterscotch chips? Other likes: Fresh cup of coffee in a to-go cup when you leave, the decor, friendly service. The decorations remind me of a fancy boarding house, and just like a boarding house the quarters are a little cramped, but nothing too bad. Prices are typical for such a trendy place, but worth it for the amount and quality of food you get. My tastebuds were so happy I will definitely have to treat them again sometime soon.
(4)Sarah E.
YES! l love when I find great places that I haven't been to before! Added bonus when I didn't have to wait for a table, and didn't get glares from waiting patrons while I was still waiting for my brunch buddy. I've never had monkey bread before. I don't know why. It's awesome. Food was great. Coffee was always full and hot. Prices were more than reasonable. Service couldn't have been friendlier. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Jessica R.
Red velvet French toast. MMM. Amazing breakfast flat bread - I don't even eat eggs but couldn't get enough of the goodness topped with scramble. Juice machine sits on the bar whereby your fresh squeezed mimosas or glass of orange juice are poured. Yum!
(4)Lindsee R.
Ohhhhh Kanela, Kanela, Kanela, I was nervous, jittery, excited as walked through your doors. It may have been the 5k after a year of no consistent exercise, but I'd like to think it was how cute you are, how wonderful you smelled, how much I longed to taste your...monkey bread. It was my first time and you definitely did not disappoint. I don't want to seem ungrateful, but I must mention that I sat and sat and sat before being served of your delectable bounty and that left me a little frustrated. So, for next time, maybe we could skip all the hot side glances and speed up the getting to the good stuff. ::kisses:: yours, Lindsee
(4)Jennifer R.
I really wanted to like Kanela Breakfast Club, but it fell short and was disappointing. We were seated immediately upon arrival, but for some reason never had a server assigned to our table. After waiting over 10 minutes I finally asked a young man who seemed confused, but stepped up to the plate and took our order. Kanela is Greek-owned and they serve Greek Frappe so I assumed they could make a Greek Freddo. Yea, that didn't work out so well. Horrible...just horrible. I understand that it wasn't on the menu and that was my bad, but my friend asked for a Greek Frappe and he brought her a latte. She drank it anyway, but seriously, the worst coffee I have ever had in my life. As for the food: Loukamades: They were hard. Not fresh. Spinach and Arugula Salad: It was ok. Nothing fancy. (Kanela management, please note: Arugula is spelled incorrectly on your menu). Chorizo: My friend liked it. I didn't try it. 'BLAH' is really all I can say about the experience.
(2)Rachel S.
Went here on a Saturday morning for brunch and had the smoked salmon eggs benedict, monkey bread, coffee, and a strawberry orange mimosa. This place is great! I'll be back for brunch so I can try their flight of french toast. Have you ever heard sweeter words? "Flight of french toast"? The only thing better would be a flight of beignets (and taking fried dough to the face until you're in physical pain. I may or may not be speaking from experience.)
(5)Emily Z.
Okay first of all this place has been open one week and they have a lot of kinks to work out still. I am going to preface this review by saying that I am excited to come back and see how far they've come in a month or so but I am also going to be honest and point out that our meal was perfect by no means. I am going to go out on a limb and say that almost all of these reviews already written are employees, considering the first three are 5 stars and this is the first review any of them have written, that's a little shady. Kenela's interior is a far cry from the bright blue and yellow walls of Orange; gorgeous, fancy, warm and modern. The walls are painted a lovely shade of pale green which pair perfectly with the dark wood tables and soft lighting offered by a sole chandelier and small track lighting. I love the 4ft tall upholstered back board and bench running along the northern wall. They had great music playing though it was a little loud at times as was the bus boy who kept clanking around silverware! We came around 11:30 on a rainy Sunday which is prime brunch time and Kanela's was definitley bumping. The crowd was young and beautiful as were the servers and staff so leave those sweats at home and dress to impress! The space is rather small and there is no real area to stand or sit if there is a wait which obviously cause's some issues in winter or rain. When we walked in the host was visibly frazzled and we were told it would be a 30 minute wait, he took our number down on his personal I-phone to give us a call when our table was ready, hmmm, I hope I don't get any drunk dials accidentally in the future from this kid. 30 minutes later my foot got run over by a stroller and we were taken back to our table in the back of the restaurant. We stood around for a few minutes while they got a bus boy to move some tables together and get them wiped off. Okay, so we finally get seated. Victory, or is it... Our server Jen came out and let us know that all their water and ice cubes are filtered and all their food is fresh and sourced locally, perfect, now get me some food before I eat my own arm. We ordered and then we brought out a plate of complementary loukamodes, warm and slightly chewey covered with sweet honey and crushed nuts, if only there were more than one for each of us my life would have been perfect. I think they are just giving them to guest complementary the first few weeks but it would be a nice touch to do always!! Over all I think we waited over an hour for our food to be delivered after we order it, the waitress apologized a few times but honestly I think something more should have been done, an hour! Luckily they have some fabulous fresh squeezed juices to pass the time. I had the kiwi, strawberry, orange. It was delicious and reasonably priced at $4. Everyone else had the Julius Meniel coffee that came out in their trademark cups with miniature pictures of creamer. I've never seen people enjoy coffee more! All the dishes came out beautifully presented and served with deliciously spiced breakfast potatoes. I had the duck confit that came out topped with two poached eggs. The duck was plentiful and moist, until... I bit into a bone. ah. We told the waitress and she apologized and took it off our bill. Okay no biggie by this point I am starved so I dig back in only to find another foreign object, a black hair. I know it happens I mean we all have hair but ick! Again we let the waitress know and she offered to get me anything else I wanted off the menu but by this point I was kind of over it. At our table we also had the chicken pesto sandwich (special), Lorraine scramble and the burger; all were well received though the table favorite was the Chorizo. Like I stated at the beginning I love the concept of Kanela; great atmosphere paired with fresh food and inventive options. I am sure they will get the kinks worked out and I will be able to bump it up a star or two. Come'on Kanela's you can do it!
(3)Steve M.
Sunday Brunch, take 159. Target: Kanela Breakfast Club, a newly-opened (you guessed it) brunch place. While some items on the menu have a Greek bent (the bougatsa was tasty!), the majority of the offerings fall into American traditional fare. Please don't let this imply mediocrity, however. Kanela handled their business solidly. 5 minute wait on a Sunday morning to seat a party of two - thumbs up, though I suspect this will get tougher as word gets out. We waited a little longer than I'd have liked for a server to approach us, but the server herself redeemed the situation. I get the sense that we were not her responsibility, but seeing that there was a problem she stepped up and solved it right away. I ordered the duck confit hash, which I was pretty happy with - the orange truffle vinaigrette was a clever addition. The potatoes are delicious but very herby - after a few bites you're not going to want to let anyone see your teeth for a while. My girlfriend had the portobello benedict which she is still raving about fifteen hours later. I will be coming back at least two more times; first to try the pork belly benedict and then to see if their lunch menu is anything like their brunch menu.
(4)J D.
My third time eating at this breakfast club and I must say the food is mediocre. I have truly wanted it to be something more and better, but the quality of ingredients and plate execution is lacking. I'd be willing to pay a higher price-point for better quality. That noted, the service is most attentive despite the atmosphere being somewhat hectic on a Saturday morning: this is to be expected for a neighbourhood breakfast club. Keep up the great service approach, but please do something about offering more inspired dishes and ingredients on the menu. Here's to hoping!
(2)Van L.
okay these are my requirements for an amazzzzinnggg better-than-your-average-spot brunch: -booze. check - mimosas, bloodies be here. -great coffee. check - julius meinl. greek frappes? yes. -menu: both savory and sweet options. check. unique twists on original breakfast staples? check. and specials. woot. -bonuses: great juice options if that floats your boat. i'm a fan of the benedict - pork belly with brussel sprouts. so delicious. (i haven't ventured away from it, just tried my friends food...) why not five stars you ask? no, it's not the wait. that just happens in chicago at brunchtime. service. had to wait for silverware. coffee sometimes comes with food, not beforehand. etc. it's hit and miss. last visit, i wasn't waited on for 5 minutes because "we looked like the couple that just left." oh yes, that couple was asian. thanks. we do all look the same.
(4)Liz P.
After going here for brunch, I cannot understand how anyone could rate this below 4 stars. It has everything you want from a Chicago brunch place - good service, delicious coffee, and fun new dishes to try out. I think this place walks the perfect line between comforting and adventurous on the brunch scale. To those who think it tries to hard...well, maybe you should stick to [gasp] IHOP...or Dennys. And to those who said they weren't full...well, I think you need to work on your portion size because no one that I went with ate another full meal until well over 6 hours later. OH - and on non-cubs game days there is a parking lot! Score! Onto the food - our group ordered: Spicy Feta Omelet: whipped feta + red onion + red chili pepper + tomato served with toast Chorizo eggs over easy + avocado + chihuahua cheese + salsa verde + jalapeño + cilantro + crema served with toast Lorraine Scramble: peppered bacon + gruyere cheese + charred scallions served with toast Pork Belly Benedict: english muffins + poached eggs + brussel sprouts + dried cranberries + hollandaise Oh, and coffee...lots and lots of coffee. And it was perfect on a rainy day. Personally, I can only speak for the chorizo egg dish and it was magnificent [and surprisingly light based on all of the ingredients]. The chorizo was the perfect amount of spice [for me that means not too spicy] and the avocado was perfectly ripe and really pulled the dish together. This is one of those dishes that I will now struggle to not order every single time I return since I want to try out other parts of the menu. I will, however, insist that anyone else I am with that has not yet tried it goes for it due to its sheer awesomeness. My three friends ordered the other dishes and everyone was equally pleased with their selection as me. I will most likely attempt the pork belly benedict on my next visit since I love eating pig in all forms. All in all, the perfect brunch experience. Now lets just see what happens when the weather is actually nice and a line forms when I'm there. I'll just have to remember my magical first experience...
(5)Ashley G.
Not much to say besides this place is unreal. Can you say, "Pork belly benedict"? For two people, our total bill came to $30 and we had the pork belly benedict and the duck sandwhich accompanied by coffee and a delicious orange, strawberry, banana, honey juice. If you haven't tried Kanela, get on it!
(5)Chris S.
Well done breakfast/brunch/whatever you want to call it. Julius Meinl coffees, fresh-squeezed juices, some of the best standards, like French toast and pancakes, that I've had in a long time. I'm not much for eating just bread for breakfast, but if all French toast was like the stuff here, I'd be apt to have it a lot more often. The duck confit hash was great, and other dishes on the menu make me want to go back and try them. An emphasis on making things well and from scratch puts Kanela at least near the top of the list for brunch-type places.
(4)Maxwell C.
I went there today after reading all the glowing reviews. Guys, what is going on here? This place is horrible. The coffee was not good even though they claim it's from Julius Meihl. The bacon waffle was disgusting. DISGUSTING. It was just covered with chocolate and some bourbon crap. It was awful. I had to scrape off all the chocolate and bacon nasty bits and just eat the waffles by itself. My boyfriend ordered the pork belly dish and the pork belly was bland. It wasn't even seared or anything. It looked and tasted like it was just boiled or something. Awful. And the potatoes were so over spiced that they were bitter. I would never step food into this place again. The only thing that this place has going for it is the hot host that took us to our seats.
(1)Mary W.
Solid brunch spot! I came here at 10 am on New Year's day and was seated right away-definite plus! I had the Kanela French Toast- mind blowingly delish! The lemon creme fraiche and apricot sauce gave it the right amount of sweet without being too sugary. I also opted for a side of peppered bacon- not too soft, not to crisp and delightfully thick. They gave be 4 big slices- enough to share. Service was quick- and Julius Meinl coffee (YUM) flowed. Will definitely come back!
(4)anna s.
This is an awesome local place and quickly became a fave of mine. I probably go there about once or twice a month since may. I am a huge fan of the Pork Belly Eggs Benedict. I also love the crepes and stuffed french toast. I have pretty much tried the whole menu. Sandwiches are also pretty good. Service is always good. Beautiful ambiance and decor. Fresh squeezed juices and Amazing coffee. Very reasonable prices. Definitely a neighborhood gem.
(4)Jackie W.
I have totally been back many times and I love this place.... We all have bad days!
(4)Lindsey C.
Kanela is awesome!!!! Get there early or expect to wait. They have a fully-stocked bar of delicious Julius Meinl coffees and espressos. Coffee was amazing; my husband had a mocha which was also incredible. I had a strawberry-orange juice which was the most delicious fruit drink I have ever had- clearly fresh juices!!! The food was great too- I got a lorraine scramble and my husband had the chorizo and eggs. Great experience! The decor is really nice too- exposed brick, huge high-back booth seats... very nice!
(5)Brian S.
About 8 years ago, I thought that Orange was the highest form of brunch one could possibly achieve. The chefs were trying so many new and interesting things! My palate was joyfully stimulated by the inclusion of chai tea -- something REALLY COOL to me at the time -- in a French toast dish. Brilliant! So, things have changed since then. Mostly, I have had a lot of brunches not at Orange. That means I have different ideas about brunch. I took some of those ideas with me when I visited Kanela. And Kanela had some ideas of its own. And sometimes those ideas met joyfully, like chai tea French toast and my teenage tongue. And some of those ideas were more like fruishi (which was, is, and will forever be the most obnoxious disaster a white plate has ever held). I found it a little disconcerting that the waiter announced to us several times (we came not at once but in a slow trickle -- it was not a solid "12 p.m." apparently) that all of the food is organic, and "even the water is distilled." I am calling for some fact-checking, please! Because, I really don't think that everything (especially not, hmm, the dried cranberries and pork belly in particular) were certified organic. I need brand names, people! Tell me where it's from! WHO IS YOUR DISTRIBUTOR. And since when is distilled water worth mentioning tableside? It cheapened the experience for me from the get-go: Here is a man trying to tell me -- very generally -- about the quality of the food, as though I were some Standard AmURRican who has heard about organic food once or twice on Dateline. The one brand name I noticed on the menu was Julius Meinl, who would surely have asked for the espresso I received to be taken back immediately. Because, well, it was terrible. Why spend all that money on an espresso machine if you aren't going to hire someone who can actually pull a decent shot? That is confusing. After drinks started coming, the complimentary plate of loukoumades arrived. Donut-hole-looking spheres of dough turned out to be tough and, to quote Theo, "Chicken McNugget-esque" (in that they were doused with honey and walnuts). Too many gluten fibers in them thar balls. And then -- the mains. I wisely selected the lamb burger, which came on a good (apocryphally organic, but I'll gladly be surprised!) bun and topped with the standard array of Greek flavors -- whipped feta, kalamata, oregano, tzatziki. I would eat this again, in a pinch. The potatoes were seasoned with standard fresh herbs and were passable (like most breakfast potatoes). Daniel ordered the pork belly benedict. I will hesitantly say it was an actually UNUSUAL flavor profile -- sweet cranberries, tangy Brussels sprouts, smoky (though tough! This was a loss) pork belly, and creamy hollandaise. I was happyish with this. The meat quality needs to be kicked up, though. I am guessing this entrée will not last on the menu; I liked it (mostly in theory), but their clientele won't. I will likely not return. This restaurant will play well to Schaumburg transplants who like Vines and Rockit and other assorted "fancy" Wrigleyville places. This place will not play well to folks who know and respect food. And that's FINE! Those people need to eat sometimes, too.
(3)Y L.
I went to Kanela a few weeks ago, and I was not impressed. I kinda miss Orange. The wait time to get seated was short (less than 10 minutes), given that we showed up around 11am for Sunday brunch. The service was bad enough that I will not go bad, and this is why: 1) While we were serving ourselves some water, we accidentally spilled some. The table was slanted and the water was running towards my husband, so we needed napkins ASAP, but it took us a while to get her attention considering that our waitress was standing just a few feet away. 2) It's really loud, so loud to the point that it is hard to hold a decent conversation. 3) The coffee arrived cold because it sat there for a while before our waitress decided to check on it and bring it to our table. 4) Food was ok, but bad service trumps it, unfortunately.
(2)David D.
Wow - Just ate there. Had the Chorizo and eggs and the Pork belly Benedict. It was fantastic. The meal started with 3 donut balls that were delicious. The place looks great. Not like your typical brunch spot. Most look very plain. Kanela has a beautiful interior. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The Chef came out to check on everyone, which was a great touch. The music is great. Sometimes you go to a brunch place and get stuck next to the only speaker and you leave with a headache. The speakers were evenly spaced throughout so no one gets stuck next to the loud speaker. Who ever designed the audio is genius. I have a new brunch place and looking forward to eating there again and trying the rest of the menu.
(5)Katie R.
yum. i had the waffle which came with the best creme fraiche ever. tried a bite of my friend's crepes which were reallllyyy yummy as well. my other friend's portabella benedict looked devine, and she said it was pretty good. i wish the environment was lighter (it was a bit dark for my taste, for a brunch place that is) and that there weren't a couple of malfunctions during our meal - those being the waffle machine having some sort of meltdown - which resulted in a much long wait for our food (sans comp) and the credit card machine being "down". however, it was so yummy it was worth it.
(4)Terris A.
I have been going to this location pretty much since the day they opened and I have never been disappointed. Their staff are usually on point, the service is never really slow even when they are super busy during Saturday and Sunday. Coffee-yummy. They have fresh squeezed juice- plus. Their bloody marys are good! I try to make it early before the long wait on the weekends- but worth the wait for sure!
(5)Bethany B.
One of my new favorite brunch spots! I came here over Labor Day weekend with a friend from out of town. We had about a 45minute wait on Monday morning at about 11:30. For food, we shared the loukoumades (which are so-o good we were using our forks to try and scoop up the leftover honey syrup when the fritters were gone), the duck confit hash, the portobello benedict, and the vegetarian sausage. All the food was amazing with the exception of the vegetarian sausage - we joked it looked (and tasted) just like a Boca burger, and instead of having vegetarian sausage on the menu they should offer a veggie burger. Also noteworthy - the juice blends were both surprising and delicious. I am not usually a fan of vegetable juice, but I loved to orange + carrot + apple blend.
(5)Stephanie M.
I love you, Kanela. So brunch is a pretty big deal in my circle. When we brunch, we brunch well. And nowhere to date, has brought us as a collective as much joy as Kanela. The fresh juice, the monkey bread, the fabulous entrees, and Gary. Oh, Gary. So, Gary is our server. Every time we come to Kanela, we ask for Gary. Gary's real name is Phil, but we dubbed him the name Gary the first time we came in, and it's stuck. We do love Gary, but I have to say, the service at Kanela in general is pretty fab. There is an energy at this place that just makes people happy. It helps to have alcohol, and coffee, and maybe even combine the two into the nirvana that is the RUMCHATA LATTE. Dat shyt iz gud. I have enjoyed every meal I have had at Kanela, favoring the lamb burger, cooked medium rare with a side salad. A few of us stopped in last Thursday to try the dinner, and Kanela did not disappoint. A) we had our beloved Gary serve us. B) the food was fan-effing-tastic. C) so were the drinks. We ordered for a starter the cauliflower gratin, and the stuffed meatballs. Delicious. For dinner, we ordered the truffle mushroom risotto, the bacon macaroni and cheese, and the salmon drizzled in a curry sauce, and sprinkled with capers. Portions were small, as I guess it was supposed to be treated as more of a tapas-style dining, which I can tooooootally work with. I got a Belvedere dirty martini to go with my dinner, and I finished the night with a RumChata latte. Everything about Kanela rocks my socks, EXCEPT! Except that they are ending dinner service after this week. :( That lost them a star... I am secretly hoping that this one star deduction is enough to put dinner back on the table! I LOVE YOU KANELA... KEEP DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING!!!!
(4)Derek B.
Very great brunch experiences at this plate. First, their beverage selection is good. Lots of coffee and tea drink options. Service has always been efficient, and the staff very friendly.
(4)Deanne B.
This is my FAVORITE breakfast/lunch place. . . . They make amazing coffee, and the chef is amazing and the food is soooooo delicious. . . . On the healthy side, the salads are always a winner. However, if you really want to talk about their most delicious food. . . . The french toast flight is unbelievably insane. . . . I work from home, and this place is great to bring the computer and have a nice long afternoon with great coffee, amazing food and friendly service. . . . However, it's also a great place for a nice, long lunch with a group. . . . Great atmosphere!
(5)Julie B.
Just like at home.
(5)Jewel L.
Looking for a great breakfast place in the area, we found Kanela on yelp. I ordered what caught my eye on the reviews, pork belly eggs benedict. Everything was good, really good...just not great. Oh, and this place has nothing to absorb sound, so don't expect to be able to hear the conversation at your own table. I guess unless you yell.
(4)Kristen B.
Kanela is a total hit or miss. When you hit it on the right day, it is amazing (delicious, different menu, fun atmosphere). On a wrong day, you're sitting by the kitchen and paying for a fairly expensive breakfast and waiting for an hour after ording to be served lukewarm food. I'm sick of the other breakfast options around the area, and I like the lorraine scramble at Kanela enough to keep going back. Though, in the four separate times that I've ordered it, it has come out lukewarm. Overall - worth a try. Try not to get seated around the kitchen!
(3)Andrea C.
kanela breakfast club is a nice addition to the lakeview brunch scene! it has a tasty and creative menu, adorable decor and a very pleasant waitstaff! the bf and another couple decided to give it a try after reading a few good reviews here. we got there earlyish (about 10am), which turned out to be a good time...we beat the rush and were seated right away. as we were leaving the place was packed and there were lots of people waiting outside. it's not a huge space, but it sure is cute. unfortunately, we did not receive the greek donuts many have spoken of, but the rest of our food was pretty good. everyone had coffee and i got the greek coffee, which was really tasty. we wanted to try a sweet and a savory, so had the lorraine scramble and the bacon waffle and both were really good! i personally really liked the chocolate covered bacon and the lorraine was perfectly savory! service was a little slow toward the end of our meal when things started to get crowded, but all in all, we had a very nice experience.
(4)Kelly A.
I've been to quite a few (if not most) brunch spots in Chicago and although Kanela is new to the roster, it's quickly becoming one of my favorites. One of the things I love about this place is that the menu is very creative. There are a lot of fun options that I haven't seen elsewhere like the spicy feta omelet, duck confit hash, and the pork belly benedict. However, if you crave something more traditional they also have more standard fare like the two eggs, western omelette and blueberry pancakes. Overall my experience here was great but there were a couple of things keeping it from a 5-star review. One, the service can be spotty. One visit I found it perfectly attentive, the next we were hardly checked on and our starter didn't arrive until after our main dish. (They did explain later that it was because we arrived on the early side and the dough for our starter wasn't ready yet, but if they had told us that at the time of order, we might have skipped it.) Also, some dishes are better than others. The spicy feta omelet, banana split crepes, western omelette and eggs benedict all received strong reviews. The loukoumades and duck confit hash were just okay. It could have been just our batch of loukoumades but they tasted undercooked and were a bit on the bland side. I'm not sure I'd bother ordering this again. The duck confit hash had good flavor, but was on the dry side. I never understand how anything made with duck confit could be dry, but it was. The amount of duck meat was also pretty minimal so don't expect a big portion there. Even with these misses though there was enough delicious food on the menu to still warrant 4 stars.
(4)Brent H.
This is my favorite local place for brunch. Great coffee, excellent sweet and savory options. The fresh juices are both numerous and delicious; also, as long as there isn't a Cubs game, they have free parking which is very nice.
(5)Zach J.
I stopped in to kanela the other day by myself and ate at the bar. It was a pretty great experience except for the fact that it was REALLY loud. I literally had to yell at the bartender that was taking my order. When I go to brunch, I kind of expect a more chill attitude. The coffee wasn't great but the Chorizo was amazing! If you go there, definitely have the Chorizo. I didn't have any trouble finding pay parking on the street.
(4)Jenny b.
I miss Orange, but I do like Kanela. Food is good & interesting. They have a lox sandwich which is pretty much the key to me enjoying a restaurant. The staff is friendly. Most mornings are a little crowded for my liking--feels a little claustrophobic. Service is slow, but it's brunch. The one time I DID mention I had to get somewhere quick the service was very fast. The bacon waffle is not for me, but fun to try once!
(4)Jeff M.
I am always looking for a new place for Sunday brunch and finally tried the Kanela Breakfast Club with two friends. The host turned out to be the owner (Chris is his name) and he was very friendly as well our waitress. We shared the Kanela roll to start and it was amazing. I had the stuffed french toast which has an apricot-jalapeno chutney which sounds odd but is actually very good. My friends also shared an omelette which was spicier than they expected but tasty nonetheless. I would definitely add this place to my list of Sunday brunch spots. Yes, it's crowded on the weekend but our wait time was less than 20 minutes. The crowd is mixed - families, older, younger, gay, straight, etc. and the ambience is casual. Chris recommended the lamb burger for lunch so I am sure I will go back to try that soon. All-in-all thumbs up!
(4)Carly L.
Kanela means Cinnamon. This I did not know. Nor did I know that this little breakfast joint, just minutes walking distance from my apartment, was turning out such a delicious breakfast menu. I went to Kanela Breakfast Club with my visiting parents and absolutely enjoyed my experience from the food to the service--everything was fantastic. I ordered the Kanela French Toast and sampled off my parents plates who ordered the Spicy Feta Omelette and the special of the day, the Butternut Squash Crepes. Hands down, the order Queen was my Mom with the Butternut Squash Crepes (think Pumpkin Pie for breakfast; and don't be surprised if this makes it to the regular menu for Fall), but I was also happy with my French Toast and would order my Dad's Spicy Omelette (and it did have a kick) again if I was in the mood for a savory breakfast as opposed to sweet. The only thing that made me go "eh, I've had better" was the coffee. I thought it was a little weak and slightly watered down, but maybe that's just a matter of taste. Will definitely be going back and would definitely recommend this place to anyone in the Lakeview area.
(4)Anne-Marie P.
Eggs Benedict with Brussels sprouts and cranberries do not a good breakfast make. They brought me what I ordered, so I do share the blame, but I'm giving Kanela one star for even having this on their menu.
(1)Simone C.
I went for breakfast one day because I was in the area and a friend of mine warmly suggested this place. I had the red velvet french toast that was rich and spectacular. I also ordered a refreshing grapefruit and apple juice and even the Julius Meinl coffee that they serve adds points to this place. I went one morning on a weekday, and it wasn't hard to find a seat. However, I've heard that for a Sunday brunch might require some wait to be seated. I think it's worth it though.
(4)Adam E.
Excellent place to grab brunch in Chicago. Delicious good with great service. Try the spicy feta omlette and great drinks. See you next time.
(5)Ken O.
After receiving the updated AAdvantage restaurant list, I though I'd would try it - worth the AA points... so glad I did! Went today (Wednesday afternoon) for a late breakfast. The space is small and trendy. The restaurant was not loud as I thought it could have. I didn't hear anyone's conversation. I was seated against the wall across from the kitchen - no big deal. I was able to see the other great meals as they came out of the kitchen. My server, Matt, was fantastic!! I would like recommend him to anyone. I had ordered the scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes and side of meat platter which I picked the ham. Also, a choice of toast. The sourdough toast was a great choice. Food came shortly, not long of a wait. The food was very good. The breakfast potatoes has a slight kick to them. I wish the ham was a little bigger. Overall - great food and service! I will certainly come back to this restaurant.
(5)Athena C.
We came here before our Wrigley Stadium Tour for brunch. It was 12ish and we were lucky enough not to wait at all. The restaurant was spacious and had great decor with freshly squeezed juice bar. We started with a fresh berry smoothie. It tastes fresh but feels a little watered down? I am not sure if it is because they don't add artificial substance or just because they might have added water? I also got a cup of coffee, which was great with refill. I decided to get the Chorizo sausage, which comes with minced chorizo with guacamole, cheese and sour cream on the side with some home fries. There are also toasted whole grain bread and sunny side up egg on top. My dish was very delicious and the portion is just right. The price seems alright compared to that in NYC. My husband tried their chocolate bacon waffles with maple syrup. The waffles come with bacon on top and bacon inside too. The sweet and salty combination is a genius mix and the waffle is fluffy and savory drenched in syrup and confection sugar. I love this place!
(4)Saba A.
A smaller joint, but cute, located in Lakeview, near the Brown line. My friends got a table near the door around 10:10 A.M. when this place was already crowded on this cold Saturday morning. Coffee was light roast and tasty. Our server was friendly and my friends thought he had an "actor" voice on, which was cool, and he came around enough. Here's the menu: kanelacafe.com/KanelaMen… We ordered: - Spicy Feta Omelet: I'm not a huge fan of feta, but the spice rocked it! I loved every bite and I bet I'm going to try that again if I return -Lorraine Scrabble: My friend finished every bite of hers -Duck Confit Hash: My friend who appreciates all types of food couldn't swallow this one down. It had a bit of bone to it too, and when I mentioned it to the waiter, he spoke about how sometimes that accidentally happens because of how many ingredients (or something) a duck has. Soooo, I guess the duck wasn't worth the risk. For next time: We have to get sweets! The crepes looked amazing and so did a muffin, and we saw people getting those! Overall, a good meal. I don't regret coming, but I may just hit Bakin' and Eggs instead unless I just have a sweet mouth. Good experience. And it is BYOB, if you want to make your Bloody Mary, and the special on the menu today was "Hangover Omelette" but don't worry, it seemed more of a family restaurant inside. No one will fall asleep at the table next to you, I hope.
(4)Briandi L.
Visited here after a long St. Patty's Day Weekend! Two of us had the breakfast skillet, 1 person had the breakfast burrito, 1 had the breakfast flatbread and another ordered a la carte. Everything was presented nicely! We also ordered the monkey bread as our breakfast dessert and I must say that was the best part! It is def. a must try visiting here! The atmosphere is quaint and cozy but yet you don't feel smothered by other diners. I highly recommend eating here!
(4)Tomas T.
Food was good and priced fairly for the neighborhood. I had the salmon benedict which was really well done and nicely plated. The noise level was off the charts and left me with a headache.
(3)Callan M.
its good
(4)Nicki W.
Can we say, love at first sight? I have this awful habit of continuing to frequent the same five brunch spots near my apartment. Why you ask? They are reliable, comfortable and close. There are so many other options out there so I'm starting to run down a list of new brunch spots to try. Let's do this. Kanela is refreshing. It's cute, sassy, delightfully charming and delish. The interior was very appealing with the beautiful lighting, color schemes and cozy booths. I came for brunch during the week but I assume this place packs em in on the weekends. Everything on the menu looked so good, but a standout item on the menu for me was the Banana and Strawberry Crepes with chocolate sauce and whip cream. I'm a total sucker for sweets, but usually they aren't what I think of in the morning. I had to try it because my mouth was watering. I also got a side of their potatoes. The crepes were AMAZING...and if I were out to brunch with a couple of people I would get that as an appetizer to share between 4 people. So GOOD. The potatoes on the other hand were just kinda MEH and bland. I enjoy the potatoes at Toast much better. They also have cute little juice concoctions and plenty of caffeine filled beverages to wake your right up. Service was satisfying as well. It's nice when a server keeps an eye on you but realizes that you're content just chillin' and reading your book while eating. The music was the best part as Jennifer Lopez, Mya and Mariah Carey busted it out and I was jamming while chowin' down. LOVE the old school tunes! GO! :)
(5)Kathleen C.
YUM YUM YUM YUM YUM!! So...while trying to convince my friend to go elsewhere for brunch, she mentioned this spot which was "close" to her apartment. "Close" is apparently a relative term as I'm pretty sure it was a mile and a half (and we walked), but hey, exercise is good for you.... We lucked out and were seated immediately (yay!) and I soon discovered a lovely, warm cup of Julius Meinl coffee in my hand. Having visited the real Julius Meinl in Austria, I was thrilled that the coffee was just as delicious. So, not being able to decide what to order, we settled on sharing 2 items...the BLT (with an added fried egg) and the bacon waffles. What are bacon waffles you ask? These are waffles with bits of deliciousness AND chocolate covered bacon on top. Yes! I said it - chocolate covered bacon. Whoohoo! If it only had whipped cream....It was very rich, but very tasty. Anyway, the BLT was wonderful (we asked for a fried egg and I should have been more specific and asked for it over easy, as I like them really runny, but it was still really tasty). The bacon was peppered and really wonderful. And the potatoes?! Wow - I don't know what they did to them, but they were some of the best breakfast potatoes I've had. Food is a definite 5. Service was good and they didn't rush us even though it was busy (don't worry, we didn't hog the table for too long...). A 5 for service. The bathrooms...not bad...clean and tastefully decorated...a 4.The spot is also really cute and warm and welcoming. It was bright and lively as well, which makes for a really cheerful brunch. A 5 for atmosphere. Value...wow! $13 each for brunch...might be some of the best brunch food for the price! A 5 for value. Would I visit again - yes! Also, I was happy to see when we left that we really were lucky...there were people waiting down the block!
(5)Morgan P.
Delicious food and good service. Would recommend going early on the weekends as this place packs up fast!
(4)Molly L.
There are few things in life that satisfy my hunger (or hangover-if applicable) as much as a damn good brunch. Don't you agree? Br+unch, combines the best breakfast foods with the mid day time frame of lunch into a winning combination. I've been looking for a nock your socks off brunch place in my neighborhood and I have found some A-OK ones, but Kanela Breakfast Club takes it to another level of YUM. They break up the menu into three main "S's" - Starters, Sweet & Savory We came ready to play, so my brunch partner and I ordered 1 sweet and 1 savory dish each from the menu, splitting them up between us to see what Kanela had to offer across the spectrum. I am sweet...so naturally - just kidding, but seriously. I got the Red Velvet French Toast, how could you pass on that combination of words on a menu?? HOW?! It was to die for, red velvet...less of a toast feel, more of a cake feel w/ cream cheese frosting, strawberries and crème anglasie. They also serve it was syrup but unless you're Buddy the Elf I don't think you'll need it. SO GOOD. ($10) My boyfriend had an internal struggle trying to pick between the Spicy Feta Omelette and the Smoked Pork Belly Benedict - he landed on the Benedict, and I'm glad he did because I got to enjoy half of it! On the other hand I'm sure the spicy feta is delish, which just gives us another thing to try when we come back. Back to the Benedict....in the typical Benedict fashion - 2 English muffins, 2 poached eggs, brussel sprouts, dried cranberries and the most delicious hollandaise sauce I've ever had. I'm not sure how all those tastes blend together so perfectly, but one thing is for sure who's ever whipping up these masterpieces in the kitchen knows what they're doing. ($11) We also both got a strawberry orange mimosa...can't go wrong there. We got one each but there is an option for BOTTOMLESS mimosa. See they want you to nurse that hangover :). I'd definitely recommend check this place out, you'll problem see me there when you do!
(4)Yesenia C.
Spontaneously selected Kanela for brunch on a saturday around 1pm, was happy that it would only be about 30 minutes wait time for a table of two. They have a system where they text message you when your table is ready so we got to sit comfortably in our car instead of idling outside. Once inside the waitress (Jenny?) was very sweet and attentive, took our drink order and upon arriving with drinks took our meal order. It did seem like we waited a little too long for our food, but the restaurant was Uber full so i let it slide. I had the Duck Confit with eggs and potatoes.. oh the potatoes. probably some of the best seasoned red potatoes I've had in a while. I had to send my eggs back for a little more cook but the waitress didn't seem to mind and brought them back within 2 minutes if that. The confit was deliciously seasoned, not too greasy. My mom had the Kanela French toast, two eggs and side of bacon.. The french toast were devoured and the bacon was sprinkled with some cracked red pepper and Just crispy enough. We'll definitely put it on the list of places to go.. Nothing spectacularly special about it, but it was a good experience and again, very attentive staff. :)
(3)N P.
Went for brunch and I REALLY enjoyed it. It's a bit smaller than I expected. We walked in at 3:10 and were told that the kitchen was closed - my heart sank since we drove 45 minutes to get here. They sympathized and said we could order anything except pancakes, which was fine. There was plenty more to choose from! I had a cappuccino which was perfect - not too bitter, but you could still taste the coffee. The Kanela roll is just a cinnamon roll but it was so light and fluffy. Great to split, hot and fresh. We shared the Red Velvet french toast and chorizo omelette. The french toast wasn't really french toast - it was more of a rolled up sweet bread with a cream cheese filling. Whipped cream on the side as well as maple syrup but honestly you don't need the syrup! It was three huge slices, and I could barely finish one. The omelette was actually veggies/meat on bottom topped with two eggs over easy. It was very flavorful - lots of avocado easy on the salt. A nice serving of potatoes and toast on the side. I think the prices are very reasonable and so are the portions. Music was a little too loud since there were only a handful of customers. And go in 30 minutes prior to closing!
(4)Lin H.
I came here last Sunday for brunch with two friends. We got there at 2 and they were pretty busy, but we were able to get a table by the door. I was a little hesitant, as I've heard complaints about bad service, but I was pleasantly surprised. Our server was great. Friendly, timely, and patient with us when we took a few visits to decide on our orders. Bloody Marys are good and food was good. I will definitely be going back again.
(3)S.C. B.
I waited 90+ minutes for the delivery of two mediocre bagels from Kanela Breakfast Club. Considering that i did not receive any explanation or apology from Kanela, this will be the last time I order from Kanela Breakfast Club. Not going to miss it, to tell you the truth.. .their food has always been overpriced and, well, forgettable.
(1)Christian E.
This is a total favorite... I mean it's awful. Go away. Mine. You can't have it! Okay, in all truthfulness, they have a creative menu with some simply killer options. I have been here near a half-dozen times and they have friendly service and great food. The French Toast Flight (5 different types of french toast) is TO DIE FOR! It's on the "daily specials," but has been there for some time. (That would be pretty much my only complaint: they don't tend to vary the specials often...) The spicy feta flat-bread or omelet is terrific, their Chorizo is quite yummy as well. The place gets packed early, so come with some patience. It is worth it. Also, not great for large groups, unless you are ready for a serious wait.
(5)Peggy N.
Meh. My burger was overcooked/charred. Random guacamole on it was totally flavorless. Came with "mixed greens" on the side, which you would think would be a salad, but is just literally not-quite-fresh greens. Service was slow, place was loud. May be persuaded to return for a more breakfast-y brunch choice. Would give an extra 1/2 star for the free parking lot.
(2)Kelly C.
Definitely my new favorite brunch spot in the neighborhood. Food is excellent, with a range of good tasting, good for you and everything in between. The decor is exposed brick and brown banquettes which give it a fresh yet cozy feel. The menu has all kinds of delectable treats from the loukoumade (fried dough covered in honey, cinnamon and toasted walnuts) to the golden beet and duck confit salad. I'm not a fan of eggs, so I love a good brunch place that has alternatives (although the eggs benedict looked really good ...). While our service was slow (reason unknown), the service at tables all around seemed on point and fast. I'll be going back since I don't think it's a trend. Great for brunch with a few friends, couples or young parents with one kid (more than that would be overwhelming in the small space).
(4)Liza P.
This place is really busy on Sunday mornings, so it takes a long time for the food to come. Also, it's really noisy so having a casual conversation gets to be kind of hard. The food is amazing though. They had a french toast flight special when I went, which was small servings of four different kinds of french toast. Something to be aware of is that their "french toast" is basically made from cake batter. Not that that's a bad thing or anything because it was delicious, but just realize that you're basically ordering a giant cake for breakfast. You'll probably feel ashamed of yourself afterwards, so it's best not to tell others.
(4)Andy M.
There are few things I enjoy more than weekend breakfast. Eggs, sausage and enough coffee to keep a large horse awake for a month. See description above. Kanala does all these things perfectly. The place is utterly amazing!! We started out with a pot of French press coffee. This coffee was delicious and strong enough to wake the dead. For my food selection I opted for the Chorizo and Eggs with a side of Chicken Sausage. This artery clogging breakfast was just what the Doctor ordered. It was all quite tasty, but the Chicken sausage was the star of the show. It was delicious. The bottom line on Kanela is a delectable one: For amazing food, delicious coffee and wonderful service, head down to the Kanela Breakfast Club. You will get fed like a king and treated like royalty. The whole experience was awesome.
(5)Shradha A.
A personal record! For what? Returning to the same place twice back to back weekends!! But why? The food here is really really good! The first time we tried the fried dough balls, spicy feta omelet and lorraine scrambler. And then? We didn't talk for 30 minutes as we focused 100% on the food - and this is two otherwise very talkative girlfriends. What next? Well we had friends visiting from LA so we made a reservation for the following Saturday to have them try this amazing breakfast place. Final verdict? They enjoyed it too! And this time I tried the red velvet french toast - out of the world, no really!
(5)Ryan C.
Had a good experience here for a Sunday brunch. Server was great and the food was also very good. I had eggs Benedict and was pretty impressed. Also, the spicy bloody Mary was very tasty and had just the right amount of spice.
(4)Alicia B.
This is a great place for brunch! I called a few days in advance and got a reservation for 11:30am on a Sunday which I thought was great considering other reviews said to expect a really long wait. There was 4 of us and each wanted everything on the menu so we ended up sharing everything. They had a special with a french toast flight. YES PLEASE!! There was everyone's favorite. It came with red velvet, so so good. They did a great job of not making the cream cheese frosting too sweet. Must get! The other flavor was orange. I was intrigued and very pleasantly surprised. Banana bread flavor with real bananas in between the layers. And the 4th was lemon. I'm not a huge lemon fan but this was still delicious. Next we had the duck confit hash. This was a little too greasy for me. And I thought the eggs could have been cooked for maybe just a minute longer. I don't mind sunny side up for some fo the white was still raw. The spicy feta omelet was good. A little too spicy for my taste buds but I am a spicy sissy. Then we got the regular eggs benedict. This was really good. I was interested to see how they were going to use brussel sprouts in this meal and thought it was very cleaver. They were shaved and on top of the english muffin with the egg on top of that. Very good. Not only is the food amazing but they make all different kinds of juices in house. The strawberry/ orange juice mimosa's are good. My fiance got the bloody mary and i definitely had quite a few sips of that too. Overall I would absolutely recommend this place!!
(4)Meredith K.
I was here for dinner. Great space, great people, great drinks. A lovely time! I hesitate to post my review because I don't want to see it becoming crazy busy like it is for breakfast! We started with hummus and the beet salad. The salad had the most generous amount of goat cheese I have ever seen. Needless to say it was great. The hummus was generous as well. We needed more pita and veg to make a dent in it. I had the mushroom risotto which was delicious. Very cheesy, truffle-y and I think there were 3 kinds of mushrooms served 3 ways. If they added broth it would be an amazing soup. My boyfriend had the steak and he was so happy. He said it was fantastic. We got a side of the cauliflower gratin which was not needed but also just ok. It needed some pep like curry powder. We need to get up at the crack of dawn to try this place for breakfast. I'll defintely be back again for a nice cozy dinner.
(4)Dulce P.
Okay. Although this review isnt the greatest. I will definitely give this place another chance. We waited for about a half hour, and the place was jam packed. Which should be a good sign? I ordered the lorraine scramble. The eggs were runny. But the red potatoes were good. The service was great, the waiter was so understanding. I did leave a comment card and explained about the food and the service. I signed up for their email list and get all sorts of free appetizer offers and such.. I repeat, I will give them another chance.
(2)Chitown H.
So if your at the bar by yourself, how long should it take to get your entree? I wouldn't know cause I waited 45 mins and still nothing! I only sat there cause the hostess said it would be 45 mins for a table. A guy next to me had breakfast and left before I got mine. So I just left. If the bartender (u know who u r) at least would've acknowledged me and said "I'm sorry your breakfast is taking so long" or even if he lied to me about something I might've stayed. I got nothing. I've been in this business over 20 yrs and I know when things get busy you have to at least acknowledge your customer cause there the ones paying the bill and essentially tipping you, Right? Face the music kid cause it's gonna happen again. It's not like he didn't know I was waiting cause the bar is small. I was right in front of him the whole time. Were they busy? Yes. But c'mon! Ask yourself this, how long for an eggs benedict (which he raved about) and a short stack? I hate to be that guy but I am on this one. I hate when customers complain about me but I look at it as constructive. I had other choices for brunch that day. I chose Kanela because I went online and look for a new brunch place and you guys stood out. Oh well maybe next time. We will see. Good luck to you...
(1)Char Y.
wonderful experience completed with a wonderful waitor we came late on a weekday and called ahead to make sure that they were still open, our waiter was super nice and helpful. we ordered duck confit hash - need more duck! red velvet french toast - BEST!!! salmon benedict - wonderful texture and combination really loved place for breakfast food! will come back!
(4)Caroline M.
(Week)Day off! One perk of having weekdays off is I never have a wait at breakfast places. I arrived a little earlier than my friend and her son, in hopes of getting some caffeine in my system. Nope. No one offered me any. In fact, no one approached our table until my friend arrived 10 minutes after me. Isn't that a little unacceptable? Eventually we placed our order and got that well deserved Julius Meinl coffee. Cream is served in tiny uber cute white containers. Awww. I got the pork belly benedict, complete with delicious potatoes on the side. The pork belly was just okay. It wasn't too crispy, so the fat was really chewy. The other components of the dish were great though---brussels sprouts and cranberries (huh?)......Yum! It sounded like a strange combo but it was good. I had food envy over my friends duck confit hash with sunny side up eggs. Next time, I'd like to try a sweet dish--bacon waffles anyone?? yes please! Usually decor doesn't stick out to me, however, I really loved the gorgeous chandeliers in the restaurant. And I must say that their music selection was perfect. I felt like they were playing my favorite Pandora station. I liked that very, very much. A solid 3 stars. For now....
(3)Jeff Z.
Nice place. Had a carmelized onion omelet and a coffee. Both excellent.
(4)Jane Y.
FIVE STARS!! Kanela Breakfast Club moves to the top of my list of favorite breakfast spots in Chicago! Tops Bongo Room, Toast, Orange and many others by a mile. The duck confit hash and the red velvet french toast are both TO DIE FOR! Food comes out a little slowly but is more than worth the wait!
(5)Lizzy Z.
Amazing! We arrived as the place opened and had a perfect experience from start to finish. Our waiter was welcoming even though we were the first group there early and we had refilled water and coffee the whole time. The food was delicious! We had the bacon waffles, cinnamon pancakes, and Lorraine eggs. Everything was exceptional and fresh. Love this place and wish I lived in Chicago to go again!
(5)Joanne J.
I didn't even know such a thing as cinnamon chips (used in the kanela chip pancakes at Kanela) existed until I went to Kanela for brunch. Now I'm totally addicted to them and found them to buy and bake with on my own at Southport Grocery. LOVE the kanela rolls too!
(5)Sam P.
Love the chill ambiance here. The staff was extremely friendly which I find very important at a breakfast place. Loukamades were awesome. My wife used to make and serve these at greek fairs and usually can only find them at the greektown festival once a year. Probably the only place around here that serves them. She had the red velvet french toast which was awesome if you like a sweet breakfast. I had the vegetable sandwich with roasted potatoes which was fantastic. Both of these dishes had a very clean presentation. I know americanos are as straight forward as you can get, but people can manage to screw them up. Mine was perfectly drawn and piping hot which makes my day. We will DEFINITELY be going back. I'd have to argue that the vegetarian sausage is definitely not homemade, nor very good. It was just a side dish though. All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed our first experience there and plan on hitting it up often.
(5)Jennie P.
Just went Kanela today. I've been waiting to try this place but it's more of a fancy breakfast place so not a place to take the hubby. First, the decor was beautiful! It's amazing how much bigger this place looks than Orange. I have to say, the place seems a little disorganized. No one seemed to be sure which tables were reserved but we manged to find a seat away from the bacholorette party (who was staring the party at 11 am!) The food was great! I had the lorraine scramble and the best latte I ever had. we split the monkey bread. Not that service was bad, but they seemed lost - our server didn't know what some of the drinks were and didn't tell us the specials. God only knows what goes on if it's busy.
(4)Corinne W.
Saw the review on Hungry Hound and headed over there at once. Very attractive place with and interesting menu. Staff very helpful, coffee cups filled promptly and food great. My husband had the waffles with chocolate covered bacon...very wonderful. I had the tuna sandwich which was great and on the best bread ever. We highly recommend this attractive restaurant and its wonderful food and ambience. Service was the best!
(5)Gina V.
Kudos to this neighborhood, Brunch GEM! Upon arrival the friendly hostess informed us that they were running a bit behind in the kitchen and it would be around a 30 minute wait for our food and they were very sorry but they understood if we didn't want to be seated. Since it's a BYOB we figured we'd get started on our own drinks and enjoy the atmosphere. First, their juices to mix with our champagne were awesome then to our surprise, they brought out a complimentary sticky bun to ease the wait. Our meals were at the table before we knew it. The duck confit hash was lighter than I had expected it to be (in a good way) and my friend's scramble was full of flavor and color. We truly enjoyed our meal and overall experience - Kanela owners, if you're reading this - please take pride in knowing your staff is representing you well - they were friendly and helpful and combined with a tasty menu - you'll get our business any day! Thank you!
(5)Dalia A.
This place was amazing! My friend and I stumbled into this gem after being exhausted and traveling for hours with little to no sleep. Rob, who I believe is the "Manager", was amazing! So sweet, helpful, and funny!! He made us feel right at home in Chicago (is it just me or is everyone nice in chu-town?). We really enjoyed talking with him! Not to mention, I got the LOX & BAGEL with sliced smoked salmon, red onion, tomato, cucumber, capers, chive cream cheese on a bagel. It was perfect, with fresh ingredients, and fresh fish. I want it again and again!
(5)Irineo B.
I came here with 2 of my girlfriends on Christmas. Good that my friend checked out to see that there wasn't a long wait because the last time I tried to come here, it was packed with a 2 hour wait! This restaurant has a pork belly eggs Benedict that is so good it will make you simply cry. I had the loukamades and the chrozio breakfast. My goodness did it just make my breakfast experience for 2011. The service was great and they anticipate guest service needs pretty good.
(5)Patrick A.
We have come to this restaurant multiple times now and it's the same issue every time. The hosts are rude, clearly always distracted in their phones rather than doing their job, waits unbearably long while tables are left empty. The food here is the only reason we continue to come back. Your eggs Benedict and sweet treats are to die for. However, two stars due to terrible service from the walk in, first experience. This issue has also been two hosts every time. One is an African American girl who was on Facebook for 5 min before talking to us, and said 30 min wait even with tables open. Asked her why and she responded with you are not the only one waiting. The other was a blond hair girl who had zero system and or clue on how to be a host and use an iPad. Also again stayed on her phone and ignored guests regularly. I'd really suggest a different hiring standard for your host.
(2)Kara H.
I don't get the hype about this place. Came here on a Saturday at 11, we actually got seated almost instantly but a long wait formed after us. The service was really good, the waiter constantly was refilling our waters and was very friendly, but the ambiance was eh (might be different if we sat outside). The music was very odd. Onto the food. Although I didn't eat the monkey bread, the rest of my group enjoyed it a lot- that was definitely the highlight. Three of us got omelettes which were meh. The egg white omelette has a weird sauce or something that the vegetables were sautéed in, and the goat cheese apparently was not great in one of my friends omelettes. The potatoes were extremely over-spiced, so I'd recommend the side of fruit instead. The last member of our group got a Benedict which he liked well enough, but nothing incredible. Probably the way to go over the omelettes however. Would I go out of my way to come back here? No. Would I refuse to come back if someone wanted to come? Probably not- I'd just have to find something more basic, maybe the two egg breakfast .
(3)Michael W.
Perhaps one of the worst breakfast experiences ever, and this from place with super high rankings and reviews. Two tables and the waitress was frazzled. The food came out super slow. Dreadful on all levels. The pancakes were spongy. The French Press coffee came out late and was yellow in color and giant grounds floating around. After giving up on that the regular coffee was subpar, and it was like pulling teeth to get refills.
(1)attitude a.
Ordered the eggs benedict and the feta omelet for delivery. The delivery guys drives a scooter, so the poached eggs exploded all over the benedict. The feta omelet was filled with undercooked onions. The entire meal was just sloppy. Do yourself a favor and go to Over Easy, Selmarie or Marmalade. They don't deliver, but with the state of this meal, that's not my priority anymore.
(1)Rits T.
Long line always make it so interesting. Finally got to try this Breakfast place. Love it. Need to go back to try more.
(4)Tricia D.
What a disappointment! I can't remember the last time I was left so unsatisfied after a meal... especially since the last time I visited Kanela (Old Town location), I left thinking about the french press coffee and french toast flight for weeks and weeks. We arrived shortly before 1pm on Sunday (still prime time brunch hour) and didn't have to wait for a table. Score! Our (newbie) waiter stopped by within minutes to take our drink orders, and my iced Americano arrived 5 minutes later. It was cold, refreshing, and served up in a cute mason jar! Totally worth the $3. Everything after this point went downhill, underground, and traveled deep into the magma of the earth. While I had a riveting conversation with my husband about everything from how kale isn't as nutritious the superfood as it's made out to be (guess that chicken and kale skillet I ordered wasn't as vitamin-mineral packed as I hoped!) to how hangry I was getting and whether I'd really start eating the strawberry jam on the table straight up (I did), it didn't distract me from noticing that it took our food literally 45 minutes to arrive. The A team was definitely not in the kitchen. Actually, was anybody in the kitchen? We could count over a handful of waiters and bus staff floating around and noticed most tables were occupied but with no plates of food in front of the diners. Agony! Yes, 45 minutes later, our brunch of a kale and chicken skillet and 2 eggs with bacon and pork belly on the side arrived. This "skillet of the day" was the blandest I've ever had. While herbs were visible on the potato cubes, they were super dull. The chicken had a weird, spongy texture and tasted like it was ground up and/or leftover from a Mediterranean restaurant down the block, and I got literally 4 shreds of cheese in the skillet. Oh... and the monkey bread I had ordered as an appetizer was forgotten. The waiter hadn't put the order in, even though he had a notepad with him when he took our order. Frustrating! Said monkey bread was comp'ed and brought out as dessert, but skip it. I was expecting fluffy, flavorful, soft pull-apart bread, but what I got resembled a baked crouton dish drowning in cinnamon and walnuts.
(1)Tiffany F.
This was my second time dining in at Kanela and I was very disappointed. When we arrived, everyone was way too busy to greet us. Then, when we were finally brought our menus, our table still has not been cleaned. Our waitress didn't actually come to take our order for a while longer. Then, we waited for our food for about 40 minutes while the people next to us, who got there after we did, got their food 10 minutes before us. The waitress was extremely inattentive and didn't bring our check for a while either. The food was really good though. And for that reason, I will definitely be back to give them another shot. But, my boyfriend didn't get toast or avocado with his meal when it was supposed to come with both.
(3)Jason B.
Great staff and I love just about anything on their menu. I was there with my fiancee and friends and we didn't realize it but we stayed WAY past closing time. Usually someone reminds you or somehow says to you "hey it's time to go." We were made welcome as people cleaned up and went about their business. The fresh orange juice and champagne is wonderful. Coffee is great as well. Food is goodie mcgood good good. Check it out!
(5)Rachel B.
I'm not sure if this place moved or just changed since the last time I was here two years ago, but either way, big improvement! The removal of bottomless mimosas is sad, but has definitely improved the patronage (read: no more annoying college kids getting stupid drunk). I'll take it. We spent the morning moving furniture and were famished by the time we got here. It was about noon- prime brunch time- but we were seated immediately. Our waitress promptly greeted up and sold us on a pitcher of Bloody Mary's. The "mini grilled cheese" garnish (actually a very cold sliver of a sandwich consisting of a single slice of cheese between 2 pieces of toast) was the only disappointing part of it. The actual Bloody Mary was delicious. Could have used a heavier pour on the vodka, but I suppose I don't need to get sauced every time I go to brunch....actually, yes, yes I do. Our second round of drinks (pomegranate ginger twistery) were equally disappointing on the alcohol content, so I'm knocking down what could have been a 5-star experience to a 4. The food- ohhhhh, I could have ordered everything on the menu. First, I love how that they divide their brunch items into "Sweet" and "Savory" categories, though many of the savory items were both sweet AND savory (e.g. Pork Belly Benedict is brown-sugar rubbed and has cranberries). I got the California Benedict with pepper bacon. The sriracha hollandaise was freaking genius, which was great because the veggies seemed to be just steamed and needed the flavor boost. I would have liked a little garlic sautee on the spinach. My girlfriend got the Spicy Feta Omelette, which was much better than my dish. The flavors were delicious and that spicy feta cheese was amazing- the bitterness of the cheese mixed well with the heat. Next time, I'm trying the biscuits and gravy and the chicken and waffles (after spending 2 hours at the gym beforehand). Our neighbors ordered both dishes and they looked incredible. Overall, good food, good prices, little stingy with the booze but the prices are reasonable so whatever. Definitely give it a try.
(4)Girlatchicago L.
I went back recently with a few friends in town visiting. Unfortunately the service has went down. What a disappointment! I was going to show my out-of-town friends how great this place is since I had such a great experience last time! The front door host is the worst. She is rude and did not do a good job at greeting people and letting people know their table is available. She never called us. After waiting for 1 hr+, we asked her when is the table available. She basically rolled her eyes and said it was available 15 min ago....so why did you not say anything?? Then the wait for food is long (45 min at least) and it was not as good as expected...the crab cake one was just pure disappointment. The waitress was super nice tho.... Hope you get your things together...
(2)Hilary G.
So far the seasonal alcohol drinks are smooth. Interior looks fab, something out a New York City chic bar, but they're playing sweet soft Carolina music. The menu offers a short but delicious looking variety of breakfast/brunch only options ranging from sweet to hearty while still appealing to those who won't eat meat. We ordered some traditional favorites and the soup special (buffalo soup of the day) and we were not disappointed! This is one one of my new fav brunch spots! Only downside is I do wish the bar was more of an actual bar instead of a chopping block, cutting board, or meal prep station. Other than that it's a fav establishment!
(4)Zak N.
Visiting friends in Wicker Park, we chose Kanela over Bongo Room because the menu looked more interesting and I am partial to Greek food. Greek breakfast in particular gets short shift in America. As do Greek service standards. Boy am I glad we chose Kanela! We wandered in an waited a full minute for someone to greet us. No one came, but the cook behind the counter finally looked up and told us we could choose a seat. While we waited, I swapped my water glass for one at the next table. It's nice to see evidence that they clean their dishes at Kanela, and I wanted to make sure someone else benefited from seeing the same dazzling soap-kissed edges. Another couple of minutes later, a waitress showed up. It's really exciting to experience this new method of service, wherein the servers adopt a casual, unhurried pace. It resonates with the classic Greek lifestyle. The waitress wore a brown t-shirt mottled with authentic Greek stains. She took our order and brought us coffee, an imported Austrian mega-brand that is far superior in its charcoal taste to those prissy local artisanal roasters that coffee snobs rave about. Our food came in typically Chicagoan portions. I got the Lorraine scramble and my wife ordered the Monte Cristo, which was pretty awesome on that brioche. The home fried potatoes were well-cooked but rather heavy-handed with the dried herbs. Our server asked us if we wanted hot sauce, and we said yes, which in the new style of service means waiting five minutes before asking the cook. "We don't have hot sauce," he apologized, "we only have sriracha and tabasco." I am not sure what he thought I meant by hot sauce. The server disappeared for the remainder of the meal. When I discovered a previous guest's lipstick on my coffee mug, it took about five or six minutes before our server checked in on us. The place wasn't that busy, so I guess there was some important business to attend to in the back. Industriousness is a virtue, right? We weren't offered refills on our coffee, though I did venture to ask as we were paying our check and was told that refills are free and did we want some. I said yes, but in to-go cups please, as we were all ready to leave. All in all, I did OK, given that I am a visitor here and unaccustomed to this new style of service. It does shed light on the current state of the Greek economy perhaps, and in anticipation of Greece possibly leaving the Eurozone, I tipped in drachmas.
(2)J M.
Last time I was there was exactly a year ago, on a first date with my girlfriend. Kanela was going to be our anniversary spot...frankly, I'd sooner take her to IHOP for a spaghetti dinner. No Kanela chip pancakes ever again (despite being told they could be requested), the cinnamon roll substitute was (only) ok. Service for a Tuesday was S L O W. It took no less than 10 minutes to get greeted and offered coffee, probably because everyone was gathered around another table YAMMERING ON AND ON AND ON AND ON about how they know each other from the Streeterville store and namedrop! namedrop! namedrop! Oy. When we did get coffee, it was delicious. The entrees were (thank god) characteristically plate-licking good. I wish it was good enough to go back, but without the kanela chip cakes, I'd rather explore the 'hood for a new favorite.
(1)Katie M.
My roommate and I adore this restaurant for the food, but my review is about the staff! We went into eat for her birthday and the server Paul and bartender Will were AMAZING. They were so incredibly friendly and made our whole experience awesome!! They were super attentive and recommended food and drinks that we loved. Thanks guys!!!!!
(5)Steve T.
Service was exceedingly slow. We were told they were short staffed, but ultimately sitting on the patio we felt like we were being ignored. The waiter kept apologizing for the short staffing, but from the moment we got there things went wrong. Coffee took over 20 minutes to arrive after ordering, the waiter brought 2 coffee and 3 empty mugs because they were running out. The juicer was broken as well so you could only get certain juices... apparently not requiring the juicer. Once the food was ordered it took almost 45 minutes to come out. It was a Sunday, probably one of their busiest days. The managers need to figure out their staffing and coverage model because it was abysmal. The food overall was ok after the wait but from a service perspective unless it improves I will not be back.
(2)Jeff A.
Service was great. Food was even better. Go a little early before the 9:30-10:00am rush. Chicken and waffles were good enough to order again.
(4)Lisa B.
Had the sausage gravy and biscuits. Was not tasty and the biscuits were old, like rocks. It was really busy on a Friday early afternoon, lots of LOUD and fussy small children and our waitress came to our table ONCE after we were finished eating to ask how everything tastes. Needless to say I didn't eat my brick biscuits and the sausage was waaaaay overseasoned with safe to the point I couldn't taste the meat at all, so I didn't eat that either. Pretty disappointed in this place after all the hype!
(3)John S.
I've had a couple items here w/ two different set of friends, and I don't think this is anything special. The first time around I had the spicy feta omlette which I thought was a solid choice, nothing spectacular though. The serve a side of potatoes that are just bland, you have to add salt to get your taste buds going. Second time around I got the pork belly benedict, and that was disappointing. I wouldn't get it again, and again the potatoes were unflavorful. I believe I got a hot chocolate which was actually good, but the food should be the highlight. My friend got the western scramble and she disliked it and had to use hot sauce to get more flavor... c'mon man! The monkey bread is delicious, but again anything with cinnamon, sugar, and honey is hard to hate.
(3)Sohini G.
Food was actually pretty great. Service. Terrible. Took over an hour to get our food and no one was apologetic or answered our questions as to how long it would be. One of the entrees had an ingredient that wasn't listed on the menu, when my friend wasn't able to eat it she only replaced the meal when we asked her too. And our waitress almost didn't take it off the tab. Thank god the food and coffee were good otherwise it would've been a terrible experience. I'd def eat here again but would recommend a different location.
(2)Ryan L.
Ever since moving to Chicago in 2012 people have raved about how great brunch is at Kanela. So, on New Years Eve day a few weeks ago a friend and I decided to give it a go. We opted to try the Lakeview location and when we walked in we were told it would be a 20 minute wait. Much to our surprise we were seated within minutes and were provided menus immediately. Then the waiting game began. About 10 minutes later a waiter stopped by to take our orders. We provided both our drink and our food orders and the waiter mentioned that they were very short staffed and only had 1 cook in the kitchen. I ordered the steak and egg sandwich while my friend got an omelette. Our drink order arrived quickly however the waiter slopped half my coffee on the table and onto the floor all over my shoes. He quickly returned with a fresh cup but made no apology for spilling on my shoes. We then waited about 30 to 45 minutes for our meals to come out and they were actually really good, matching the quality we had been promised by anyone who had ever suggested going to Kanela. The steak on my sandwich was cooked perfectly and the egg and ciabatta bun we good too. The breakfast potatoes were a little over spiced but decent. The only thing I hated about my sandwich was I asked for it without onions and it came with them on. I scrapped off the onions losing half the cheese but didn't really fuss over it. As for the omelette, my friend cleaned the plate so I guess it was good! My Kanela experience didn't go as well as planned but the food was pretty good. I'm willing to give Kanela another shot however their service next times needs to be better. Also, I'm still baffled at the fact that they only staffed 1 cook in the kitchen on New Years Eve day. In a city like Chicago where we are all brunch crazy you'd imagine management would know to staff more people especially on or around a national holiday where foodies are bound to be out eating. As for spilling coffee on me, it happens. But at least apologize. I'll be happy to update this review if my next visit is better... My verdict... 2 Stars. If my food had come out perfectly I would have given Kanela a 3 and if the service was better I would have given a 4.
(2)Kyle P.
Had a great breakfast on Saturday. Sat in the window, had a great waitress, waited like 5 mins max (not usual with good weather), great three pigs skillet and probably the best English muffin and chive cream cheese I have had in a long time.....great experience
(5)Meaghan M.
I ordered from Grub Hub and my food arrived cold and soda spilled all over the bag. The biscuits and gravy had no gravy on them. I will never order from here again
(1)Cecil S.
Great restaurant for breakfast, brunch and/or lunch. Tried the Kanela Rolls as a starter, and kid you not, the most flavorful cinnamon roll I've ever had. Wanted to try a light breakfast item so chose the Kanela French Toast (didn't really like this orange sweet sauce that was on the second piece of toast, but the other Kanela sauces were good). Love that they incorporate whipped cream into most dishes too. Quick and kind wait staff, it's simple enough to the point where you seat yourself, but quality service to the point where you enjoy your meal. (Also a part of AA Dining Miles Rewards program).
(5)