Sunday Brunch & Bottomless Champagne at Angelina Ristorante

Welcomed by a boisterous dining room reminiscent of a rustic love-nest with crimson drapes, chandeliers, and a rich gold and maroon color scheme, I walked in with high expectations for the cozy Italian-style neighborhood ristorante having heard so much about it. The neatly aligned empty wine bottles, nostalgic brass-framed pictures, and the archway that serves as an entrance to the hidden bar tucked away towards the back of the trattoria only added to the charm. As I noticed the rows of stemless champagne flutes filled with bubbly being lightly topped off with a Bellini mixture (mimosas and Kir Royals are also available), I was reminded of how Sunday brunch was always the perfect ending to any weekend.

Located just northeast of Lakeview in Chicago, an area that some may refer to as Boystown, Angelina Ristorante is famous for their popular bottomless champagne brunch. Don’t fret about taking full advantage of the bottomless aspect because our champagne flutes were never empty for more than a few short seconds and throughout brunch it appeared as though I was usually two deep. In addition to their authentic Italian cuisine, it is also rumored that this is a trademark of their Sunday brunch.

Eggs Benedict is a classic brunch dish and a favorite of mine which made the decision for brunch quite easy that Sunday. Angelina offers a choice of ham, smoked salmon, or Florentine with spinach (I went with the Florentine), all topped with a rich, creamy hollandaise sauce and served with a side of their delicious home fries. Although there are merely a handful of brunch items to choose from, I am certain Angelina will not disappoint you regardless of your selection—the Fritatta Toscano, French Toast, and Breakfast Croissant all looked equally appetizing as I noticed nearby guests as they also indulged.