Brunch Review: Fourteensixteen
La Grange, IL
On a blistering cold Saturday, I ventured out to the southwest suburb of La Grange to brunch at Fourteensixteen, a new American restaurant in the heart of its downtown. My party and I were pleasantly greeted by Andrew, FourteenSixteen’s host extraordinaire and master mixologist. Let me tell you, Andrew did not disappoint.
With the chilly weather and a craving for a brunch-themed cocktail, Andrew recommended the Jamaican Cappuccino to begin. The espresso was smooth with a spicy kick provided by a Jamaican rum. We also ordered a Bloody Mary because what brunch is complete without one?! FourteenSixteen makes their Bloody Mary’s with Tito’s Vodka and a house mix, which contains a hint of cumin that gives the cocktail a refreshing spin. My next drink was a carefully hand-crafted cocktail, which I adore. The drink, Drew’s Morning Spritz, featured Koval Cranberry Gin and Topo Chico, a sparkling mineral water sourced and bottled in Mexico. We also got a chance to try some non-brunch cocktails, which were equally as delicious. Sticking with my love for gin concoctions, I tried A Reed in Time - a darling coupe filled with gin, house-made cinnamon simple syrup, egg, lemon juice, and apple cider. It was a fabulous drink to end the brunch with!
I could go on and on about the cocktails and, honestly, I wish I could have tried more, but I was also there to eat! It happened to be Restaurant Week during our visit, and Fourteensixteen had a pre-fixe menu for the annual Chicago event. We ordered off the Restaurant Week menu, which included Deviled Eggs, Pork Belly Hash, and Beignets. However, the regular menu had a couple items that we couldn’t let ourselves pass up on, so we also ordered the seasonal waffles - Prosecco poached pear - and the unique Cauliflower Melt!
The Deviled Eggs arrived first. They looked like a work of art with a parmesan crisp standing in the delicate filling. We were all in agreement - they were the best darn deviled eggs we had ever eaten. Earthy and smooth with the crisp adding a delicate crunch. Next, out came the mains: Pork Belly Hash, Cauliflower Melt, and Waffles. OH. MY. GOSH! It all looked and smelled divine that it was hard to snap a few photos before digging in! The Pork Belly Hash was seasoned incredibly well with a bit of cilantro to brighten the dish up. The pork and potatoes were cooked to perfection. It was a bit creamy and almost melted in your mouth. The Cauliflower Melt was certainly unlike anything I’d ever had before. Another savory dish with a hint of sweet; the cheddar added an extra dimension to the flavor and it was the perfect temperature for a melt. The seasonal waffles were highlighted with Prosecco poached pears and a berry compote drizzle. What a wonderful dish for the sweet tooth at brunch! We finished with the Beignets for dessert (yes, we ordered dessert at brunch and we’re sure glad we did). The Beignets were coconut focused with a caramel gastrique. They were delightful and the perfect way to end the meal.
I would highly recommend Fourteensixteen to anyone looking for a unique and delicious American-crafted brunch. It’s just a short drive from the city, easily accessible from the Metra, and a short distance from many of the nearby suburbs! There is really no reason to not go check it out!
Written by Elizabeth, Chicago Chapter Leader