That’s right, your eyes do not deceive you: this is a little breeze of Santa Monica in the middle of what is now veering closer to an arctic tundra in the Windy City.

Summer House Santa Monica was a definite highlight, and one of my favorite spots we experienced on our foodie tour in Chicago.

From the moment you walk into the space, it is easy to forget where you actually are: the light wood, unique combinations for spa water, delicious sweet smells, white, light blue, plants, positive vibe (there’s a canvas painting that says YES in bold letters on the wall), and open greenhouse look instantly transport the visitor to a wonderful place.

That is just the ambiance.
  [the pastry case]  [these come highly reviewed, but I didn’t try them]

The food matched it and made this a place I crave and wish I lived closer to for Saturday brunch! (Summer House Santa Monica, are you reading this?! open one in Boston, please??? We have winters that need some culinary sunshine here!!)

Here’s what we ordered. Everything was excellent.

–organic steel cut oatmeal with brown sugar and cherries (this would have been enough as a meal – we had no idea the portion sizes would be so large!)

–fresh squeezed OJ

–coffee

–tea

–chicken and waffle with poblano honey butter (this put chicken and waffles on the map for me. I’d had it once before, and it was not a meal I’d try again. But THIS version had light, crispy chicken skin and delicious chicken, and the waffles were perfect with the slightly spicy honey butter. a definite must-order).

–mexican hash browns – cheddar, pico de gallo (very tasty!)

–breakfast tostada with pulled chicken, crispy corn tortillas, sunny side up eggs, avocado, queso fresco, ranchero (very nice, mouth-watering flavors)

–huge cinnamon roll (yes, that is exactly what they called it, and it is the BIGGEST cinnamon roll I’ve ever laid eyes on. It was about 5 inches square all around, and 3.5 inches tall. It weighed more than the average cinnamon roll and half of it came home with me for the day after’s breakfast.)

–fruit plate (they did not skimp on fruit for the fruit plate. each piece of blueberry, strawberry, mango, pineapple, raspberry, and blackberry was sweet. besides, the presentation was gorgeous against the black stoneware.)

[the biggest cinnamon roll ever]

[the fruit plate]

Fancy a game of beach volleyball in Santa Monica?

  <3 <3 <3
   [the mexican hash browns]
  [organic steel cut oats]

On the way out, we noticed the freshly infused Summer spa water. Check out these combinations du jour:

Apple + Vanilla Bean + Basil + Coffee Bean

Carrot + Radish + Cucumber + Ginger

…Just one tasty reason why I miss Chicago.

Located at 1954 N. Halsted Street in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, it is steps away from nice shops where you can walk off your yummy meal and continue exploring.

Happy eating!

BlueBoots