A critical eye: Green Zebra

Green Zebra

Head Chef: Shawn McClain
1460 W. Chicago ave {Chicago + Greenview}
(312) 243-7100

Green Zebra is a vegetarian oasis in a city of carnivores. The brunch truly hit all the high notes you're looking for on a Sunday mid-day. It's refreshing to forgo the traditional sausage, bacon, ham, and other artery-clogging meats that we've become so accustomed to. The brunch menu was entirely vegetarian and vegan- and incredibly reasonable! The most expensive dish was $13, quite the deal for the refined flavors and top-notch vegetables. The service was highly attentive and knowledgeable- especially when your table of meat eaters has a dozen questions like, "what is the heck is a ramp?"  Portions were smaller, this is not where you want to feast after a night out drinking, it won't fill you up and you won't appreciate it. At the same time, the consistency and heartiness was in each dish and I left feeling full. The aesthetics were neutral yet organic; there's a clear union of beauty of nature the vegetables on your plate.

When Toast, Orange, or Nookies gets old or your in the mood to eat healthy in the AM, give Green Zebra a try. I thoroughly enjoyed my vegetarian experience and will give dinner a whirl.

{Simplicity and tranquility inside; hustle-bustle, odd storefronts, and Noble Square riff-raff outside}

{The magnificently spicy horseradish infused bloody mary. It's not pictured but the green olive served with this was monstrous}

{The spongey breakfast cookies paired well with either spread. The almond butter compote is nutty and smooth while the dark blackberry jam is naturally sweet}

{A hollow popover filled with seasonally fresh spring ramps. Sherry, squash, goat cheese and chestnut cream liquid in the warm center}

{Dim sum for one. Squash shamoai, rutabaga dumplings, mushu}

{Anson mills grits, smoked mushrooms, mustard greens, poached eggs. This fell flat, it was heavy and bland. Pass}

{Country flatbread, bourbon glazed mushrooms, white truffle, fried egg. Emphasis on the freshest vegetables, sauces, and baked bread flavors are magnified by the fleur de sel, as visible in the photo above}

Who to bring:

• Your vegan/ vegetarian/ health obsessed friend
• An open-minded group
• A yoga buddy
• An avid meat eater to prove that exposure to a new way of eating never hurts

Give it a try:

• Popover with ramps
• Buttermilk biscuits and sunnyside up eggs
• Eggs benedict

Take note:

• The stunning artwork adorned around the dining room and in main entrance