Believe it or not, the next three weekends are probably going to be your best bet for effortlessly securing a table at your favorite brunch spot. While everyone is else is making their way to rural Connecticut/stuck in the perpetual hell known as baggage check at O’Hare, you can raise a mimosa and toast a “Hallelujah” to city livin’. 

Love in a skillet (Photo: Carly Fisher)

Grab a bite to eat at one of these restaurants as you begin another failed attempt at completing the Sunday crosswords. One of these days I will finish your puzzles, Will Shortz!

Balsan at the Elysian Hotel
(11 E. Walton St.; 312.646.1300)
Restaurant newcomer, Balsan, launches their brunch menu this Saturday, providing a more accessible taste of luxury at mid-day. Having recently checked out Elysian restaurants Balsan and Ria during the media preview last week, I can confirm the hyped swank-factor. The average large plate will set you back about $16, admittedly a bit on the pricier side for brunch. But with a number of small and large plates such as brioche French toast with fig compote, honeycomb and citrus mascarpone, and cured sea trout with potato rösti, poached egg and smoked roe, it might be worth the extra few bucks. 

Angel Food Bakery
(1636 W. Montrose Ave.; 773.728.1512)
Not sure which is more adorable: the decor of vintage Easy Bake ovens or tasty retro treats like homemade Twinkies and whoopie pies. Either way, this Ravenswood cafe and bakery is a delightful way to spend a Sunday morning over a plate of fresh salmon cakes or good ol’ fashioned eggs-in-a-hole. 

Rodan
(1530 N. Milwaukee Ave.; 773.276.7036)
Unlike the cohesive dinner menu at this contemporary Wicker Park Asian bistro, Rodan’s brunch menu seems to be experiencing a bit of a global identity crisis — not that it is a bad thing. Featuring a mash-up of items from here to dim sum, you’ll find a little something for everyone: Asian pear pancakes, New Orleans-style beignets, corned beef hash and even an arbitrary Ethiopian Berbere and lentils dish.

— Carly Fisher