Today is the happiest of all Fridays and the happiest of all birthday brunches to me! Wondering how old I am? Old enough to know better, suckers! HA! Sorry if I’m sensitive to this, but I’m a Pisces (on the cusp!). But yes, today is my birthday and yes, tomorrow I will be hung-over as all hell — and definitely needing the perfect brunch. You know what would be a great gift? Voting for Chicago Brunch Blog on the 2010 TOC Eat Out Awards. If you want to, I mean.

Gonna be sippin’ on some syrup this weekend. (Photo: Carly Fisher)

First, let me say where you should NOT have brunch this weekend: pretty much any restaurant involved in Restaurant Week. David Burke’s, for instance, will be closed for brunch this week and next because they’re too busy plating out delicious portions of steak for all you cheapskates trying to get in on discount gourmet dining. Thus, I am not able to get a Brunch in a Box this weekend. Chicago dining scene: 1, Carly: 0. Upwards and onwards, let’s brunch.

Ina’s
(1235 W. Randolph St., 312.226.8227)
Celebrating another birthday this week is another breakfast babe, Ina Pinkey. Give her the gift of your business in a crumbling economy by eating her scrapple or waffles or hash or just drinking a ton of Bloody Marys.

Old Town Social
(455 W. North Ave., 312.266-2277)
Like beer, charcuterie and socializing? The popular dinner destination is trying out the brunch thing, having launched their brunch menu about a month ago. Not gonna lie, it looks pretty solid, despite the fact Jared Van Camp is out in San Diego “working” (i.e. getting a sun tan) on sister restaurant, Quality Social. It’s slated to open March 11, so hopefully Van Camp will be back soon to suffer the rest of the winter with the all of us.

Branch 27
(1371 W. Chicago Ave., 312.850.2700)
What? You don’t trust John Manion? After all he does for you! In a recent Facebook update (we’re Facebook “friends”), Manion announced a call to action:

MetroChicagoLandArea: I dragged my ass out of bed to cook brunch; you could at least have the common decency to come in and eat it.

Damn straight. If that  isn’t enough to inspire, how about biscuits with braised rabbit gravy and poached eggs, or French toast with orange marscapone and Vermont maple syrup?

— Carly Fisher