I survived my first Chicago winter, and it was a brutal one. Now that it’s spring, my brunch focus has shifted entirely to fresh, light dishes. I spent all winter in dark booths, enjoying savory, heavy dishes, but now it’s finally time for greens, grills, and rosé. I’m more than ready for farm-to-table and herby flavors. And can you get any more spring than a brunch called “Daisies?”

Logan Square’s Daisies is known for its pasta and veggie focus. It’s been a neighborhood staple since 2017, but caught our attention for expanding their brunch to include Saturday. Daisies invited us to try out their brunch menu.

The restaurant has a small dining room, but Daisies feels intimate and open, with high ceilings and good acoustics so that you can have a conversation easily over the background noise. On Sunday at 11:30 it wasn’t packed, but I was glad we had a reservation.

To get started, my boyfriend Cam ordered a coffee, and I perused the “early indulgences” drink selection, eventually landing on a Persimmon Bloom, which is a sweet and sparkly mix of persimmon liqueur, rhubarb shrub, and bubbles.

For an appetizer, we got the fried pierogi and a berry jam. The pierogi dish was light and delicate and honey and cheese that oozed out with each bite. I don’t usually opt for sweet breakfast meals, but this was a wonderful choice, and I would definitely order it again.

The staff brought by a complimentary serving of asparagus toast, which Cam and I had debated ordering originally. It’s a new menu addition and a staff favorite. It was easy to see why! The plate had fresh asparagus, cheese, spring onions, and a sunny-side egg served on Publican bread. The spring flavors made it an instant winner and verified why I usually pick savory appetizers. Also, you can never go wrong with Publican bread.

For the main course, Cam selected the polenta waffle with sour cherry. It was a massive serving size, and the sweetness of the dish was balanced with pork lardo and black walnut syrup. The polenta reminded us more of cornbread and it had a coarser consistency compared to flour-based waffles. It was unique and he enjoyed it immensely, though after two appetizers, it was too big to polish off completely.

Daisies is known for their homemade pasta, so I couldn’t resist trying the carbonara, even though it was not the most “brunchy” plate. I’m glad I did because the pasta was spectacular. The noodles were al dente, and the dish was flavorful and savory.

The Bitches say: four Champagne flutes.

Daisies symbolize purity, and this brunch was purely delicious. It’s a great spot for an intimate, flavorful brunch.

Daisies serves brunch Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.