It was my friend Jen’s birthday and I wanted to take her somewhere nice to celebrate. It was bright and sunny so I had hoped to go somewhere that would showcase the beautiful Chicago day without giving the slightest implication of how chilly it actually was.

I have been meaning to check out GreenRiver for quite some time, and thought that this special occasion was the perfect opportunity to do so. GreenRiver is a Michelin-starred restaurant here in Chicago that has been getting some serious buzz since its opening in 2015.

Located on the 18th floor in the heart of Magnificent Mile in Streeterville, GreenRiver is a gorgeous restaurant. With huge windows that allow for 360 degree views of downtown Chicago, the interior is decorated with rich decor. A beautiful bar occupies a large stretch at the front of the restaurant.

Jen recently had a baby, so a couple of hours out on the town without baby Aaron means a mommy-cocktail is needed! Jen opted for a brunch libation, a tequila concoction. I went with just a simple glass of bubbly.

For starters, we ordered the cinnamon roll, and let me tell you, there were no regrets about doing so. The cinnamon roll arrived at our table completely covered in a delicious cream cheese frosting. The roll was a win—it was just superb.

For entrees, I decided to go with the cheddar biscuits and add a chicken thigh to my order. Seeing that Jen and I had gotten a late start (she runs on “baby time,” understandably) we both were in the mood for more savory items.

My cheddar biscuits were really good, and the chicken thigh was perfectly seasoned, as well as the gravy. I enjoyed this dish, I just wish that the skin on my chicken thigh had been a little more crispy.

Jen ordered the cheeseburger. It was her birthday and she decided that a cheeseburger was exactly what she wanted. The cheeseburger was composed of cheddar, pickles and a house sauce. She loved the cheeseburger and noted that the bun was perfect.

Truth be told, I had wanted to order dessert for Jen as a little birthday surprise, but our waiter was quite difficult to track down, and ultimately we realized we were both stuffed and completely satiated. We decided instead to go walk around the gorgeous terrace outside and enjoy the views, while burning a few calories in the process.

Overall, the food and cocktails at GreenRiver were delicious. Our service wasn’t the best; I attribute it to tables with larger parties receiving more attention, so it was difficult to even order a second round of drinks or coffee. But the food, the fantastic view, and ambiance certainly make up for the few shortcomings. GreenRiver is an excellent choice for a fancy brunch date.

The Bitches say: B. The food is A-worthy, but the slow service had us knock it down to a B grade. Nonetheless, GreenRiver is a gorgeous restaurant, perfect for a nice brunch with friends, or a great place to take mom and dad when they are in town.

GreenRiver
259 E. Erie 18th Floor
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 337-0101

GreenRiver serves weekend brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.