This past weekend my husband and I made our somewhat customary morning trip for breakfast.  We headed to e.leaven Food Company, a new breakfast and lunch spot in the River North Area.  Not knowing what to expect, we were pretty impressed as we walked through the door.  It was a packed, full house and, not only this, but the food on the plates looked incredibly delicious.  And, it tasted that way too!

Overall, I am impressed with the concept behind e.leaven Food Company.  It is a back to the basics approach, which needless to say, deserves appreciation.

Really, it is what we all want these days.  Fresh food, house baked bread/bagels, and an unassuming atmosphere.   For instance, when you arrive at e.Leaven, you just walk yourself up to the counter, choose from a wide selection of breakfast options, order and then sit down.  It is a solid step up from Panera or Corner Bakery. e. leaven feels like a trendy breakfast spot.  You will see what I mean when you check out the zebra wood chairs.   I want some of those.

Maybe it is all this talk about the economic downturn and how it is impacting main street and all that jazz, but embarrassingly enough I felt a little sense of achievement when I didn't have to pay a tip.  Hey - call me a cheapskate, but every dollar counts, my friend.    A little fiscal breakfast responsibility has hurt no one.  

 e. leaven does offer lunch items, however I haven't tried these, so I will talk with you a bit about the breakfast fare I have tried.  I had the lox with a bagel and cream cheese.  It was good and seemed to transport me back to the east coast.  I miss my bagels.  I appreciate their unique cooking technique where they first boil and then bake the bagels - in house and daily too!  Thank you for that e. leaven.

My handsome husband went for the Southwestern Omelette.  Good stuff.  I am happy that the potatoes were not deep fried, as some breakfast joints around the city often present on my plate.  The jalapeno bacon on the omelette was a good idea.  An idea that I never really knew of until I came here.

A little bonus was experiencing the family feel.  We happened to be sitting next to the owners family.  Or, at least I figure this since he was kissing babies and such.  Cute.  It warmed the place right up.

Oh, and I nearly forgot about the icing on the cake.  I know this is breakfast that we are talking about here, but I did splurge a bit during breakfast.   I am talking about a macaroon that could sweeten anyone's day.  One that bursts forth with sweet goodness, that has just the right amount of moisture, of texture and - to top it all off - chocolate surrounding it.  It was the best macaroon I have ever tasted.  There you go - an excellent reason for you to also indulgently splurge - although not from your checking account - at e. leaven.  

See you there!