Judi, my good friend and neighbor, and Glynn, my new friend and neighbor, joined me for a lunch date at Benedict’s Eggs and More, 8 S. River Street, just across the river in East Dundee off Route 72.
Benedict’s is a historical home with a unique indoor attraction: there is a tree growing inside one of the small dining rooms!
We entered through a beautiful stained glass door and were greeted by our host. We were escorted into the first of three dining rooms to a table that was set with colorful coffee mugs.
The place was packed, but the noise level was not annoying, and we were able to carry on a conversation with no problem. There were families with small children as well as groups of men enjoying their lunches.
Our waitress must have sensed that we were in no hurry (we weren’t) because her service to us was very slow, but attentive (a good thing). Judi and I ordered coffee and were delighted with our own individual carafes of Intelligentsia coffee. Glynn ordered a soft drink, which was served in a mason jar with a handle on the side. Her empty glass was always quickly filled.
The lunch menu is extensive and not with “run of the mill” lunch items. There was also a sheet of “specials of the day,” so we took our time and read through each delightful dish.
Along with sandwiches, burgers and salads, paninis and wraps were available. Judi ordered an Asian salad with roasted chicken topped with Japanese noodles that stood over half-a-foot high. She reported that the greens and vegetables were very fresh and the chicken was roasted to perfection.
Glynn ordered the soup of the day—clam chowder. She enjoyed actual chunks of clams and pronounced that this was one of the best clam chowders she had tasted and would have liked another bowl. However, she had already ordered a quiche, which arrived with a small salad. She remarked how tender and flaky the crust tasted. Crackers to accompany her lunch were in the shape of butterflies.
I ordered a shrimp poor boy sandwich and selected an orzo salad as my accompanying side. My crispy roll was filled with flavorful shrimp, and the orzo salad was dressed just right. None of our serving plates matched. There were square plates and round plates and all were in different colors. And that made it fun. We were positioned to see all the plates coming out of the kitchen. Every dish looked delicious, presented in an artful way, and judging by the diners, they “tasted as good as they looked.”
Benedict’s breakfast menu is also unique. You can have fresh beignets Monday through Saturday from 7 to 11 a.m. You can choose regular breakfast items or break from the ordinary and try cheesy grits with andouille sausage, a smoked salmon plate, frittatas, stratas, crepes, and all kinds of benedicts – including crab cakes.
The décor of the dining rooms is country with lots of chickens and roosters on shelving throughout. Furniture is eclectic but comfortable, and we had no trouble taking over an hour and a half for lunch without feeling rushed.
Benedict’s is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Prices range from $5 to $9.
Breakfast on the weekends may include a wait, but I can assure you from experience that your meal will be made with the freshest of ingredients and with the best attention to presentation that you will see in any restaurant around the area. Bon appetite!
