25 Degrees "Bordello Lounge" for Brunch, Lunch & Nitelife

I found a second good burger place this week, (Burke’s Public House was the first: Click here for that review.) And I found 25 Degrees by going to there for brunch on a recent Sunday.

My partner and I got to the restaurant, located at 736 N. Clark St., at 10:50a.m., to meet our two gal-pals, and the door was locked. “Wh...wha?” I stuttered to David. Before I could think to knock or read the hours on the door, Sarah, our soon-to-be-wait-person unlocked the door. There was already a crowd seated around the “Bordello” inspired bar, black chandeliers overhead with red French wallpaper enveloping the brunch guests in the one-room saloon-restaurant.

As Sarah seated us, I said to David, “I think I like this place already.” He said, “It’s because it opens at 11. That’s sooo California.” And you know what? He was right! I usually bitch the whole way to a brunch when we are meeting friends before 11am. I am from L.A., and breakfast is anytime from 1am to 11am. Brunch is from 11am to 3pm. In the Midwest, everyone wakes up early on the weekends (not MY friends) and they meet thier other wide-eyed people and go to a breakfast place that serves mimosas (hated em!) and they call it brunch.

Moving on: Sarah was a cheeky waitron, and I like that in a person; especially in the morning because I am bitchy and it makes me feel like I won’t hurt your feelings if you are the same way too. Before our lady friends arrived, we asked Sarah if the Bloody Mary’s were any good. She said, “Um, obviously you’re new here. But yes, they are excellent. I recommend the $15 bottomless Bloody Mary’s.” I remember hoping that I would fall half in love with the bloodies, once they came, as I did with Sarah.

She was right, the Bloody Mary’s were great, and, once the girls got there (they are always late--hence: my friends) and we all had about three bloodies each. You can add a few garnishes at the Bloody Mary bar, but don’t waste your time making your own, it’s not an extensive set up.

The Food:

I did order the Number One Burger: Caramelized onion/vella Toma/Aderkasse Reserve Bacon/Arugla/Thousand Island.  It was excellent for $12. One of our friends ordered the steak and eggs and she loved it. David ordered the Chorizo red chili benedict and it was atop a cornmeal tamale like tart. His was delish. My friend, Sylvia, always does this, she orders something different, like the white hash with poached eggs; she didn’t like it and switched to regular eggs and bacon, which she loved.  But we all tasted the white hash and it was great--very light.

The menu says they have a great wine selection, and thier appetizers, like the Spicy Tuna and cheeses, look like they are going to entice me back very soon.

Oh yes, it turns out that 25 Degrees actually originated in California. Figures. All things from the Golden State are awesome.

25 Degrees [Sunday-Wednesday 11am to11pm]  Thursday-Friday 11am to 2am]  [Saturday 11am-3am]