by Molly Katholi

Tucked away within all the hustle and bustle of Andersonville’s Clark Street is a fantastic little local coffee shop called Kopi.  A peek in the windows of Kopi will reveal people lounging on cushions drinking coffee and if you head inside you will be surprised at the spaciousness of this coffee shop and all the Kopi has to offer.

Beyond the wonderful aromatic coffee roasted on location Kopi also offers a great variety of food for breakfast, lunch, dinner or brunch.  Most of their items are vegetarian and less heavy than your standard fair and their affordable pricing reflects that.  In fact the majority of their meals are less than $10 per person.  They have a fantastic selection of tea served in adorable tea pots as well as decadent desserts.  For a fun afternoon out, I love to take my toddlers there for coffee and a giant cookie.  They have high chairs and a wonderful staff that always makes me feel welcome with my children.

Kopi comes from an Indonesian word for “coffee” and the shop bills itself as a “traveller’s cafe.”  The coffee house is decorated to match this theme and in the back is a little shop filled with various gift items also with a worldly theme.  My children – obsessed with clocks since Cinderella – loved the numerous clocks around the shop that tell you the current time around the world.

I adore Kopi and highly recommend travelling up to 5317 North Clark in Andersonville for a stop at this north side treasure!

Photo Credit:  PhineasX

An Original Chicagonista Article.

By Molly Katholi

Only the fact that my husband originally hails from south of the Mason-Dixon could convince my pasta loving self to eat at a restaurant that serves Coastal Southern Cuisine. However, after eating there I can emphatically say that anyone would love Big Jones with its beautiful atmosphere, fantastic food, great service and special considerations for families.

Every time I take my whole family into a new restaurant I worry that it is not appropriate for small children. Big Jones intimidated me a little because it is decorated in a lovely light and airy style my husband assures me is very southern. I should never have worried. They have high chairs and a staff happy to talk to my two children. They provided cups with lids and straws as well as crayons and paper.

The restaurant’s delicious food was a niche that I had not tasted since I last visited the South. Everything from their sweet tea and drinks to their appetizers and main dishes was scrumptious. On top of it all, they use as much local and organic ingredients as possible. They have a children’s menu of favorite dishes which are free everyday from 5-6 p.m with an adult.

Watch out, the macaroni and cheese is decadent and absolutely not from the blue box. My kids did not believe that it was their beloved mac n cheese. However, if you are looking to expand their horizons, my picky eaters both gobbled the Crawfish Boudin Fritters like they were manna from heaven.

If you value your current waistline, do not order the Mississippi Mud Pie. Right now as I sit here I can hear a piece of it calling my name.

If you want to experience the good eats at Big Jones, they are located right in the middle of Andersonville at 5327 N. Clark. To find out more about Big Jones including their menu and specials check them out at http://www.bigjoneschicago.com/.

Photo Credit: Zesmeralda

This is an original Chicagonista.com

By Molly Katholi

Before I had children, the weekend was for sleeping in late and waiting in line for Sunday brunch.  Now that I am a Mom, sleeping in at our house is anything past 7:30.  But, one advantage of that early wake-up call is not having to wait in line for delicious breakfast offerings.  By far my favorite Andersonville brunch spot is M.Henry.  And, since its popularity means a line as early as 9:00, I am thrilled with my kids’ desire to get up with the sun!

M.Henry’s food is pure decadence.  The first time we dined there I had blackberry bliss cakes.  The bliss cakes are two delicious hotcakes layered with warm blackberries and vanilla mascarpone cream.  On top is brown sugar and oat crust.  Their bliss cakes are not only Divine, but generous enough to share with both my children.  Recently we went back to M.Henry and I had the blisscakes again, but this time with mango and sour cherries.  Say it with me…bliss.

The dining here with children is delightful.  They have a separate children’s menu, a seemingly endless supply of high chairs, and they provide each child a small bowl of bananas, strawberries, and craisins as busy food while you wait to for your order.  Even though the food from presentation to taste is elegant and sophisticated my whole family was relaxed and felt welcome.

I am happy that this amazing restaurant is just a stones throw from our apartment.  The next time your kids get you up at the crack of dawn, take advantage and head up to 5707 North Clark for brunch at M.Henry – it’s chow for now!

Photo Credit: By Zesmeralda
Photo Title: Blackberry Bliss Cakes
This is an Original Chicagonista article.