A great morning meal is essential for starting the day off right, so Time Out Market Chicago has welcomed two exciting new vendors to its lineup.
Lizzy J Cafe and Chi’Tiva have made their way to the Fulton Market food hall, giving guests a host of delicious options during the daytime. Whether you just need a cup of coffee or want to sit down to a hearty plate of chicken and waffles, both concepts offer compelling reasons to get up a little earlier and stop by the Market before your morning routine. Here’s everything you can expect.
Lizzy J Cafe
Chef Jamie Gilmore jumped headfirst into the restaurant world in November of 2019 when she opened Lizzy J Cafe. Up until that point, Gilmore had been a home cook who learned the ropes from the women in her family at a young age—in fact, the name of the restaurant is a homage to her foremothers. Though she had little professional cooking experience, having come from the dental industry, Gilmore knew it was something she wanted to pursue.
“I was just so enamored by the life. And I was just so enamored about doing something that I love to do,” she recalled.
At Lizzy J Cafe, you’ll find Southern-style brunch fare made with Creole love. That means crab cake Benedict covered in crabby hollandaise; catfish filets fried to perfection sitting on a bed of grits; fried chicken served with brown butter waffle and hottie syrup; and lemon ricotta pancakes topped with blueberry compote—just to name. There will also be an assortment of teas, coffee, lemonades and juices to complement the dishes.
“I absolutely love the energy around brunch,” Gilmore said. “It just seems like the most social time … it’s like ‘we’ll have a drink, let’s go meet up, let’s catch up.’ All of that goes with brunch.”
Unlike most of the other restaurants at the Market, Lizzy J Cafe will offer a full-service, sit-down experience. You can make a reservation via Tock, but seats will be available for walk-in diners as well. And don’t fret if you’re not a morning person, the cafe will be serving brunch 9am-3pm Monday through Friday, and 9am-4pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Chi’Tiva
For those who can’t properly wake up without some caffeine in the morning, Chi’Tiva is here to help. The all-day cafe from owner Charles Wu features a variety of drinks, from caffe latte and cappuccino to cold brew. Plus there are hot teas by Rishi Tea and other options like a matcha latte.
You may want a bite to accompany the java so award-winning pastry chef Steven Krizman has created a delightful selection of pastries, sweets and breakfast items. Savor a scone, quiche, ham and cheese croissant or one of the bagel sandwiches. If you want a pick-me-up later in the day, grab a croissant, muffin or Danish to go.
Chi’Tiva’s goodies don’t end there. Krizman’s desserts provide an indulgent finish to any meal and are sure to satisfy the sweet tooth. There are classics, such as cheesecake and chocolate brownie, along with a fresh fruit tart and chocolate marquise—a rich, French favorite. You can try all of these starting at 8am Monday through Friday and 9am on the weekend.