Bread Service Worth Spoiling Your Dinner For
Pass the bread, these are our top picks for a doughy starter
For all of you bread lovers out there, this one’s for you! From truffled garlic bread and melt-in-your-mouth focaccia to za’atar spiced pita bread and skillet cornbread, these Lettuce spots have killer bread service that shouldn’t be missed.
For more apps and starters to try, check out our guide to Lettuce’s all-star starters.
The House Bread with za’atar seasoning at Aba (Austin, Chicago, Miami) and Ema (Chicago, Glenview) is served warm alongside any order of a hummus or spread. This pita bread is truly superior with a texture that is a mix between a fluffy naan and perfect bite of pita.
Make a reservation at the Aba location nearest you. Make a reservation at the Ema location nearest you.
RPM Seafood’s bread service arrives as fresh as its seafood and fish that the restaurant is known for. The Everything Parker House served with French Butter or the Cheese-Baked Focaccia served with a side of house-cured olives are both great ways to kick-off your meal.
Make a reservation at RPM Seafood.
RPM Italian (Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Las Vegas) is one of the best spots to carb-load with housemade pastas, made fresh daily! Warm up your stomach with another menu staple, such as the Whipped Ricotta and Wild Blossom Honey Focaccia or the signature Truffled Garlic Bread.
Make a reservation at the RPM Italian location nearest you.
Try the recipe for RPM Italian’s Truffled Garlic Bread at home.
The fluffy Gruyere Popovers at RPM Steak are served with Rosemary Nordic Butter and are a delicious take on a traditional steakhouse popover. Try these or the signature Parker House Rolls to get your meal going.
Make a reservation at RPM Steak.
A centerpiece on almost every table at hot spot Tre Dita is Chef Evan Funke’s version of a Tuscan focaccia. The Schiacciata Rossa is topped with a salsa di pomodoro, erbe and extra virgin olive oil, while the Schiacciata Bianca is topped with rosemary, sea salt and extra virgin olive oil. You cannot go wrong with either choice.
Make a reservation at Tre Dita or Bar Tre Dita.
The complimentary bread service at Antico Posto in Oak Brook consists of House Bread, perfect for dunking, served with giardiniera, olive oil and parmesan.
The White Cheddar Popovers are served with bacon and cheddar butter at Beatrix (River North, Fulton Market, Oak Brook, Loop and Streeterville) and are only available during dinner, so snag ’em while they’re hot! Pro tip: Grab a gluten-free popover to dip in your soup when you stop by Beatrix Market in Fulton Market during lunchtime.
The coziest of Italian comfort can be found at il Porcellino in Chicago’s River North and their bread service is no different. Order up the Freshly Baked Ciabatta loaf brushed with fresh garlic, sprinkled with parmesan cheese, and finished table-side with hot garlic butter. The restaurant also serves the Tuscan Cheese Bread topped with roasted garlic butter, pecorino, parmesa and mozzarella cheese, baked until crispy and served with marinara sauce for dipping.
Make a reservation at il Porcellino.
When your server at Mon Ami Gabi (Chicago, Bethesda, Las Vegas) suggests the Warm Baguette served with sweet cream butter and a seasonal amuse bouche to get you started, we would encourage you to say yes. It’s crusty on the outside, warm and gooey on the inside and the perfect vessel to dip into all the sauces and flavors throughout the rest of your meal.
Make a reservation at the Mon Ami Gabi location nearest you.
Summer House (Chicago, North Bethesda, Disney Springs, Las Vegas) adds a little kick to a comfort food favorite. The Jalapeño Cornbread is served with honey butter for a bit of sweetness to balance out the spice.
Make a reservation at the Summer House location nearest you.
The Oakville Grill & Cellar’s philosophy for all things that hit your table is to utilize the best ingredients possible and present them simply in ways you crave. The bread options are no different. Try the simple, yet delicious Warm Sourdough made locally by Middle Brow, served with cultured butter or the Housemade Focaccia with olive tapenade, chili oil.
Make a reservation at The Oakville Grill & Cellar.
Perhaps one of the more iconic complimentary bread services is at Joe’s Seafood! Joe’s Seafood’s linen-lined, silver bread basket includes a cinnamon crisp, a warm onion roll, a warm challah roll and a pretzel roll with chilled sea salted butter on the side.
Wildfire’s homemade Gluten-free Bun in addition to Fresh Onion Rolls are available for complimentary bread service. The restaurant’s signature Skillet Cornbread is also seriously delicious, served with honey butter on the side and the perfect starter or side dish for lunch or dinner.
