ICP: Bru Chicago Review

This cafe visit was my first venture into Wicker Park! It’s an amazing neighborhood with great shopping from second hand stars (Crossroad Trading) to local flavor (handmade hats). Highly recommend getting out there for a day’s adventure. And if you’re new to Indie Coffee Passport, find out what ICP is and how it works over here.

[photo credit: Brü Chicago]

Brü Chicago is a true cafe smack in the middle of Wicker Park, and makes every effort to be an integral part of the neighborhood. They have the standard rotating gallery of local artists, wifi, and print station. The main space is divided up into cozy alcoves dedicated to small group work. In the back is a large entertainment space they use for various events and free yoga every Tuesday night at 7 p.m.  If you’re doing ICP, these are the drinks your passport can get you.

1. 16oz Cup of Coffee
2. Double Espresso
3. 16oz Hot Chocolate
4. 16oz Hot Tea (Signature Collection)
5. 16oz Brown Sugar Pumpkin Chai Latte*

*When I visited, they mentioned that the Pumpkin Chai was a seasonal offering. They could still make it, but gave me the option for the Winter special- the Cinnamon Roll Chai Latte.

What I had:
Cinnamon Roll Chai Latte
English Breakfast Tea
Apricot scone

From the ICP offered drink list, it became apparent that the target audience for Brü was for cafe hoppers instead of coffee lovers. Between a regular coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and a seasonal latte, the latte route seemed the most exciting. It was a good latte- not exceptional but good. It refrained from being overly sweet. The English Breakfast tea came already brewed, so I wasn’t sure if it was a loose leaf like the menu stated, or one of the Teavana satchels I saw behind the counter. On the food side, the apricot scone was a decent scone, nothing standing out. I wish I had tried more of the prepared food that the menu seems to focus on.

Next time:
I’ll come here for lunch and maybe a yoga class.