Icosium Kafe, 5200, North Clark Street, Chicago

[Al-khiyal]

Simply defined, a crepe is a thin, flat pancake, but Icosium Kafe proves that there's much more to this sweet or savory dish.

The menu at this sunny Algerian cafe is laden with almost twenty types of crepes, as well as a smattering of soups and salads. The namesake crepe is a heady mix of roasted peppers, basil, goat cheese, caramelized onions, tomatoes, pine nuts, garlic and spinach. Despite its ample size, odds are slim that you'll leave anything behind on the plate. Savory options range from the button-downed traditional (apples and brie) to the downright tie-dyed (muenster, avocado, sun dried tomato tapenade, cilantro, scallions, bell peppers and sunflower seeds). While most of the combinations will leave you smacking your lips, a few will have you raising your eyebrows—olives, pineapple, cilantro and ricotta? We'll take a second helping of the tried-and-true, thanks. If you want to steer your own ship, Icosium offers a bevy of mix-and-match fillings, including salmon, hearts of palm, cashews, ranch dressing and cream cheese.

If you split the savory and save room for the sweet stuff, you'll be amply rewarded. The Labella (banana, Belgian chocolate, almonds and coconut) and the Yussuf (butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and raisins) are two of the most popular dessert crepes, and one bite will reveal why. Honey, nuts, nutella and every imaginable combination of fresh fruit are also available, with ice cream and sprinkles on hand to customize your creation. Crepes generally range from $6.95-$8.50.

Icosium Kafe

[Al-khiyal]

...Belkacem Elmetennani, who also owns Crepe & Coffee Palace in Lincoln Park, has opened Icosium Kafe. Bright linens, golden lanterns with beaded fringes, and other Mediterranean touches adorn the inside of the cafe, named for Elmetennani's hometown in Algeria. The menu features substantial salads, but the real focus is on crepes. Make your own, or go for one of the house specialties, such as Crepe Icosium, made with raisins, pears and rose water, and topped with pistachio ice cream. Savory crepes, such as Crepa Iberica, are served with homemade soup. Icosium Kafe is BYOB, but the menu offers non-alcoholic beverages ranging from fresh-squeezed carrot juice to Egyptian mango juice to organic coffees and teas.

[Al-khiyal]

Icosium Kafe offers Andersonville a crepe brunch alternative

Brunch time: All day, every day from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday through Friday.

Cost: Crepes start at $4.75; a build-a-crepe option starts at $8.50.

The scene: Ann Sather, we love you. But that doesn't mean we're going fight all the baby strollers for your lingonberry pancakes every Sunday. Sure, this stretch of Clark Street has plenty of other brunch options - but they're all packed too. Except for maybe one: Icosium Kafe, a BYOB crepe spot that continues Andersonville's tradition of great North African and Middle Eastern cuisine, which is often overshadowed by the neighborhood's Swedish heritage. Icosium doesn't have cinnamon rolls the size of Nerf balls, but it has its charms. Instead of Swedish kitsch, you get North African kitsch. (Icosium is the former name of Algiers, the capital of Algeria). Owners have nicely covered up the remains of the short-lived American diner previously at the address, Corner Grill, with tapestries and beaded tin lanterns. Still, you'll notice the odd lingering detail, like the bright orange booths that scream "Happy Days."

The cuisine: Just because you're going North African doesn't mean you won't face that typical brunch dilemma: sweet or savory. But at Icosium, the sweet side of the menu has the edge - OK, we just love that all the sweet crepes come with a paper umbrella. We recommend the Crepe Buena ($6.95), a sturdy pancake (Icosium uses organic wheat flour) oozing with warm, sweet, mango and ginger chutney, drizzled with a cherry dressing and dotted with rosettes of whipped cream. Not sweet enough? Add a scoop of pistachio ice cream for $2. And if you really need an Ann Sather fix, order a Jamming with Jam Crepe ($4.50) - with lingonberries.

The drinks: You could BYOB, but why? Exotic alcohol-free choices include Egyptian mango juice, Algerian mint tea with honey, South African Rooibos tea.

Kiddie factor: You'll always find some kids here, but most clear out by midmorning.

The wait: At peak times, it may be 30 minutes; otherwise, zip right in.

Loved it: Super-strong, cardamom-infused Turkish coffee, served in its own ibrik, a traditional server ($2.95).

Hated it: The North African music added to the authenticity, but please, turn it down!

Rating: 2 out of 4 eggs

[Cheba_Mami]

Thats informative, thanks.


funny ratings what about stars?