Other BPs I have loved

Since I don't have a good memory of these, I'll just combine this posting. I don't know what is rich and too rich, so I guess you have to taste it to know. I don't guarantee that these places still serve BP as I visited them prior to 2010. And yes, it looks inconsistent, but sometimes I can like it even with raisins.

Teller's Gallery, Columbia, MO - 4, bourbon sauce, excellent despite raisins
Big John's Chicago, IL - 4, excellent despite raisins
Ralph Brennan's Jazz, Anaheim, CA - 3, vanilla, cream, big raisins
Catal, Anaheim, CA - 3, chocolate, too rich
Exposure, Chicago, IL - 4, huge portion, rich
Reading Market, Philadelphia, PA - 4, peach BP sold by an Amish vendor
Busboys and Poets, Washington, DC - 3, raisins and white chocolate
Nacionale 27, Chicago, IL - 4, ice cream, everything they make is fantastic
Marjorie's, Seattle, WA - 4, like everything they do
Medici, Chicago, IL - 3, great texture but sneaky raisins
Boudros, San Antonio, TX - 4, bourbon sauce and raisins
Mello Yellow, Chicago, IL - 3, good but raisins

Elephant and Castle, Streeterville, Chicago

This big square of BP has a wonderful texture and sauce that enhances the flavor, though it's not needed. It gets one point off for having sneaky yellow raisins. Elephant and Castle restaurants are in many cities, sometimes as a hotel restaurant.

Price: 5
Raisins: Yes, sneaky yellow
Sauce: Yes, delicious
Ice cream: No
Visited: Spring 2010

www.elephantcastle.com/
185 North Wabash Avenue
Chicago

(312) 345-1710

Angelica's Bakery, Calumet Heights, Chicago

Angelica's is a bakery that is very popular, supplying desserts to many take-out restaurants in the city and suburb. I stopped by on a whim. The BP is wheaty-tasting and slightly grainy but good. It has raisins and they are too well-blended to pick out.

Price: 3.99
Raisins: Yes, but it's ok
Sauce: No
Ice cream: No
Visited: Summer 2010


www.angelicascakes.com/
1517 East 87th Street
Chicago, IL 60619
(773) 933-0400

Bananas Foster Cafe, Edgewater, Chicago

This BP might rate a 3, but I should have eaten it there when it was warm. I like that it had nuts.

Price: 5
Raisins: Yes, but I didn't mind
Sauce: Can't remember
Nuts: Yes
Visited: October 2010

www.bananasfostercafe.com/
1147 West Granville Avenue
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 262-9855

Grand Lux, Downtown, Chicago

What doesn't Grand Lux do well? I sorely miss the banana bread pudding from years ago, which may have inspired my quest for more, more, more BP. I think they change flavors from time to time. Now they have a Sticky Bun BP that could really stand alone and filling and fantastic without the accoutrements of whipped cream, ice cream, and way too much caramel sauce. The portion is generous because this is Grand Lux, after all.

Price: 7 0r 8
Raisins: No
Sauce: Yes, loads
Ice cream: Yes, big scoop
Visited: November 2010

http://www.grandluxcafe.com
600 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 276-2500

Markethouse, Streeterville, Chicago

This is some of the best BP I've ever had. Markethouse has delicious food, but I go and get the BP to go without anything else. It's butterscotch, a very subtle flavor from the sauce, but let me tell you, the BP doesn't need it. It's a HUGE portion of perfectly smooth fantabulousness. And it has nuts, which I love.

Markethouse is in the Doubletree Hotel.

Price: 7
Raisins: No
Sauce: Yes, butterscotch
Ice cream: Yes, vanilla
Visited: November 2010, but I will be going back again and again. I went back in February 2011 and got the photo!

http://markethousechicago.com/

611 N Fairbanks Ct

Chicago, IL 60611

Amelia's Mestizo Grill, New City, Chicago

Amelia's is a classy restaurant, not your typical Mexican. It is so elegant and intimate, and thus, so was the bread pudding. It was a normal portion, which took me by surprise in this town of excess. I don't remember the BP itself except that it was very good, but what I do remember was the generous slice of candied pumpkin that decorated the plate. Yum. It was a perfect end to a lovely meal - but not enough to share :). It was a seasonal special, but it's a great place and relatively kid friendly.

Price: 7
Raisins: No
Sauce: Maybe
Ice cream: Small scoop, but not necessary, though I enjoyed it
Visited: November 2010

http://www.ameliaschicago.com/menu_dessert.htm
4559 South Halsted Street
Chicago, IL

(773) 538-8200

Karyn's Cooked, Gold Coast, Chicago

I will never believe that this HUGE portion of lusciousness is vegan. I trust Karyn Calabrese, but it seems impossible that she infused so much flavor, texture, richness, and I don't even know what other adjectives into her bread pudding. My mouth says it has butter and cream, but it's lying to my brain. I mean, it's got coconut, raisins, nuts - Ok, I'm not sure what's in here but it's worth going just for that.

Price: 4
Raisins: Yes, but I give it a pass because this stuff is purely heavenly.
Visited: November 2010
Sauce: Yes

www.karynraw.com/Cooked/
738 North Wells Street
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 587-1050

M Henry, Andersonville, Chicago

OMG - the breakfast bread pudding is TDF with the fresh peaches and berries. I mean this stuff is lush! I could eat it all day, every day. It was the first time I've had BP last for more than one day. The full serving is more than enough. I don't want to ever know the calories. I even bought some as a gift for someone. Now, the downside is that it's right by the yoga studio so I've been going from bikram to bread pudding. Not the wisest move, though M. Henry staff does give me water while I wait for my to-go order.

Price: 7
Raisins: No
Visited: December 2010

www.mhenry.net/
5707 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 561-1600