Bowood Blossoms All Year Round

The Brunch Bunch: Tom, Harper, Robin, and I at Bowood. Mochi (dog in photo) gets a sweet hug before being placed on his leash. The Central West End cafe offers a pet friendly patio.

Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch and Dinner

Bowood by Niche is an idyllic site for a lunch meet up or a meal with friends. But the trendy space, tucked away amid a flower and gift shop, was not built to be a restaurant. Originally, it housed an old warehouse and auto repair shop from the 1920s. Today it features Bowood Farm and Garden Shop, as well as relaxed dining.

Take your pick from the contemporary indoor space or the plant-lined patio.

Master of His Craft

Bowood is the brainchild of award-winning chef Gerard Craft. (Among his kitchen medals is the prestigious James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef, Midwest, 2015.)

Today his collection of fine, local kitchens includes Brasserie by Niche, Pastaria, Fordo’s Killer Pizza, Cinder House, and several bars. I’m sure I’ve overlooked some others.

Bliss on a Plate

Gerard is into comfort food, tastefully prepared and attractively served. His skill is on full display at Bowood. The green surroundings, friendly servers, and superb dishes make for a memorable outing.

See photos of the inviting space and menu at https://bowoodbyniche.com/.

Put this one on your list.

You seldom see wording such as this on a restaurant website: “We are happy to make substitutions where available to accommodate dietary restrictions, allergies, or preferences.” I like that.

I’ve been in search of the perfect restaurant pancake for sometime now. Bowood’s Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes served with cultured butter and syrup is definitely a winner. These fluffy, crispy-edged flapjacks make for a comforting meal—as well they should. I make blueberry buttermilk pancakes that also include ricotta cheese and lemon zest.