Top nosh

Photo: Brendan Lekan

A LITTLE HELP FROM HIS FRIENDS When you want to throw a brunch but can’t cook, you call on everyone you know to bring their specialties. At least that’s what Rodney Alex has done to launch weekend brunch at Juicy Wine Co . The wine bar doesn’t have a kitchen (unless you count a hot plate and a waffle maker), so Alex brings in the best brunch ingredients in town: Charlie Trotter’s smoked salmon gets piled onto New York Bagel’s bagels, Milk & Honey’s granola is served with organic yogurt, sweet pastries come from Mindy Segal of HotChocolate, and Harold’s fried chicken is paired with Orange Crush waffles (which, along with an omelet, are the only things made in-house). The best part? Everything’s only five bucks, leaving you with extra dough for Bloody Marys and Bellinis, specialties that brunch host Alex needs no help with at all. 694 N Milwaukee Ave at Huron St (312-492-6620).