Bittersweet Pastry Shop1114 W. Belmont
Chicago, IL (773) 929-1100
http://www.bittersweetpastry.com/
Hours:
7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Tuesday through Friday
8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday
Closed Monday
Prices:
Tarts: $20-30Cakes: $24-$100 (for custom cakes) Cookies: $15/lb Scones, croissants, muffins: $2.50-$3 Ice cream, $3 Bittersweet brings the joy of the French Patisserie to Lakeview
By Lee Barrie and Cindy Kurman
Story originally appeared in StreetWise
When we travel to France or the French Caribbean, each morning we head to the local patisserie to enjoy some fabulous croissants or brioche and café au lait. What makes patisseries so noteworthy is that they are everywhere. Even the small towns have their local, colorful patisserie—it’s “everyman’s” way of having breakfast, as well as the place to go for wonderful baked goods that are perfect any time of the day. The patisserie is a celebration of baking talent, ingenuity and aesthetics, making it the perfect place to go for a tasty and stimulating start to the day.
Luckily, Chicagoans don’t have to travel further than the Lakeview neighborhood to enjoy an authentic French patisserie experience. Acclaimed pastry chef Judy Contino opened Bittersweet over a decade ago and has built a fiercely loyal following—for good reason. The glass display cases are filled with delicate and delicious goodies, made with skill and tender loving care, just as in France.
We stopped in for breakfast recently (Bittersweet also serves lunch) and took stock of all the wondrous things that make Bittersweet so special. Our journey started by comfortably sitting down at a handsome marble top table and peering about the room. The ceiling fans and the clean, white walls make for a comfortable, unpretentious décor. Classical music permeates the room—it’s serene and welcoming.
On the wall is a handwritten breakfast menu board. Signature breakfast items include the quiche du jour and homemade granola, both served with fruit. Other choices include apple French toast and a vegetable frittata panini.
The breakfast goodies are amazing. We shared two homemade scones, one apricot and one ginger-peach—as good as scones get. The breakfast pastry display is a sight for tired eyes. Gorgeous croissants, scones, brioche, pecan rolls, tea bread and muffins. It’s almost impossible to decide what to choose. On weekends, when traffic is heavier, there are even more croissant varieties to choose from.
To accompany the scones, we enjoyed cappuccino made with the excellent Italian Illy coffee. The friendly staff is more than happy to make your espresso beverage the way you like it. Try a mocha or a café au lait. Other beverages include hot chocolate and fresh orange juice. A variety of unique carbonated beverages are also available.
The display cases feature beautifully executed baked goods; there is a steady stream of customers buying these items to go. You’ll find cookies, biscotti, cupcakes, coffee cake, tarts, bars, macaroons, cakes, custards, mousses, tartlets, truffles, and breads. Bittersweet’s cakes are legendary; call a day or two in advance and you can order a personalized birthday cake, made to order.
Walking around Bittersweet, we smiled at the special attractions making this patisserie more than a simple bake shop. There is a gelato display case with several flavors of ice cream and sorbets. Add hot fudge or caramel sauce for decadent joy.
Along the walls are shelves and tables displaying packaged foods and children’s gifts. There are Bittersweet-branded nuts and snacks, perfect accompaniments to the pastries.
You’ll find packages of the spectacular Terry’s Toffee, made in Chicago. There is an assortment of bottled French fruit syrups which, when combined with club soda or seltzer, make for a wonderful homemade soda pop, or use them as an ice cream topping.
What a pleasant morning adventure! Try making Bittersweet a regular part of your morning breakfast or weekly pastry-shopping routine. You’ll know the meaning of joie de vivre (in Chicago). Bonjour, nous amis.
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