CheekyChicago

I experienced the delicious decadence of Bittersweet Pastry for the first time the other day. Not even two days have passed and I have been back twice to get the far from bitter treats for my family and friends. If I could describe the pastry shop in one word, it would be: Delectable. You can take it from me; I have a sweet tooth that is out of this world. When I go to restaurants I peek at the dessert menu first, to see if I need to save room accordingly. There is no peeking at the dessert menu here. It is right in front of you when you walk into the door! Your mouth can’t help but water at the sight of it. Not to mention there is a plate of samples by the door as well! It is like a jewelry store of desserts: you taste one thing, love it, and walk away dreaming about the next thing to go back for.

The assortment of desserts is never-ending. Everything is fresh, homemade with the purest, high quality ingredients and visually satisfying. The breads, and muffins paired with tea or their own blend of coffee are great for breakfast. They also offer homemade ice cream, sorbets, tarts, cookies and cakes that are delightful. This is a popular place to find the perfect cake for any occasion. Wedding cake tastings are encouraged and must be arranged by appointment.

Black Walnut Cake

A Bittersweet “must have” is a series of four tasty treats made with the black walnuts from Hammond’s Nuts. The roasted black walnut layer cake with cream cheese frosting was my favorite of the four, but that can change at any moment because they were all fantastic. The cake was so rich and creamy that it melts in your mouth.

If you’re looking for a quick bite to eat, the lunch menu changes by the day. You can find selections of fresh salads, savory homemade soups, quiche, and sandwiches. The prices of their lunch menu are great too! The carrot & thyme soup is a popular favorite! Speaking of cheap eats, Bittersweet also has a “day old” basket with reduced priced goods!The bakery opened eighteen years ago, and it still holds its unique treasures. It has that at-home, family feel that so many new pastry shops (that usually only specialize in one type of pastry) lack. Bittersweet, for many, has become part of the family, and the staff at Bittersweet wants you to become a part of theirs. They offer a quaint seating area where you can enjoy your tasty morsels and enjoy people watching in the large windows of the storefront.

The charming bakery appeals to people of all ages. It is filled with mingling girlfriends, generations of families, and couples sharing a slice of their favorite cake with a homemade serving of ice cream. The inviting atmosphere and the baked goods have the ability to sweeten any bitter circumstance.