There are bakeries and pastries ... and then there's
Bittersweet Pastry Shop & Cafe in Lincoln Park, Chicago. Judy Contino's high end, classy shop on Belmont is truly a step above the rest, and anyone looking for sweets in the City by the Lake should put Bittersweet on the agenda.
Twenty years ago, we were introduced to the culinary magic of Judy Contino when my wife secured a job in Bittersweet's kitchen. We had moved to Chicago for my wife to attend culinary school, but when she got the chance to work in Judy's kitchen, the true education began. Bittersweet is a truly classy cafe and bakery where the exquiste style and presentation of the pastries is only bested by the rich array of flavors. On a recent trip, we reveled in the espresso ganache tart, the rasperberry ganache, and a strawberry-rhubarb tart. We also brought home a chocolate torte and a slice of the famous "apple bistro," which is a wonderful balance of pastry, apples, and caramel.
It's hard to imagine going anywhere else for sweets, when a shop like Bittersweet is in your town. Judy Contino has been featured in magazines like Gourmet and Bon Apetit, and her reputation for beautifully delicious wedding cakes is legendary around Chicago. Next time you're in the Windy City, make sure to take advantage of the best in pastries.
No comments:
Post a Comment