Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Taste ~ Eat ~ Enjoy






The day started out a bit late, late enough for lunch.  Portillo's Hot Dogs (don't let the name fool you) is a Chicago institution.  Yes, it is a chain restaurant with four different styles and yes they are even out of state (California and Indiana).  Italian Beef and the chop salad are highly on our "must have again" list.



While this is not a real cake, it is one of the items on display at the Navy Pier's exhibition of stained glass.



We found that Mondays are the day that some bakeries (and restaurants) are closed, but this window display at Bittersweet Pastry caught our eye.



Dinkel's Bakery on Lincoln Ave has been in operation since 1922.  It's  a traditional bakery with tons of cookies, pastries and cakes. For us, the almond bearclaw, cinnamon roll and hot cross bun really hit the spot.


This poppyseed swirl loaf came from Austrian Bakery and Deli on Clark St.  We were there just a bit after the lunch rush, and most of the morning pastries were sold out, but it is definitely a great bakery/deli in the European style.



La Farine Bakery is a small European bakery located in the West Town neighborhood, the Almond Mocha slice and a double espresso (so far the best in Chicago) was just the mid-afternoon jolt we needed.  Their website unfortunately does not have much information.


La Farine Bakery



Cakes take center stage at Pierre's Bakery on North Milwaukee Ave. They have three locations and  specialize in European artesian breads. Wedding cakes birthday cakes, sweet 16 cakes, Gelato, French pastries, cookies, Mexican and American pastries.


Pierre's Bakery Case


It was later in the afternoon when we finally got back to Pasieka Bakery located just doors from the Polish restaurant we had dinner at the other night.  Both are located in the Polish/Logan Square neighborhood on North Milwaukee Ave.

We walked and walked...to and from L stations...and back again....for a very full (chilly) day!

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