fantastic dessert?

Hi all,

When my wife and I go to Chicago to eat we'll sometimes dine at one spot and other times we'll hit three to five different places eating a small amount at each. But either way we do it we normally walk a LOT, and I do mean a LOT.

There have been several times when we're looking to end the evening on a sweet note. Not that the dessert has to be overly sweet, but we would like something overly good, and well prepared. I have had the dessert tasting at Tru, and it was fabulous. But most times I'm not looking to spend anywhere near that kind of money on just dessert. Although I wouldn't mind spending a decent amount either.

Where would you suggest? I would love to hear any suggestions that you have for both normal hours...and also for those late night evening when many of the places are closed, thinking after 11:00 or so.

thanks!
dan

I always seem to find something good at Fox & Obel. You can get pastry to go at the bakery counter, or you can get something in the cafe to eat there. Open 6 a.m. to midnight seven days.

I also love the entremets (mousse cakes) at Vanille Patisserie, but neither the original location on Clybourn nor their booth at the French Market is open late.

And I've found some very good items at Floriole, four blocks east of Vanille's Clybourn location, open till 7 during the week and 8 on weekends. Fritz in Lakeview has some good stuff but they're only open till 6.

One place that won't meet your desire for a lower price than TRU is the Lobby at the Peninsula, which hosts the Chocolate Bar Friday and Saturday evenings. It's an all-you-can-eat buffet of 30-40 different chocolate desserts in smallish portion sizes so you can try a lot of them. They don't all blow me away but they're all decent and I always find a few that do. Around $32 or so.

I'm with nxstasy.

If you just want a sweet and it's late afternoon, try tea at the Peninsula in the Lobby. At night, I think the Chocolate Bar is weekends only at the Peninsula so check.

You can also try Delightful Pastries on Wells (open until 6 pm). Any of the Julius Meinl locations are open, I think until about 10 pm on weekdays and then I think 11 pm (maybe later) on the weekends.

Otherwise, I say hit Fox and Obel. It has one of the best apple pies I've ever purchased. If you get it a la mode, they use Homer's vanilla ice cream.

I think Sweet Mandy B's is only open until 9 or 10 pm but it's primarily cupcakes and cookies, maybe a banana pudding (it's pretty good).

Finally, I think the Cookie Bar on Lincoln is open until around 10 pm as is GNR Pasticceria Natalina in Andersonville.

I recently was made aware of the chocolate mousse pie at Gibson's, and they not only serve about half a pie but they're open til midnight (11pm on Sundays in Rosemont).

pairs4life wrote:At night, I think the Chocolate Bar is weekends only at the Peninsula so check.

That's correct. It's on Friday and Saturday evenings from 8 pm to midnight, according to their website, although I'm pretty sure I've been there a bit earlier than their official starting time and it's available. Oh, and according to the website, the price is up to $40 for adults, $20 for kids (or $50 if you want to include a chocolate martini or a glass of sparkling wine, instead of coffee, espression, or cappuccion - hey, that's how they spell it on their website). Click here for more info. It says they're launching a new format at the end of next month, with "live action stations and a tasting menu".

Joe's Stone Crab has really great pies, I think. They'll also do a half slice -- so you can try a couple of different pies -- and the half slices are really generous.

Plus it's fun to eat at their bar, which is good because getting a seat on most nights requires a reservation or a long wait.

Joe's is at the corner of Grand and Rush.

Hot Chocolate, at 1747 North Damen, is open until 12:00 on Friday and Saturday. It's a great all around restaurant, but desserts are their specialty. If they don't have tables (its quite popular), you can usually get a seat pretty quickly at the bar and order anything off the menu.

Jonah

Thanks for all the replies! I'll certainly keep them in mind. We visit Fox and Obel nearly every time we visit Chicago, we can always find something to go home with (along with the usual Iberico jamon).

I still have to try Hot Chocolate in the future, sounds nice and the hours will work for us too. I've actauly been surprised at Joe's Stone Crab's desserts. Not overly sweet and good balance. I ordered the Havana Dream Pie once and couldn't stop eating it!

I'm not opposed to a bargain, where you just get a good dessert. But I'm not opposed to spending a little bit to get something really fantastic.

Oh, are there any REALLY good cannoli places?

thanks for all the responses!
dan

it'll cost an arm and a leg (roughly 7 dollars) but Pasticceria Natalina's cannoli was the best I've ever had.

Pasticceria Natalina
5406 clark street
Chicago, IL 60640

I hope they're bigger than the typical two-bite ones in most bakeries!

Pies anyone? I'm partial to the fruited variety at Hoosier Mama (raspberry, particularly, is outstanding):

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=25657&p=275186&hilit=hoosier+mama#p275186

They can also be found at more accessible locations, such as Noble Tree Coffee & Tea, 2444 North Clark Street, altho best to call later in the day to see if any are left.