Dessert after Katsu

My husband and I are going to Katsu next weet to celebrate his birthday. He's a huge sweet person, so I'd like to go somewhere else for dessert - does anyone have any recommendations? Our reservations at at 8pm, and we live in Lincoln Square - so somewhere in the vicinity would be preferred. Thanks

I would call GRN Winner Pasticceria Natalinato see if they will be open late on the night you are going out. They do stay open until 10 - 11 on some nights, but not always, so a call ahead would be a good idea.

Another nice neighborhood spot is The Chocolate Shoppefor ice cream.

Pasticceria Natalina
5406 N. Clark St
Chicago, IL 60640
773-989-0662

The Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream
773-763-9778
5337 W Devon Ave
Chicago, IL 60646

FYI, Pasticceria Natalina isn't a sit-down establishment if you're looking to linger over dessert. Personally, I'd be more likely to carry out from here than sit down elsewhere, but just so's you know.

Dmnkly wrote:FYI, Pasticceria Natalina isn't a sit-down establishment if you're looking to linger over dessert. Personally, I'd be more likely to carry out from here than sit down elsewhere, but just so's you know.

Be prepared for someone to run in to make the selection, because parking can be challenging sometimes.

Regards,

Dmnkly wrote:FYI, Pasticceria Natalina isn't a sit-down establishment if you're looking to linger over dessert. Personally, I'd be more likely to carry out from here than sit down elsewhere, but just so's you know.

Actually, they have a small, but nice stand-up espresso bar just like you would find in Italy. Even so, Dom is correct, it is mostly a retail bakery space.

Taste of Heaven is a good alternative to Pasticceria Natalina if you want to sit down; it's right across the street. They have fantastic cakes, especially their carrot cake and another whose name I can't recall, but it's basically yellow cake with whipped cream frosting and three kinds of berries in the middle layer.

But neither is very close to Katsu, especially if coming back from Katsu you'd be passing Lincoln Square-which-is-home.

I don't have a lot of better suggestions for proximity, but that Chocolate Shoppe location is much much closer.

Taste of Heaven
5401 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 989-0151

Gee, I would suggest Lutz or Cafe Selmarie, but with an 8 pm dinner, both places will be closed afterwards. (Both close at 10 on weekends, earlier during the week.) Maybe Magnolia Cafe? They're open till 10 on weekdays, 11:30 on weekends. Another option is Fiddlehead Cafe, open till 10 on weekdays, 11 on weekends. Taste of Heaven (DON'T try the obvious website address ), suggested by Joe above, is also open till 10 on weekdays, 11 on weekends.

I just had another thought. Fondue Stube, a very old school fondue place is a couple of blocks away from Katsu. I'm not sure of their hours, but if they stay open late enough, you could stop by for a romantic chocolate fondue.

Fondue Stube
2717 W. Peterson
Chicago, IL 60659
773-784-2200

stevez wrote:I'm not sure of their hours

Per their website, till 9 during the week, 10 on weekends.

you could also go to the Algerian Coffee and Crepe place (Okosium, I think is its official name) on the corner of Clark and Foster for a dessert crepe (or two!) You can get pretty much any sweet combo you want, from Nutella to Caramel and all sorts of fruits and nuts, fresh cream, etc. I have yet to have a disappointing dessert crepe there. But, I am not sure how late they are open, maybe until 10 pm . . .

bjt

This is not particularly helpful as we have already noted that Andersonville is both out of the way and not terribly convenient, but I thoroughly enjoyed dessert from Icosium last weekend.

The hot chocolate was $2.95 and good to the last drop (in for a penny, in for a pint of real whipped cream).

And the crepe Labella was also good. Bananas, dark chocolate, almonds and pistachio ice cream. I wouldn't have picked these out of pantry, but they sure worked in a crepe.

I am glad to hear you enjoy the dessert crepes at Ikosium, GastroGnome. However, I sort of disagree with the statement that Katsu to Andersonville is out of the way and not terribly convenient. I mean, just shoot east on Peterson and then jump onto Clark. I mean, it's not like we're steering them to Bridgeport or Hyde Park. But then again, maybe I am just one of those people that's willing to drive a skinch out of the way for a satisfying dessert.



bjt

What I was doing a poor job of communicating was that it didn't seem to be on the way home for the OP.

Then I actually read the post (fancy that) and I realize that it was only a matter of a block or two.

So, sorry Andersonville! Get hot chocolate at Icosium before it gets too warm out!