A Chicago institution celebrates 30 years this summer by looking to the future and expanding in the city. As part of the milestone anniversary, Bittersweet Pastry Shop & Café is unveiling a newly renovated space with new offerings to match.
Located in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood since 1992, Bittersweet has provided Chicago cakes, pastries and desserts and has evolved over the past few years under the leadership of Owner and Managing Partner Esther Griego, who purchased the bakery in 2015, along with Chef David Castillo (White Oak Tavern, 3 Arts Club Cafe, Hogsalt Hospitality).
“30 years is such an incredible achievement for any business,” said Griego in a statement. “We’re honored to be able to shepherd this iconic brand towards growth and the future.”
Growth for Bittersweet includes the redesigned space, capturing old world charm with modern touches and taking inspiration from a Lu Lu Biscuits poster, purchased by founder Chef Judy Contino. “Lu Lu is our mascot,” said Griego. “It reminds us of where we came from and has inspired where we are going.” The renovation by SK Design Group includes a new pastry case with a more curated selection of Bittersweet’s classic desserts and cakes. Chef Castillo has also been perfecting the shop’s viennoiserie program featuring almond croissants and seasonal fruit Danish pastries made with local butter from pastured cows.
Additional banquet and counter seating in the shop allows for more guests to enjoy Chef Castillo’s café menu, featuring local produce, eggs and proteins. Menu highlights include a farm-egg breakfast sandwich served on a house made croissant, quiche Provençal, avocado toast and a perennial favorite – grilled ham, caramelized onion and fig jam on Publican Quality 1979 multigrain. “We have to be creative with the menu since our café kitchen is so tiny,” said Chef Castillo. “The limitations have helped us come up with more inventive dishes.
In addition to the menu of savory options, the café serves coffee and espresso beverages featuring Metropolis Coffee, made on a custom-finished La Marzocco machine, and a selection of teas from Freeman House Chai and Rare Tea Cellar.
Celebration and wedding cakes – which have always been the heart and soul of Bittersweet – are the core of Bittersweet’s business and as part of the anniversary celebration, they’re introducing a new line of Signature Cakes. The brainchild of Lead Cake Decorator Kerrie Breuer, provides guests with the highest quality cake designs and flavors, easily accessible through online ordering.
A new wedding tasting area features windows to look into the kitchen for a private experience that still provides an intimate bakery setting.
The newest location of Bittersweet will open later this summer at 2019 S Laflin, bringing coffee pastries and cakes to the Pilsen neighborhood. “We have a wonderfully talented team that has helped us get to where we are today, and we can’t wait to share what we’ve been working on with the community, said Griego.”
Bittersweet is located at 1114 West Belmont Avenue and is open Tuesday – Saturday from 8am – 4pm.
