Sweet treats for adults this Halloween

Friday, October 27, 2006 | 5:57 PM
By Steve Dolinsky
October 27, 2006 (WLS) — ABC7’s Hungry Hound spans the globe in his search for sweets– from American cupcakes to Australian donuts and scones.

Why should the kids get to hoard the sweets over Halloween? Adults not only have sweet tooths, they’re often somewhat more refined. Two brand-new bakeries offer everything from home-spun cupcakes to the best scones in town.

Who doesn’t love a cupcake every now and then? They certainly put a smile on people’s faces, and that’s the mantra at the brand new Swirlz Cupcakes in Lincoln Park.

“I think people come in and they’re very pre-disposed, but they’re open to try new things; and we’ve done a lot of sampling,” said Margot Chapman, Swirlz Cupcakes.

Ten flavors are on hand everyday; five of which stay the same, including chocolate, vanilla and red velvet. Everything is baked and frosted in-house; there’s also one flavor each day that’s gluten-free - that means no wheat, oats or barley - and an additional sugar-free option. Chapman says despite the popular flavors, customers still want to try something new.

“So people come in and they’ll say ‘I really want red velvet, it’s very nostalgic from my childhood, but I’m gonna try the pumpkin.’”

Over in Humboldt Park, there are several flavors from “down under” at the brand-new Tipsycake on North California, where a custom cake designer is expanding her modest operation.

“We’ve been making custom cakes and pastries for about a year-and-a-half; now we have a small retail storefront, which we’re encouraging people to come in and place orders,” said Naomi Stepanek, Tipsycake.

Original birthday, baby shower and other special-occasion cakes are always on hand, but check out the tiny, focused retail counter up front: brownies, cupcakes and rugelach are worth picking up, including some of Stepanek’s favorites from back home.

“We have lemingtons, which are the Aussie’s equivalent of a doughnut.”

Sponge cake is layered with raspberry preserves…rolled in tons of coconut. For an early-morning treat, do not miss the fantastic scones. They come with the requisite fruit preserves and clotted cream, and Stepanek says they are one-of-a-kind.

“Because they’re made by an Australian, that’s the one recipe that I stick to, and only I know the recipe because it’s all about the texture, and what you put in it and how you make it.”

Two other alternatives for excellent baked goods: the cupcakes at Southport Grocery are out of this world and just about anything from Bittersweet Bakery in Lakeview.

Swirlz Cupcakes
705 W. Belden Ave.
773-404-2253

Tipsycake
1043 N. California Ave.
773-580-8113

Southport Grocery
3552 N. Southport Ave.
773-665-0100

Bittersweet
1114 W. Belmont Ave.
773-929-1100

(Copyright ©2008 WLS-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

The Hungry Hound: Southport Grocery and Cafe

By Steve Dolinsky

November 14, 2003 — Lakeview residents were probably wondering what happened to the old Cooney Funeral home? Shuttered for months, half the space has been reborn. It’s now home to some serious gourmet food products, as well as a casual cafe with a compact menu, featuring upscale comfort food. The “Southport Grocery and Cafe” is a welcome addition to the north Southport corridor where foodies can have a field day.

A chef puts the finishing touches on elegant ginger-carrot bisque, enriched with coconut milk, topped with frazzled beets, candied ginger and parsley. Meantime, a giant, half-chicken that’s been rubbed with thyme and garlic is oven-roasted, served next to a crock of macaroni that’s been doused with white cheddar, fontina and gruyere cheeses, then sprinkled with crunchy panko breadcrumbs.
Sounds like just another cafe in a trendy part of Lake View. But it’s much more than that.

“What I wanted to do was have fine food grocery store and cafe, so we could show people how to use some of the ingredients in the grocery store in the cafe. And have a place in the neighborhood where parents and kids feel comfortable in,” said Lisa Santos, Southport Grocery and Café.

Lisa Santos and Emily Lamb - friends from culinary school - decided to open the combination cafe-grocery store to satisfy a couple of needs in the neighborhood: there are dozens of gourmet oils, condiments and crackers. But there is also a refrigerated dairy case, with upscale items like European butter, imported cheeses and a few prepared items, like salads or sandwiches to go.

“Things to supplement dinner or hard-to-find that you might not find in a major grocery stores. So, hard-to-find baking ingredients, sauces, spices… those are the desserts that we bake. ”

They include biscotti and cookies, but also some of the most addictive, moist vanilla and chocolate cupcakes you’ll ever put into your mouth. They’re made fresh daily, and are topped with a homemade white frosting.

“We wanted to feel that no matter what time of day you come in - something light or hearty - that we could satisfy both ends.”

With all of the families in the area, they’re also satisfying picky “little” eaters. Kid’s meals are served in a sectioned-off porcelain dish with applesauce, crayons, vegetables and crustless grilled cheese. The cafe is open for lunch and dinner, and there have already been a few “regulars” who appreciate the new addition.

“Very cool, absolutely. There’s great stuff to buy off the shelves, the menu is different that’s for sure…what’d you get? Some Tuscan bean soup and a turkey sandwich,” said Marty Cerny.

The grocery and cafe are open everyday except Monday. And if you’re walking along southport, maybe heading to the Music Box to see a movie, it’s a great place to catch a quick bite.

Southport Grocery and Cafe
3552 N. Southport Ave.
773-665-0100