It’s not just visions of sugar plums that are dancing in our heads these days! Winter is here and that means that dessert is needed, now more than ever. The days are getting shorter and colder, so it’s the perfect time to curl up and enjoy some sugary goodness. That, combined with the upcoming holidays, means it’s high time you checked out these specialty desserts at Chicago’s coziest spots. Some of them won’t be around for long!
Mastro’s Steakhouse {520 North Dearborn Street, Chicago; 312.521.5100}
This tasty treat is only available for a few more weeks, so dig in to the Pumpkin Butter Cake while you can! It’s Mastro’s signature warm butter cake, but now with the addition of real pumpkin and seasonal hard spices. It’s then topped with pumpkin pie spiced cream cheese and finished with caramelized raw sugar. But the best part is that it’s served with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, and homemade whipped cream. All the good things, all in one spot.
The Kitchen {316 North Clark Street, Chicago; 312.836.1300}
Warning: Your mouth might start watering just reading about the special Sticky Toffee Pudding at The Kitchen. It’s warm, gooey, and topped with the perfect amount of vanilla ice cream. What’s not to love? As a side note, another perfect (albeit non-dessert) option for wintertime dining is their Pasta Bolognese.
1959 Kitchen & Bar {230 West North Avenue 2nd Floor, Chicago; 312.337.3992}
Doing a winter date night or family evening out at Second City? Stay for an amazing meal! They have lots of shareable snacks that are perfect to have while you chat and laugh about the great show. Just save room for dessert—we suggest the Matcha Chocolate Pudding!
Imperial Lamian {6 West Hubbard Street, Chicago; 312.595.9440}
This is one of the most creative desserts in Chicago right now! Their Lunar Blossom is a stunning dish that will leave you “wonton” more! Encased in a cocoa shell, a surprise lies underneath, only to be revealed after drizzling melted chocolate over the top. Then, the shell will “blossom” open to expose pandan cake and vanilla bean gelato. This is perfect for Instagram foodies looking for the perfect Boomerang or video!
ETA Restaurant + Bar { Loews Chicago Hotel, 455 North Park Drive, Chicago; 312.840.6605}
If you have family coming in for the holidays, set them up at the Loews Chicago Hotel! Aside from a great location right in the hustle and bustle of downtown, they also have a cozy dining spot in ETA Restaurant. It’s the perfect escape for weary travelers, complete with sweet treats like Triple Chocolate Mousse and Green Apple Cake!
Nico Osteria {1015 North Rush Street, Chicago; 312.994.7100}
Pastry chef Leigh Omilinsky is becoming a well-known name in the Chicago food world, thanks to creative dessert presentation and seriously delicious flavor. For the holidays, she presents her Bouche de Noel, with a combination of bittersweet chocolate and cool minty flavors. Omilinsky bakes a chocolate-peppermint roulade (a spongy cake), that gives the dessert a photo-worthy swirl of sweet chocolate and fresh peppermint that is then rolled up and filled with a chocolate streusel. It’s topped with chocolate decorations and paired with housemade candy cane gelato for the ideal holiday dessert.
The Florentine { JW Marriott Chicago Hotel, 151 West Adams Street, Chicago; 312.660.8866}
There’s nothing like a cozy Italian feast to make you feel all those holiday warm and fuzzies! The Florentine has Panettone Bread Pudding with vanilla gelato for the season, and you can even enjoy it while you wait for Santa! The Florentine is open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, first for breakfast from 7:30-11am, then for brunch from 11am-2pm and dinner from 2-8pm.
By Kaleigh Glaza | Online Editor
The post Chicago’s Hottest Holiday Sweet Treats appeared first on DiningOut Chicago.