Best French Bakery in North Riverside

"Lettuce Entertain You Enterprise’s all-day eatery is now up to three locations, and that’s because it pleases on many fronts. Whether folks are looking for quick and casual, healthy, or vegetarian-friendly, there are plenty of choices. On the lunch menu, the mushroom and quinoa burger with Swiss cheese and baby kale is a standout."

"Their bounteous pastry bar includes treats both gluten-free (Triple Chocolate Chunk Cookies, Macaroons) and gluten-full (Chocolate Chunk, Butterscotch Oatmeal, Lemon Crisps, Stuffed Nutella Cookies, and more). It’s almost an embarrassment of riches, but cookies feel no shame, nor should they."

"Part of renowned Chef Stephanie Izard’s Goat concept, the Little Goat Diner is a retro diner that serves all-day breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a casual and cozy setting. Drawing inspiration from global influences, the menu features classic dishes with creative twists such as Spanish omelets stuffed with cheese, pickled peppers, and masa chips, okonomiyaki (Osaka street food with pork belly), and parathas burritos with Indian flatbread, sunny side up eggs, and avocado bean salad. There are also the regular favorites such as bagels, biscuits, pancakes, and waffles along with heartier dishes such as bowls of goat chili heaped with sour cream, cheddar, and tortilla strips."

"Chips drenched in cheese and sour cream and covered with bbq pork, beans, peppers, and avocado. It’s food porn heaven. Just don’t forget to share them, so you leave room for the rest of the meal."

"Located on the Northside in Lincoln Park, Summer House Santa Monica comes from our friends at the ever-growing Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant group. There’s a front patio, but the whole vibe is like you’re outdoors. With whitewashed wood walls, gauzy white curtains, and a huge atrium in the middle open to clouds and sun, there is so much natural light in here, it truly feels like  you are in Santa Monica."

"Make one large or four minis from the cookie dough balls ($3 each) in chocolate chip, peanut butter or funfetti flavors. The Lettuce Entertain You beach house concept restaurant in Lincoln Park never seemed to make much sense to me as a former Southern California resident, but we can all use a virtual escape right now."

"Never again choose between a chocolate-chip cookie and a Rice Krispie treat. This slightly salty and super-fudgy cookie is studded with chunks of the classic bar. The whole thing is massive, yet you’ll find yourself refusing to share."

"Long-time Chicago chef Jonathan Fox and his donut-obsessed wife, Karen, opened the first Firecakes storefront in River North five years ago; now, they’ve got stores in Lincoln Park and Oak Park, with The Loop not far behind (not to mention “Billy the Truck”). Not surprisingly, it’s the cheffy touches, like glazing with wildflower honey rather than sugar, sourcing Tahitian vanilla and Valhrona chocolate for icing, or decorating a Birthday Cake donut to the nines, that make these donuts extra special. If you want the bacon on top of your Maple Long John to be both candied and peppered, this is your paradise."

"In addition to their mouthwatering artisanal Hall of Fame donuts which includes but is not limited to the following flavors: Butterscotch Praline, Peppermint Hot Chocolate, Maple Glazed Pineapple & Bacon, Caramel Apple Cider, Rum Cake, and Peanut Butter and Jelly — honestly just check out their website because all of them are simply divine — Firecakes whip up ice cream donut concoctions that your sweet tooth could never even dream of. Just go there, you won’t be disappointed."

"One of Chicago’s Many Great Donuts: Tahitian Vanilla Iced ($2.95). I’m not going to decide if it should be “donut” or “doughnut” so be prepared for me to write it interchangeably."

"Restaurants Ice cream parlors Edgewater. With locations in Edgewater and West Rogers Park, this custard shop is a community staple for families and sugar fiends alike. Guests can get their custard by the cone or dish or have it whipped into a sundae or concrete."

"A post shared by Lickity Split Chicago (@lickitysplitchi) on Dec 28, 2018 at 11:11am PST. This old time ice cream shop in Melbourne serves coffee, locally sourced pastry, retro candy, and frozen custard. People with a sweet tooth should definitely come here to grab a creamy and delicious cupcake or a scoop of their favorite ice cream."

"All Loyola students know that this is the place to get your ice cream fix when school starts. While their custard is amazing on their own, you have to try one of their concretes."

"Osmium Coffee Bar, another spot to find Dark Matter coffee, is quaint. It serves up all the classics of its older siblings, including the venerable Star Lounge Coffee Bar. The West Loop location, Meddle, is also a great place for an agave latte."

"The successor to the late Bite Cafe, Pizza Friendly Pizza is the latest restaurant adjacent to Empty Bottle (famously home of Music Friendly Dancing). Here you’ll find thick, crusty Detroit-style pies like the Fig and Pig (pork confit and, you guessed it, figs)—all the better for pregaming before your next night out at an Empty Bottle show. 1039 N Western Ave.; (773) 395-2483 or pizzafriendlypizza.com"

"Pizza Friendly Pizza's owner Bruce Finkelman stands in the restaurant's outdoor patio on April 13, 2021. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune). If it’s possible for something as timeless as pizza to experience a renaissance, that’s what happened in 2020."

"As the name suggests, Champagne is the focus at this corner fixture, which opened its doors more than 35 years ago. River North denizens and visitors alike will find one of the largest collections of sparkling bottles, including to-go packages. If the selection process ever seems daunting, turn to the team (many of whom have been there for decades), who can also offer guidance and food pairing recommendations."

"For theatre lovers, check out a performance at The Chicago Theatre. If you feel like doing an activity, head to 10pin Bowling Lounge under the Marina Towers north of the Chicago River. They offer a selection of beers and upscale snacks."

"Hunkered down across from Grant Park, this 110,000-ton granite-and-limestone behemoth was an instant star when it debuted in 1899, and…"