LTHForum.com

Several years ago, I had the good fortune of waddling into Delightful Pastries after a filling enough lunch at a Polish Restaurant with some LTH friends nearby.

Dobra cleary makes some of the city's tastiest and light paczki whether it be during the holidays or any other day of the week. For this she is well recognized.

On the last day of each month, I developed a habit of bringing a box of pastries for my office from some bakery between my home and my office. Gradually, the folks in the office began to request Dobra's wonderful pastries and birthday cakes for all of our celebrations. And, I was more than happy to comply.

Moreover, as my exposure to Dobra's wonderful baking began to expand, I found myself visiting Delightful more and more frequently whether it was for an office birthday cake, mushroom filled pastries as pick ups for a cocktail party, or Dobra's wonderful pierogi for a quick lunch on the run.

Delightful pastry is one of those places that is just, well, delightful. It is so much more than a Paczki Bakery, And, Chicago is fortunate to have a baker of Dobra's dedication and expertise.

While I left Chicago a number of months ago, I did so with the intention of making sure that I nominated Delightful for a GNR at the next opportunity. I do so with great enthusiasm.

Delightful Pastries
5927 W Lawrence Ave
Chicago, IL

I concur. Delightful Patries is a happy place for me.

_________________
i used to milk cows

I'm also happy to support this nomination. Dobra's cakes and other treats have always gotten raves everywhere I've taken them. If I didn't live so far and weren't carless, I'd be there at least on a weekly basis.

_________________
Join us on Chicago's biking and eating adventures
Fork and the Road

Will,

Is there a Delightful Pastries thread you could point us to?

_________________
Steve Z.
Photographer/Pseudojournalist

"The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook." - Julia Child

My Google-fu is weak today...I only found this thread, which is totally on-topic:
Delightful Pastries -- freshest babkas in town?

and this thread, which is barely on-topic:
Delightful Pastries featured by Steve Dolinsky Dec3

But let's not forget this:

This was one of the better cakes I've tasted in quite a long time...I never thought a 6-inch-tall, multi-layered, seemingly-icing-heavy beast could, in reality, be so simultaneously light, rich, moist and fluffy with just the right amount of sweetness, topped with buttercream that had the smooth, cloud-like consistency of crème fraîche. I don't usually enjoy cake, so I initially passed on a slice of my own and just sampled my wife's piece (only because she kept raving about it & insisting I have some). I ended up finishing her piece and getting up for a second slice

Unfortunately I haven't been to Delightful Pastries, but if I could second this nomination based on that cake alone, I happily would.

I'll add to this - Dobra uses fresh ingredients whenever possible. I'm still fantasizing about the rhubarb coffee cake from this spring.

Her staff is polite and helpful. They don't complain as I continually add to my order as I spy one more thing I want to add as I check out.

There's also been discussion of Delightful in the Paczki thread, including my own recent comments from my first visit. I'm a huge fan of the seeded rye, paczki, and pirogi at Delightful (up until last week, only by way of the farmers' market and downtown farmstand) . I definitely endorse the nomination.

-Dan

I concur on this nomination as well. Besides the items mentioned above, the French macaroons are "to die for."

Mouth watering,

Ms. Ingie

_________________
Ms. Ingie
Life is too short, why skip dessert?

I recently had their French macaroons, and I wasn't very impressed. They had virtually no almond taste, allowing whatever flavor is added to overwhelm any hint of almonds.

This is their only item I have tried.

_________________
"we must all understand that we're not all going to agree on everything, so let's just accept it -- hell, let's cherish it -- and move on." - ronnie_suburban

I know they make lots of French and otherwise "continental" stuff, but I can't get past the Polish goods. Paczki, kolacky, pierogi, all as good as it gets. And the black bread with sunflower seeds is probably my favorite bread in Chicago. A GNR.

I guess I should have clarified - the chocolate macaroons, but I like the almond as well.

_________________
Ms. Ingie
Life is too short, why skip dessert?

I too am delighted by Delightful Pastries. I've long been in admiration and envy that the Poles I know are the most cosmopolitan people you'd ever care to meet, picking up more languages by their teens than I'll ever know in a lifetime. Dobra, for example, is speaking Polish, French, Italian, and English fluently, right there on the plate, wonderful little conversations that my belly distinctly appreciates. GNR.

The almond macaroons at today's picnic screamed almond! They were delicious. I love Delightful Pastries. The items are always changing, which offers a nice variety. I especially like that since it is a European bakery nothing is overly rich or sweet.

I support a GNR for Delightful Pastries. I just wish I could remember all of the wonderful items I've purchased from DP because there are so many. But the one thing that I absolutely cannot do without are the amazing paczki, particularly the ones with strawberry and custard and boozy custard. They're just so tender and the fillings so smooth, rich and tasty . . . easily the best donuts in Chicago.

This place is up for renewal of its GNR. Please post your comments here until 10/10/11.

_________________
Steve Z.
Photographer/Pseudojournalist

"The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook." - Julia Child

I hadn't had anything from Delightful Pastries in a long time, until my wife came home from Green City Market with a slice of one of their quiches. It was ethereally light, ideally cooked, perfectly seasoned...I was sad when it was gone. I don't know if a piece of quiche is enough to justify a vote for GNR renewal, but if it is, then consider this my thumbs up.

I get their pierogies at the Farmer's Market, and yum! I vote yes.

_________________
Leek
SAVING ONE DOG MAY NOT CHANGE THE WORLD, BUT IT CHANGES THE WORLD FOR THAT ONE DOG.
American Brittany Rescue always needs foster homes. Please think about helping that one dog.
http://www.americanbrittanyrescue.org

I love Delightful Pastries' paczki (mostly the plum), sunflower rye, and pierogi. I know I've purchased and enjoyed other items over the years, but it's those that I keep going back for over and over.

Given the uneven quality (even if centrally baked), pricing, and overall experience at the other locations, I only support the original W. Lawrence location for its GNR. Can someone from the GNR committee clarify if the GNR renewal only covers the original location, or includes Metra Market, Old Town, various farmers markets, and even Whole Foods (which sells some of her items)?

-Dan

I've had mixed feelings about Delightful Pastries, as some pastries have been much more delightful than others. (Though I must admit that most of my experiences have been at the Metra Market outpost). I've had stale paczki, an excellent slice of lamb pie, a leaden lemon bar, and most recently a flaky, fresh, and terrific ham & cheese croissant.

If my experiences at the Metra location count, I'm glad to have Delightful Pastries nearby my office, but I'm neutral on GNR renewal.

--Rich

_________________
I don't know what you think about dinner, but there must be a relation between the breakfast and the happiness. --Cemal Süreyya