Chicago - February 22, 2005

The Big Fix

Hot Chocolate Opens

There’s nothing wrong with a trip to the dessert bar for a smidgen of cake.

It’s an hour or so later when the post-sugar salt jones hits that things get ugly. A late-night trip to White Castle. A mad dash to 7-Eleven. Or, worst of all, a pit stop at The Wiener Circle.

Starting today you can satisfy both sweet and salty urges at Hot Chocolate, the new dessert bar and cafe from pastry chef Mindy Segal. Try deliriously naughty confections like the Pear (which is similar to the Cake and Shake Segal made famous at MK) — roasted pears, spices, brown butter butter cream, cinnamon ice cream, and cream soda. There’s also a full menu of constantly changing comfort foods, like pork and brown butter and roasted Gunthrop Farm chicken with pommes frites.

The minimalist space is outfitted in rich Brazilian wood, muted metal, and leather banquettes — all in varying shades of chocolate. So you can cycle through your alternating cravings in style.

Which really isn’t an option when hitting the drive-thru at Mickey D’s.

Hot Chocolate, 1747 North Damen Avenue, at Willow Avenue (773-489-1747).