Chicago - September 25, 2006

The Swirlz Next Door

Swirlz Cupcakes Opens

Some shapes just make you melt like butter: Hearts mean love; X’s and O’s spell kisses and hugs.

But thanks to the hallmark brush stroke of a tortured Dutch painter, swirls don’t have the sweetest rep.

That’s all about to change courtesy of Swirlz Cupcakes, a new Lincoln Park joint that’s giving the little spinning line a major image boost.

In the kitchen, pastry chef Jeremy Sher (Blue Plate Catering, Rhapsody) has his beater poised over bowls of European butter and fine French chocolate, churning out batches of light-as-air mini cakes.

For picky (or allergy-prone) eaters, the cupcakes can be made gluten- or sugar-free. For fancy folk, some come crowned with creative touches like chocolate-covered sunflower seeds and candied jalapenos. Swirlz will also dole out savory services like curbside cupcake delivery.

But the frosting — oh, the frosting! — is an Italian buttercream in flavors like lemon-pomegranate and coconut-caramel. We think it’s the real piece de resistance.

Or, as some might say, the icing on the cake.

Swirlz Cupcakes, 705 West Belden Avenue, at Lincoln Avenue (877-794-7594 or swirlzcupcakes.com).