Chicago - May 19, 2009

Itsy-Bitsy Biter

Tinycakes Pastries

Want to hear a little secret?

Come closer, Small Fry, and we’ll give you the sugar.

Tinycakes Pastries is a teeny business with a big future. Husband-and-wife team Stephanie and Tim Merello bake out of Vella Cafe at night, whipping up delicacies like chocolate brownies (with local Blommer Chocolate chips), dark chocolate pistachio biscotti, lemon madelines, and vegan double chocolate hazelnut and dark chocolate oatmeal cookies.

A self-taught bakestress, Lady Merello finds recipes and tweaks them, sourcing local, seasonal ingredients when she can. Summer specialties include lemon poppy seed and lemon pistachio shortbread and a mystery cupcake (the suspense is killing us).

Tinycakes takes customer suggestions and custom orders (parties, showers, weddings).

Try that on for size.

Available at Provenance Food and Wine, 2528 North California Avenue, between Logan Boulevard and Altgeld Street (773-384-0699); 2312 West Leland Avenue, at Lincoln Avenue (773-784-2314 or provenancefoodandwine.com); New Wave Coffee, 2557 North Milwaukee Avenue, at Logan Boulevard (773-489-0646). For custom orders, e-mail tinycakes.merello@gmail.com.