mindy's hot chocolate

{chai hot chocolate}

It's been a tradition the past two years that my family goes to Mindy's Hot Chocolate {Bucktown, Chicago} for my birthday. It's one of my favorite dessert places in Chicago. Remember to make a reservation before you go because the wait can be up to an hour for a table. 

 

{stout+caramel milkshake}

 {eggnog hot chocolate}

 {affogato}

 {banana brioche bread pudding}

 {maple+brown sugar cheesecake with sweet potato doughnut holes}

{port wine pear tatin}

a lovely date

 lunch date at Lovely Bakeshop {Noble Square, Chicago}

 fall spice latte+macchiato 

 blueberry almondine

 pumpkin muffin with a cinnamon glaze

 quiche {chiliquiles...tortillas with salsa+avocado+cheddar}

 soup {rosemary lentil}

waffles!!!

I'm obsessed with waffles now! I had brunch at Waffles {1400 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago} They have delicious sweet and savory waffles, such as red velvet and short rib. Now I want to make my own homemade waffles. Look for a post soon ;)  

 waffle benedict {slow roasted pork shoulder+poached eggs+hollandaise}

green tea {ground pistachio+candied ginger}

munching on...{Molly's Cupcakes}

 molly's cupcakes {lincoln park, chicago}

 apple pie cupcake

 cranberry orange cupcake

 mint red velvet cupcake

eggnog {alcohol free}

munching on...

 {banana pudding}

Magnolia Bakery is known for their delicious banana pudding

cupcakes+coffee

 magnolia bakery {chicago}

Today was a beautiful day in the city. A good day for a cupcake :) This is my first time at Magnolia Bakery after it opened in October. I went to the one in New York in the summer of 2010. The bakery is decorated so cute! There are Christmas decorations everywhere. There is not a wide selection of cupcakes, but I tried their gingerbread cupcake...delicious!

 {white chocolate macadamia cheesecake} YUM!

 {gingerbread cupcake}

 after my cupcake break I went to Intelligentsia for a coffee break :)

{cappuccino + dark chocolate mint macaron}