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Updated February 2023

It’s that time of year when many people start preparing for a season of spiritual rigor and renewal. That means parties and festivals and, of course, lots of amazing annual food treats like…paczki! Paczki pronounce like Poonch-Key, they are spongy, round-filled donuts, richer than regular jelly donuts.

The Lenten season begins with Fat Tuesday followed by Ash Wednesday the next day.

Fresh made paczki at Delightful Pastries.
Fresh made paczki at Delightful Pastries.

What Is A Paczki?

Originated in Poland during the Middle Ages. At the time of King Augustus III, when French cooks came to Poland, the dough was made lighter and spongier. According to Dobra Bielinski of Delightful Pastries in Chicago, the main difference between typical jelly-filled donuts and paczki are that the paczki dough will bounce right back when you take a bite. There is also less filling and more of that lovely dough. To the Polish people, the dough is the central delight while the filling is an accent.

Dobra Bielinski
Photo Credit: Cindy Kurman

There are many delicious fillings, from traditional jams like plum and rose hips to fresh strawberries and whipped cream, and even “drunken” versions like those from Delightful Pastries, including Jameson Whiskey with Chocolate Custard, Vodka and Custard with Madagascar Vanilla and Lemon Curd with Moonshine.  And our very favorite apricot jelly – with Dobra’s hand-created delicious filling.

Delightful Pastries Paczki
Delightful Pastries Paczki. Photo Credit: Cindy Kurman.

This family-owned Chicago bakery has been creating tasty treats for more than 20 years. They use only the finest local ingredients they can find and you immediately taste the difference – no skrimping here.

We think Delightful Pastries makes the best paczki in Chicago. Dobra and her staff have been making over 50,000 each year for Fat Tuesday for Chicagoland fans. Get your order in early so you won’t be disappointed!

Apricot Paczki from Delightful Pastries
Apricot Paczki at Delightful Pastries

Want to learn more about how they’re made just watch this short video of paczki being made at Delightful Pastries below:

Paczki History

In Poland, Paczki Day is generally celebrated on Fat Thursday, the last Thursday before Lent. In the U.S. and other Polish communities, it is often celebrated on Fat Tuesday (Shrove Tuesday) the day before Ash Wednesday begins the Lenten season. The traditional reason for making these rich yeasty dough delights was to use up all the lard, sugar, eggs, and fruit in the household before the Lenten fast when their consumption was forbidden.

More Paczki in Chicago

Another Chicagoland favorite is Reuters Bakery. For over 85 years they have been making bread, cakes, and more on the far west side of Grand Avenue.

Peach Paczki Open from Reuters Bakery Food Travelist
Peach Paczki from Reuters Bakery

They have a full selection of the classic paczki but their strawberry and peach are split in half and stuffed with juicy fresh fruit. If you get there early you’ll see the ladies slicing the fresh strawberries by hand. These little pastries are a bit messy and not the traditional paczki but they sure are tasty.

Paczki from Reuters

Paczki in Wisconsin
The Rolling Pin, Madison, Wisconsin

In Madison, if you’re looking for paczki your selection may not be as plentiful but you can find some tasty paczki. Try one of our local favorites The Rolling Pin. It’s a European bakery that’s actually in Fitchburg (a small suburb just south of Madison). If you’re a Good Trouble fan you will recognize Fitchburg as the hometown of one of the characters. They have some pretty authentic tasting paczki and in quite a few varieties too.

Paczki Rolling Pin

We also like the paczki from Grebe’s Bakery in West Allis near Milwaukee. We haven’t had the good fortune to get to the bakery in MKE but our local grocer Metcalfe’s saves us the trip and brings lots of Grebe bakery goods in their stores – especially around the holidays and Paczki Day is no exception. You have to get there early before they’re all gone.

Paczki from Grebes Bakery at Metcalfes

 

Where ever you pick up your plumb delicious paczki enjoy it. You’ll discover why so many people indulge in these sweet treats every year on Fat Tuesday or Fat Thursday.

This year we’ll be scouring the streets of Cascais, Estoril, and Lisbon looking for our Fat Tuesday menu treats. Stay tuned for what we discover here in Portugal.

THE QUICK BITE: Poland’s special filled donuts called paczki have made their way into the hearts and hands of pastry lovers around the world. They have become modern taste treats with delicious dough and memorable fillings – even some boozy ones.

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Paczki pin

Updated February 2021

Christmaskindlmarket Chicago
Christmaskindlmarket Chicago

Holidays tend to be full of traditions and one of my favorite traditions is when the Christkindlmarket opens in Chicago.  The Christkindlmarket in Chicago, which opened in 1996 was inspired by the Christkindlesmarkt in Nurenberg, Germany which started way back in 1545.

Roasting Nuts At Christkindlmarket Chicago
Roasting Nuts At Christkindlmarket Chicago

The Christkindlmarket is an outdoor market that brings the tastes and treats of a European market to the middle of downtown Daley Plaza.

Christkindlmarket Chicago
Christkindlmarket Chicago

When you get to the Christkindlmarket with Picasso’s sculpture as a backdrop you immediately smell the grilled bratwurst, potato pancakes, spiced nuts, and schnitzel wafting through the air. With all those special scents, you know you’ve arrived.

Prost!
Prost!

Warm gluhwein, hot chocolate, coffee, and German beer make a great first stop before beginning your journey through the many vendors. Gluhwein is typically red wine with spices such as cinnamon, cloves, citrus, and sugar that is served warm in a small mug. It’s a great way to help keep a bit warmer on a cold Chicago day. The adorable commemorative mugs for hot drinks cost a little extra but make fun collectible souvenirs.

Beautiful Christmas Ornaments!
Beautiful Christmas Ornaments!

We would suggest then strolling the market with your drink of choice. Whether you’re just window shopping or looking for the perfect holiday gift you’re bound to be pleased by the large variety and many selections of unique offerings. Handmade German Christmas ornaments are a popular item and lines of customers wait to go in and pick out just the right ones for their Christmas tree. Kathe Wohlfahrt has hundreds of hand-blown ornaments to choose from in a comfortable enclosed tent. There are many more ornaments, beer steins, Black Forest cuckoo clocks, nativities, music, toys, and crafts as you wander through the market.

Grilling the sausages!
Grilling the sausages!

One of our favorite things is the authentic food flavor of the Christkindlmarket! Many German specialties are here including grilled sausages, pretzels, schnitzel, strudel, potato pancakes, crepes, hot nuts, candies, gingerbread hearts – almost everything you can find in a German Christmas market.

Handcrafts for everyone.
Handcrafts for everyone.

People tend to be in great spirits, and willingly share where they got this or that trinket or treasure, where they’re visiting from, or things not to miss. There’s even a warming tent where you can enjoy your food and drink, rest your feet, and mingle with the other market folks. Don’t forget to visit Santa and the huge Christmas tree for terrific photo opps. There also are special events and musical performances at various times, so check the website schedule to see what’s happening and when.

Steins and more steins!
Steins and more steins!

The Christkindlmarket opens the weekend before Thanksgiving and runs through December 24th. Admission is free. They often open multiple locations in the Chicagoland area. Be sure to check their website for the latest information.

THE QUICK BITE: Experience a European Christmas market in Chicago at the Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza. Wander around the market full of tasty food, drinks, and beautiful holiday gifts.

We were recently invited to sample the Bastille Day menu at The Peninsula Chicago. We were not financially compensated and all opinions expressed are our own.

Happy Bastille Day!

Viva la France! We will use just about any excuse to celebrate France and especially French cuisine. Bastille Day, July 14th is no exception. Bastille Day celebrates French National Day and remembers the Fête de la Fédération, which was formed after a year of political struggle in France. Celebrations and parties are held throughout France and around the world.

Peninsula-Chicago-Pierrot-Gourmet-Bastille-Day
Peninsula Chicago Pierrot Gourmet Bastille Day

We recently had the opportunity to taste some of the offerings for the Bastille Day menu at the Pierrot Gourmet at The Peninsula in Chicago. Needless to say our appetite for all things French was certainly whetted by the delicious menu constructed by Executive Chef Mike Wehrle and Executive Pastry Chef Dimitri Fayard.

Salad_Lyonnaise_Pierrot_Gourmet
Salad Lyonnaise Pierrot Gourmet

The classic Salad Lyonnais was a perfect start. The lardons were generously abundant and both crunchy and chewy while the champagne vinaigrette was light and tangy.

Bouchot_Mussels_Petite_Gourmet
Bouchot Mussels Petite Gourmet

My personal favorite was the Bouchot Mussels prepared with Pernod, fennel, and fine herbs and served with crunchy country French bread. We were served a tasting portion but we saw the entree portion and it was very ample. The mussels were bathed in a delicious broth worthy of sopping up with crispy toasted bread. Don’t waste a drop.

Short_Rib_Bourguignon_Pierrot_Gourmet
Short Rib Bourguignon Pierrot Gourmet

Another classic French dish, the Short Rib Bourguignon with cipollini, confit potatoes, and carrots, was an excellent choice as well. The short rib melted in your mouth along with the rich winey sauce.

Trio_of_Desserts_Pierrot_Gourmet
Trio of Desserts Pierrot Gourmet

The pièce de résistance of course is the desserts. We tried three beauties. Mousse Chocolat Facon Grand-Mere featuring dark chocolate mousse, topped with vanilla bean ice cream, Tarte Tatin with carmelized apple tart, puff pastry, and creme fraiche, and Flan Parisien cooked custard tart with caramel sauce.  Make sure you leave room to try at least one of these delightful desserts.

French Martini at The Bar in The Peninsula Chicago
French Martini at The Bar in The Peninsula Chicago

When you’re done with dinner take a quick elevator ride up to The Bar in The Peninsula Chicago for an intimate quiet libation in this country club-type setting. This bar is sure to please anyone you host. Whether you’re entertaining a new sweetie or a hard-to-impress client, they will not be disappointed.

Peninsula-Chicago-All-Things-French
Peninsula Chicago All Things French

The Peninsula Paris

The Peninsula’s Bastille Day menu runs through August 14th. If you want to continue your Francophile cravings, all The Peninsula Hotels will be celebrating the opening of their The Peninsula Paris in August 2014 with the theme “All Things French”.  From a French-inspired afternoon tea, and “Chocolate at the Pen” you are certain to  find the perfect way to celebrate the French in style.

The-Peninsula-Paris-Terrace-tea
The Peninsula Paris Terrace tea

Planning a trip to Paris? Champagne overlooking the Sacre Couer sounds spectacular to me! We can’t wait to visit the latest The Peninsula location. We had the good fortune to stay at The Peninsula in Beijing and all we can say is that we were completely spoiled by the staff, food, and accommodations. Be sure to consider The Penisula for your next trip.

THE QUICK BITE: Happy Bastille Day! Celebrate at The Peninsula Chicago with a classic French menu deliciously prepared and served in a French bistro style. Enjoy your scrumptious dinner indoors or out. Don’t miss the latest The Peninsula in Paris!

Thick or thin? That’s the decision we all have to make. Jon Stewart recently started a nationwide debate about pizza. It’s certainly not a new argument. Chicago and New York have been fighting about who has better pizza for a bazillion years. But since Chicago is our home town we feel the need to defend our fair city. Here’s a look at Chicago Pizza in all its glory!

Gino's East Chicago style Deep Dish Pizza Jon Porter The Pizza Man
Gino’s East Chicago style Deep Dish Pizza

Chicago is home to so many wonderful pizza establishments. From fancy trendy places like La Madia to hole-in-the-wall pick-up windows like Geo’s. We also have our fair share of types of cheesy saucy pies. If you do want Chicago-style deep dish, Gino’s East or Pizzeria Uno or Due, or Giordano’s fit the bill. If you want thin crispy buttery crusts try Pizano’s, or Leona’s.

Pizanos Pan Pizza
Pizanos Pan Pizza

Can’t decide? Go pan pizza from Nancy’s, Pizano’s, or Edwardo’s. New Haven-style hands down Piece is your place. Neapolitan how about Forno Rosso Pizzeria Napoletana on the far west side, Spacca Napoli or Coalfire?

If those don’t satisfy you, try out one of the more specialized establishments. Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder make something interesting and wonderful. It’s more like a bowl of the best pizza ingredients around. Pequod’s has an incredible caramelized cheese crust. Connie’s is also a very old Chicago pizza favorite.

Deep Dish Pizza
Deep Dish Pizza

Heading to the south side? Check out Pizza Fiesta, Palermo’s on 95th, or my favorite Vito and Nick’s for thin-crust pizza cut into tavern-style squares. 

Delicious Piece Pizza in Chicago.
Delicious Piece Pizza in Chicago.

How about a New Haven-style pizza at Piece Pizza? You can’t go wrong with any of their unique pies.

Not enough recommendations for you? Then ask any cabbie you encounter and you’ll get a different answer. The one thing we do guarantee is that there is no shortage of pizzerias or different types of Chicago pizza in just about every neighborhood in Chicago.

THE QUICK BITE: Whether you like your crust thick or thin, there is plenty of Chicago pizza in many styles to suit your tastes.