Chicago: Where to Eat: Quick Break: Hot Chocolate

Hot Chocolate

Founded in the Wicker Park neighborhood by well-known pastry chef Mindy Segal in 2005, Hot Chocolate offers lunch, brunch and dinner. The menu specializes in highbrow comfort food, such as the brioche “calzone” with artisanal cheese, and the smoked salmon with egg salad and crispy shallots on pumpernickel. The real draw, however, is the desserts, from classics (gingersnaps, rugalach) to more elaborate offerings, like the chocolate soufflé tart and the napoleon with roasted-banana ice cream, peanut-butter cream and caramelized bananas. After shopping, drop by for a sweet treat or a handcrafted beer. Closed Mondays.