Bombon Americano bakeshop & cafe

Ileana's raspberry and blueberry tarte

While wandering around the Near North Side before visiting the Lincoln Park Zoo, Ileana and I were starving and looking for a place for grab a light lunch. When we stumbled upon Bombon Americano bakeshop & cafe at 1000 N. Clark St., we thought it would be the perfect place to chat and eat. You may be a little confused by the name of this bakeshop – it shares the same name of the bakery that burned down in Pilsen, Bombon Cafe, that has now relocated to the West Loop. Bombon Americano, however, is not run by the same people and definitely is worth a visit.

The Bombon greets you with a quirky, charming interior: paper lanterns provide a soft glow and wooden flower cutouts adorn an already kaleidoscopic cafe. All of the pastries are displayed on bright gift tissue, the menu is written in big swirly font on blackboards suspended from sea foam green walls and even the water in dispenser in the front is laced with ripe orange slices.

It is obvious that the owners poured a lot of effort into the aesthetics of Bombon.

If the décor is not enough to prove how adorable the place is, the furniture and trays on which the sandwiches are served are sure to have you cooing!

Every stool, table and chair is decorated with a different theme and the sandwich trays are shallow wooden crates lined with the same wispy tissue paper the pastries lounge on.

The adorable little chair with a lock and key theme

If you can peel your eyes away from the shabby chic fabulousness, check out the menu. Far from the flight, cutesy atmosphere, Bombon takes their food very seriously.

The sandwich menu is impressive and since I have been on a jalapeno craze lately, I set my heart on the Valle Grande, a sandwich dressed with blackened chicken, Monterrey Jack-jalapeno cheese, a made-in-house avocado spread, jalapeno dressing and some garden veggies. My order came with a small ramekin of cilantro-laced pasta salad and roasted potatoes tossed in a rich olive oil.

I almost did not want to rip into my pseudo gift-wrapped sandwich, but I am so glad I did. Despite the winter-y weather Chicago has been experiencing, Bombon food tastes just like spring. The plump chicken is tossed with the fresh and creamy avocado spread and the jalapeno dressing heats you up like a nice spring day. The Valle Grande was so light but so filling – and for nearly $8, it filled me up for the rest of the day and was worth every penny.

Of course if you know me, you know that I cannot end a meal without something sweet! While Ileana splurged for a nearly $6 tarte, I was eager for a date with one of the many cupcakes on display. At $3/cupcake, I was a little hesitant, but believe me this cupcake will have you asking for its digits and calling around for a second date.

This raspberry cupcake was moist with plenty of juicy raspberries folded into the cake and browned to perfection. Just look at the inside! The frosting was a butter cream with a luscious consistency. Not only did it have raspberry preserves swirled in, but it was crowned with a fresh raspberry – cute!

If you need a pick-me-up during the last weeks of this chilly weather, visit Bombon and eat an extra cupcake for me!

Dev xx