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Deerfields Bakery sent us some samples of their gluten free products.

Cupcakes are a favorite here at Chicago Bites and we're always searching for the best cupcakes in Chicago. So when Deerfields Bakery offered to send us samples of their mini chocolate cupcakes to try, we took them up on it. It’s always a good idea to test what’s new on the cupcake scene, right?

Not this time. The Mock-olate frosting on these baby cakes leaves a funny aftertaste, and the cake itself is so crumbly that it doesn’t stand up to a good forking. If you want good gluten free cupcakes go to Swirlz Cupcakes. Their gluten free ones often trump their “regular” cupcakes, and you can’t go wrong.

Now, even though Deerfields mini cupcakes got a solid “thumbs down” all around, some of the other baked goods they sent were quite tasty. There was no way that Tammy and I could get through all the sweets on our own, so we invited friends over to my place and chowed down, liberally swapping opinions as we nibbled.

Here are the highlights:

• The cheesecake was a favorite (although some thought it would be even better with fruit), and the blueberry cream cheese coffeecake was nice too. My favorite? The lemon button cookies – a frosted lemon puff that goes well with coffee.
• The triple chocolate brownie and the chocolate cookies weren't very popular. I’ve tried enough gluten free things to realize that the taste of chocolate is very hard to replicate. However, I enjoyed the non-chocolate things I tried and I think that the folks at Deerfields really know what they’re doing.
• Deerfields greatest strength is their variety of baked goods. They offer people who eat gluten free dessert choices they rarely get, and that alone makes them worth trying.

City dwellers who won’t be in Schaumburg anytime soon can get Deerfields Bakery cookies at Whole Foods in Lincoln Park and the Loop.

Have thoughts on eating gluten free or on Deerfields Bakery? Know of some other gluten free cupcakes we should try? Drop us an email or leave a comment. We’d love to hear from you!

Deerfields Bakery - Gluten Free
25 S. Roselle Road
Schaumburg, IL 60193

Related Chicago Bites Posts:
Blue Sky Bakery & Cafe
Swirlz Cupcakes
Twisted Sister Bakery

Making a grab for the wonderful cookies at Blue Sky.

We joined the Chicago Dining Out Meet-up for a light, summer dinner at Blue Sky Bakery & Cafe. They don't normally do dinner, so this was a chance to try the baked goods as well as offerings they picked up from the local farmer's market. It was a warm evening and the cafe was hot. Despite that, they made a good show of light salads, artisanal cheeses, and delicious cookies.

Normally, Blue Sky provides a rotating selection of freshly baked pastries, salads and sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. Their granola looks tasty too -- it's on my list the next time I go by. Blue Sky is more than food, however. They also provide job training and opportunities for disadvantaged kids in the Chicago area. Youth work the counter, bake, cook, and come away with a job history and references.

If you're in the neighborhood, drop by for a cup of coffee, granola, or one of their fabulous scones. It's a great deal for you and for the people learning the business.

Cheddar and jalepeno scone available at Blue Sky.

Blue Sky Bakery and Cafe
4749 N. Albany Ave.
Chicago, IL

See more photos from Blue Sky Bakery & Cafe here.

Freshly diced mangos and blueberries at Berry Chill are the highlight.

The words "yogurt couture" were enough to get us out the door to try the latest hot summer offering, Berry Chill. The line was out the door on a Sunday afternoon and we had high hopes of finding a new way to beat the summer heat.

Toppings are the best part of the visit but the choices can be overwhelming.

When you walk in, your eyes are hit with menu boards in constant motion. It was good to spy toppings from local favorite Sarah's Pastries inserted among a scrolling host of cereal brands, sprinkles, cookies and fruits. However, what the boards didn't tell you is what might pair well with each of their yogurt flavors. The kids might like gross-out combos, but I want flavors that compliment. Fortunately, the guy who took our order was able to help out.

Pistachio should stand alone but needed an assist of chocolate toffee.

I ended up with my favorite flavor, pistachio, topped with chocolate pistachio toffee from Sarah's Pastries. When I took my first bite, I expected a lovely nutty coolness. Instead, I got a sharp, tangy taste that was almost but not quite completely unlike pistachio. Ugh. Fail. Bridget had the same experience with her mango/peach yogurt. Nasty. Fortunately, the toppings helped both of us get through the experience.

Berry Chill encourages recycling of their heavy green plastic containers and color-changing spoons. I appreciate that, but it's not enough to save the planet -- you have to make something worth eating, first.

A small, flavor-of-the-month yogurt with toppings will set you back about $5.50. Save your money and go buy a pack of Flav-or-ice if you want to stay cool this summer. It'll last you longer and taste a hell of a lot better.

Berry Chill
635 North State Street
Chicago, IL 60610
Get Directions

The lobster & shrimp omelet

We popped into Roy's this weekend to try their new Sunday brunch menu. Starting things off were a basket of yummy miniature muffins and an instant offer of coffee. I appreciated the opportunity to snack without ruining my appetite, but I could've easily snarfed on poppyseed muffins all morning. They were seriously good.

We were a guest of the restaurant, so there was little hesitation in trying the $26.95 prix fixe menu. Bridget chose three courses that included the smoked salmon salad, a haiku omelet stuffed with bacon, gouda, mushrooms and onions, and the hot chocolate soufflé. I almost took that option because of the buttermilk pancakes served with Macadamia nuts and bananas, but instead I went ala carte and tried the lobster and shrimp omelet served with a side of potatoes and toast. We could've gone for bottomless mimosas (another $12), but we decided to forgo that in favor of the excellent coffee.

The service was excellent and the refills limitless. Two things that I firmly expect for any brunch experience. Everything we had was well executed, but I can't say it was exceptional. Toast, eggs, soufflé -- they didn't lack, but they didn't stand out either. The only thing I finished that morning was my coffee.

Roy's is a nice place to take out of towners who don't want to stand in line to get in the quirkier, more affordable neighborhood options, or a place to drop in because it's conveniently located to the many churches in the area. It's a midway choice between the all-out Sixteen brunch blow-out and the casual but interesting Over Easy experience.

Go if you're there, but I wouldn't seek it out.

Roy's Restaurant
720 North State Street
$30 -$40 for brunch

Bridget's Ratings:
Food Quality: 3/5
Value: 4/5
Service: 5/5
Ambiance: 4/5
Overall: 8/10

Tammy's Ratings:
Food Quality: 3/5
Value: 2/5
Service: 4/5
Ambiance: 3/5
Overall: 6/10

Smoked salmon salad.

Related Chicago Bites Posts:
Glenn's Diner
Over Easy
Yolk

Online buzz about Roy's:
Metromix
Yelp

Check out our Roy's photos on Flickr.

Carrot cake & banana-chocolate cupcakes from Twisted Sister Bakery.

Twisted Sister Bakery is only a few days old, but it's already gearing up to be a cupcake contender. I asked the staff for their favorites and was steered toward the carrot cake and banana-chocolate.

At first glance, the cupcakes looked dense and a little dry. However, I was surprised by how light and tasty these were. Even the normally heavy cream cheese frosting was fluffy and just the right touch. I wasn't fan of the banana-chocolate, but would go back to see how the other flavors pan out.

Hopefully, Twisted Sister Bakery will stick around long enough to be an entrant in our next cupcake crawl.