Bonnie Brock got her start in the food world by being exposed to both of her grandmothers' cooking and learned the best way any kid can, in your grandma's kitchen. She was very lucky to have had one grandmother who is Polish and one who is Italian. She had gone to Europe to sing opera for a while and when she returned she decided to open a great cafe and restaurant and that's how Zingarella was born. In addition to being a wonderful opera singer, entrepreneur, and chef, she is also a dietician which adds an informative component to the food preperation and planning of the meals and services that are offered to her clientele.
Zingarella (http://www.zingarella.com) has been open for three years and the inspiration for the restaurant was bringing back the foods from Europe. The geographic area of Glenview and its diversity of people is a great inspiration for the restaurant and its menu. Each week they honor a different country and cuisine. One week could be German, one week could be Italian and the next week could be Austrian.
Bonnie purchases her produce, when in season during the summer, at the Wagner and Northbrook Farmer's Market and during the winter purchases from some of the top notch vendors in the business. She's also a vendor in both markets and buys produce from other vendors, bakes pies and then returns to sell them in the markets. She's also very attuned and informed about sustainable seafood and only utilizes the fish that is wild and healthy. She uses free range chicken and grass fed beef. She's very conscientious about what type of products she's using in her cooking and how her customers are being fed.
Zingarella has been especially kind and thoughtful to the educators in the community. 1500 coupons have been printed for the teachers at Glenbrook South when the arrive at school for their first of school. They also have done alot of parties and office gatherings for the surrounding businesses and doctors offices in the area.
Some of the future plans for Zingarella's include doing some remodeling which includes expanding the bar and bakery area and build a little cooking school. The Cooking school would feature Bonnie and ten other students that would cook together and learn from one another. There is also a book club that has approximately 60 people that meets once a month. They read the assigned chapters and then have meal based on the theme of the book whether it's the American South, France, Ireland, or other themes. Bonnie enjoys a small environment with just a few people so everyone can get together and learn from one another.
Their most popular dish is carrot cake and was just featured in the North Shore Magazine. The recipe for the cake came from Tulane University where Bonnie spent some time while doing some of her education. She enjoys scouring markets and cookbooks for new recipes and ideas.
The customer base consists of women for lunch and dinner consists of alot of couples that are both older and younger. The customers are a great mix of the neighborhood community. The customer base consists of a broad spectrum. They have take out service daily and every night they have complete meals from bread, salad entree, vegetable and dessert that are available for families that range from two people and up. A mom can come in and pick up an order and be out in ten minutes.
They offer a wonderful kids menu and also have a gingerbread decorating club in addition to a cupcake decorating class. Each child has their own station and can do their decorating. A story that was relayed was that one young gentleman was having so much fun with his frosting that he started squirting it towards the ceiling.
Zingarella is capable of providing alot of different services for parties and functions that also include a great sweet table of treats. They also do appetizers for different functions and parties. They enjoy putting together events for many various and different groups.
Bonnie appreciates and offers a non-corporate environment. They give personal attention and the feeling of being part of a community in addition to the owner knowing your likes, dislikes, allergies and other preferences.
There are also separate items for diabetic and gluten free guests. Bonnie is in the store all the time and mentioned "It's been a very enjoyable experience being in Glenview".
I had the pleasure and privilege of sampling the vegetable quiche, pasta salad with tomatoes and feta cheese, a chicken salad sandwich with chips, a wonderful couscous, a sampling of cookies and a very delicate pear cake with mousse. All of these items were so very carefully prepared and were cooked with perfection. None missed the mark in terms of perfection and preparation. The flavors and textures were perfectly selected. The Pear Mousse Cake was just absolutely out of this world. This was well done because the pears were very delicate and sweet and the cake and frosting were very delicate.
I highly recommend Zingarella and all of their wonderful food delights and outstanding services.
Zingarella
2300 Lehigh Ave
Glenview, IL 60026 US
(847) 657-0707
http://www.zingarella.com/
Showing posts with label Cafe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cafe. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Sweet Dreams Organic Bakery: A healthy eating opportunity for everyone.
Sweet Dreams Organic Bakery provides a wonderful opportunity to eat healthy food that is chemical free and available for everyone.
Martha Sutton, who is the Executive Pastry Chef, is one of the most kind and outgoing Executives on the North Shore of Chicago.
Not only is she the Executive Pastry chef, she's also heads up the catering and the Public Relations division. She's an absolute delight and is an invaluable asset to the organization.
Martha got her start cooking because her Dad was a chef and started cooking when she was really young. She entered the corporate world and walked away and decided that she wanted to enter into the food world. She has worked for other restaurants and bakeries on the North Shore of Chicago and that's how she gained her experience. Her Mother and Aunt are also excellent bakers and really gave her alot of her knowledge.
Sweet Dreams is having a Meet and Greet for 20 Vegetarians the weekend of April 10th - 11th.
Martha started in June of 2006 at Sweet Dreams and the organization will turn 5 in September of 2010 (this year). Pastry is a tough industry because your standing on your feet and you’re also the last one to leave at night. She was doing wedding cakes for other people and utilizing facilities owned by others and she missed working with an organization. She came into Sweet Dreams for lunch and was stunned as to what wonderful products that were being produced by organic scratch baking.
Sweet Dreams has been recognized in the media by North Shore Magazine, The Pioneer Press and several other organizations. They support local organization and charities as much as possible. Despite the downturn in the economy, they are financially prosperous and functioning above the curve.
Sweet Dreams is 100% organic from the food to the curtains hanging in front of the windows to the paint on the walls. They are truly a green operation.
Organic eating utilizes products that are chemical free and come from sustainable farming. Martha only uses Organic Valley products. Their cream is the best that she has worked with and this is the best baking she’s ever done.
Sweet Dreams strengths are scratch baking and cooking that ranges from soups, breads, sweets and this method of cooking and baking which seperates them from other restaurants. Sweet Dreams produces beautiful sweets and Croatian cookies. They also create chocolate cheesecake, have a café and can prepare lunches. You feel good after you’ve eaten their products and creations.
Organic eating is wonderful because it prevents cancer and helps prevent any chemicals, pesticides or hormones from entering the human body.
Sweet Dreams is expanding to next door that will assist in expanding their seating capacity. They need to accommodate their lunch crowd and have added breakfast to their menu that includes French Toast, Frittata and Scrambled Eggs.
Sweet Dreams will also start offering cooking classes that will include different kinds of cakes and cookies. There is also a big market for kids baking and cooking.
Their catering services will includes kids cupcake and cake decorating. They also offer Storybook Yoga for Kids includes engaging in yoga while being read to and tea parties for little girls.
The store front is plain and simple but please stop by and try their food. Organic eating is not out of anyone’s bounds.
I had the pleasure of sampling the following items which were freshly baked: a lemon bar, spinach ricotta strudel, Pear strudel, Éclair and a Cappuccino brownie. All of the items were delicately made and baked to perfection. This could be a wonderful dessert platter for your next party or event.
I also had the pleasure of having a house salad which was whole, fresh and well dressed. The dressing was not overwhelimg and there was a hint of balsamic vinegar. The crepe was nice and light and not to sweet. The filling included fresh chicken, vegetables and the sauce was not to heavy or overseasoned. I would definitely recommend the chicken crepe and salad for another lunch visit.
Please stop by and try their wonderful creations and products. They are offering so much more than just sweets and cakes.
Sweet Dreams Organic Bakery
1107 Waukegan Rd.
Glenview, Illinois.
Ph: (847) 657-1092
Fax: (847) 657-0369
http://www.sweetdreamsorganicbakery.com/
Hours of operation:
Mon-Sat: 9 AM - 7 PM
Sun: 10 AM - 4 PM
Martha Sutton, who is the Executive Pastry Chef, is one of the most kind and outgoing Executives on the North Shore of Chicago.
Not only is she the Executive Pastry chef, she's also heads up the catering and the Public Relations division. She's an absolute delight and is an invaluable asset to the organization.
Martha got her start cooking because her Dad was a chef and started cooking when she was really young. She entered the corporate world and walked away and decided that she wanted to enter into the food world. She has worked for other restaurants and bakeries on the North Shore of Chicago and that's how she gained her experience. Her Mother and Aunt are also excellent bakers and really gave her alot of her knowledge.
Sweet Dreams is having a Meet and Greet for 20 Vegetarians the weekend of April 10th - 11th.
Martha started in June of 2006 at Sweet Dreams and the organization will turn 5 in September of 2010 (this year). Pastry is a tough industry because your standing on your feet and you’re also the last one to leave at night. She was doing wedding cakes for other people and utilizing facilities owned by others and she missed working with an organization. She came into Sweet Dreams for lunch and was stunned as to what wonderful products that were being produced by organic scratch baking.
Sweet Dreams has been recognized in the media by North Shore Magazine, The Pioneer Press and several other organizations. They support local organization and charities as much as possible. Despite the downturn in the economy, they are financially prosperous and functioning above the curve.
Sweet Dreams is 100% organic from the food to the curtains hanging in front of the windows to the paint on the walls. They are truly a green operation.
Organic eating utilizes products that are chemical free and come from sustainable farming. Martha only uses Organic Valley products. Their cream is the best that she has worked with and this is the best baking she’s ever done.
Sweet Dreams strengths are scratch baking and cooking that ranges from soups, breads, sweets and this method of cooking and baking which seperates them from other restaurants. Sweet Dreams produces beautiful sweets and Croatian cookies. They also create chocolate cheesecake, have a café and can prepare lunches. You feel good after you’ve eaten their products and creations.
Organic eating is wonderful because it prevents cancer and helps prevent any chemicals, pesticides or hormones from entering the human body.
Sweet Dreams is expanding to next door that will assist in expanding their seating capacity. They need to accommodate their lunch crowd and have added breakfast to their menu that includes French Toast, Frittata and Scrambled Eggs.
Sweet Dreams will also start offering cooking classes that will include different kinds of cakes and cookies. There is also a big market for kids baking and cooking.
Their catering services will includes kids cupcake and cake decorating. They also offer Storybook Yoga for Kids includes engaging in yoga while being read to and tea parties for little girls.
The store front is plain and simple but please stop by and try their food. Organic eating is not out of anyone’s bounds.
I had the pleasure of sampling the following items which were freshly baked: a lemon bar, spinach ricotta strudel, Pear strudel, Éclair and a Cappuccino brownie. All of the items were delicately made and baked to perfection. This could be a wonderful dessert platter for your next party or event.
I also had the pleasure of having a house salad which was whole, fresh and well dressed. The dressing was not overwhelimg and there was a hint of balsamic vinegar. The crepe was nice and light and not to sweet. The filling included fresh chicken, vegetables and the sauce was not to heavy or overseasoned. I would definitely recommend the chicken crepe and salad for another lunch visit.
Please stop by and try their wonderful creations and products. They are offering so much more than just sweets and cakes.
Sweet Dreams Organic Bakery
1107 Waukegan Rd.
Glenview, Illinois.
Ph: (847) 657-1092
Fax: (847) 657-0369
http://www.sweetdreamsorganicbakery.com/
Hours of operation:
Mon-Sat: 9 AM - 7 PM
Sun: 10 AM - 4 PM
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Papagalino Bakery Niles, IL
Papagalino is Chicago's premier Greek pastry shop and offers all of the wonderful European pastries. The beautiful cases are filled with all of the wonderful Greek cookies and are complimented by a variety of other European selections. The other cases are just filled with wonderful cakes, truffles and other wonderful selections like Spanakopita (spinach pies) and Tyropita (cheese pies).
Sotiri, who is the owner, also makes mini versions of his delights for parties and sweet tables. They need some notice in order to create their wonderful platters.
This bakery is truly one of Chicago's and the North Shore's absolute gems. You won't be disappointed!!!
Papagalino Bakery:
9014 South Milwaukee Avenue
Niles, IL 60714-1537
847-803-9260
Sotiri, who is the owner, also makes mini versions of his delights for parties and sweet tables. They need some notice in order to create their wonderful platters.
This bakery is truly one of Chicago's and the North Shore's absolute gems. You won't be disappointed!!!
Papagalino Bakery:
9014 South Milwaukee Avenue
Niles, IL 60714-1537
847-803-9260
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