Mindy's HotChocolate

Mindy's HotChocolate is a chic restaurant and dessert bar in Wicker Park that receives rave reviews for its hot chocolate and decadent desserts (made with seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients). Armed with a hearty appetite and accompanied by two girlfriends, I enjoyed a very indulgent meal there this past weekend. The three of us ordered so much that our waitress shut us down when we tried to tack on two sides to our carb heavy dinner choices. In the end her logic was much appreciated as the additional food, likely delicious, would have taken needed space in our dessert ready stomachs. We began the night by working our way through shared plates, and like food warriors we finished the evening by bravely (some may say greedily) tackling three individual desserts. The food was superb.

A selection of artisanal cheese from Wisconsin including cheddar aged 10 years, Marieke smoked-cumin gouda and Grand Cru gruyere

Sweet potato soup made with bourbon and molasses and topped with a toasted marshmallow

Schlenkerla-smoked, beer poached soft pretzels served with house-made mustard butter

An extraordinarily rich macaroni and cheese made with Rothkase gruyere and Carr Valley mammoth cheddar (I dream about this dish...)

Heirloom tomato and melon salad with wild arugula and white anchovies

A hamburger made with house-ground Heartland beef topped with cheddar and organic bacon

A Tribute To The Malted Milk Ball- layers of smoked almond meringue, milk chocolate malt mousse and brownies, bittersweet chocolate ganache, coffee/cocoa nib milk chocolate malted milkshake

Peppermint Patty- frozen white chocolate mint semifreddo, oreo cookie crust, house-made "peppermint patty" and liquid hot fudge

Blueberry- a napoleon of sweet corn ice cream and corn nut tuiles, cornbread cannoli filled with caramel corn cream, warm local blueberries and popcorn