Fritz Pastry Press Release

Oh look, a Fritz Pastry press release.  Why yes, it was written by me.

For Immediate Release

CHICAGO, IL — There’s something to be said for good food that’s also affordable.  Too often nowadays, niche bakeries and cafes are moving towards the “couture” or “boutique” end of the spectrum, without looking back at the rest of us who want to be able to afford more than one cupcake when you walk through the doors.  Many of us would love to dine on upscale pastries, but unfortunately most of us can only afford mid-scale prices.

And that’s where Fritz Pastry comes in.  They understand that good food doesn’t need to come at not-so-good prices, which is oh-so-good for us.  Using the freshest local and organic products available Fritz Pastry will feature not only familiar European pastries, but several vegan options for those looking for an extra guilt-free treat; not to mention a rotating menu of seasonal savory dishes.

The owners of Fritz Pastry haven’t set their goals low.  They are also offering their specialty services are for call ahead ordering, catering, cake sales, and wholesale distribution.  Their menu offers a “Take & Bake” section of pastries by the dozen for those people looking to bring the restaurant home.

Located at 1408 W. Diversy Parkway in the Lakeview neighborhood, Fritz Pastry isn’t just another cafe opening in Chicago, but is a cafe that brings its diners to the cobblestones of Europe with every buttery bite.

Chef Nathaniel Meads, the chef behind Fritz Pastry, has long-held a love for the baking and pastry world.  Starting in a small Kankakee bakeshop in 1995 Meads has worked his way up through the restaurant scene.  He was most recently the Executive Pastry Chef for Blue Water Grill before its closing in 2009.

Meads spent his college days working through Joliet Junior College’s Culinary Arts Program, as well as several restaurants turning school theory into real-world practice.   In May 2002 Meads began a long, healthy career with Chicago’s Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, joining the staff of reknowned restaurant Brasserie Jo as a Patissier.  2006 saw Meads join the staff of world famous The Everest Room as a Pastry Assistant where he would learn the skills to one day lead an entire pastry team.  That same year, Meads joined Gale Gand’s pastry team at the also famous and award-winning Tru.  In 2007 Meads was hired as the Executive Pastry Chef for Blue Water Grill to reinvent the dessert menu.  Creating desserts that were not only delicious, but fun his dishes have been featured on ABC Chicago’s Hungry Hound.

Featuring not only pastries familiar to those who visit cafes, Meads and his partners are hoping to bring a taste of Europe to the Lakeview neighborhood, in turn hoping to make Fritz Pastry a favorite cafe for all of Chicago.

When Meads isn’t making food, he’s eating it.  And when Meads isn’t eating food, he’s thinking about making more.

Elaine Heaney comes from the administration side of the restaurant industry, spending several years as Nacional 27′s Business Manager and Event Coordinator.

Jared Nance currently hails from Nacional 27 where he is currently a bartender and shift leader.  He has worked in the restaurant industry since 1994, covering both the front-of-house and kitchen operations.

De.li.cious Cafe – Chicago, IL

If only I were a coffee-nerd.  I think I’d feel right at home at De.li.cious Cafe up in North Center if I enjoyed coffee as much as Kevin Porter does.  Because, the dude loves coffee.  He has that glimmer in his eye when he describes the Chemex system they have.  I had to nod my head as if I knew what he was talking about.  I have a Senseo machine at home that I got for free.  I don’t love coffee as much as Kevin Porter.  But I’m okay with that.

Even if you don’t love coffee, there’s still plenty to like about the small cafe that took over the old Stubbs stomping grounds.  The menu is simple and affordable, and between Kevin and his wife Chelsea there’s enough friendliness to go around.

The sandwiches are something your mom would make, from the easy grilled cheese, to the artery clogging PB&J with bananas.  I personally went for the tofu eggless egg salad.  I have a history with tofu versions of egg salads.  I don’t like most of them.  But I have to say, Chelsea succeeded where places like Whole Foods failed.  It wasn’t over seasoned, and relied mostly on the texture of the salad to win you over.  Mission accomplished.  Achievement unlocked.  I’m a fan.

The desserts are awesome;  brought in from the soon-to-open Fritz Pastry (www.twitter.com/fritzpastry).  We know the propieters-in-waiting for Fritz, so we expected nothing less.  The chocolate cake was absolutely delicious, sweet but not overly so.  The best part?  Treats like cupcakes aren’t 4 dollars a pop.  They’re actually affordable at TWO DOLLARS.  You can get TWO cupcakes for the price of one couture treat.  Spend 4 dollars and you get an ENTIRE cake slice.  Who ever heard of affordable pastries in this crazy couture world?

I can’t wait to see how De.li.cious grows.  There’s already talk of coffee tastings, but I’m interested to see if the menu expands.  I’d love to see some vegetarian soups to go along with the sandwiches.  It would be a great little lunch combo for vegetarians.

And how was the coffee?  Let me just say that Katie, avowed coffee hater, quite enjoyed the sip of my latte.  So that should say something.

Eggless Egg Salad

Sweet Ass Muppet Cake

If you want to be stunned at the level of skill being applied to sugar molding, check out this Muppet Show cake feature nearly all of the most famous muppets.  Completely.  Insane.

Muppet Cake by Adam Newbold

American Pie Has Nothin’ On THIS Cake

Fruit Fucker Cake by Brian Kurtz

For those in the know of the world of geek, this weekend is PAX 2008.  The weekend long party celebrating all things gaming was created as a pseudo-alternative to the over the top marketing machine that was E3.  The brainchild of the evil geniuses behind Penny Arcade, one of the grandfathers of webcomics, itself has turned into quite the big todo.  In fact, three of my friends who run Player One Podcast are up in Washington this weekend for the first time to experience the festivities.

So how is all this food related?  Brian, the brother of Scott Kurtz,  creator of PvP Comics, created an awesomely tasteless cake based on one of Penny Arcade’s most popular characters, the Fruit Fucker.  He doesn’t just juice fruits, he destroys them.

As I said, awesomely tasteless.

From Scott’s blog post:

“Currently, Brian only makes cakes part time, but he’s looking to do more professional work. If you’re looking for a way to make your corporate event or special occasion really shine, please email him at yesitscake@yahoo.com.

Brian, like me, is local to the Dallas/Fort Worth area but is willing to work with you to either ship a cake or travel to your event. So don’t be afraid to contact him if you live in another state.”

The cake though is a work of art, rivaling anything the Ace of Cakes team creates.  It’s too bad he’s local only, I would totally have him make me a birthday cake.

Check out more photos here

And check out more of his awesomely geeky cakes, here.