“Dolce Arte: the Art of Food”

**** Hidden gem! Destination dining!

We are familiar with these expressions, and it seems that we have found a perfect breakfast space on the South Side that many people drive by daily, not even realizing what is in the Morgan Arts Complex on South Morgan Street ( just west of White Sox park) in Bridgeport. The building is an old warehouse that has been converted to artists studios, a wonderful banquet room for parties and the amazing bakery/restaurant Dolce Arte.

Located in the eclectic Morgan Arts Complex, Dolce Arte takes its name from the Italian phrase “Sweet Art.” Surrounded by creativity, they bring the same artistry to every espresso, pastry, and plate they serve in Bridgeport .

One could drive right past it and never know what they are missing. While there are a number of great Italian pastries to select from, there is a very complete menu of breakfast and lunch items to dine on in their bright and very busy dining room. There is a parking lot adjacent to the building and great signage that will lead you from the free parking to the dining experience that awaits you. By the way, they have recently opened up a second location for the North side up on Rockwell (3057 North) but that is more of a “grab and go” location ( with more to come quite possibly).

Today, Frank, Cary, Jane and I visited the South Side location and once we entered and watched the hustle and bustle of a Saturday morning, felt right at home. Malisa was our server to start, but during the dining experience, Mia ( who is one of the North managers) came to work with us. Mia, was far more familiar with the operation and while Malisa was wonderful, being new and only familiar with this location, it was felt that she would be able to answer more questions. We also met Brittany, one of the owners, who was rushing between the restaurant and a catering job in the banquet room section of the building. Her family also has Freddies on 31st Street ( which we will talk about at another time- can’t wait to do their pizza).

We all enjoyed their freshly brewed coffee and Jane had a Matcha Latte ( a latte made with green tea leaves) that she loved. The menu is filled with many items that we wanted to sample, but after discussion with our server, we opted to do the following:

Sweet Buttermilk Pancakes served with seasonal berries and a smooth and wonderful citrus butter. The presentation was beautiful, but of greater importance, the taste was perfect!

We also did their thick French Toast dipped in cinnamon and covered with sliced banana. I love my French Toast with corn flakes ( served elsewhere) but found this to be a wonderful diversion.

Being on the South Side, not far from where the Chicago Stock Yards were, it is only right that they feature an item called the “Stockyard Skillet”:sausage, bacon, ham, shallot, white cheddar, breakfast potatoes ( they are amazing potatoes), and choice of style of eggs ( we opted for scambled- easier to share) and a piece of sourdough toast. TO DIE FOR!

The fourth item was the shortrib eggs benedict: short rib, arugula, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce served on an English muffin with a side of their wonderful breakfast potatoes.

When we come back ( and I know we will) I am anxious to try the Steak Milanese and Eggs Salmon Cornetto, as well as the Polpetti Panini and they do have lunch items as well- The Dolce Burger looks absolutely amazing and our neighbors were enjoying the salmon Cornetto sandwhich and a beef and pok meatball pest called the Polpetti Panini- wow!

As we drank our coffee, we also decided to at least taste a few of the pastry items ( they do offer a pastry platter)- we had three- all delicious!

The portions were perfect for sharing, leaving just enough for Frank to take home for Angel and his brother.