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"charm, decent pricing, AMAZING FOOD. The place was so charming, with different art paintings and unique sculptors ( there were only a few)…" read more »
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I've been a patron here since my French class took a field trip when I was in 4th grade. It was my first exposure to Orangina and a croque monsieur. And legit french croissants. I still came back through the years and tried more of their offerings, from the best baguettes outside of France (in my experience, anyway), and even worked there for a few years. The pastries are awesome and wholesome (if not a touch on the pricey side), and the baked goods are out of this world.
I was sad to see the ownership change hands from the ones I got to know and love, but it seems the food's still pretty good all these years later. They've expanded the beverage offerings (tho I'm not sure if they still roast their own coffee beans like we used to back in the day) and there's also more sandwich offerings as well. The pastry cooler also has a lot of things we didn't sell ten years ago. Throughout all the changes, Bonjour's still retained its charm, and one of my favorite snacks to this day is one of their baguettes, some good butter, and a tall glass of juice (or fermented grape juice!). Vive la Bonjour!
To all macaroon lovers out there -
Oh - I mean French macaroons....not the yummy coconut kind.
The Laduree kind. These little wheels of pure heaven.
I know you are out there - you keep starting threads on the subject.
Don't deny it.
So......I have news for you!!!
And there are GOOD!
Bonjour has just expended their line of wonderful delights. Now besides the classic vanilla, coffee, pistachio and chocolate you will find, among others....ready?!?!?
- Orange macaroons
- Cinnamon Sea Salt macaroons
- Chocolate Orange macaroons
- Lemon Basil macaroons
- Passion Fruit macaroons
And they are still working on new flavors....
Just sayin' guys...just sayin'....
I was fortunate enough to have a sampling of all of them and they are scrumptious!!
Alors?!?!? Depechez-vous!!
OH MON DIEU.
When I decided to have my little 'cocktail' reception at Bonjour to celebrate our…
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Coming in here feels like walking into a little slice of France! Bonjour's pastries are phenomenal, and their soups, sandwiches, and quiches are very good too. The food is uncomplicated, fresh, and wholesome.
The South Beach Diet does NOT approve of this place.
However, I do.
A cute, quaint little shop in Hyde Park run by REAL French people. (Just ask our resident French expert, Aurore L). In the summer I imagine people sprawling out into the courtyard to enjoy their little poofs of pastry. Mmmmm.
After overloading a bit on sugar at Medici, I opted for a fresh (LARGE) plain croissant. Even an hour later it was buttery, fluffery, wonderfully lovely. Sinful. Delicious. I am glad I reside far, far away from here....
The staff was very cute and pleasant, and were quick to make helpful suggestions and explain certain pieces. The macaroons were screaming to me...but alas, I left them orphaned. I just could not.
Diet Coke for $1. Nice!
Most definitely worth a stop in, and many thanks to Aurore L & Reuben H for the little Hyde Park exploratory field trip!
oh la la! This place is quickly becoming quite addicting...
After studying abroad in France, I have a particular weakness for boulangeries/patisseries, and I was so surprised to find this wonderful neighborhood bakery in Hyde Park! Just to give you an idea about my bakery obsession, while studying abroad in France, my host family literally lived a block away from a patisserie that I would pass everyday on the way to and from school.. And yes, I ate from that patisserie twice a day.
The atmosphere at Bonjour Cafe is really wonderful and relaxed. There is always an interesting mix of families and locals. It is a great place to grab a breakfast treat and coffee or a light lunch (they always have great lunch specials-soups,sandwiches, and quiche!). They have indoor and outdoor tables.
They serve the typical croque monsieurs, but I've only tried the turkey and brie on the baguette. French sandwiches are always so simple, but yet so delicious! It must be the bread...
Also, the bread pudding comes in muffin form here, and is a perfect mix of soft layers and crunchy top-- every bite is delish. The croissant des amandes (almond croissant) is sweet, almondy, flaky glory. The morning roll was also amazing. The croissants here are so light and are beautifully layered. And once you've had a real French croissant, you can never go back! Though the prices can be a little high (I paid 1.05 for a small walnut cookie- which by the way was SO good!!), it's a nice place to come when you want to treat yourself.
They also have a variety of cakes, colorful macarons, and beautifully crafted petite desserts. Oh and the owner is tres francaise, so you can pretend you're in France-- at least temporarily. So if you're in the Hyde Park area, definitely check it out!
Cher Bonjour Cafe:
Je t'aime!
Baisers,
Mary
First off, I must thank Reuben and Aurore for coming up with the fab idea of coming here after Office Hours at Medici. I got a plain croissant and a chocolate one for the road (sorry Rhonda for taking the last one). The warm, buttery, flaky croissants made fresh for our arrival were amazing and brought back warm memories of France. There was decent group of us so I didn't really check out much more than the bakery case.
My chocolate croissant (pain au chocolat) was good, not great. However, I did eat it the next morning so I won't deduct any stars. I'll have to come back and try to get one fresh from the oven to get an accurate read. Even a day old though, it was a pretty solid item.
I will say the items in the bakery case looked like works of art; delicate, pretty and sinfully delicious works of art. Service was very warm and friendly, the two young girls manning the counter were adorable in their little red berets.
I rarely get to Hyde Park, but a croissant craving would send me back for these. Next trip I also want to purchase a baguette, mmmmm!
Looking for the most European corner in Chicago? Look no further than 55th and Lake Park Ave. There's Bonjour Cafe and Treasure Island - all in one place!
Bonjour Cafe is a quaint little bakery right near the center of Hyde Park. The owners are French which is something I love. I was really excited to hear the owners and some customers speaking French - I wanted to butt in but I was way too nervous!
There was a huge selection of yummy croissants to please every pallate. I decided to go with the multi-grain croissant because I have never ever heard of one before. It was pretty good, though a little dry. The classic croissant probably would have been a better choice because I presume it would have been flaky and buttery. I'd like to go back to sample some more of the yummy special croissants.
There were also pastries galore (lots 'o chocolate) and a good variety of drinks (both hot and cold) to make everyone happy. I decided on a diet Coke (yep, I'm lame) but it was nice and ice cold. I hope to be back to this place because I love all things French (je suis nerd) but when am I ever in Hyde Park? Go if you're in the area.
Hyde Park is definitely not known for its fine cuisine. Maybe for an amazing dichotomy and ratio of Nobel laureates produced to shootings, but it's no destination spot in a Zagat guide. Aside from an overflow of Thai restaurants on 55th Street, there wasn't too much in this mile stretch of "U of C" territory. To give you a semblance of an idea, the entire campus got REALLY excited when the Jimmy John's and Potbelly's opened up a few years back.
So yes, Bonjour Bakery runs unopposed for best bakery in Hyde Park, asides from the Med, but it's earned its reputation. The croissants here are comparable to ones you'd find in a Parisian boulangerie, and definitely as good as it gets here in Chicago. I highly recommend the filled ones, sweet or salty - they're all delicious. And they're not just experts with the French baked goods, oh no. One of my favorite finds here was and continues to be their rugelach - apricot or raspberry. I don't know what manna from heaven actually tastes like, but I imagine it tastes something like their rugelach - mazel tov!
When I fell seriously ill once during my college years, my roommate, sweetheart that she was, ran to Bonjour to pick up soup for me. And it was the perfect remedy to my ailment. Take your pick of any of the comfort foods.... soups, cookies, croissants, Bonjour envelopes you in a cloud of warmth, love and baked bread upon entrance to their cozy, unassuming shop. You won't be sorry you went. Unless you try on a Monday, which I've definitely done before. Seeing the "closed" sign on their door is probably how a crack whore feels when she can't find her dealer. Don't do it.
I really want to LOVE this place, and I will definitely head south again for another try.
Maybe I should have gotten one of the two varieties of croissants that were prepared for our group. I had my heart set on a chocolate croissant and chose to order from the pastry case instead. It was a bit dense and dry... perhaps left from the morning.
Bonjour! I will be back!
This review will be brief. just like my visit to Bonjour.
I had a huge peanut butter cookie and a cup of coffee. Bonjour's Peanut butter cookie is now on my list of favorite peanut butter cookies. And considering their wasn't a list before, this is quite a feat. The coffee was pretty good too, nothing fancy just coffee which is exactly what I wanted in this world of latte-mocha-blah-blah. Small place so don't go with a huge group (like we did).
I wanted a choco-croissant but they were out.
I love how all the girls here can speak at least a little French. Bonjour made me thankful that I took French in high school so I could flirt with all of the cute girls working behind the counter.
Outside of the cute staff... I loved how there were always papers to read (back before everyone read their news on their Blackberry or iPhone). All of the drinks were reasonably priced and I loved the assortment tarts.
Yeah, another used-to-live-in-Europe Yelper singing the praises of this little bakery. I'm always really shocked by how under-utilized this place is by the undergrad population -- their pastries, especially my favorite before-church breakfast (spinach & feta croissant), are all far superior to their average Medici counterparts (sorry -- I like the Med's meals, but these guys are dedicated to making pastries, and it shows), and the atmosphere is very quaint.
Some of their items, especially the smaller ones, are a little pricey, but well worth it. I once bought a tiny dark chocolate and raspberry petit-four for about two dollars and felt pretty ridiculous, but it was one of the most delicious things I've ever tasted.
Two words: Morning Roll.
Also, it's fun to be in a place where French is flying every which way.
That is all.
Very very cute! Their tarts are a bit pricey but sooo delicious. They have a great variety of sandwiches - some are very unique on the menu (ie. shrimp avocado). I just got a latte and 1/2 soup/sandwich combo with a ham & brie sandwich and chicken noodle soup. Everything came out well and I have no complaints. Since I'm just visiting Chicago, I probably won't be there again any time soon. But I do hope to come back to try more of their pastries some day.
Simply put- the BEST French-style bakery (more like a salon de thé) in Chicago for all of your pastry and small bite cravings! Pascale, one of the owners, is awesome and the bakery that her and her husband procured has turned into this wonderful place to go anytime you long for something delicious. Everything from their croissants to their macaroons to their wonderful tart-style cakes, and even all of their savory options are all mouth watering and executed masterfully! She runs her business with an eagle eye and strives for perfection- all in the name of quality and to ensure that she stays as close to her French roots (specifically Paris) as possible.
My personal favorite here is the individual bread pudding. For around $2.50 you get this rich and large (perfect breakfast size) muffin size individual bread pudding which has a layering of flavors that brings something new to your mouth almost every time you take a bite. Filling and completely satisfying, and yet an hour later you long for one more bite- until you find yourself back there the next day.
Service is a great experience as well- especially for those that would like to practice their French. Almost all workers there have a good command of the French language, and the decent-sized French population in Hyde Park, along with many more French coming from throughout the city makes this just about the closest thing to a Parisian experience that you can find in Chicago.
The space inside is fairly small and seats are limited, however in the summer months when the weather is nicer- there is a lovely courtyard with a fountain out front and plenty of room to find a bench or a table to enjoy a delicious pain au chocolat, and some great Metropolis coffee. On top of that- there is a good size parking lot for this shopping center- the only one in Hyde Park with a decent size that is completely free! Next time you are anywhere in the vicinity of Hyde Park (finally checking out Co-Op Seminary Book Store, or the campus of the University of Chicago, or doing a tour of the Robie House, or maybe making your Barack Obama tour)- make sure you say "Bonjour!" to this amazing place.
they macaron'd me and it moved!
if prison ever smelled as good as it does here, i would so become the cereal killer I've fantasized for years and be grateful to be caught. (watch out Tony the Tiger! and toucan sam!)
anyways, ride your bike here thru the rain from anywheres you choose to begin as the destination and macarons make for the perfect end of a summer's rainbow.
I used to live a block away from here on Harper Ave. and skip out on certain mornings to get either a ham & cheese or a spinach & feta croissant. Both are better than the Med on 57th's by far. And these croissants hold their own- wonderfully flaky, light pastries that French kiss your tongue delicately with butter.
I also came here sometimes for the tarts or cakes which were always a big hit--both to the wallet and the crowd.
One word of caution- the baguettes. I really didn't care for the baguettes here at all. But it's been over a year since I've been in the vicinity and maybe these have changed for the better.
The only sit-down cafe in Chicago with NO restroom.
After downing a delicious chai latte and catching up with a friend (who I arranged to meet with me there), I was directed to Treasure Islands basement public restrooms! Its winter time so putting on my coat, gloves, scarf to use the john (and come right back) was not my "cup of tea".
There are very few French cafes around the neighborhood of Hyde Park, so this is a great option for some European goodies. Their croissants are delicious and their tarts are so good. It's a little pricey, but as far as taste, it's definitely worth it. They are also one of the few places in Chicago that carry Lorina drinks.
I would give my left arm to have Bonjour Bakery nestled in my Lincoln Square neighborhood. Unfortunately, if I ever want what I consider to be the best chocolate croissant in the Chicago-land area, i have to truck down to Hyde Park. Se la vie. This place is hands-down the most authentically Euro cafe i've come across. From the shining glass dessert displays to the napkins and straws littering the floors, this place is the real deal.
I had an oportunity to have a sandwhich one afternoon. I opted for the Croque Monseiur, since it's sort of a French litmus test. Well, it blew my mind wide open! The bread was of great quality, which was key in order to hold the plethora of Emmenthaler cheese and pefectly smoked ham. I loved that they served it to me on a paper plate. Whoever said the French were pretentious?! I finished the meal with a lovely chocolate croissant and an espresso. The chocolate croissant was absolutely heavenly and set the standard for everything else i've had in the city. The outside being glazed and crispy, leading to an absurdly buttery texture. Going with tradition, they used two nice strips of bittersweet chocolate through the center. Heavenly. The espresso was also top notch. How can you argue with a place like this when 80% of the clientel and employees are speaking French!
This is the best bakery I have ever been to.
Excellent pastries, excellent staff...
Try the Morning Roll or the Pain Aux Raisin. That's what my wife and I get every time we're there... you can't go wrong with either.
The only thing I wish they had was full-service espresso. They've got an o-k fully automatic espresso machine, but I'd love a talented barista and better quality espresso altogether. But the coffee beats 'bux any day.
Keep up the good work, Bonjour Bakery!
This lil french bakery located in Hyde Park is wonderful! Their crossiants are my abosolute favorite. They have traditional plain, strawberry cream cheese etc, but my Aunt is madly in love with their turkey/cheddar cheese crossiant. I am a huge fan of their spinach/feta.
They also have some lovely lil pasteries and cakes, the variety changes daily. Even though the prices are a tad high I love the place because they offer something I cannot easily find. I dont eat in often as there arent that many tables. I enjoy riding my bike over and bringing crossiants home. I suggest you definately check it out!
This place is great. The steak sandwiches and croque monsieurs are totally authentic, like what I've eaten in France and Belgium. The staff will speak French to you if you like-- but it is not compulsory. The treats and baked goods are outstanding--a little pricey, but worth it. (Just try one!) The coffee is good and not too expensive. The woman in black who seems to run the place is like an ancient archetype of a Frenchwoman come to life. This place is something else!!!
PS- It still gets 5 stars, but yes, you have to walk to the Treasure Island to use a restroom. Obviously, this cannot be corrected by Bonjour Cafe, and it would have to move to remedy the situation.
Settled in a little shopping courtyard, the Bonjour Cafe Bakery makes a wonderful contribution to the ambiance of the inner-city open space. The goods are wonderful, but a bit expensive. The range of pastries varies, but there's always something interesting to try. The staff are helpful and friendly.
Stop in for a good coffee, pastry and sit for an hour taking in a gentle summer morning and all will be right in your world, at least for that hour.
Don't let the stripmallocale scare you away. This place is maximum delicious and its owners and staff are kind. I love all the things, but most favored include the morning roll, the fruit tarts, the beautiful mousses.
Also: Bonjour made my wedding cake. And it totally ruled. It received many many compliments. Vanilla cake, white chocolate frosting covered with white chocolate ganache. It looked so beautiful. And I managed to get exactly what I was hoping for despite communicating with my poor French, which shows just how much the owners are willing to listen and work with you. They are so generous and warm. Likewise the place.
Very old world French style cafe.
The treats are amazing and baked daily. my favorite has to be any of their sweet filled croissants or their bread pudding!
coffee is also quite delicious.
only downside would be that it is a little pricey. But ya get what ya pay for so its worth it!
There aren't too many places you can go get a chocolate croissant or a decent piece of opera cake around Chicago, fewer on the south side. However, this is an awesome destination when you'd care for some quality pastries and Hyde Park is on the agenda.
This is not cheap...but where can you buy an opera cake cheap? There is plenty of choice, including breakfasty options like quiche and the place is often hopping, without too much of a wait. There is also outdoor seating and this is a fairly cool plaza to begin with. The coffee is quite good, and the people watching ain't so awful either.
I love this bakery. The staff is always so friendly, and the pastries are really really good. I've had friends complain about the cost, but I think it's priced pretty accurately for the quality.
Surprisingly, the yellow cupcake is awesome. Light and spongy, and then they throw a ton of real whipped cream on top, and cover that in chocolate ganache. GIANT, and only 2.50!
I walked into this place expecting the staff to be rude.
You see, I'm an especially stupid kind of racist. I have the impression that British people are awful, even though I've never met a Briton I didn't like. Same with the French. On the other hand, I also think Norwegians are awesome, even though 8 out of the 12 or so Norwegians I've met were complete assholes. But in theory, Norwegians are pretty awesome.
But in real life, of course, the French are lovely. Especially here. This bakery is sweet, friendly, and open. It's quaint and pretty but unpretentious, and all the people who work here are sincere and helpful. I love the fact that you can get bite sized desserts; nothing better than spending an afternoon with a good book and a good espresso while nibbling on something tiny and sweet - a little tart with a single blueberry on it, or one of those little walnut cookies. The croissants are great too - flaky, and delicious if you're lucky enough to get there while they're still warm.
They only lose a star for those awful chairs that leave indentations on my poor bum. :(
I think there's crack in the Belgian rolls.
There are a few good things about HP and this place is one of them. The best things to get are the "Belgian rolls" and the "Morning rolls." The BRs are made with a hazelnut paste, great for those who don't like a really sweet breakfast. The MRs have a sugary crust that is wonderful.
Stay awhile and hang out with the old Eastern European men who spend the entire day in there. They're a hoot.
Mmmmmm. The "Morning Rolls" were bundles of sticky goodness. I lived up in Lincoln Park but would drive down to Hyde Park just to taste these babies.
(Actually, I lived up in LP, but my girlfriend-now-wife lived in HP so that's why I was really down there)
I had a delicious sandwich today -- the "Classique": ham, gruyere, & Emmental... yum yum.
The pastries looked amazing as well (I will definitely go back to try many of them!) -- my roommate has had the croissant and said it was tasty.
However, one downside... service was veeeery slow. I stopped in at lunchtime and only had one person in front of me (who had ordered before I even got there) and still waited while.
Made the long drive down here just to try their french macarons... yeah, and they were pretty disappointing. I mean, they were good, but not GREAT. The flavors tasted the same, except for the strawberry, and that was only because of the jam filling.
Chocolate croissants, brie sandwiches, Belgian rolls, croque monsieurs...there are some wonderful French patisserie specials to be had at this charming little spot in the 55th Street strip mall in Hyde Park. The staff is much nicer than over at Medici Bakery, where they stare you down as you order and scowl at any hint of indecisiveness. Free refills on coffee is another bonus. There are always NY Times lying around for your perusal, and there's a great poster of Vermont on the wall. A nod to Holden Caulfield? An acknowledgment of the lovely Green Mountain state's French roots? Who knows, but it's certainly comforting. I especially like Bonjour early on a Sunday morning, but a brie sandwich with mustard often makes a great light dinner. I just wish they were able to put brie and pate on the same sandwich, and ignore the computer snafu.
if like dorothy in wizard of oz, you want to click your heels together and be in paris, this no frills cafe probably won't transport you. on the other hand, their morning bun, doused in butter and cinnamon sugar and a flaky fluffy dough, will take you far.
extras: really good coffee and natural light and low key crowd. amazing quiche.
Not enough tables. Every time I've gotten coffee it's been weak and extremely way too f'cking hot. Their sandwiches are also overpriced and simply not very good.
On the plus, their pastries are decent, though for some items (bread, croissants, cookies, other doughy things) the Med blows them out of the water.
The best chocolate espresso tart ever! The service is friendly and everything I have tasted is wonderful. I normally hate pumpkin but I found myself eating the pumpkin tart.
Everyone speaks French. Verrry nice! Authentic wine hang over curing Parisian croissants, decadent chocolate, and a wonderful terrace to enjoy your coffee and treat. I think that the owner is also a fashion designer (or so I gather from my weak understanding of French)
The espresso could be a lot better, but the regular coffee is excellent. 5th star reserved for better espresso.
The seats hurt my back but everything in this bakery is good. You might as well eat in your car.
A very small bakery with lots of yummy treats. It's hard to find a seat here, but that doesn't stop me from going in to buy some of their delicious cookies to take home!
Neighborhood: Hyde Park
Category: Bakeries
Neighborhood: Hyde Park
Category: Bakeries
Neighborhood: Hyde Park
Category: Diners
Neighborhood: Hyde Park
Category: Caribbean
Neighborhood: Hyde Park
Category: Diners
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