Beyond Soda Bread: Local Bakeries Boast Bailey's-Stout Glazes; Lucky Charms

The St. Patrick's Day season not only brings the luck of the Irish, green-clad crowds, and shamrock-colored brews, but cravings for a traditional treat—Irish soda bread.

North Siders can snag a loaf nearby at Lake View's Dinkel's Bakery on Lincoln Avenue, where it will be available until the end of the month. If you're venturing to the South Side—renown for its residents' Irish roots—you may want to pop in Beverly Bakery.

Watch the accompanying video at Beverly Bakery to learn a little bit about what makes the bread so special.

But perhaps you're looking for something different; a twist on the spirited holiday. We've compiled a list of unique treats you can find this week right here in Lincoln Park. 

Bailey's Cream, Lucky Charms, Whiskey Doughnuts

Lincoln Park's , 939 W. Armitage Ave., is serving up a sweet combination of Irish-inspired treats. Included in the bunch are Bailey's cream-filled doughnuts, as well as creme de menthe long Johns, Lucky Charms doughnuts, Bailey's glazed treats with a stout ganache, whiskey glazed doughnuts and a traditional vanilla bean option that's frosted in green and white. 

The pastries run $29.50 per dozen and will be available all week long.

Shamrock Cookies at Sweet Mandy B's

Other than festive cupcakes, Sweet Mandy B's 1208 W. Webster Ave., is serving up shamrock-shaped cookies. The Lincoln Park bakery was recently vying for the CitySearch title of "Best Cupcakes" in Chicago. Results have yet to be announced.

Swirlz Cupcakes

This Friday and Saturday only, enjoy chocolate Bailey's cream cheese cupcakes at Swirlz, 705 W. Belden Ave. The shop is also offering up Shamrock "Cupshakes" topped with mint butter cream and a cherry. The latter option is available gluten-free and vegan gluten free and customers can place pre-orders all week. Swirlz is also in the running for Best Cupcakes in Chicago.

Shenanigan Shake

Ice cream fanatics should head to Edzo's Burger Shop, where employees are serving up "Shenanigan Shakes" all week for $5 a pop. Staff say the shake contains "leprechaun juice." We're not quite sure what that is. But we know it's topped with a cherry. The original Edzo's in Evanston recently earned national recognition for serving up the best burgers. The local restaurant, 2218 N. Lincoln Ave., opened this past December. 

Irish Grub at Floriole

Floriole Cafe and Bakery, 1220 W. Webster Ave., is serving up an extra special treat this coming Sunday—an Irish dinner featuring watercress soup, family-style corned beef and warm sticky toffee pudding (see attached menu). To reserve your spot, check out the EventBrite invitation.

Floriole began as a stand at Lincoln Park's famed Green City Market, where owners sold their rustic, French pastries in a 10-by-10 foot tent for five years. The restaurant is focused on "the best ingredients available" and taps into several sustainable farms in the area.

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