Restaurant Review: Lost Larson
One thing that can care less about the dropping temps and continuing pandemic shutdown is our sweet tooth. No matter what is going on, we can always find room for something delectable, not just for the burst of flavor but also for the way it takes our minds off the state of things. It’s just one of those things we need, and with the soon to be opened Lost Larson in Wicker Park, that need will be taken care of.
Stemming from their Andersonville location, the bakery and cafe is opening today, Wednesday, December 30th, at their brand new Wicker Park spot located at 2140 West Division Street. Chef and owner Bobby Schaffer delivers his panache of all things pastry to one of our favorite Chicago neighborhoods with a menu that is sure to enchant the taste buds and offer a moment(s) of delight as we put a horrible year behind us.
The menu consists of a wide variety of baked goods, bread, pastries, and more. Anyone who has been to the Andersonville location knows that the cinnamon roll offered at Lost Larson is pure heaven in the form of croissant dough topped with citrus-cream cheese frosting. This item alone is reason enough for a visit each day.
The Danish tebirkes, a croissant filled with almond cream and topped with poppy seeds, will make an atheist believe in heaven. For something extraordinary, be sure to get your hands on the bostock. A staple of French pastry, Lost Larson’s house-made brioche is soaked in rum then topped with apple preserves, almond cream, and toasted almonds. Other baked good highlights include the churro croissant, afternoon tea bun, and best selling lingonberry almond cake.
The many loaves of bread offered at Lost Larson are delicious creations that will make you want to toss your Wonder Bread in the wastebasket. Keep things simple with the classic sourdough country loaf made of 50% wheat bread, or pump up the flavor with their pumpkin seed kelp made with 50% Spelt flour. The limpa is a Swedish rye-based bread featuring orange peel, fennel, and anise, providing a tasty mix of buoyancy and spice.
On the even sweeter side of things, indulge in the carrot cake slice, caramel nut tart, and/or the calamansi meringue tart for those days when a Snicker bar just isn’t doing the trick. After biting into any of these pastries, you may be startled to hear a booming wave erupting in your eardrums, but don’t worry, that’s just your taste buds offering you a round of applause.
Along with everything else on the menu, coffee and tea are well represented at Lost Larson. Notable selections include the cortado, the toasted marshmallow flavoring of the campfire latte, and the apple cider provided by Seedling Farm topped with caramel whipped cream.
Suppose you’re looking to create your own sweet concoctions at home. In that case, Lost Larson has you covered with everything from whole wheat and rye flour to cardamom rusks, coffee beans, chai concentrate, and much more.
Lost Larson opens their Wicker Park location on December 30th with pickup or delivery options available online from their website. Current hours of operation are Wednesday through Thursday from 8 am to 3 pm, and Friday and Sunday from 8 am to 4 pm.
Here’s to a sweeter 2021!
ERIC KAPLAN AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO
