Chicaogoans just can't get enough pumpkin. How else can you explain the uproar on Twitter earlier this month about an alleged pumpkin spice latte shortage at some Starbucks locations? If that drink alone won't satisfy your craving, these new pumpkin-inspired dishes and drinks should do the trick. Or treat.
>>Feast your eyes on photos of these treats.
Katherine Anne Confections
2745 W. Armitage Ave. 773-727-3248
"[We're] delivering pumpkin deliciousness a lot of ways this month," said Katherine Duncan, owner of this recently opened Logan Square sweets shop. Her pumpkin-apricot truffles made with maple syrup ($2.50 each) are one way to get your fix. Another is her two-tone hot chocolate ($8), which features two kinds of cocoa poured side by side into the same mug, garnished with cinnamon-graham cracker streusel. One side is white chocolate flavored with pumpkin, ginger, cayenne and white peach balsamic vinegar, while the other side is bittersweet chocolate with bourbon, maple and brown sugar.
Served until: Monday for the truffles and Oct. 31 for the hot chocolate-though Duncan said the latter may stick around longer if it's popular.
Hot Doug's
3324 N. California Ave. 773-279-9550
This legendary Avondale sausage shop has been closed this week for a fall break; when it reopens Friday, you can line up for ginger-spiked rabbit sausage with blue cheese and pumpkin raita, a sauce made from pumpkin puree and Greek yogurt ($7.50). "There's a nice creaminess of the pumpkin and tanginess from the yogurt," owner Doug Sohn said.
Served until: At least Sunday--so you better move fast on this one.
Dimo's Pizza
3463 N Clark St. 773-525-4580
Pumpkin on a pizza? You bet. This Wrigleyville pizzeria's vegan Smashing Pumpkin Pie pizza features crumbled pecans, vegan marshmallows and sauce made from roasted pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg. Devour it by the slice ($3.75) or whole pie ($13 for 12-inch; $26 for 20-inch).
Served until: Oct. 31.
Bang Bang Pie Shop
2051 N. California Ave. 773-276-8888
Baker Megan Miller is already selling pumpkin pie topped with pumpkin seed brittle ($26; $5 a slice) at this Logan Square shop, but keep an eye out for her pumpkin cinnamon rolls debuting closer to Halloween. Seasoned with pumpkin pie spice and topped with that same brittle, individual rolls will be available on weekend mornings for $3 a pop.
Served until: Late November for the cinnamon rolls and late December for pumpkin pie.
Epic
112 W. Hubbard St. 312-222-4940
At this sleek River North restaurant, pumpkin is used in each course of chef Mark Pollard's four-course prix-fixe menu ($48 per person; $70 with wine pairings). Dishes include seared scallops with pumpkin risotto (also available a la carte for $28) and pumpkin flan ($12 a la carte).
Served until: Oct. 30.
The Reservoir
844 W. Montrose Ave. 773-275-4000
This Uptown bar opened about a month ago, but it's already in the Halloween spirit with a pumpkin-packed take on the classic manhattan made with whiskey, sweet vermouth and house-made pumpkin honey ($10)."The honey gives it a sweeter feel than your average manhattan," general manager Bob Radek said.
Served until: November or later-right now there's no end date set.
Tesori
65 E. Adams St. 312-786-9911
Bar manager Brady (he goes by just his first name) tapped a popular Midwest craft brewery's pumpkin beer to make a seasonal cocktail at recently opened Italian restaurant Tesori. Called Oktober ($12), it's a blend of Ichabod pumpkin ale from Michigan's New Holland Brewing, Laird's Applejack (a brandy-like apple liqueur) and a splash of spiced syrup seasoned with cinnamon, vanilla and star anise. "The spices really bring out the apple and pumpkin flavors," Brady said.
Served until: Hard to say. When Tesori's seasonal supply of Ichabod ale runs out, this cocktail will too.
25 Degrees
736 N. Clark St. 312-943-9700
Bartenders at this River North burger joint have been busy mixing up more than a half-dozen different kinds of boozy milkshakes-including a St. Pat's-themed Guinness shake-so far this year. The latest is the Pumpkin Spice Spiked Shake ($10) made with pumpkin puree, caramel, vanilla ice cream and Bacardi Oakheart spiced rum.
Served until: Nov. 30.
Zberry
1368 1/2 E. 53rd St. 773-855-8754
Pumpkin frozen yogurt plus graham cracker crust crumbles ($0.45 cents an ounce) adds up to serious pumpkin-pie flavor at this Hyde Park fro-yo shop. For a more toasty treat, go for the hot chocolate (in regular, raspberry or vegan versions) topped with pumpkin marshmallows ($2.50 for 8 ounces, $3.25 for 10 ounces and $4 for 12 ounces).
Served until: Oct. 31.
redeye@tribune.com | @redeyechicago
Erin Brereton is a RedEye special contributor.
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