Just Opened: An “Alice in Wonderland” Themed Bakery

Fairytales aren’t just for bedtime stories, at least in the eyes of a new Wicker Park bakery. The just-opened A Baker’s Tale is themed around Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and is a must-visit for families. Cool decor will get you lost in the feel of the storybook and you can also treat your senses to great pastries, coffee and more.

Look Around
Owner and chef Christine LaSorda is a lover of great books and delicious baked goods, and hopes to make her bakery a community for both kids and kids-at-heart that love the written word and artistically crafted treats.

The place is whimsical, colorful and enchanting. Perch under the giant corner tree adorned with leaves made from actual book pages. Tabletops are glass-covered excerpts from the story that your kiddos will love to read while they sit in cozy jewel-hued chairs. Look around and you may just catch a glimpse of a teacup light fixture, the Mad Hatter’s hat or the white rabbit’s pocket watch.

Have a Bite
LaSorda’s signature cupcake is of the honey blueberry basil variety, and that just begins to tap the surface of the creative selections she whips up. Snicker doodle muffins, S’mores bars and salted caramel macaroons are some of the rotating varieties you can expect in addition to cream puffs, éclairs, tarts and pies.

The bakery also meticulously designs sugar cookies that follow the “Wonderland” theme and are appealing to tiny eyes and tummies. A small selection of sandwiches, salads, quiche and soups are up for grabs if you want something on the savory side.

Explore the Restrooms
We’re not kidding. You won’t mind if your kids ask to go to the potty because the restrooms themselves are a multisensory experience. The hallway walls are covered in bright green faux moss with giant keyholes on the doors. From there, you can peer into the open kitchen and see what’s cooking while you wait their turn. Inside the bathrooms it’s hard not to stare in awe at the beautiful Murano glass chandeliers that dangle from the ceiling.

Read Up
The bakery plans to stock its front shelves with mounds of books that visitors can skim while they eat and relax. Also in the works: Plans to invite local authors to do story time sessions for kids.

We can’t wait to see what else is in store and tumble further down this awesome rabbit hole.

A Baker’s Tale
2127 W. Division St.
872-206-5581
Online: a-bakers-tale.com
Open Tuesday-Sunday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

What do you think of this new family-friendly bakery? Let us know in the Comments section below.

— Samantha Lande