Lovely: A Bake Shop

1130 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 572-4766

Truth in advertising.

Lovely in the past: I walk in this place and I just feel...good. Not "Ohh, I wanna DANCE wit' someBODEH..." good or "Oh no, LET'S go.." good but, like, "Happiness is..finding a nickel...daytime and nighttime too...cuz happiness is anything or anyone at all...that's looooved byyyy youuu." I learned that song for a fourth grade recital. That's how I feel at Lovely. I feel like a nine year old little boy with no cares other than singing a Charlie Brown song whilst standing on a riser.

Lovely in the present: Yeah, shabby chic is sorta done. And, yeah, dirty menchildren in tight stretchjeans make me itch. But the lovely ladies who work here seem so earnest in their interactions...the space is so homey and inviting...none of the bad stuff seems to matter. The food helps. The sandwiches are filling and just different enough to not be typical (I enjoy the turkey with garlic/shallot spread, red peppers and provolone cheese). The cupcakes are deliciously homemade and authentic. Typically, I wolf down sweets. I take the time to taste these. I _know_!!

Lovely in the future: This is the kind of place where I can steal glimpses of the future. Glimpses that involve cute toddlers, sundresses, bare feet on green grass, giggling and happiness. Who knows why? Maybe it's the warm weather. Maybe it's the warm smiles behind the counter. Maybe it's the sugar in the tarts. I dunno. It's sorta like this place is a physical version of Jason Mraz's "Lucky." Yeah. Maybe that's it. Lovely.