In a city glorified for its endless beer and cheese of every kind, something like a good piece of pie can be difficult to find. Difficult, yes. Impossible? No. After combing the streets of Milwaukee and visiting a mixture of cafés, bakeries and upscale eateries, it’s clear the desserts in this town — and particularly at these five venues — prove sweet enough to satisfy any craving on any college student’s budget.
Peter Sciortino’s Bakery
1101 E. Brady St.
414-272-4623
As one of Milwaukee’s premier bakeries, Peter Sciortino’s Bakery serves up an incredible variety of cookies, cannoli and cakes along with a whole slew of freshly baked Italian and French breads and European tortes. Most desserts stem from the owners’ Italian heritage and are baked daily from scratch.
While the bakery sells more than 32 different kinds of specialty cookies, including Italian Macaroons and Biscotti, its most coveted sweet has continued to be its assortment of cannoli. Many of the recipes behind the bestsellers have been handed down between generations and refined over the last 62 years of business to enhance flavors and create original tastes.
Co-owner Maria Vella-Sali said the bakery is very open to change and is always working to satisfy customers.
“When we put something together, there’s a lot of thought put into it and a lot of heart and passion,” Vella-Sali said.
Milwaukee resident France Marino, 48, has remained one of the bakery’s most faithful customers for the last 25 years, stopping in three times a week to stock up on his beloved Chocolate Half Moon Sandwich Cookies among other favorite treats.
“There’s not many Italian-Sicilian Bakers that can compare to Sciortino’s,” said Marino. “There’s not many Italian Bakers that give you such a variety.”
Though not quite as faithful, Matthew Love, a sophomore in the College of Engineering, can’t pass up a traditional Sciortino cannoli every once in awhile when in the area.
“It’s unique. There’s not a lot of bakeries like Sciortino’s in Milwaukee,” said Love. “The aroma of the freshly baked merchandise is one of the best smells in all of Milwaukee.”
Peter Sciortino’s Bakery is convenient enough for a quick pick-me-up sugar boost or an afternoon on the go, and its products make irresistible gifts. Cannoli sells for $2, and a pound of cookies can be purchased for $8.95.
Honeypie Café
2643 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
414-489-7437
In the midst of a chaotic urban setting, Honeypie Café provides a small-town escape. With stuffed deer lining the walls and only 13 tables and a bar, the café exudes an intimate feeling, one that blends the quiet wilderness of Wisconsin with the uproar of Milwaukee. The café boasts a homey diner atmosphere and serves up some of the best comfort food in the city — according to co-owner Adam Lucks, at least.
“It’s desserts your mom would make — simple, rustic,” said Lucks. “It’s desserts people grew up on.”
Honeypie Café opened in May 2009 and specializes in brownies, cupcakes and, particularly, pies. All desserts are prepared from scratch by hand with mostly local ingredients. Hit selections include Banana Cream Pie, Pistachio Pie and Red Velvet Cupcakes. Many desserts are conceived with vegans in mind.
One of the bakers, Adam’s sister and business partner Valerie Lucks, describes her food as “grandma kind of stuff.” She has helped engineer many original recipes, several of which are inspired by family recipes and none of which contain preservatives. Along with another baker, Valerie works to serve a variety of fresh pies, cupcakes and dessert bars everyday.
“I love them all,” Valerie said.
Honeypie has been known to go through six or seven whole pies on busier days. Though relaxed and casual, it still maintains the buzz and energy of the city and draws a sizable lunch and dinner crowd. A slice of pie can be purchased for a modest $4 while cupcakes run at $3.50 each.
Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro
3133 E. Newberry Blvd.
414-962-6300
Secluded in its own corner of the city’s East Side, Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro offers a taste of the good life. The romantic French restaurant prevails as one of the most upscale venues in all of Milwaukee with exquisite and exclusive views of Lake Michigan. As upscale as it may be, however, the bistro remains far from stuffy and could not be any friendlier.
Desserts include some of the finest French delicacies in the Milwaukee area like Crème Brûlée, made with Madagascar vanilla beans and accented with caramelized sugar, and Gateau de Noix, a walnut cake featuring sautéed fruits and vanilla cream. Unique to the Lake Park Bistro is its traditional French Fromage course, a cheese course presented with fruit and walnut raisin bread after the main dinner meal and before dessert.
Desserts cost $7 or $8 each and can be appreciated further with the compliment of a dessert wine or martini for those of age, at prices ranging from $7 to $20. The bistro makes for an impressive date setting or dressy dinner party outing.
The Knick
1030 E. Juneau Ave.
414-272-0011
Nestled in Milwaukee’s historic Knickerbocker On The Lake Hotel, The Knick adds a modern allure to the classic charm of the Knickerbocker and its neighborhood. The restaurant’s vibe remains sophisticated yet casual with warm golden walls and alternative rock playing in the background.
Desserts are both made in-house and bought from local Simma’s Bakery. They range from a rich, flourless Chocolate Gateau to a moist Apple-Cinnamon Caramel Bread Pudding topped with whiskey butter sauce.
The Knick’s signature dessert has long been “September 7th,” a treat comprised of chocolate mousse, vanilla mouse, and chocolate cake that are available year-round. Desserts can be purchased a la carte for about $6 each and change weekly. With its location near both the lake and downtown, The Knick offers a hip urban atmosphere perfect for a Friday night out or a weekend afternoon getaway.
Buckley’s Kiskeam Inn
801 N. Cass St.
414-277-1111
With the most popular carrot cake in all of Milwaukee, and perhaps in even all of Wisconsin, Buckley’s Kiskeam Inn offers the best desserts of anywhere directly downtown and has for the past three years.
Though the carrot cake may top the menu, Buckley’s other desserts make close seconds. Between Key Lime Pie, White Chocolate Cheesecake, and Chocolate Tuxedo Espresso Cake, among others, the options make choosing almost impossible.
Co-owner Mike Buckley himself has a hard enough time choosing and savors each one for different reasons.
“As soon as you take that first bite, you’re going to be sorry you didn’t have it before,” Buckley said.
Buckley’s wife, Pam Buckley, bakes all the desserts from scratch and uses recipes she invented on her own. Everything is homemade to the highest quality, and desserts rotate on a regular basis to keep from getting old.
With black-and-white furniture, warm lighting, and a splash of sea green walls, Buckley’s sets an elegant but comfortable mood perfect for unwinding from a long week. While it appears to be on the slightly fancier side of the spectrum, it remains relaxed and informal. A slice of dessert averages $6.
