A Taste of Heaven

August 10, 2013\r Update on the Carrot Cake:\r Still the best!!! Call first and reserve a whole cake to take home with you for the holidays . . . But get a slice to take with you to prevent you from digging into the cake before you get home! LOL!!!\r \r \r The only reason to go to is for the CARROT CAKE! The best in the Chicago or New York! It's been consistently consist in texture, look, feel, & taste! Makes you want to take your slice & go home to have sex . . . anywhere you please!! The carrot cake is superior! All the other desserts are just that, the carrot cake beats them all and stands alone. Go early because if you don't see any in the case, you'll know I've been there before you & taken the last slice . . . or cake. He does sell the whole cake in two sizes: small & large!! You've been warned!! Call days in advance to get this cake or you'll be without!! (smile) Pros: Great desserts, Nice neighborhood, Nice eating outside Cons: Pricey, Not for children, Parking is tricky more

Not interested in the kids controversy but will say that if you want the most memorable delicious cake order the ""Janeane"". Fresh berries and fresh cream and yellow cake.\r \r I just had a party for 50 people in my backyard and ordered the ""large (feeds 60)"" and EVERYONE loved it and asked about it and it tasted like it was made for 6 people. Pros: Unbelievable cake! more

We are restaurant people who know how to behave, how to treat restaurant staff, and our children have visited more restaurants than most american adults have in their entire lives. Therefore, we know when we are being purposefully mistreated. When we arrived we took the kids out of the strollers before entering the small dining room, we then very politely asked if we could stash our folded strollers in an out of the way corner, we obediently sat where we were told, arranged the kids in the provided high chairs and began the long long wait. As I am very experienced in dining with children, I had crackers and toys to keep them busy and quiet; unfortunately, our best behavior was not impressive to our indifferent waitress who obviously ignored us in favor of other kid-free diners. We sat for 15 mins. after our coffee was delivered before she came to take our order. Everyone else in the dining room received their food promptly--even those who arrived after we did. We waited over 30 mins for our entrees to arrive only to have the children's food come to the table wrong. At this point the message that we were not welcome was very clear. It took nearly 30 more minutes for the children to receive their food. They had devoured most of my entree and by the time their food arrived they, understandably, wanted out. I felt so badly for my kids who were being so good for the more than an hour it took for them to get the food I ordered for them. \r I will never go back to this place and if any readers have children, I suggest all parents boycott this restaurant whether you have your kids along or not!! Parents have a hard enough time trying to raise good kids, we do not deserve discrimination and retribution for simply having minors as dinner companions. The great food is not worth the mean spirited service. more

Just want to comment on the rowdy children controversy. I applaud the owner in making a point that parents should control their children in public. It isn't a matter of a non-parent giving advise on child rearing, it is a matter of respect for other patrons. Although I wasn't in this particular place, a recent experience in a Forest park restaurant makes me eager to share my thoughts. Parents: your children are just not that cute to other people, PERIOD! Loud noises, throwing food, crying for prolonged periods, etc., is annoying and irritating to other customers who are eating out for a pleasant experience. When your children misbehave, please take them outside, or home. It doesn't mean you are a bad person, or that your child is bad, maybe just having a bad time at the moment. But we don't need to be a part of that. Show your child respect by removing him/her immediately. That's probably why they cry and act up in the first place. Lashing out at the owner or other customers is just misplaced anger. more

This is a teeny-tiny place that needs to boost their attitude and service to customers. You could stand at the counter for a good 5 minutes before someone says ""hi"". The whole control your children thing is fine, i understand that-but maybe they need to work on their attitude first. It goes a long way, because I wont go bacnot only because the desserts are pretentiously overpriced, the service I've received there MORE than once leaft a bad taste in my mouth. \r The employees are rather stuffy and the desserts are not worth the price. \r Why, I can go to the more friendly ""Sweet occasions"" down the street and be greeted with a smile, cakes not as expensive (who cares if the Alliance makes them, I love the Alliance) \r and more comfortable seating. more

Having been a waitress and a patron, I have witnessed on many occasions children behaving poorly. I often wonder, Whos the Parent, the child, or the adult? On numerous occasions as a waitress I watched children smearing jelly, or whatever else they had available on the walls, tables, windows -- and sometimes, each other. I had all I could take one day, I finally asked the parents to be parents to their children. Parents, you need to know one thing. Kids only do, what you allow them to do. So, start taking responsibility and stop with all of the excuses. Pros: Dan McCauley Cons: Children Misbehaving more

Perhaps another sign would help. Bravo to you. The cupcake was delicious also! more

Recently the pasty quality at Taste of Heaven seems to have taken a dive. I've kept going back thinking it was just a temporary problem, but last week both the cake slice and cupcake i tried were stale, had a heavy, coarse, unpleasant crumb, and a faint taste of refrigerator. Together they cost a little under $10 and they got throw out after a few bites. I would still go to TOH for coffee and sandwiches in their nice sunny space more

Now we are in our fifties, having raised our kids to behave in restaurants. While every kid has his or her moments, when those moments came with our kids, we took them outside or in the restroom and counseled them. If they could not or would not behave we got our food ""to go"" and left. At this point in our lives we value our non-shrieking kid moments we pay for in restaurants such as ""A Taste of Heaven"" and while we put up with a shriek or fuss or two, if a child nearby is raising a constant stink we leave. We put in our time, and our children turned out to be more considerate citizens of the world as the result of our efforts. It would be nice if everyone followed the same approach. Thank you, ""A Taste of Heaven"" for attempting to ""fix"" the problem. more

What truly eloquent, good people that own this shop. Their simple request that young and old folks keep their noise levels within reason was met by ""soccer moms"" in the area as ""confrontational."" They weren't intended tthat way - let's give this place plenty of business! Pros: Hospitable, Reasonable, Ambiance more

I just saw the story on the Today Show -- bravo! Glad to see more businesses taking a stand against parents who don't teach their children how to behave in public. I'll be sure to enjoy a meal at your restaurant the next time I'm in Chicago -- with my very well-behaved daughter. more

I am a New Yorker. I have never been to Chicago. But I have just seen Dan on the NY television news and would like to commend him for requiring a little bit higher standard of behaviour from the children (and the parents!) who frequent his establishment. Bravo, Dan! more

I love A Taste of Heaven and have never had a stale anything there. Gorgeous cake, soup, ....... everything. Wonderful cafe. more

The owner of ""A Taste of Heaven"" has taken some flack from neighborhood parents for posting a sign within the restaurant suggesting children behave and use their 'indoor voices' when they visit. I say, ""bravo, Dan!"" Is it such a crime to suggest parents of youngsters need to exert a modicum of control over unruly kids? Patrons should appreciate this sort of concern for their dining experience- I know I do. Controversy aside, this is a fine bakery with excellent food. Believe the hype: they DO have the best scones in the world. The atmosphere is warm and the service good, making it one of my favorite places. I have spent many an afternoon at the corner table reading, sipping tea and enjoying a scone or a piece of cake. It's that kind of place! more

I applaud Taste of Heaven's menu, service and particularly their policy on rude parents. Rampant, selfish behavior and a lack of consideration should not be excused as a child's right to be childish. As Wonka's OOmpah's stated ""who do you blame when the kid is a brat...the mother and the father."" I will support ToH specifically because they have taken this stand against self centered entitlement by people who know better, but their food is great too. more

When they expanded from Foster Ave to the new site, I thought it was a great thing, but their cakes are often stale. Scones are still the best in the city, but the move to more dinner and lunch items I guess turned their attention away from quality desserts. They tried to sell me the last tiny sliver of bread pudding for full price which ain't cheap here. Pros: Cozy, Scones Cons: Price, Parking more

This place is coasting on its reputation and the (so far) relative lack of dessert/coffee alternatives in the Andersonville neighborhood. Quality needs to come up considerably to justify the premium prices. Service? Well, there's a way to let customers know you're closing in 10 minutes, and it's not the old 'bright lights/loud 80s music' trick. more

Great move coming to Clark St. I stopped going to buy scones due to an insufferably rude lady who worked there, but I no longer see her. The scones of course are great. The bread pudding is different - has vanilla and some caramel. The chocolate chip cake is moist and there is NO way you can finish the whole piece! Great service and all the scone flavors are wonderful. Pros: Value, Service more

I was really surprised! I guess I was just expecting your run of the mill coffee place. A Taste of Heaven isn't a fancy-schmancy place. In fact, the decor is pretty ""kitchen-esque."" But, mmmmm the desserts are just wonderful! Everything I've had here tastes devine! The service is pretty quick, but I've heard that sometimes it gets busy and you have to stand in line. Still, I'd stand in line for 15 minutes for their desserts! Pros: Yummy Dessert, Easy Parking Cons: Sometimes Long Lines more

I've known Dan for over twenty years and I have to tell you that he really works hard to bring to the public exceptional product that will not disappoint. Why he's not making millions is beyond me, but heaven knows he should. The feeling he brings is warmth, fun, and love to each and every bite of his wonderful creations. I have coworkers begging me to bring his stuff to our parties! You deserve to treat yourself to the best...especially if you love chocolate like I do. :-) more