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You may have heard about Guillotine Bakery, the highly-anticipated Parisian-style bakery currently under construction in West Town. While it's not set to open until the spring, it's garnering a lot of buzz and, now, it's offering a first-taste preview of its delectable baked goods just in time for Valentine's Day.
Guillotine is the project of French baker Vincent Didry, alongside Alizé Bikard and head baker Vince Le Bec. Together, they’re aiming to bring classic French technique to Chicago without the preciousness that sometimes comes with it. Think elegance with a wink. Or, as the name suggests, tradition with an edge.
Before the doors officially open, Guillotine is inviting Chicagoans to mark Valentine’s Day the French way with a limited preorder bundle available for pickup on the morning of the big day. For $95, you can snag a box of two pastries created by the Guillotine team, paired with a striking floral arrangement by florist Agathe of 5pm lab.
Pickup takes place at Guillotine’s forthcoming brick-and-mortar location at 1711 West Chicago Avenue, so you can also get a sneak peek of the space before it becomes a full-fledged neighborhood bakery.
When Guillotine opens later this year, the menu will include breads, pastries, coffee and sandwiches, all made with imported French flour and butter. Didry’s goal is fidelity to flavor, making sure the soul of French baking survives the trip across the Atlantic. The team also envisions the bakery as a gathering place, one that reflects the bold and slightly chaotic energy of contemporary French culture.
The Valentine’s Day preview offers a small but tempting glimpse of what’s to come. As the team posted on Instagram, "F*#$ waiting. Here’s our fist drop - in the name of French Romance." Orders for the pastry and bouquet bundle are available now via Hotplate, and quantities are limited. If your love language is Parisian pastries, get your order in now before it's too late.