Fabcakes

Poland-born baker Fabiola Tyrawa opened this River North café in February. Everyone here is extremely nice, and the decor—plush red curtains, minimal natural light—took us right back to an underground coffeehouse in 1980s East Berlin. (Or, you know, what we imagine one might have been like.) A puff-pastry “croissant” with a dollop of goat cheese in the center and a dense plum tart weren’t terribly impressive, but most of the clientele are more keen on having flavored lattes and tables all to themselves.