Eat This: Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookie from Hot Chocolate

A few weeks back at Chicago Gourmet, we heard Mindy Segal, the chef/owner of Hot Chocolate, expounding the virtues of cookies to the audience. She particularly plugged her bacon chocolate-chip cookies. It's possible that an audible gasp escaped our mouth at this revelation, and we determined to try them at once!

It took a couple of weeks, but we were not disappointed. This Sunday, we visited Hot Chocolate for brunch (probably our favorite brunch in town) and stopped at the cookie counter on the way out. Somehow, even after many visits to this temple of pastry, we'd never really paid any attention to this small bakery case, where patrons can buy a wide variety of small cookies. Individually or by the dozen, these are a tasty, tasty splurge. The bacon cookies of our dreams cost $2 each, and while we were tempted by the homemade oreos and other treats, we stuck to our mission.

They were worth the trip. The combination of salty and sweet was wonderful - better and cheaper than a Vosges bacon bar. Everyone should try these, and stop in for the wonderful weekend brunch. Be sure to order the "Sweets" - an assortment of fresh pastries. You won't be disappointed.