Dining Chicago Sweet of the Week: Rhubarb and Raspberry Tart at Cafe des Architectes

One of the greatest harbingers of spring is rhubarb, an acquired taste with an undeniable rosy hue indicative of sunnier, warmer days to come. Oft served alongside other fruits for dessert, rhubarb matches seamlessly with berries, making for a one-two punch of potent spring flavor. A sharp, somewhat acidic and tart flavor signifies rhubarb is in season and life is about to become a lot better in those ensuing bites. Although rhubarb and strawberry are often lumped together like Bert and Ernie, the lustrous stalk pairs just as well with other fruits and berries, such as raspberries and oranges. Case in point: the masterful raspberry and rhubarb tart on the new spring menu at Cafe des Architectes. 

(Rhubarb-raspberry tart)

A vibrant exclamation point at the end of an invigorating meal, the rhubarb-raspberry tart at Cafe des Architectes is what spring confections are all about. Courtesy of pastry chef Leigh Ominlinsky, the tart is at once dainty, elegant, and stimulating. After a winter filled with pumpkin desserts, it almost takes a few minutes for my eyes to adjust to all the bright colors happening on this plate, from the Hello Kitty-hued sauce on the bottom of the plate to the slick orange slivers and of course the tartlet itself, as eye-catching as a bouquet of roses. A crisp, buttery tart shell is stuffed to the gills with tangy morsels of rhubarb and stunningly fresh raspberries. Some fromage blanc on the plate serves to mellow out the sweetness with a punch of heady dairy, while oranges provide a welcome sour component, and Saint Germain ice cream caps it all off with a jolt of floral aroma. It's the essence of spring dining on one sweet plate. 

- Matt Kirouac