BROWN BUTTER CAFÉ & BAKERY Try out ‘the best gluten-free donuts’ around

By: Chris Walker • Photos courtesy of Brown Butter Café & Bakery

Empathizing with those battling gluten intolerance and other food allergies, Dawn Phillips strives to delight their taste buds at her Brown Butter Café & Bakery at the Charlestown Center in St. Charles.

“I just feel like I tried some things glutenfree and felt bad that [some people] can’t eat something that tastes good because of a food allergy,” Phillips says. “There are so many people out there with food allergies and gluten is one of the big ones.”

All of the baked goods at the Brown Butter Café & Bakery, which opened late last year, are nut, gluten and soy free. While the café’s entire menu isn’t gluten free, there are options for gluten-free items.

“We cater to those with Celiac disease or gluten intolerance,” Phillips says. “I am very passionate about my place and the taste of my food.”

Phillips didn’t receive any formal training in cooking and baking, but she’s always loved to spend time in the kitchen, experimenting and creating.

“A lot of people say you can’t do both, but I love baking and cooking,” she says. “It’s why I do what I do. I’ve seen people finally eat a donut for the first time in 14 years that I made. It’s very gratifying to make any kind of food, especially something for someone with allergies.”

About 10 years ago, Phillips introduced herself to the local restaurant scene when she began making breakfast sandwiches for the walk-up window at Mill Race Cyclery in Geneva. It ultimately led to her opening the Early Light Café at the cyclery. While she included some gluten-free items on the Early Light Café’s menu, it wasn’t until some friends presented her with a challenge that her gluten-free items truly took off.

“I have a lot of friends that do Ironman stuff that asked if I could make gluten-free donuts that don’t taste like cardboard,” she says. “So I played around with different flours and stuff like that. I made some chocolate chip cookies ... and perfected them, and then the donuts came in 2015. They’re gluten-free and soy-free and people have loved them ever since.”

A few years later, Phillips moved on from Early Light Café, but not before crossing paths with Leah Jenski, owner of Kava Diem in St. Charles.

“She came in and said, ‘I heard you have the best gluten-free donuts,’” says Phillips. “I said, ‘They have a really good following, but we’re all out.’ It was 8:30 [in the morning] and we sold out at 8. I said, ‘If you have eight minutes, I can make some.’”

Phillips not only made some more donuts, but found new employment as a specialty cook and baker at Kava Diem. She also continued to make her specialty donuts there until turning her attention over to her latest venture at the Brown Butter Café & Bakery.

Featuring far more than donuts, the Brown Butter Café & Bakery serves breakfast and lunch all day. Breakfast choices include burritos, avocado toast, oatmeal and sandwiches while lunch selections include several sandwiches, wraps and a quinoa salad. Protein shakes, smoothies, coffee, tea, lattes and the Signature Brown Butter Frappe round out the beverage menu.

“Since January we’ve sold 1,151 dozen donuts and 2,096 breakfast burritos,” Phillips says. “It’s crazy. To this day I’m blown away with how well we’re doing and how many people I’ve known since 2013 that have followed me. I’m beyond grateful of the support and love I [have] received being in Geneva, but St. Charles has been nothing but incredible in welcoming us into the city. I’m very happy.”

Hacienda Real

1602 Commons Dr., Suite 600, Geneva 630-884-5998 | www.haciendaflavorsofmexico.com

Hacienda Real is a contemporary Mexican restaurant with a focus on craft cocktails, chic bites and high-end tequila brands. With locations at Geneva Commons and Yorkville, we offer an intimate and sophisticated setting fit for our exceptional clientele. HR is the newest concept of Arechiga Restaurant Group, a food and hospitality company with locations in the Chicago west suburbs and the Indianapolis metropolitan area.

Stockholm’s

306 W. State St. , Geneva 630-208-7070 | www.stockholmsbrewpub.com

Out back and tucked in a nook with the neighboring building, protected by a high fence and covered with a shade sail, Stockholm’s patio is a little intimate dining gem. Voted the Western Suburbs’ Best Neighborhood Tavern by the readers of both the Kane County Chronicle and West Suburban Living Magazine, Stockholm’s is known for its expansive menu of freshly prepared meals using only the highest quality ingredients. You can also enjoy its handcrafted beers, brewed in an Old World tradition, naturally conditioned and unfiltered, from the Tri-Cities’ oldest brewery.

Salsa Verde

1850 Lincoln Hwy., St. Charles 630-444-0673 | www.salsaverderestaurant.com

Salsa Verde redefines the concept of modern, fast-casual Mexican food by offering dishes prepared from authentic recipes in a friendly and vibrant environment. Tamales, tortas ahogadas and traditional street tacos are among the specialties diners love to order. No reservations needed. Dine in and try Salsa Verde’s one-of-a-kind salsa bar, which features different salsas and garnishes prepared fresh daily. In a rush? The restaurant also has a drive-thru for those on the go. Salsa Verde also offers catering, where clients do the planning and Salsa Verde takes care of the cooking. For updates and promotions on popular catering packages, visit the website.

Rookies All-American Pub & Grill

2486 Bushwood Dr., Elgin | 847-551-9006 • 1996 S. Kirk Road, Geneva | 630-402-0468

12220 Princeton Dr., Huntley | 847-669-8600 • 1360 Lake St., Roselle | 847-278-1666

1545 W. Main St., St. Charles | 630-513-0681 www.rookiespub.com

Rookies All-American Pub & Grill has seven locations across Northern Illinois with it’s newest location now open in Crystal Lake. The menu features a variety of pub food and American favorites including their famous wings, burgers, sandwiches and specialty pizzas. Check out their house drinks – Bob’s Mai Tai has been a house specialty since 1975 – as well as house wines by Robert Mondavi, by the glass or by the bottle. The restaurant regularly hosts special events, such as Cruise Nights from June through September at Elgin and St. Charles locations and Atomic Bingo (Tuesdays in Elgin and Geneva, Wednesdays in St. Charles). A huge patio and bar with a live music stage are coming soon in Geneva Rookies at the ice rink!

Alexander’s Cafe is named in honor of Alexander the Great, a king of Macedonia in Northern Greece, where the restaurant owners are from. Alexander’s serves breakfast and lunch 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – all home-cooked meals are made fresh on the premises by the chef. All of the soups, sauces, gravies and dressings are made fresh on-site. Alexander’s also features bloody marys and mimosas!

Village Squire

480 Randall Road, South Elgin | 847-931-0400

125 Washington St., West Dundee | 847-428-4483 www.villagesquire.com

Village Squire Restaurants have been part of the Fox Valley since 1974, family owned and operated. The Squire is an English pub-style casual dining restaurant featuring live music Wednesdays through Sundays and a cozy atmosphere with a great outdoor patio featuring two fireplaces for enjoyment in the warm weather months. Some of their specialties include charbroiled steaks, juicy prime rib and a wide variety of gourmet burgers, salads, sandwiches, pizzas, pasta and fresh fish. Famous for their house drinks, Mai Tais and Rum Barrels are made in-house and are an all-time favorite. For a casual drink or dinner, Village Squire is a great place to be!

Ella’s Italian Pub

407 S. Third St., Geneva 630-457-1115 | www.ellasitalianpub.com

This summer, experience BG Hospitality Group’s newest location: Ella’s Italian Pub. Ella’s is located in the heart of Geneva’s historic shopping district on the corner of Fulton and Third Street. With one visit, Ella’s will soon become your favorite spot to dine and unwind. Our familyfriendly dining experience starts with our signature Roman-style pizza made from handcrafted dough, accented by creative Italian pub-style street food offerings along with an extensive wine list and crafted cocktails, making it the perfect destination for any occasion. Be sure to stop by and try our off-the-menu specials: $8 Happy Hour on weekdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the bar area or our Late-Night Happy Hour on Friday and Saturday nights from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Visit our website for more. What makes us different? It’s how we “dough it!”

Moto Imoto

181 S. First St., St. Charles 630-425-0990 | www.motoimoto.com moto imōto is a unique blend of “East meets West” Pan-Asian culinary experiences. Our Asian street-food inspired menu offers shareable plates, signature sushi rolls and chef-designed farm fresh dishes that allow us to elevate and heighten the overall guest dining experience. Our open-air wraparound patio offers a comfortable dining experience while also being right within the heart of St. Charles. From our Half-Price Sushi Tuesdays (available all day Tuesday for dine-in or carryout), our happy hour every weekday from 3-6 in our custom designed lounge area, to our various bento box specials and creative pan-asian creations, our fresh and new dining experience is sure to be a highlight of your day.

Obscurity Brewing and Craft Mead

113 W. North St., Elburn 630-320-2255 | www.drinkobscurity.com

Obscurity Brewing is a traditional barbeque restaurant with a 1000 pound capacity wood smoker, the second largest in Illinois. It’s located in the heart of the agriculture district of Elburn, preserving the old Farm Services Offices and Warehouse space. The love of craft beer, the passion for mead, the live music, the childhood memories of eating your favorite BBQ and the desire to give back to the community. All these things drive the creation of our atmosphere and experience in the restaurant, brewery, and outdoor beer garden patio.

Livia Italian Eatery

207 S. Third St., Geneva 630-402-6444 | www.liviaitalianeatery.com

Livia Italian Eatery features a broad Northern Italian inspired menu featuring dishes that range from pastas and fresh greens to crowd favorites like our New Zealand lamb chops. Along with other specialty entrées, each dish stays true to our farm-tofresh motto. Our open-air patio features a sunken-in design in the heart of Geneva that allows for a more private outdoor dining experience, along with a ramp for easy access. With happy hour from 3-6 every week day and our new weekend brunch menu, a summer outing at Livia is the perfect place to unwind.

Gia Mia

13 N. Third St., Geneva | 630-405-5544

31 S. First St., St. Charles | 630-415-0770 www.giamiapizzabar.com

Gia Mia provides chef-driven, farm-to-fork concepts such as Neapolitan style wood-fired pizzas, creative small plates, fresh pastas and so much more. Along with our mixology bar, we also feature craft beers and exclusive wines carefully picked to complement any meal. At our open-air patio we feature a lovely pergola at our Geneva location and an inviting piazza at our St. Charles location. With offers such as our $13 lunch special, half-price pizza Mondays, and our Wine-Down Wednesdays, it’s the perfect time for your family to enjoy the summer weather with our family.

Chi-cuterie

321 Franklin St., Geneva 331-901-0474 | www.chi-cuterie.com

Chi-cuterie offers a private, European-style, outdoor experience. Nestled between two historic homes in the heart of downtown Geneva, the newly renovated outdoor flagstone patio is the perfect spot to relax in the shade of old trees with cool breezes. Voted Finest Gourmet Shop in Kane County by the readers of Kane County Magazine, we offer a unique opportunity to sip, shop and snack. Enjoy locally sourced charcuterie along with a curated collection of beer, wine, or a variety of craft cocktail and mocktail options. Local musicians perform Friday and Saturdays, or you can join us for special events, workshops, and tasting experiences al fresco. Bring the family and spend time together playing yard games on our lawn while enjoying live music and warm hospitality.

By Jamie