Fall Hard and Fast for Swoon Dessert Bar

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• 3139 University Avenue

Everyone would eat dessert first if it was up to longtime friends David Lamm and Ian Smith, the guys behind Swoon, a new dessert bar concept coming to North Park by the end of this month. Chef Smith, who spent four years heading up the ever-changing desserts at Wine Vault & Bistro, is developing Swoon's menu of sweet small plates — dessert tapas that'll be four to six bites each, and meant for sharing.

The 1,100 square foot modern space, which has seating for 35 (more on the outdoor patio), was designed by local studio Point of Departure; inspired by the sushi bar style of service, Swoon will be featuring a Thursday through Saturday night dessert tasting menu (three courses, approx $15) at their central eating counter, and diners will be able to watch Smith prepare and plate each course.

Swoon shares a building with Art Produce Gallery and has access to its backyard edible garden; Smith will also shop at North Park's Thursday farmer's market and plans to change the core menu seasonally, and the tasting menus bi-monthly.

In too many local restaurants, desserts are an after-thought; many spots that don't have a dedicated pastry chef often rely on easily assembled things that can be made ahead and reheated — think chocolate lava cakes, creme brulees, fruit crisps, etc. Smith aims to bring craft and innovation to desserts; two selections from a planned tasting menu are a meyer lemon curd croquembouche with grains of paradise caramel and an apple fritter bread pudding with star anise granola.
Other sweets include guava-shiso sorbet and a goat cheese souffle with kumquat marmalade and fennel pollen crumble.

He'll some serve some savory items too, but they'll be pastry-based; Smith's currently tinkering with an eclair filled with salmon rilletes and caraway gougeres.

Swoon will likely be open until 11 p.m. or midnight, to catch the after-dinner crowd, and during the day they'll offer small baked goods and coffee (instead of a single roaster, they'll feature several local companies). A beer and wine license is also forthcoming.
· Swoon Dessert Bar [Official Site]
· All Sneak Peeks on Eater [~ESD~]