Balena. Pastry chef Amanda Rockman updates the classic affogato (espresso and gelato) combo by adding two plump, cinnamon-sugar-dusted doughnuts to the mix, cleverly re-establishing the coffee-and-doughnuts connection. $8. 1633 N. Halsted St., 312-867-3888.
Bar Toma. Leading the list of desserts at this pizza-focused Italian wine bar are the mammaluchi, a trio of Italian doughnuts stuffed with lemon marmalade. $8. 110 E. Pearson St., 312-266-3110.
Dat Donuts. These Chatham and Beverly doughnut shops offer a familiar array of glazed doughnuts, but the one to look for is the Big Dat, an enormous (9-inch diameter) glazed doughnut. Sugar or chocolate glaze. $2.95. 8249 S. Cottage Grove Ave., 773-723-1002; 1979 W. 111th St., 773-298-1001.
David Burke's Primehouse. "Kickin' Donuts" are tiny doughnut holes accompanied by fillings in plastic squeeze bottles. Inject the fillings yourself (hint: try combining flavors). $9. 616 N. Rush St., 312-660-6000.
Juicy-O. The only thing better than doughnuts are fresh, warm doughnuts. And the only thing better than fresh, warm doughnuts are free fresh, warm doughnuts. Juicy-O's "Wake-Up Machine" churns out dozens of bite-sized dough-nuggets, brought warm to each table to begin the meal. 2942 Finley Road, Downers Grove, 630-932-4260; 2035 S. Washington St., Naperville, 630-470-9879; 6300 Kingery Highway, Willowbrook, 630-468-2585.
Old Town Social. Better known for its charcuterie and massive beer list, OTS' dinner menu includes doughnuts with a rum-laced coffee mascarpone sauce ($7). And at Saturday and Sunday brunch, OTS makes the best powdered-sugar beignets outside the French Quarter ($5). 455 W. North Ave., 312-266-2277.
— Phil Vettel
Bar Toma. Leading the list of desserts at this pizza-focused Italian wine bar are the mammaluchi, a trio of Italian doughnuts stuffed with lemon marmalade. $8. 110 E. Pearson St., 312-266-3110.
Dat Donuts. These Chatham and Beverly doughnut shops offer a familiar array of glazed doughnuts, but the one to look for is the Big Dat, an enormous (9-inch diameter) glazed doughnut. Sugar or chocolate glaze. $2.95. 8249 S. Cottage Grove Ave., 773-723-1002; 1979 W. 111th St., 773-298-1001.
David Burke's Primehouse. "Kickin' Donuts" are tiny doughnut holes accompanied by fillings in plastic squeeze bottles. Inject the fillings yourself (hint: try combining flavors). $9. 616 N. Rush St., 312-660-6000.
Juicy-O. The only thing better than doughnuts are fresh, warm doughnuts. And the only thing better than fresh, warm doughnuts are free fresh, warm doughnuts. Juicy-O's "Wake-Up Machine" churns out dozens of bite-sized dough-nuggets, brought warm to each table to begin the meal. 2942 Finley Road, Downers Grove, 630-932-4260; 2035 S. Washington St., Naperville, 630-470-9879; 6300 Kingery Highway, Willowbrook, 630-468-2585.
Old Town Social. Better known for its charcuterie and massive beer list, OTS' dinner menu includes doughnuts with a rum-laced coffee mascarpone sauce ($7). And at Saturday and Sunday brunch, OTS makes the best powdered-sugar beignets outside the French Quarter ($5). 455 W. North Ave., 312-266-2277.
— Phil Vettel
