It is a place reminiscent of the carefree days of childhood, a place that is now reality, rather than simply a dream, for Betty C. Umlauf. It’s called The Gourmet Chalet, and, according to Umlauf, this Park Ridge shop is a place where fond memories of Grandma’s house permeate every inch.
Betty and her husband, Rudy, purchased this custom-designed gifts and coffee business two years ago, and, since then, have created a charming, aroma-laden shop. Customers, including many regulars, travel to The Gourmet Chalet for the warmth, the greeting and the serenity, an experience which is enhanced by classical music. Of course, they also come for a cup of coffee made from freshly ground coffee beans as well as the hot-from-the-oven cinnamon-apple dumpling.
“It’s the whole experience that makes each customer walk away happy,” Umlauf says. “It’s the personalized service and the fact that we’re much more than just a coffee house.”
In addition to sipping one of the coffee selections, such as Cocoa Razzacchino (chocolate raspberry cappuccino), Vanillacchino (vanilla cappuccino) for $2.23 or a flavored ice cap (a frosty beverage much like a milkshake, but made with espresso) for $2.82, the Chalet offers good browsing too.
There are gift baskets for every occasion, ranging from $20 to $250, as well as custom-made baskets. There is also a remarkable selection of collectibles. Gourmet food items from around the world, including cookies, pastries, teas, jellies, pasta and pasta sauces, are also available.
In the planning stage at the Chalet is “Gourmet to Go,” a new service featuring frozen and fresh products such as soups, pasta and seafood sauces, pastries, chicken breast dinners and lasagna from the best of the region’s gourmet food stores.
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The Gourmet Chalet, 23 S. Prospect, Park Ridge, is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday; closed Sunday. Evenings and Sundays by appointment for special parties/special orders. Call 708-696-2326.
