Citysearch Editorial Review. The staff behind the counter at this Wicker Park bakery must not flinch when passersby do a double-take, then backtrack to stare at the eye-popping window display of elaborate, rolled-fondant wedding and special occasion cakes. Many neighborhood denizens know the friendly--if occasionally frazzled--staff by name, due to ritual morning coffee stops and often pause for a quick conversation before dashing off to the races. Two large glass display cases contain all manner of carb-o-licious goodies, from savory spinach and feta-stuffed croissants to lemon-tinged black-and-white cookies and every artistic, tuile-topped, ganache-stuffed creation imaginable.…

Always bad service - pastries O.K.. I've tried Alliance Bakery a few times, hoping to see an improvement. But the staff is consistently rude and spacey, they seem to be annoyed to serve you, and have trouble hearing what you order. Try the other place instead - Letizia's Natural bakery, 1 block west further on Division. Or Sweet Thang around the corner on North Av. Far better than all of them is Bittersweet (on Belmont.)…

I love this place. I look forward to Saturdays when I don't have to hurry to work, and can instead head to Alliance Bakery for fresh made bagels, crossiants, and coffee. While I have never tried the sweeter things, all the breakfast items have been outstanding. There also are tables outside where you can enjoy your fare and get in some morning people watching. As for the previous reviewer who didn't like the samples on the counter, I don't think I would like them either as they are dog treats.…

THE WORST BAKERY IN THE CITY. The food, coffee and rude staff here could not possibly be any worse. Every time I manage to forget how awful my last experience was, I go in just to be majorly disappointed all over again. My sister in law to this day loves to tell the joke of when she bought a box of cookies here for a party. They were inedible. Actually, last time I was in Alliance Bakery I tried one of their free samples and rapidly saught a napkin to get that awful pastry away from my tastebuds. It's weird to me how poor this place is.…