For a sweet way to imbibe or for a place to simply grab a snack and relax, look no further than Lydia’s by Sugar & Slice Bakery. Dessert, coffee, and cocktails await in baker Lydia Allen’s cozy, colorful bar and cafe where guests can unwind and socialize.
In 2014, Lydia kickstarted her career in the kitchen by taking a cake decorating class with her mother, Maria. Quickly developing a passion for pastry, Lydia started Sugar & Slice Bakery and sold her first professionally created cake when she was only 15 years old. In 2019, she found a home for the homegrown baking business on Historic Main Street St. Charles.
With Lydia’s by Sugar & Slice Bakery, the ambitious self-taught chef gives her brand plenty of room to grow. The expansive multi-faceted bakery is more than five times the size of her original brick-and-mortar storefront. In addition to the sweet treats Sugar & Slice has become well known for locally, the new concept offers a full beverage program.
“At Lydia’s, we specialize in plated desserts, cheesecakes, breakfast items, and savory items including brioche rolls and savory scones,” Lydia says. “We offer a full coffee bar with lattes and drip coffee. In addition, we also have a full-service cocktail bar with signatures, a martini menu, and coffee cocktails.”
Guests can grab everything from cookies to cheesecake slices to enjoy in the posh community gathering space, which features 48 seats. “People can sit and enjoy their drinks and pastries all times of the day. It’s more of a coffee shop in the morning, and in the evening, it has more of a nighttime cocktail bar feel.”
Eye-catching floral wallpaper adorns the far wall behind the bar, juxtaposed with luxe pink and gold tones throughout the interior. Lydia created an arched tile mosaic that serves as the centerpiece of the room behind a plush teal banquette. Rotating baked goods made from scratch on site fill a row of display cases, available each day until sold out.
“Everything is made in house down to our syrups. Our fillings, our frostings, our doughs, and our macarons are made in house. Our cinnamon roll is a family recipe my mom used to make. It’s very popular and comes in different flavors such as a sticky bun and a banana pudding roll,” Lydia says. “As far as favorites, people really love our key lime pie. Personally, my favorite is our scones – I could eat a scone every day for the rest of my life.”
From the bar, choose from a variety of dessert-inspired drinks, such as a white chocolate raspberry martini. Espresso beans are sourced nearby from Course Coffee Roasters in Frenchtown. With plenty of alcoholic and non-alcoholic options to choose from, Lydia hopes to offer a little something for everyone.
“It’s been really wonderful getting to know our customers on a different level here,” she says. “We look forward to having live music and fun events. We really just want to be a special safe place where anybody can come to be comfortable.”