Pasticceria Natalina   

This Italian pastry shop proves that there's more to Italian desserts than cannolis and tiramisu. Owner/pastry chef Natalie Zarzour -- who trained in Europe yet got her inspiration from her maternal native Italian grandparents -- offers a nice, albeit limited selection of sweet specialties. The tiny storefront is appropriately on the Clark Street strip in Andersonville, and surrounded by some of the city's most creative eateries, including nearby competitor Swedish Bakery. In Zarzour's cases, you'll find artisan cannolis bursting with fresh cream and fruity flavors, but you'll also discover rare finds such as a pine nut coffee cake, rosewater-scented rice pudding and powdered-sugar pizzelles. You'll also find cassata, a liqueur-soaked cake filled with ricotta, on the menu, plus a variety of cookies and dried fruits. There's no seating available, but customers can sink into their sweets at the stand-up coffee bar (managers say it's an authentic European experience). Specialty coffees, espresso and teas are also available.