The sweetest take on girl power around, this one-stop storefront offers Chicago's best chocolates, ice cream and cakes under one roof. The Sweet Collective is a new concept in Lincoln Square: Three separate businesses, all owned by local dessert artisans, come together to satisfy your every sugary whim.

The Sugar Syndicate, the whimsical pastry arm of the group, is the brainchild of Cathay Rayhill. Rayhill got her start in the music business and has a knack for applying her rock-and-roll roots to impressive cake art that, well, rocks. She'll whip up a specialty cake for any occasion, but those just stopping by can choose from an array of petits fours, cookies, cupcakes and tarts.

Ruth & Phil's Gourmet Ice Cream ups the ante on the cold stuff. Sorbets made from fresh, mostly local ingredients take schizophrenic identities: pear apple cider champagne, green apple cucumber red pepper, passionfruit orange tea, sour cream cinnamon. Those with a timid palette will appreciate the outstandingly hewed natural vanilla bean—the original flavor shines under the hands of proprietor, Alison Bower. Filling out this mini mecca is Lauren Pett's Rich Chocolates and Candies. Pett's talents are apparent in every bon bon and toffee—but nothing shines like her truffles. Confident enough in her craftsmanship to go light-handed on the sugar, her flavor profiles practically sing in candy interpretations of Chicago's neighborhoods. The Chinatown—spiked with sesame and orange—is a worthy introduction to the stately side of the cocoa bean.

Centerstage Reviewer: K. Tighe