"Modu Cafe is our preferred method of morning meditation. An endorphin rush hits you the moment you step into this airy, minimalist bakery in Highland Park, and even more so once you lock eyes with its gorgeous pastry case. Tall glass windows let in tons of natural light, so for a split second, you feel like you’re ordering matcha at an Apple store. Similar to the zen space, Modu’s Korean-influenced pastries are light and balanced. A beautiful lime tart hides a subtly tangy citrus filling under a sugar-crystalized perilla leaf. Moist, not-too-sweet kabocha cakes are topped with a bouquet of dried persimmon, and while the black sesame chocolate cookies might lack chewy edges, they’re soft and nutty in the center. Modu has a four-pastry-per-person policy, but we could try each one and not feel like a walking cream bun. Modu’s creations aren’t too dense or indulgent, but they do occasionally sell out on weekends. A weekday morning is your best bet for a relaxing hojicha mochi muffin, cream top latte, or curated coffee flight that will jumpstart your day." - Sylvio Martins