Pastry chef’s sweet creation: Chocolate & Spice Bakery

Pastry chef and cookbook author Megan Romano is seeking sweet success of her own through Chocolate & Spice Bakery.

"In addition to what you'd expect here, like breakfast pastries, light dessert items," she says, "we have breakfast and lunch items, too."

Custom cakes are also available.

Romano opened the bakery May 4 in the Stone Canyon Professional Park, 7293 W. Sahara Ave., after a run as pastry chef at Charlie Palmer's Aureole in Mandalay Bay.

Everything served at Chocolate & Spice - including the chocolate - is made fresh on-site, and Romano will soon begin offering cooking classes.

Because juvenile diabetes is an important cause to her, she says, sugar-free chocolate will soon be added as well.

"Food must be approachable and enjoyable, and we keep our prices reasonable so people will feel they got value for their visit and will come back often to eat and for giftables," Romano says.

Open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, Chocolate & Spice seats 75 patrons at traditional tables and in comfy upholstered chairs. There's a small meeting room in the back that seats 12.

"We want a comfortable neighborhood feel to bring people in on a regular basis," Romano says. "And we'll always feature seasonal items."

Breakfast: frittatas with oven-roasted vegetables and Parmesan pesto or fennel sausage, caramelized onion and cheese; egg white frittata with seasonal tomato compote; toasted croissant with ham and Swiss cheese and seasonal berries, each priced at $4.75

Sandwiches: roasted turkey sandwich with Gruyere, apricot mustard aioli, Bibb lettuce on cranberry multigrain bread ($7.35); Black Forest ham, roasted tomato compote, caramelized onion on balsamic ciabatta ($7.35)

Pasta: fusilli pasta, broccoli, toasted garlic Parmesan ($6.95); mac n' cheese with toasted bacon, cheddar crumb ($6.95)

Baked goods: a variety of croissants, muffins, scones and brioche rolls, each priced at $3.75

Artisan chocolates: a variety of bonbons ($2), truffles ($1.50), white chocolate bark ($10), chocolate-dipped fruits and nuts ($2); chocolate bar ($4) and chocolate-dipped Oreo or graham cracker ($1.50)

Sweets: a variety of tarts, chocolate peanut butter or s'mores bars, cheesecake, creme brulee, napoleon, red velvet cupcake with pomegranate cream cheese, banana vanilla bean cream pie and parfaits, each priced at $3.75

Cookies and confections: three varieties of chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies and a chocolate lover's brownie, each priced at $2.75

Ice cream and sorbet: assorted seasonal flavors made fresh and served in a cup ($3.75) or waffle cone ($4.75) or in a push-pop ($3) with a choice of toppings ($1.50 each)

Infusions: an array of hot, cold and blended drinks, most available in 12- or 20-ounce sizes ranging in price from $2.25 to $4; shakes ($4.75)

Sweet bites on the go: blueberry financier ($2), lemon madeleine ($3.50), caramel nut popcorn ($5), almond nut macaroon ($4), chocolate cayenne spiced almonds ($12)

Information: 527-7772