Hello friendly faces! It’s that time of the week! We’re back with a new Chicago North Shore Moms spotlight brought to you in part by Mary Gifford of Gifford Law.
Daniela Segoviano’s career aspirations have finally come to fruition. The Highland Park mom of three opened Mil Colibris Bakery and Cafe in the heart of Ravinia District just last year, in 2023, after decades of dreaming about doing just that. Having recently moved to Highland Park from New York City, Dani (she is affectionately called) reveled in the bakery yumminess that New York City has to offer, took notes and studied recipes, and batches of baked goods later, she was ready to roll! Get to know more about Dani and the delicious items you can find on her menu from breakfast burritos and avocado toast to conchas, tres leches cake and polvorones and more! Welcome, Dani!
Hi Dani! Please introduce yourself. Where are you from originally? What city do you live in now?
Hello! My name is Daniela but everyone calls me Dani. I was born and raised in Mexico City, got married and moved to NYC in 2009. We’ve been in Highland Park for the last two and a half years and we absolutely love it!
I have 3 kids! 12, 8 and 4. They are my everything. On Saturdays, you can sometimes find my 12 yr old son helping at the cafe counter, pouring coffee, cleaning tables and working the register. This is a family business and I love to see my children being engaged in it. Prior to opening they helped me assemble tables, break boxes, put our logo decal on the window, and of course, tasted all the cookies and pastries.
What are one or two fun facts to know about you?
I love dancing! If the tune is good, you can even find me grooving in the aisles of the grocery store. My kids get so embarrassed by it but that is what moms are for. And I also love spicy salsa! I have salsa for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I could even pour some salsa on my morning cereal.
What are your favorite North Shore places, spaces and/or restaurants to frequent?
Nothing beats Rosewood beach on a summer afternoon. After camp, I grab my kids, sunscreen and lots of snacks and we hit the beach until the sun goes down. The view of my kids splashing in the lake are memories I’ll treasure forever.
As for restaurants we as a family love Clucker’s in Highwood! And for a date night we really enjoy Miramar and Abigails. For coffee, treats and lunch Mil Colibris, of course 🙂
What gets you through a tough day?
I would say what really gets me through a tough day is to pause, even for 5-10 seconds and BREATH! But coffee definitely keeps me moving!
Please introduce your lovely bakery and cafe, Mil Colibris. When did you open your doors?
Mil Colibris Bakery and Cafe (A thousand hummingbirds in Spanish) is located in the heart of the Ravinia District in Highland Park, near the Metra Station.
We opened our doors to the public last November, 2023 right after Thanksgiving! It has been a wonderful learning experience and we’re so grateful for the support and enthusiasm we’ve received from our local community. We love seeing new faces coming through our doors but we love even more to see them come back every week or even every day!
What do you specialize in at this bakery and cafe? Do you take catering orders? Is everything in your shop baked in-house?
We specialize in hispanic breads that I love eating growing up in Mexico like conchas, tres leches cake and polvorones aka Mexican Wedding Cookies, as well as American staples like scones, cupcakes and pies! Everything we make is baked fresh every morning in our kitchen. Next time you visit you should try our Poblano Feta Scone, it is butterly heavenly!
Dani, why did you decide to open a bakery and cafe?
Opening my own bakery is a long time dream come true. After finishing High school I really wanted to go into culinary school but I chickened out about how tough the industry is. It wasn’t until I was 28 and moved to NYC that I discovered all those bakeries around the city (Magnolia, Alice’s Tea Cup, Levine) and the many wonderful bakeries in KTown that shook the baking bug in me. Going back to school wasn’t an option for me anymore so I educated myself through books. I would go to the nearest public library, take out my notebook and hand copy the recipes I wanted to make at home (a cellphone with a camera would have been very helpful back then).
15 years later and many many batches of ruined dough and burnt bread here I am, living the dream I dreamt when I was 17.
What did you do prior to opening Mil Colibris Bakery & Cafe?
Before Mil Colibris I used to make custom cakes (Oh Lala Cakes is the name of my brand). I love making custom cakes but with the opening and operation of the cafe I have to put it aside for a while but hopefully I will be able to get back at it in the future.
Is there anything else you’d like us to know about Mil Colibris?
We put so much care and love into what we do and everything we bake at Mil Colibris. We are devoted to making this bakery a special place. Celebrating our cultures, exploring food traditions, and serving as a warm hearth for our local community. Come visit for the coffee and treats, as well as quick breakfast and lunch options you can enjoy at the cafe or to go! View our menu here.
Mil Colibris is located in the heart of Ravinia District in Highland Park at 481 Roger Williams Ave. Hours are Tuesday – Friday 7-3. Saturday 8-3. This family-friendly bakery is also a fabulous place for a business meet-up or to hang for a few hours with your laptop!
About our Meet of Mom Sponsor
A very heartfelt thank you to CNSMoms’ Meet a Mom sponsor, Lake Forest mom of three and owner of Gifford Law, a solo Estate Planning Firm (wills and trusts). Mary, we appreciate your support of local moms in our North Shore communities! Learn more about Mary by visiting her Meet a Mom spotlight here! Contact Mary directly here: [email protected].