Sweet Moon Cafe & Bakery Opens Second Location in Wilmette

The Ravenswood favorite, known for its Russian honey cake called “Medovik,” has extended its reach to Wilmette. Sweet Moon Cafe & Bakery is now at 1222 Washington Court, right opposite the village’s Metra station. This bakery offers a unique range of fusion-style baked goods from around the globe.

Aigerim Mambetova, the owner of Sweet Moon, moved from Kyrgyzstan to the United States in 2012. She came with her husband, Marlen Alchinov, and niece, Zhannat Raiymbek Kyzy, who manages both the Ravenswood and Wilmette locations. The specialty Medovik contains thin, cookie-like cake layers with sour cream and honey.

“Everything was too sweet and too chemical,” Mambetova explained, regarding local desserts, in an interview with Pioneer Press. “I decided to make cakes at home for ourselves, and my cakes became popular among our friends and community.”

Sweet Moon’s Ravenswood location recently commemorated its five-year milestone. The newly opened Wilmette branch provides a wide array of savory and sweet choices, including Eastern European, Slavic, and American pastries.

Mambetova emphasized that her cakes and pastries are made from scratch. They reflect traditional dishes from Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the U.S. Baking begins daily at midnight and continues until 7 a.m. when pastries are transported to both bakery locations.

Initially, Mambetova and her husband managed all baking tasks, working from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Now with more staff, she focuses on perfecting recipes and managing operations. “It took about three years to craft the menu,” Mambetova stated. Without formal pastry training, she learned several recipes through online platforms.

One notable creation is Sweet Moon’s interpretation of the Kyiv cake, featuring hazelnut or cashew meringue with chocolate and vanilla buttercream.

“I never had a professional chef in my kitchen, so everything here I made,” Mambetova added.

Manager Raiymbek Kyzy shared that her aunt initially disliked baking but developed an appreciation when local stores did not meet her expectations.

A popular drink at Sweet Moon is their sea buckthorn tea, made from nutrient-rich wild berries found in Europe and Central Asia. These berries are imported from Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan.

The expansion to Wilmette was well-received by the local community. “The community support, we just didn’t expect,” said Raiymbek Kyzy, noting how shop visitors are more interactive than at their first location.

The bakery, which recently opened, plans a launch party soon. Sweet Moon operates from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, except Tuesdays. The daily offerings include pastries, coffee, tea, and a breakfast menu.