What a delicious dilemma! So many new bakeries are popping up all over town, it's hard to know where to start. Try our approach: Imagine setting aside a day to eat your way around town. Sure, it's not the most balanced diet in the world, but you could probably do worse than trying all these wonderful treats.

Time to go: breakfast
Where to go: Bleeding Heart Bakery
Our hearts have been all aflutter over Bleeding Heart for some time now, and they're really going to get pumping once the bakery moves to bigger and better digs in Roscoe Village come September. For now, the Ukie Village spot perks up mornings with tasty breakfast pastries such as ginger-cream scones ($3), goat cheese-basil croissants ($2), vegan blueberry buckle tea cakes ($2.50) and sinfully sweet sticky buns ($3). You'll feel good knowing that it's all USDA-certified organic. Re-opens early September at 1955 W. Belmont Ave.

Time to go: mid-morning
Where to go: Lovely
Lunch is a few hours away, and you're already starving. Stop your rumbling stomach with a visit to this adorable new bakery on the edge of Wicker Park. It's stuffed with so many knick-knacks and so much antique furniture that you'll feel like you've stepped into a country cottage-- complete with jars of housemade jams for sale ($4-$6). Snag a banana-pecan muffin ($1.25), or perhaps a tartlette or cobblerette, Lovely's scaled-down versions of the originals. Look for seasonal fresh-fruit tarts with apricot glaze, or treat yourself to the apple cobblerette with almond cream and cinnamon-streusel topping ($4). More good news: The pecan pie is miniature here too ($4).

Time to go: lunch
Where to go: Milk & Honey Bake Shop
Sweet! Another place to snag some of owner Carol Watson's famous homemade granola. And for lunch: perfectly pressed panini; we like the roasted zucchini with herbed goat cheese and caramelized onions ($5.95). This just-opened second (and super-convenient) location across from the Damen Blue Line "L" station in Wicker Park provides an easy grab-and-go option.

Time to go: afternoon
Where to go: Sweet Cakes Bakery
It's 3 p.m. and you're draggin'. For a quick pick-me-up, head to this six-week-old hidden gem in Ukrainian Village. (Directions: Walk through the courtyard off Damen Avenue, down the cobblestone path and look for the wooden sign.) Take a load off on one of the banquettes inside or grab an outdoor seat and nosh on a mini ($1) or large ($1.85) cupcake; if you're really hungry, go for a a 4-inch ($6) or 6-inch ($12) cake. Co-owner and baker Emily Smith says she likes to change up her flavors by the day or week, depending on customer approval and available ingredients. Look for the double chocolate cake and fun mini-cupcake flavors like orange, mint-chocolate chip and root beer float, made with natural root beer flavor extract and cream topping.

Time to go: dessert
Where to go: Pie
Need to end your dinner on a sweet note? Nestled inside Epoch floral design shop, this "pie boutique" offers a daily selection of 12 to 15 delightful desserts. Order a whole pie for delivery ($26, fresh or frozen), or grab a slice ($6) or a handpie (a.k.a. fruit turnover, $6). Look for seasonal ingredients like blueberry, or that classic southern treat, lemon chess pie, with a tangy lemon custard and buttery crust that pairs nicely with coffee or espresso. Just be sure to get in early--the shop closes at 5 p.m. and has been known to sell out before then. The pies are made off-site and arrive fresh each morning, and when they're gone, they're gone.

Amelia Levin is a metromix special contributor. metromix@tribune.com