I know it’s not a very nice welcome to start an entry with a rant but I’ve been wondering something for as many years as I’ve been exploring the food world of Toronto: “where are all the good pastry shops?” You can find yourself a handful of bakeries scattered throughout our vast city that produce visually appealing breads and pastries but provide nothing but a great disappointment to the palate. You don’t have to be a culinary mastermind to know when quality products are lacking in your food! I want to find that one perfect place that isn’t afraid to use butter, and lots of it! I’m want light and airy croissants, flaky pie dough and real icing on my cakes. And, to be honest, I’m not afraid to pay extra knowing that I’m going to have the honour of devouring something made with quality ingredients.
Just to be fair, there’s one little place in the city has quickly climbed to the top of the charts in my desperate pastry hunt. “Pain Perdu” is a little patisserie on St. Clair just west of Christie. The croissants served here (voted best in the city by Toronto Star three times) are worth dealing with the shifty schedule the place keeps (closed mon, tue and a limited daytime schedule the rest of the week). I would recommend trying the chocolate ones since the place is definitely not stingy with their ingredients, but the rich, velvety texture of the dough is best enjoyed by going for the plain croissant. Just like any other pastry shop in the city, they bake things in the mornings so get there fairly early!
Anyways, I’m more than willing to sacrifice myself in order to fulfil my goal of finding that perfect pastry shop in Toronto and also looking for suggestions!
Pain Perdue is excellent. I as well have trouble with their hours but the croissants are heavenly. Their deserts are also very nice and the quality of the espresso is quite good as well. Not the best in the city by any means but better than most places offer. A bakery that I really enjoy is Rahier Patisserie Inc. It is located at 1586 Bayview ave. It is a little out of the way for me but they have truly excellent deserts. Everything from eclairs to cookies and cakes and by far the best macarons in the city. Their treats can run on the pricey side but it is definintely worth every penny for sweets of the decadence and quality that they offer. Check it out. You won’t be disapointed.