Nadege Patisserie

Finally the Toronto baked goods market is being blessed with a touch of creativity and design.  Enter new patisserie shop, Nadege, on West Queen West (Trinity Bellwoods Park area).   The owner, Nadege Nourian, exported here international experience in Paris and London to “compete” in Toronto’s rather drab pastry scene.  While there are some great bakeries in the city, I think creativity, design and a good product is more the exception than the rule in comparison to other international cities.   What is interesting if you want to talk about competition is the location of the Nadege bakery.  It is clustered among some of the better bakeries in the city (Clafouti and Dufflet).  I am all for the business strategy of clustering and keeping your competition close.  It has worked for a coffee company or two.  The Nadege website could not have chosen better words to describe this hot spot, “a playground for the senses, where French pastry meets fresh modern panache.”  I love it. Check it out if you are in the neighbourhood.  I am still waiting to get down there to try some of Nadege’s macarons (the subject of a future post).

In the mean time, some pictures to make your mouth water on this snowy day in Toronto.

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via toronto life

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Delica

I was meeting a friend for a quick catch up tea yesterday and I had the opportunity to pop my head into the new Delica Kitchen at Yonge and St. Claire. 

Finally a quaint little spot with a New Yorkesque village/Brooklyn vibe has opened in Toronto.  There is a lot of great looking food and baked goods on the menu and prominently displayed on the counter.  While waiting for my friend to show up, I enjoyed reading a copy of the Australian publication, Gourmet magazine- of course Delica would have a great foodie mag like that lying around.  I will warn you though, there is not much space to sit (only bar/stool seating) if you are thinking of spending a long time here.  That being said, for a quick stop, in/out trip I would recommend a visit to check out their treats.

Lit Espresso Bar

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I checked out this cute little espresso bar called Lit Espresso Bar, in Roncesvalles this past week.  What drew me inside was their interior decor.  I love their counter.  It is made of (my guess) reclaimed rail road tracks refurbished barn wood (I got the answer from Lit!@)and it is a fabulous statement piece for the shop.

Since I am not a coffee drinker, I can’t comment on the java but I can tell you the decor was done right.  Great vibe.  I would enjoy a tea and a newspaper there.

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Sweet Flour Bake Shop

My friend and I ventured out to explore the Bloor West Village area in Toronto yesterday morning.  For someone living on the opposite side of the city, Bloor West Village is a bit of a hike but well worth the drive.  What prompted our sporadic trip, was a visit to Sweet Flour Bake Shop, a store in Toronto that “pays tribute to the cookie.”  The concept is simple.  People like the taste of fresh baked cookies.  People like to customize things.  So  Kim Gans, entrepreneur/MBA/ex-General Mills, put some innovation, imagination and fresh all natural ingredients together, the end result is a fun hot-out-of-the-oven fresh baked cookie concept. 

The option to customize both delights and entertains adults adn children alike.  On our expedition,we choose an oatmeal cookie base (three bases to choose from) with dark chocolate bits and walnuts.  After choosing our personalized combination, we watched in awe as the mixing and molding of our cookie began to bring our snack into shape.  2 minutes in a hot oven, we devoured a the cookie in our take away bag.   Upon paying I got a kick out of being asked “would you like a glass of milk with that?”  Of course they would ask that (the milk is organic) they are serving cookies afterall.  They also offer muffin tops (think Seinfeld) and granola that can be customized to your wildest imagination.  It is definitely worth the trip for a fresh baked cookie.  Sweet Flour Bake Shop also does gifts and catering options if you are thinking of edible gifts for this holiday season or an upcoming event.

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Sash and Bustle

There is a new bridal boutique in Toronto called Sash and Bustle and I had the priviledge of attending the opening party for the store this past week.   Cynthia Martin, veteran Toronto event planner of Cynthia Martin Events, is behind this sweet little spot in the city and in my opinion, a bridal boutique of this caliber is much-needed. 

Her years of experience and her own great taste, has resulted in a store filled with bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, and all the accessories – read- purses, head pieces, jewelry…. a girl would ever need to adorn her and her girls.  Sash and Bustle is located in Leslieville in on Carlaw just north of Queen and really adds some light to the rather industrial looking strip. 

I took some pictures while I was at the event to give you a peak at what you can expect when you go down to visit Cynthia’s store.  I will add a couple more pictures this week.

Flour Fancies

I am a big supporter of anyone who has gone through Bonnie Gordon’s cake school and who has come out the other end with a business up and running!

Here is one of Bonnie’s students, Samantha Lee, who started Flour Fancies a couple years ago in Toronto and seems to be doing pretty well racking up press in national wedding magazines.

Samantha offers cakes and cookies all available for order on her website/by appointment.   Her artistic eye and skill result in a great looking (*and i’m sure great tasting) product!   

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via bride.ca

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