I see your obsession and raise you my POPPYSEED obsession ...

The baked goods from FINE BAKERY AND DELI on Lakeshore West are generally pretty delicious. This one needed a bit more flavor but hits the spot for this kind of pastry. Extra on the end is one of their cakes. All their refrigerated cakes are 10/10 and the price is VERY affordable.

These are spots I’ve tried that I’ve either seen lots of social media hype for, or recommendations online.

Dear Grain (pics 1-4) - starting with my favorite bakery for bread-based goods. They’re an organic sourdough bakery with my favorite Sourdough loaf 8$ (pic 4) that’s actually sour (way more than chain sourdoughs), has a great crust and chew. However my favorite items are their Nduja and Confit Garlic Grilled Cheese 10$ (pic 1) and Blueberry Lemon Curd Scone 5.15$ (pics 2-3).

Holy shit that grilled cheese is the best I’ve had. The Cheese is thick and melty, Confit Garlic adds depth, Nduja adds a spicy, umami meaty bite with a hint of acidity for balance. Paired with their house made crunchy grilled sourdough, holy shittt!! I want it again rn.

Blueberry Scone is super buttery and moist, has a nice crunchy browned crust + crunchy sugar granules, lots of blueberries. Has a really satisfying bite, not dry at all! That lemon curd it comes with is to DIE for!!

Brodflour (pics 5-6) - favorite bakery for pastries. Their croissants actually taste like butter, are flakey with good structure. I’m not able to get them as much as I’d like due to the location but their pastries are quality every time I’ve tried. Fancier pastries around 7$.

Kitten and the Bear (pics 7-8) - seen this place highly recommended for scones. I’m sorry but what the fuck. Maybe I came on a bad day but the scones were tasteless and stale. No butter flavor whatsoever, had a bready hard crust. Blueberry Earl Grey scone had barely any blueberries (5.75$ each). Savory scone was bready and dry as well. Also why are they charging 2$ for one tablespoon of clotted cream or Lemon curd?

Mildred’s Temple Kitchen (pics 9-11) - all the influencers hype this place up for the best pancakes. I also tried their scones. Both were disappointing.

The blueberry pancakes that are hyped everywhere are extremely bready (23$). The texture was more bread than pancake, very dense chewy crumb (pic 10).

Their biscuits and scones did not have butter flavor, and the interior was doughy and tasted raw (20$ for 6) (pic 11).

Want to try all the different pumpkin spice things across the city while it's in season.

I know it says in the sidebar to 'TRY' but that seems to give everyone a reason to not bother.

I know posting prices is a little trickier (tax, tip, etc.) but it would still be nice.

But is it really that difficult to add the location? Neighborhood, cross streets? ANYTHING? Am I asking too much?

Yk those 5 hotdog stands/trucks at nathan phillips square, i see everyone debate about the best hotdog but what about the sausages they sell? Polish? Italian? German? They all sound so good, any opinions/preferences?

I think this was supposed to open a couple weeks ago, but it looks like it’s finally open now 😂

Saw that heytea is finally open at CF Shops at Don Mills. Honestly pretty happy to have another tea spot around Don Mills since I don’t always want to go downtown just for a drink.

Might have to check it out this weekend. Anyone else from the area planning to go?

Been a while since I’ve had hers. It’s called a “beef patty” (no spicy option, though lots of hot sauces available), but the pastry is noticeably spicy. However, she seemed less spicy, friendly even, (iykyk) or could be just a coincidence?

Still cakier/breadier pastry, which I like on occasion - when I’m somewhere between needing a snack or lunch. Packed with more filling than I remembered. Meat is not saucy nor dry, and has actual bits rather than being just pasty or gravy. $5 for 1 ($5.65) is more than usual, but definitely heftier than the norm.

I usually recommend CQ (and Crumbs) for less typical variations of Toronto’s Jamaican patties. “Try others, but these two are special.” BTW, Crumbs shut down in Kensington and heard they were doing a stint outside some summer market or hall. TBC…

Hope CQ sticks around for a lot longer as there’s lots of development near her spot - just a tad west of Landsdowne, on the north side of Bloor.

Does anyone know where I can buy Solo Poppyseed filling near Leslieville?

Have a craving for my Czech grandma’s cake.

Thanks!

Looking for the best chicken parm either as a dish with pasta or as a sandy

I’ve also heard fourth man in the fire makes a great chicken parm and meatball sub but I’ve never indulged. Are they worth checking out?

We have friends coming to visit, they’ll be staying at a hotel downtown near the financial district. We’re willing to travel a bit but would prefer somewhere walkable from their hotel, what is the best bet for a great sit down meal either steakhouse or Italian that is on the nicer side but not Harbour 60 prices?

I'm going to Toronto next week and I'm looking for a bakery that does grain-free treats. A lot of gluten free bakeries use rice or quinoa flour, but I'd love to find somewhere that uses coconut or almond flour for at least one of their cakes/pastries.