Forno Cultura is great. In addition to their crostata, they do a nice ricotta cheesecake and an amarena cherry cookie-like thing that is 90% cherry. In the summer they do a creamm-filled peach pastry that’s lovely and I also like their zeppoli di San Giuseppe, which are usually available in March. Their sandwiches are also great, if very messy.
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I like Forno Cultura’s sandwiches a lot, too. When I still took VIARail, I’d often pick up a sandwich at the Forno Cultura location in First Canadian Place to take on the train to London or Montreal. The small Forno Cultura location in the concourse under Union Station mostly focused on pastries, but also had a few smaller sandwiches available most of the time.
I used to pick up a variety of their biscotti and amaretti for my Italian godparents several times a year.
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Almond/marzipan croissant from Stock tc , not sure if they bake them onsite but they’re delicious. Also bought a chocolate/hazlenut one which is one of my favourites. $4.99 -$5.99 a piece.
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" Tondo French Bakery & Coffee Shop ", 10520 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill
Located inside a slightly run-down open plaza, this relatively new, neighbourhood hidden gem was a surprising find.
A French bakery, offering a limited selection of artisan baked pastries and Viennoise. This quaint and cozy boutique shop also has a small seating area attached, where one could enjoy a cup of ‘special’ coffee from an interesting selection.
The Pain au Chocolate and Almond Croissant, which I bought to try, were pretty well made. Finely crafted, they tasted buttery, light, fluffy and crusty…though not as polished as my favorite ‘DUO’. Still, the products were commendable and the quality, a rarity in that part of town!
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Their lattes are delicious, mostly because their espresso is super smooth. They use Torani syrups. Mr Leny loves the provolone smoked turkey focaccia sandwich.
The owners are super sweet.
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Wow! I wasn’t aware the Almond Croissant I bought costs a whopping $8!! …that’s $3 more than DUO!!..and not as good!
Maybe today will be my first and last visit!!
Ok folks Laduree opened doors last week. Luckily the crostata kept my eyes from wandering. Had to walk in today. Selection is similar to the exchange tower and I didn’t notice any savory items menu (maybe they do offer some as didn’t ask for a menu)
With a few birthdays coming up soon I think I will do a cake pickup or two (saves me trek to Roselle) as I usually get the task of bringing in dessert one has to order online though. They are open later than the exchange tower as well. Has anyone ordered a whole cake from Cafe boulud btw?
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So popped by the Yorkville location of Laduree the chocolate pistachio croissant went well with the guests.
Also spotted a small cake. Hmmm I guess that’s the going rate these days as one would be better off ordering individual servings and still fare better(plus variety ensure people get what they like) anyways with a few birthdays coming up I guess might end up ordering here.
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Here’s DUO’s Almond Croissant creation which I bought this morning. Equally if not better tasting…delicate, fluffy, flakey, buttery and $3 LESS than TONDO’s ridiculously priced version!!. The plain Croissant is perfectly formed and crafted too!
Based on their current display, I believe they have now, one of the largest and most varied selection of Viennoisseries in town?..including a few yummy savory ones like Turkey Bechamel, Roast Beef, Salami & Cheese and Ham and Cheese Croissants.
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Starbucks Canada now has a Turkey Sage Danish. 
Not my kind of thing, but maybe someone else wants to try it. 
Artisan vs Mass Produce??!! 
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The funny thing is, the Starbucks Cheddar, Sausage and Egg Breakfast Sandwich is a solid 7/10 for me, Starbucks chorizo and egg breakfast sandwich a 7.5/10, when some indie breakfast sandwiches are a 5/10, other Indies are a 9/10, Egg McMuffins around a 6.5/10- 7/10, and Tim Hortons Breakfast Sandwiches 4/10.
You never know 
I want that penguin cookie
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Sorry for a bit of thread drift. I just looked up Duo and noticed that it’s near Liuyishou Hotpot, one of the restaurants on my list to try. Have you ever been?
Sorry! I haven’t been since I am not a fan of Hot pot!
BTW, you should also give the ’ Cantonese ’ style Hotpot a try at next door ’ Harmony Seafood Restaurant ’ Extremely popular and tons of coverage by foodies!
The baker who opened Cassis Bake at 2336 Danforth near Main is the baker who baked her legendary butter tarts at Osgoode Hall downtown for many years.
It’s more of a traditional type of relatively shallow butter tart with a delicate crust, rather than the tall deep type which has become popular at Circle and Squares, Maid’s Cottage and Ba Noi.
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Passed by Amadeus in Yorkville on the walk back. Busy enough for a Sunday. Hmmm priced ok I guess as barring Laduree or Le genie I would rather go to a sit in place good dessert like Cafe boulud
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With this new dainty and cute, pretty and delicious ’ Peach Verrine ’ dessert, DUO has upped its game again.
Sadly, the perfectly formed transparent cocoon dome collapsed on the way home! Sigh 
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Went to Paris Baguette yesterday. They had a large selection of pastries, donuts and other bake goods that you can pick yourself self serve style like some Chinese bakeries. They even had red bean and hot dog inside a bun (a croissant in this case) commonly found at some Chinese bakeries.
Did you try anything? I have one opening in the hood.
