A pick-up dessert in the Hw7+Leslie area?

[TwinklyTerrapin]

Hiya Chow'nders
I have to bring dessert for a dinner party on Tuesday evening, and was wondering if Longo's, Michaelangelo's or some other place close to there had anything particularly good?

[Royaljelly]

Longo's own stuff is terrible. I think they sell some Dufflet stuff too, if your group likes it (I'm not a Dufflet fan either).

Michaelangelo's is hit and miss with some of their desserts. At least their chocolate stuff is ok, but still nothing too stellar.

[caitlink]

Maxim is good for their chestnut cake and strawberry meringue. Michaelangelo's good too. They have some Dufflet and also a fruit cheesecake that's quite good. The fruit cheesecake is what I get in TO when I run out of cheesecakes from cheesecake factory (which i buy in bulk and keep in my freezer).

[Charles Yu]

Forget about Longos....etc. Head up north on Leslie, past 16th Avenue to the 'food plaza' on the right hand side. Inside there's an excellent 'French Pastry' shop run by a lady with real French training. Gorgeous cakes!

[oohlala]

The name of the pastry shop is called "French Pastry"?

what's the name of the food plaza?

[Charles Yu]

I believe the plaza is called 'Richlane Plaza'. Address is 9425 Leslie Street. Not sure about the name of the pastry shop though. However, location is directly next to the B-B-Q place. You can also check out the cake shop on the opposite side, fairly good but less sophisticated. If, for any reason you dislike their products, head over to Maxim Restaurant on 9665 Bayview Avenue. Their cakes use only fresh cream and in general are very good. Good Luck!

[Royaljelly]

Hey Charles, is that the same Maxim as the one on Finch just west of Leslie? They make some pretty good cakes there too.

[Charles Yu]

Yup! Same owner, different location. However, cakes sold in the Richmond Hill location are provided from the 'Finch' kitchen.

[325i]

FYI they closed down the Richmond Hill location.

[skylineR33]

Do they also close down the Finch location ? I was there last night at around 9:30pm, want to buy some meringue cake, but they were closed.

[sumashi]

They are moving two stores down to the other side of the Korean grocery store. The sign actually said they would be open by Nov 2nd...
I love their meringue cake!

[skylineR33]

Really ? Oh I must miss that on Saturday night, I did not get out of the car to check out when I see the 'Closed' sign outside Maxim ..... Thanks.

[Charles Yu]

I think you are mistaken!! Maxim's Richmond Hill location is still open! I was there today looking at their cake selection! Tiramisu and Black forest still pretty nice!

[skylineR33]

I like Maxim cake, Their strawberry meringue cake is a MUST try if you go there, and if you pay cash for take-out, there is no tax I think .....

[Royaljelly]

I always like the chestnut cakes, but it gets sold out so fast.

[mimiwhite]

Hey Charles, I'm really interested in getting a cake from this 'French Pastry' shop, is there a must try?

[Charles Yu]

By the way, this place is called Pappillon. Their Dark Chocolate 'Dome' is very very intoxicating! Depending on season, they have cakes with the main theme using mousses made from 'fruits and berries' of the season. Since mango is 'in' now, try their Mango mousse cake. Enjoy and watch the waist line!!!

[amsdellnec]

Do you happen to know the number for that place, Pappillon?

[Charles Yu]

Patisserie Le Papillon
9425 Leslie
Tel: [phone]

[lsk]

I managed to try two of the offerings -- an individual pyramid of white chocolate-mango bavarois and a chocolate-orange mousse cake for 6-8 people -- incidentally my birthday cake. Both were quite delicious and not too sweet or cloying.

I love how the patissier is firmly entrenched in more French sensibilities when it comes to flavours and presentation, but eases up on the sweetness factor. Also, I found who I think are her family members helping out at the store very friendly.

[wasabi_girl]

Just an FYI - the woman who makes the cakes at Le Papillon took some classes with a French pasty chef, she, herself did not train in France.

The cakes are impressive for Chinese-run patisseries in the GTA. They actually use kirsch cherries in their Black Forest Cake instead of the red-coloured-jello-cherry-substitute that most Chinese cake shops use. What is jello doing in the center of a cake?!

I find their cakes French-inspired featuring 90% mousse-based and tweaked for the Asian palate. Not truly 'French' pastries made with rich creams, flaky-buttery cake bases.

[skylineR33]

Well, it is one of the best one in Hw7+Leslie area which is what the OP asking for. It is wise to tweak for Asian palate if you know how many Asian family live in that area. I had a cake from Papillon, beautifully made, quite delicious and it is not mousse based.