good Calgary bakeries

[gnr]

I am a Toronto chowhound coming to Calgary for mother-in-law's birthday party. We would like to order some small tarts (lemon, butter, raspberry, etc) and maybe cookies or squares for the party next Friday. She lives in the NW area, but sister-in-law lives near Scotsman's Hill, so the location doesn't matter a great deal. My mother-in-law is a home baker, so the quality has to be good. Where are the best like-homemade party sweets? Thanks in advance for your help.

[crispychewy]

There are some fab bakeries in Calgary -you'll never be disappointed at Manuel Latruwe (also close-ish to Scotsmans hill - I live there too) but if you are going for small lemon tarts, they have to come from Ladybug at the Calgary Farmers' Market.

[Paphos.SK]

If this isn't too late, I like the Eiffel Tower Bakery (121-1013 17 Avenue SW, 1 403 244-0103 ). We bought delicious raspberry pastries and cream-filled squares there last summer. I also like their breads.

[graemejw]

T&T at Harvest Hills have an excellent bakery! The presentation on their pastries is first class.......

[taiphun]

I'd also suggest Yamato on centre street.

[alex8alot]

I have ordered cakes in advance from Manuel Latruwe and they were always great, always very accommodating. I don't know when they return from their vacation. Their cakes tend towards the genoise base, mousse topping.... fruit and chocolate variations, and tarts. They are beautiful, top quality, all natural.

[John Manzo]

Charlie's Bakery in Kensington
Rustic Sourdough, Euro Bakery and Eiffel Tower on 17th SW
Manuel Latruwe in Victoria Crossing
Ladybug at the Calgary Farmers' Market
Nectar in Inglewood (and close to your SIL's in Ramsay)

Calgary's not Ottawa (which I've found to be bakery nirvana) but it's got some great options.

[yen]

I'd add Brulee onto the top of that list - 11th Avenue,between 6th and 7th street SW underneath Cookbook Company.

Decadent Desserts does a decent job as well. The Calgary Farmer's Market (Currie Barracks) has quite a few baked good places in there that would qualify as home-made kind of desserts. Try them all and see which one fits your taste the best.

[John Manzo]

God, I can't believe I forgot Brulee!! Fantastic bakery with lovely cookies, squares, cakes....

[ybnormal]

FYI, Charlie's Bakery is now closed... Was walking by two weeks ago and there is a sign on the front that they've closed up shop... Not sure what is going to replace it.

GNR - Nectar has the best small tarts - lemon is fantastic and the chocolate caramel is incredible, plus she does intriguing things with fruit. Brulee is the best like-homemade baking in Calgary - I don't think I've ever been disappointed. Manuel Latruwe & Ladybug are both excellent patisseries in their own right (Ladybug makes an excellent small lemon tart and praline tart as well)... I haven't been to Dufflet's in TO (for comparison) for a couple of years so my memory might be fuzzy, but I think what each bakery above does is better than Dufflet's (just not as well-rounded). Unfortunately, we have nothing like a Pusateri's here to make one-stop shopping easier. Enjoy!

[John Manzo]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! No more white chocolate mousse tarts- NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Where is Muse getting its bakery now? Oh, don't tell me Muse is closed too...

[Beks]

Charlie's was purchased by Red Tree Kitchen. They are planning to install some variation on their MardaLoop location in the Charlie's space. Muse is still going strong, not sure where they're getting their bread from though.

[John Manzo]

Great news there Beks- now to get your tarts on 17th Ave and I'll be happy!

[gnr]

Thanks for these referrals. I'm checking out Brulee on Google, and it apppears that the store is only open on Saturdays. Is that the case? If so, I may need a good reference for Plan B as her party is on Friday.

[ybnormal]

Brulee is open Wednesdays to Saturdays - they used to only be open Saturdays. In any event, just call them a couple days in advance for an order...

[marcopolo]

I grew up in Ottawa and was definitely spoiled by the great assortment of bakeries there. Any idea where i might be able to get a good jewish braided egg bread (challah) in calgary?

[TaraInCalgary]

I've only ever found Challah at Lina's but the furthest out I tend to go for ingredients is Currie Barracks.

I find it's ok for pain perdu but doesn't really cut it eaten fresh.

[a voce]

I have yet to find a good challah like Rideau Bakeries'. The one sold at Lina's is not very good.