Who makes the best chocolate cake?

[CChan126]

I'm looking for the best chocolate cake in the city for my husband's birthday. I'd like to find something in the order of a sponge cake/devil's food cake with a chocolate buttercream icing. I know it's sounds simple and there is no shortage of chocolate cake in this city, but I have yet to find anything that I love. Help!

[AzulH]

I would have recommended Stubbe. How did you find it? Also Frangiepan (sp?) in the same area might have beeen a second recommendation.

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Stubbe
375 Dalhousie St, Ottawa, ON K1N, CA

[red dragon]

Hi AzulH - it was quite good, not sweet at all, definitely a chocolate lover's type of cake (more bittersweet, which we like).

I was a bit disappointed that the cake didn't look at all like the website picture. The chocolates on top of the cake for decor are hollow as well, but I can see it being that way, considering how much they charge for chocolates (same price as truffles). I can't say it was worth the drive though.

Hubby was happy and impressed, that's all that matters, but I will be trying some other places that others recommended here.

[AzulH]

Hi Red Dragon, ( like the name!),

Thank you for the feedback. Our sample of the Stubbe cakes was also successful, again an adult audience.
The truffles are simply wonderful, in particular Blood Orange, Cointreau, Champagne.. etc.
It is around the corner for me so I probably frequent it more than I ought.
Keep us posted on new discoveries. Tks

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Stubbe
375 Dalhousie St, Ottawa, ON K1N, CA

[red dragon]

Thanks again everyone for the great suggestions, now I have some bakeries on my "to eat" list! I went with Stubbes this time around, but every day is an excuse for cake!

[Dr. John]

Vanessa the Cake Lady did our wedding cake and we have had her stuff at a number of other occasions. Her chocolate is our favourite - moist, dark, not too sweet. Plus she will make it into any design you want. Our wedding cake was a grand piano. We have also seen her do a Volkswagon Beetle, Half-Dome in Yosemite, and a fluffy white lamb.

http://www.thecakelady.ca/index2.html

-John

[diva121545]

If you don't mind coming out to Thornhill, I can't say enough about Chocolada. Their Chocolate Mousse Cake has been a standard in our family for every special occasion for years, although from what I understand it's only made by request/special order now. The Chocolate Brownie Cake is also TDF!!!! Anything they bake is outstanding and is always fresh.

http://www.chocolada.com/about.html

[red dragon]

Thanks for the link Diva, those pictures are making me hungry. I like how you can click on each one to get a larger view!

[designergirl]

I find that ANYTHING by DUFFLET is BEYOND! There are a few bakeries...look them up- you will be THRILLED!
MMMM time to go for a drive tomorrow!

[red dragon]

It's hubby's birthday again, I am looking at Amadeus and Pauline's Pastries and also Stubbes. I should fine something! Hubby likes a really well made dark chocolate cake with mousse, not dry and not too sweet. I'd make it myself if I wasn't pressed for time!

I've had high end cakes where they drench the layers with simple syrup (I don't like this) and others where the cake is just dry. I'll call a few places before deciding, thank for the updated replies.

[plug]

try this place... its very good... the Godiva temptation is our fave.
there are other chocolate cakes on their menu though.

http://www.noisette.ca/cakes.htm

[red dragon]

Hi Plug - I remember glancing at this website but couldn't recall the name! Thanks for the link.

The cakes seem to be sponge or genoise, which I find can be a bit dry. How was the Godiva, was it very moist? It didn't have the simple syrup brushed on did it?

[plug]

i did not find it dry at all on a stand alone basis
and the layers of filling ensured ample moistness in each bite
IMO ..No its not a simple syrup thats brushed on
also, the brittle gave it nice texture as well in some of the bites.

[red dragon]

Thanks again Plug

[BequiaT]

If you call ahead, The Tulip will make one of their 3 layer chocolate fudge cakes for you to take out (not sure where you're located). This is old school, moist layers of cake, sandwiched with thick fudgy icing...at least 2 people and 2 cold glasses of milk required to get through a slice of this cake!

[red dragon]

Hi BequiaT, I've had their slices, they are very good indeed. Thanks.

[kwfoodiewannabe]

Second Phipps...Mom's Chocolate cake. AWESOME!!!

[torontofoodiegirl]

While I was the one who originally plugged Phipps, I'm not sure it's what Red Dragon has in mind. It's not moussy, and it's relatively sweet. Unlike Red Dragon's husband, I like it that way...

[chillihigh]

Try patisserie de la cignogne. I had the chocolate mousse cake with pears, and rasberries and some sort of liquer. It was awesome and expensive...

[shakkar]

+1
We tried out Dufflet over the weekend and really liked it.We tried out three different slices and liked all of them, really a nice bakery...

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Dufflet
787 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J, CA

[scarberian]

As I said before our favourite is Dufflet's Belgian Chocolate cake. It's a vanilla layer cake with Belgian chocolate buttercream icing. At our dinner parties I have to set a slice aside for myself or else I never get one. Another great cake of theirs is their lemon cake. One of the best I've had.

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Dufflet
787 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J, CA

[lamaranthe]

Amadeus, on Bathurst. North of Steeles, South of Centre St.
amadeusfinecakes.com/ -

[scarberian]

My favourite chocolate cake is the Belgian chocolate cake from Dufflets. The cake itself is a moist vanilla, but their chocolate butter cream icing is just that addictive.

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Dufflet
787 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J, CA

[torontobelly]

I second the Belgian Milk Chocolate cake from Dufflets!! We get it for every family birthday. I've also seen it at Pusateri's in Bayview Village.

[scarberian]

It's been my bday cake ever since I first had it about 3 years ago. My wife actually tried to get me to change cakes last year. Imagine asking someone on THEIR bday to change their cake choice! What nerve! ;¬) I haven't found another one like it or even better. It's just simple, moist and delicious... also killer with milk =9.

[Toronto Fastfoodie]

Sold. I have no choice but to try it now.

[1roadstr]

I think this might be what you're looking for.

http://www.phippsdesserts.com/product...

[Toronto Fastfoodie]

Ok. So it is completely old-school, but you absolutely have to try the Open Window Bakery chocolate fudge cake. It is rich, gooey, chocolate-y delicious. It will not look chic or modern, but it is a classic.

[red dragon]

I used to frequent Open Window when I worked in the west end. I'll have a look if I'm ever near one. Thank you!

[shocked]

Believe it or not, The Tulip restaurant does a great classic chocolate cake. If you call ahead they will have one ready for you, and they are open at all hours (practically) A few years ago, it was around $25 for a double layer chocolate cake, which you could easily pull off as homemade!

[red dragon]

I've had their choclate cake, it is delicious!

[red dragon]

Was in a mall today and what did I see? Open Window Bakery - so I remember someone here on the forums said their chocolate cake was pretty good. Is this the cake that you bought? (They had a few versions). Other than the chocolate sprinkes which were a bit hard to scrape off and the icing being a tad like the grainy/gritty type icing, it was quite good. Fresh, moist and definitely more cake than icing. Not an expensive, deluxe type cake but it satisfied our chocolate craving. Thanks for the recommendation and here are the pics!!

[sugarcube]

Hi Red Dragon
Where exactly is Open Window located?

[red dragon]

Here is a link to the locations. It doesn't look like the one I bought at is on the list. That one was in the plaza at the corner of Don Mills/Steeles. For 12.56 (no tax), the price can't be beat. We're still eating the cake though!

http://www.owbakery.com/locations.htm

http://www.owbakery.com/cakes.htm

We bought the one called Chocolate Fudge layer. You'll notice it by the chocolate sprinkes all around the sides.

[millygirl]

We had a birthday celebration at work today, and I picked up a Phipp's
"Mom's Chocolate Cake'. Tasted homemade, very fudgey. Big success!

[red dragon]

I've seen those! I almost ordered one for my husband's birthday, a bit on the pricey side, but yes, the cake looked scrumptious!

[millygirl]

Like a lot of other institutions, sadly Open Window is not what is used to be. Many years ago, that was my family's go to place for birthday cakes and special occasions. Now I find all their cakes are pretty much tasteless, or at least, all taste the same. Next time try Phipps.

[sugarcube]

Thanks Red Dragon.. I thought I recognized the name of the bakery. I was taken to Downsview location a few years ago. It was the aroma that drew us towards the bakery :)
wow, 12.56? That's a steal. Was the cake made with all natural ingredients? (specifically without hydrogenated oils)

[red dragon]

For 12.56, I'm going to guess it's made with all the bad stuff (for sure).

Normally, I'll make my own, with all butter (not any better, but butter is a natural ingredient, unlike shortening - at least that's what the women from "Eat, Shrink and be Merry" say.

[Smilie]

I know that this is a very late response to your question that if you want a butter cream cake you need to get a double dip cake from open window bakery.

[Toronto Fastfoodie]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but in case you haven't heard, Open Window has closed down. I heard that Kiva's made a double-dip copy cat cake and tried it but it did not compare. So I am back to square one. Any suggestions? It has to be as delicious as open window's but cheaper than phipps.

http://runningandrecipes.blogspot.com/

[togone]

previous thread:
Chocolate Layer Cake (downtown)
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/541162

[red dragon]

Thanks, however, I had mentioned a bakery uptown.

[Yum2MyTum]

Death by Chocolate - cakes by Pauline. Available at Bruno's. I love this cake!
http://www.paulinespastries.com/

[red dragon]

Does anyone have an update for a good old fashioned chocolate cake? It's my husband's birthday, and he wants chocolate (not hazelnut like I had hoped ...LOL). I have two places in mind, but I think one only delivers (Baker Street Desserts) and another one is only open M-F (Bake: Dessert & Co.). I would prefer uptown since I might have to go right after work on a week night or if close by, I could go on my lunch hour. I'm in Scarborough, but don't mind to drive 30 minutes or so.

[merlot143]

Flaky Tart does wonderful old-fashioned desserts. She does cakes to order with various kinds of icing. It's a Mt. Pleasant and Eglinton.

[red dragon]

Hi Merlot,
They're closed Sundays/Mondays, but I left a message, thank you.

[hoagy294]

It's been a long time since I lived in Scarborough but I remember that Fabian's cafe on Markham Rd south of Ellesmere had good cakes. If you wanted to go downtown (which you don't) I would suggest the Harbord St Bakery. Their chocolate cake is superlative.

[red dragon]

Since Harbord Bakery is open on Sat/Sun, I might give it a try. Would you please tell me what their chocolate cake tastes like? How does it look/decorated? It's not like a supermarket cake where it's super sweet and the icing is grainy is it? I'm sure it isn't, but having not tried it, just wanted to know.

TIA!

[hoagy294]

It's a lovely deep fudge taste and the icing is almost like a fondant, it definitely is not grainy. They have different sizes, round or a larger sheet cake, and the last time I got one they decorated it with an icing approximation of grapes and grape leaves. It is nothing like a supermarket cake. It also is not a mousse, which i can't stand. It's more of a devil's food cake.

[red dragon]

Sounds wonderful, thank you!!

When you say grapes and grape leaves, were they in chocolate, or a colored icing? That would sound nice for my husband's cake, wasn't sure how to decorate it ....

[torontofoodiegirl]

Another good uptown option is Phipp's (Eglinton just west of Avenue Rd). They have a great chocolate fudge cake. It's more dense/fudgy than a devil's food cake, and has a chocolate ganache-ish icing. Mmm...

[hoagy294]

I remember it as green and purple icing.

[red dragon]

Hi Hoagy:
That sounds nice. Sorry to keep bugging you with questions .. I called Harbord Bakery and the lady said they charge by weight? I've never heard of a bakery doing this for a cake. For a 7", she said it would be between $15-20. Great price when I've been getting quotes for $35, but just wondering on the price range. I thought bakeries use the same size cake pans?

Secondly, the lady said their cakes are not very high?

Thanks again in advance for your feedback!