501695 Sat Mar 22 10:45:06 -0700 2008 14 23 Ontario (including Toronto) 0 3517299 I'm in Metro Toronto for a few days, and I want to check out the best of chocolateries, patisseries and dessert shops. What's not-to-be-missed? Sat Mar 22 10:45:06 -0700 2008 44312 Beks 1 3517409 I like Soma in the distillery district. Its a nice area to visit and they have very good chocolate and the best hot chocolate. Sat Mar 22 11:41:56 -0700 2008 3517299 113687 mlukan 1 3517455 My favourite chocolate shop in Toronto is Leonidas (Belgium chocolate and the same chain from what I understand as exists in Belgium). They have some great varieties of chocolate and a wonderful vanilla liqueur-filled chocolate. The location I usually go to is the one under Holt Renfrew down town. Soma is also worth the visit---great quantities of international chocolate and some other neat concoctions. Teuser in the Manulife centre has some good (more expensive than Leonidas) stuff also. All of the above is head and shoulders above the Godiva product (and as far as I know, unlike Godiva, the above products don't cut corners and include hydrogenated fats, which given the price you pay for Godiva, is really nervy in my opinion). Sat Mar 22 12:00:02 -0700 2008 3517299 174519 Ediblethoughts 2 3517458 Oh and since you're here right now (Easter), if you like cream-filled eggs, consider going to a Laura Secord and picking up their cream-filled eggs. I suggest the larger size since last year the little ones were hard inside and not creamy at all (of course, I'm assuming you're from outside Canada and not familiar with LS. Sat Mar 22 12:02:05 -0700 2008 3517455 174519 Ediblethoughts 1 3517472 I would actually recommend going someplace like Pusateri's, as they carry a wide range of pastry items from local bakeries. That would be the easiest way to get the biggest cross-section of locally-made products. I'd also second Soma, and add Delight chocolates in the Junction. I love Kim Moon Bakery on Dundas West for Chinese pastries, and Mary McLeod's Shortbread on Queen East for awesome shortbread. Sat Mar 22 12:06:10 -0700 2008 3517299 36299 SherylKirby 2 3517530 SherylKirby, I've never heard of Delight chocolates. Can you tell me what types of chocolates you like from there? (Just trying to figure out if I should make the trek to check it out!) Sat Mar 22 12:33:16 -0700 2008 3517472 174519 Ediblethoughts 3 3529804 The selection in store is fairly small. You can check out the website... http://www.delightchocolate.ca/varieties_e.html She does a lot of florals and spicy centres that are really interesting. Maybe call ahead and see what she has in stock the day you're planning on going by. Wed Mar 26 10:54:50 -0700 2008 3517530 36299 SherylKirby 1 3518155 Sorry for the multiple answers; regarding pastries: Frangipane on Dupont near Spadina has some very nice tarts--all different types of fruit combinations from apricot almond to blueberry. Phipps on Eglinton near Avenue Rd has the best pecan pie and some nice chocolate rugelach. I agree with All the Best---they have a wonderful chelsea bun that's just perfectly sticky with a hint of orange and covered with cranberries and pecans (available only at the end of the week and weekends--I used to reserve one). It's also a pretty efficient stop if your time is limited since it really does try to stock "all the best" from Toronto (though it's missing the items I listed above!). Sat Mar 22 16:46:21 -0700 2008 3517299 174519 Ediblethoughts 2 3523264 Phipps also has a nice little cafe/lunch spot in the back where you can grab soup, salad, etc. Their butter tarts and apple cakes are wonderful. Mon Mar 24 14:24:51 -0700 2008 3518155 138160 torontofoodiegirl 3 3523327 Their soups and spinach lasagna (if the latter happens to be one of their featured food items) are great. And while I don't eat the butter tarts, the pecan tarts (a close cousin) are very good... and I won't start to ramble yet again about the awesome of the pecan pie (the basic one--not the chocolate bottom or cranberry pecan, though I don't doubt those are good too). Mon Mar 24 14:38:54 -0700 2008 3523264 174519 Ediblethoughts 1 3518321 If you head up to Bayview and Manor and walk South on the West side of the street, you will hit 4 great places: 1. Hollywood Gelato for fantastic gelato 2. Rahier for some of the best pastries in the city 3. Patisserie las Cigogne for another very nice French pasty shop 4. Epi breads for good (though not the best) breads If you are around the University, go to Dessert Trends on Harbord for some of the most beautiful (and tasty) desserts in the city. Sat Mar 22 18:02:22 -0700 2008 3517299 12124 TorontoJo 1 3518473 You won't go wrong with most of the suggestions so far. Adding to them, here are three of my favorites. For chocolates: JS Bonbons For danishes and butter tarts: Hansen's Danish For Austrian pastries/cakes: Konditor Sat Mar 22 19:24:17 -0700 2008 3517299 91579 idnas 1 3518963 . . . Sun Mar 23 04:21:45 -0700 2008 3517299 98493 JamieK 1 3519076 not far from Bayview Ave, just west, you'll find Mount Pleasant - south of Eglinton, on the east side you'll find Celestin bakery, then another locale of the Sweet Gallery further south and across the street, then Jules bakery and Il Gelatiere back on the east side. Celestin and Jules are neck-and-neck for the city's best croissant (my SO prefere Jules, more french he says), and Il Gelatiere is PHENOMENAL - don't their MO in winter though. But definately worth the drive. Sun Mar 23 06:19:41 -0700 2008 3517299 70876 LemonLauren 1 3529477 I'd like to second JS Bonbons - they have very creative chocolate flavours like "lavender", "black pepper" etc. Also very good hot chocolate. Everything is made on the premises. Dupont street just west of Davenport, 3 block walk from Dupont subway station (near Casa Loma) Wed Mar 26 09:38:50 -0700 2008 3517299 13049 JToronto