Flaky Tart - new on Mt Pleasant

[Degustation]

Just noticed that Flaky Tart just opened on Mt Pleasant, a couple of storefronts up from Culinarium...opposite Sobeys.

Website says: "The Flaky Tart is the creative expression of Madelaine
Sperry, former pastry chef of The Rosedale Golf Club."

Anyone been yet?

www.flakytart.com

[zed1984]

I just wanted to say now that we live @ yonge and eglinton, this will be our go to for pies, and homemade sort of desserts. we had a pie (apple and raz) last nite, and it was perfect. Not sweet but fruit sweet. perfect flaky pastry.
recommended (highly).

[macandcheese4ever]

There are three things I absolutely crave for at Flaky Tart....the apple-pear-cranberry pie, the lemon meringue tarts with berries on top and the passion-fruit tarts. (unfortunately I haven't seen them for awhile).
I've been going every Saturday to buy an apple-pear-cranberry pie and believe me, it's addictive as well as scrumptious.
I'm not sure if she has this pie all year round but if not I'll be making some room in my freezer for them.

[LTL]

Do you know what time they open on Saturdays? I cannot go during the week until late in the day when I'm sure most of the selection is gone so I want to go early Saturday to see the full offering.

[cheesymama]

I think they open at 10am Tuesday-Saturday.

[pinstripeprincess]

dropped in this morning hoping that on the off chance there was a bakery open earlier than 10am in this city... didn't heed earlier advice and was wrong (hours posted brought a pout as i stood outside), but someone was inside so i popped my head in and they were happy to serve me.

they only had scones and cookies at this hour (though someones outgoing pumpkin pies looked really lovely and had a nice aroma) and so i picked up two scones, cranberry shortbread and gingersnaps. all with lovely aromatics floating about.

very disappointed.
the scones taste distinctly like flour and lack good fat, underbaked? undermixed? the blueberries and... cranberries?? add nothing in terms of flavour as they didn't permeate into the dough well enough and so even attempting to just get a bite of as much berry as i can provided very little noticeable fruit flavour. they're reasonably moist for a scone but are quite plain overall and just not tasty. i have a severe dislike for the granulated sugar sprinkled on top, why would i want crunchy sugar? i'm tempted to drown whatever i have left in milk and hope that makes it worth eating.

the cookies were better. i didn't mind the gingersnaps but overall they were just ok with a good ginger burn but not quite the spicing i was looking for and almost too crunchy of a texture with not enough crumble. the cranberry shortbread was pretty good and has the right fat and sweet balance... i don't even like shortbread but i'll be snacking on them the rest of the day.

i'll probably try them again for the butter tarts and will be more discerning with my future picks.

[TorontoJo]

I haven't tried the scones, but my husband loves the cranberry shortbread. Next time, try the muffins and yes, the butter tarts. The muffins are light and tender and not too sweet. I also like that they are "normal" muffin size and not the monsters you buy in most coffee shops.

[pinstripeprincess]

thanks, i'll keep that in mind the next time. she was a while away from muffins and so i took what i could get my hands on since i've really only heard good reviews about everything they're putting out... thought i couldn't miss!

forgot to note though that they were really very nice and quite enthusiastic. i'll have to consider reserving some of the prime items in advance next time.

[JamieK]

+

-----
Flaky Tart
711 Mt Pleasant Rd, Toronto, ON M4S, CA

[Franchise]

just a headsup for anyone thinking of going there, they are CLOSED Monday AND Tuesday and don't open until 10 the other days of the week. Sadly I thought I'd try them on Tuesday and what a disappointment that was.

You'd think they would have their hours on their website considering how strange they are.

oh well will have to try them next week.

[StrawberryRhubarb]

I am almost embarassed to admit how many of their buttertarts I have had and the shop hasn't even been there that long. I just can't seem to stop eating them. Runny, flaky goodness. I also tried the toffee brownie which was great. Pies are fantastic, although I've only tried the strawberry rhubarb so far.

[merlot143]

Note: see my thread "I Hate Flaky Tart"

[Ediblethoughts]

So you are recommending the straw/rh pie? I was tempted but they only had the large ones and I didn't think I couldn't currently handle that. I've had the cherry vanilla bean (mini) and it was great!

[millygirl]

We dropped in around noon today and while I agree the butter tarts are very good I have to say I was disappointed in the selection. I thought that they would have more 'stuff'. The woman behind the counter said that they take orders which is nice but sometimes I just feel like picking something up on a whim and except for a few cookies and butter tarts they did not seem to have much to offer.

[merlot143]

That's because most of it is gone by noon.

[millygirl]

Then they need to consider baking more.

[Ediblethoughts]

I suggest calling the day before and asking what they will be making the next day and reserve stuff that sounds good. (You really can't go very wrong.)

[StrawberryRhubarb]

Definitely recommend strawberry rhubarb pie, especially as they have all Ontario strawberries and rhubarb just now which makes for a fine, fine pie. I also asked about how they tend to have less at the end of the day and they explained that they bake everything fresh in the morning. I'd rather have less selection and a fresh pie rather than a tonne of selection and it's all three days old! If I need anything specific I call ahead.

[Ediblethoughts]

Thanks for the rec; that reminds me I must reserve one of those pies.

[millygirl]

I agree, but I was there at noon and they were pretty empty. I can see it being a special place for those in the neighbourbood but I would not make a special trip. Pies, cookies, muffins, cinnimon buns are not something I would think to order ahead. A special occasion cake, yes for sure!

[Yongeman]

On the other hand, millygirl, I picked up some butter tarts on Wednesday at about 4:30 and there appeared to be lots of various products (tarts, scones, muffins etc.), so I guess it just depends on demand.

[Ediblethoughts]

So I went to FT yesterday and bought one of the large (12 inch) brownie "pies" and a few chocolate chunk cookies. The brownie pie was very good--nicely dense without being too moist and very chocolaty. The cookies were a mix of dark and white chocolate (they say they don't do a pure dark chocolate chip/chunk cookie--they only do the mix). And while I don't approve of mixing dark and white chocolate in a cookie (I like it all dark), I have to admit this cookie was very satisfying and the mix works here where it doesn't at other places where they insist on doing the mix (like Wanda's in the Kitchen with Dina---the mix really does not work for me there). It probably helps that the day was so warm and the chocolate all melty (the warm days of summer should also be called Chocolate Chunk Cookie Season).

[merlot143]

Ediblethoughts -- I spoke to the owner and there will be a wide range of cookies (including all-chocolate) once the seasons change. Summer is a lousy time for chocolate, which is why she has only a mixed chocolate cookie right now.

[Ediblethoughts]

Ah, good to know. I did ask when I was there but perhaps we just didn't get far enough into the future cookie discussion. (I think the summer is a GREAT time for chocolate chunk cookies--but that's just me.)

Oh, did the owner mean all chocolate as in chocolate cookie base and dark chocolate chips or a normal (i.e. "white") cookie base with dark chocolate chips?

[merlot143]

I don't know. You gotta ask her yourself.

[merlot143]

I had a raspberry crumble muffin from Flaky Tart today. And it was the absolute best muffin I've had in a long, long time. There were loads of raspberries in it, and the cake itself was not overly heavy but had a nice light texture. (Let's not kid ourselves; these things really are mini-cakes). And it cost just as much as a mediocre Second Cup muffin/paper weight. Let's hope Flaky Tart is successful!

[ssainani]

my wife and i were driving down mt pleasant today and saw flaky tart. we did a quick pull over and dashed inside despite the rain.

oh what a surprise! absolutely beautiful display of lemon meringues, raspberry muffins, cingin buns and caramelised pecan brownies. we got a lemon meringe tart - it was the perfect balance between sweet and tart, and the meringue was so light and fluffy - just beautiful. we also had a brownie - it was absolutely one of the best brownies i've had.

the real star though was a cookie we received as a sample. now just yesterday, there was a chocolate chip cookie throwdown on bobbly flay. naturally, i spent the morning googling 'best cookies in toronto' and 'how to get cookies fluffy and chewy'. now i know - just go to flaky tart. perfect, perfect, perfect milk/white chocolate chunky cookies. they were cooled, yet the chocolate was still melty and delicious. best cookie of my life (tops le gourmand on a good day!)

i can't wait to go back --- oh wait, i have a cupcake order coming in tomorrow!

[Maimonides]

Cupcakes from the flaky tart, SSainani? Could you let us know how they are?

[Ediblethoughts]

Did they have chocolate chunk cookies with dark or semi-sweet chocolate? I'm always looking for chocolate chunk cookies---but they have to be dark or semi-sweet!

[merlot143]

yup. they have regular chocolate chip cookies too.
unfortunately they're closed Monday and Tuesday.

[Ediblethoughts]

Thanks for both pieces of info. Can't wait to try them.

[mainja]

So, I don't have anything particularly useful to add to this discussion, except that I think that ranks up there as one of the best names for an establishment ever.

[atomeyes]

went by there today. i called at 3:55 to see when they close. the person on the phone said "4 o'clock....but we can stay open if you want to come by!"

whaa??? a Toronto food establishment HAPPY to have you spend your money there?

my girlfriend and i rushed over and, since it was the end of a weekend rush, their selection was understandably quite sparse.

we bought an assiago cheese and herb scone and ate it immediately. incredibly light and very tasty. we also bought some date squares and they were excellent as well.

we have some berry and citrus muffins that we'll snack on during the week.

prices are VERY reasonable. a really good place to visit

[LemonLauren]

the owners are two of the nicest food-loving folk you'll ever meet!

[Yongeman]

I was there yesterday...wow! The baked goods are so different from most of the patisseries on Mt. Pleasant/Bayview. Home baking style as opposed to French. I sampled an excellent lemon cheesecake--light and lemony. And I'm not really a cheesecake fan. I was a little skeptical about the butter tarts, though. My mom is a great butter tart creator, but the Flaky Tart variety was excellent. Large, deep and very runny.

[Full tummy]

Yes, I have to agree with the butter tart recommendation; on first sight, there seemed to be too much pastry, but it was just right for the runny filling, which is reminiscent of my favourite butter tarts from Humble Pie Bakery in Baysville, about 10 years ago. For butter tarts, Flaky Tart is my destination. And, in case you want to know, they're made with raisins--at least the ones I saw were.

[Yongeman]

You are so right about the pastry, ft. I had been thinking, ''Way too much pastry", but when I bit into the tart, there was so much oozy, gooey, delicious filling, that the extra pastry was perfect. And I am completely onside about the raisins. That's how mom always makes them. Oh yeah...$2 each.

[LemonLauren]

i have a sweet tooth ( i take 5 sweetner in my tea) and i found the butter tarts toooo sweet. well maybe not to sweet. but oh, so good.

[Yongeman]

I agree about the sweetness, LL, but they are also scrumptious. The abundant pastry helps to absorb the sweetness, too.

[Davwud]

Do they make them without rat turds....uh, I mean raisins in them??

LOL

DT

[Yongeman]

nope, you're S.O.L, Davwud.

[Davwud]

Dang

DT

[wontonfm]

I stopped by today and had one of the butter tarts. Totally out of this world! I'm afraid I'll want to go back every day to buy them.

Also the lady who was working the counter (not sure if she's the owner or what) was INCREDIBLY nice and really made the experience fun. Flaky Tart will for sure be in my regular rotation.

[Kasumeat]

Might as well echo the sentiments about the butter tarts: The best I've ever had.

[Crusty Chef]

I was there for the Grand Opening on Saturday. Delicious muffins, scones, brownies, tarts and pies. Loved the passion fruit tarts. They had a lineup. They will be a big hit once the word gets around. If you're wanting a specialty cake -ask for a vodka lemon mousse - so yummy!

I have been a fan for over a year and a half so I was glad they got a TO location. Check them out!

Madelaine, the chef and owner is a delight! You'll be treated well and their product is top notch!

[hippotatomus]

how is the vodka lemon mousse? i hope it's not made with huge heapings of icing and butter cream!! would you have a picture of the cake ?
hopefully i can drop by soon depending on schedule but definitely added to my must try list!