ISO PORTUGUESE BAKERY IN TORONTO WITH CUSTARD TARTS

[lonestartor]

I'm looking for the small portuguese tarts (I think they are called flan tarts, but not sure; they have a caramel look on top) that I've seen in bakeries from time to time. Now that I need some I can't remember where I saw them.

Can anyone help?

[Pincus]

Yeah, I think the challenge is to find a Portuguese bakery that DOESN'T offer them.

I generally inhale mine when I get them, so I appreciate all the gourmets offering their more nuanced takes on the subject. :)

[currycue]

Thanks for the tips! A taste test is definitely in order. My wife and I had the famous natas in Belem a couple of years ago. Not as blown away by them as I'd hoped to be, but what I liked most was that the custard wasn't too sweet. The ones at Caldense make your throat burn they're so sweet.

[smfan]

Tried natas from DM and Seara this week. Loved the crust at Seara. It was very light and flaky. But found the custard a little bit on the sweet side.

[jinxie]

My favourite Portuguese bakery is just outside T.O. in the Cawthra Park area- Nova Bakery.

3635 Cawthra Road
Mississauga, Ontario

Everything they do there is amazing. And fresh. You have to get their early- but their portuguese buns (slightly sweet) are ridiculous....as are their lattes.

[pakmode]

+1

[smfan]

What should a good tart taste like?

[dmartins123]

For me, a nata is all about the crust. The custard itself should be creamy and with a nice char on top. If the custard has an oily or wet feeling, its because its old.

However, the crust is where many places fall short. It should be light and flaky and easy to bite (not unlike a croissant). If they are tough its because the nata is either old or made in a factory somewhere by the millions.

All Portuguese bakeries have them but my preference is Seara (on Keele south of Lawrence) and also Nova Era (various locations..we frequent the one on Caledonia and St Clair). They are always fresh and I rarely get a bad one. Doce Minho is also up there in quality natas.

[smfan]

Thanks dmartins. Should the char top be black or brown in colour? And what time of the day will they just come out of the oven?

[pearlD]

I like the top 'browned'....the best place in my area is a little Portugese Cafe at the BACK of the Galleria (Dufferin & Dupont)....it's actually a store just outside of the Mall, beside the Pet Value. I was just talking about these tarts last night and I declared them to be my absolute favourite and not because they are reasonably close to home...p.s. I don't know if these are made in the shop, it's a rather small cafe ...but the 'tarts' are great!!!

[julesrules]

I like the darkest ones - but I think this is a matter of personal preference and shopkeepers will not be surprised if you ask for dark ones or light ones once you figure out what you like :)

[prima]

For me, the crust and filling are both important. Some fillings have a heavy artificial vanilla taste. Some have a slight citrus flavour.

I love Doce Minho's version, and prefer it to the version at Nova Era. Haven't tried Seara yet.

[Davwud]

I've had all 3 prima and DM's wins hands down.

The ones at SLM are really good too. At the Churasco place.

DT

[prima]

Thanks Davwud. Guess I'll stick with DM.

Agree, the ones at SLM are really good.

[pinstripeprincess]

i need to try DMs version again... my usual spot is brazil bakery on dundas w. have you had theirs? love the bean and beer tart things too. i'm also converted over to their brioches.

[prima]

Yes, I've tried their tarts and the malasadas. I like them, but it's been a while, so I'm not sure how I'd compare them to the DM version. Would be helpful to have a natas tasting, to compare them at the same time.

[blkdog]

In order of preference
1) Doce Minho
2) Bakery on Davenport between Ossington and Oakwood (south side of the street)
3) Brazil Bakery on Dundas
4) Jack's on Oakwood before you get to Roger's Road

All are very good. If you take them home try warming them slightly in the toaster oven and then enjoy them. In Belem, as in other parts of Portugal, it's not uncommon that they also be enjoyed warm with a cold beer. Not sure why but the locals swear by the combination.

[fickle]

Alcoa is the bakery on Davenport between Ossington & Oakwood.

[TorontoTips]

I've become a serious fan of Jack's natas - best I've found in the city, and always fresh. I haven't ventured too far into the rest of the product, besides natas and espresso, so I can't comment on the rest, but they sure make REALLY GREAT custard tarts!
Jack's Bakery & Pastry
352 Oakwood Ave
Phone: [phone]
(location formerly Nova Era on Oakwood)

[Davwud]

I've been wondering about that place. A couple weeks ago I decided to give one of that one and Goldstar a try. I opted for Goldstar and was disappointed.

DT

[fickle]

You might want to try the natas from Doce Minto to compare, my SO finds those far superior to the ones from Jack's.

[TorontoJo]

Love the natas from Doce Minho!

[Davwud]

Where is it??

DT

[TorontoJo]

They are on Dufferin, a few blocks south of Eglinton on the East side. Just south of the little park. There is a large parking lot at the park as well.

http://www.doceminhobakery.com/contac...

They also have great pasteis bacalhau (salt cod fritters). We buy them a few dozen at a time and freeze them.

It's a great spot and it's already on the list for the bakery tour. :)

[Davwud]

All Portuguese bakeries will have them.

My personal preference so far is the original Caldense bakery on Symington.

DT

[Yum2MyTum]

TasteTO, a local food-related blog, ran a great story with visuals recently that I think will assist you on your search:

http://www.tasteto.com/2010/01/11/a-t...

[StephenBank]

I'm 90% sure you're talking about pasteis de nata

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pastel_d...

I enjoy the ones from Golden Wheat, at 653 College St.

[lolabella]

ANY portuguese bakery will have them, also most churasquerias will too (the portuguese rotisserie places). I find that most places are good if you get them when they're fresh and still crispy on the outside. After a while they get a little chewy.
Nova Era http://www.novaera.ca/
and Caldense Bakery http://www.caldensebakery.ca/
have numerous locations. I also love the Portuguese chicken place in St. Lawrence market - they have good ones.