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Herne Aug 15, 2010 01:54 PM

Spanakopita in Toronto.

Is there a good brand to buy in the Supermarkets of Toronto?

  1. b
    biffy Aug 16, 2010 07:23 AM

    You can also buy frozen spanakopita at Sun Valley Supermarket, 486 Danforth Road, Toronto. I don't know if they carry it at the Danforth Avenue location as well. Also, you can get really good frozen spanakopita from Greece made with mizithra cheeze at Ararat International Fine Foods, 1800 Avenue Road, Toronto (just south of the 401).

    4 Replies
    1. re: biffy
      m
      millygirl Aug 22, 2010 02:57 PM

      LeSelect Bakery at Donlands and O'Connor sells homemade frozen sheets of spanakopita which is very good. They also sell a pretty good moussaka too!

      1. re: millygirl
        Nelson Aug 23, 2010 08:35 AM

        Second Select Bakery--heats beautifully to the perfect consistency, crisp sheets with just the right amount of filling so the pie is not soggy.

        1. re: Nelson
          m
          millygirl Aug 23, 2010 08:55 AM

          The owner is so nice too! He always instructs me to sprinkle a few drops of water on top before putting in oven. Apparently this helps to keep the pastry nice and crisp.

          1. re: millygirl
            b
            biffy Sep 7, 2010 11:28 AM

            that is correct! Same goes for baklava too...;-)

    2. j
      jmarcroyal Aug 15, 2010 01:58 PM

      probably not, your best bet for the best Spanakopita would be to get it fresh from Athens Pastries, or if you prefer, they also sell frozen oven-ready Spanakopita for the same price as cooked. It keeps well in the freezer and tastes pretty good when cooked at home.

      Athens Pastries is located on the Danforth near Logan and on Victoria Park just north of the 401.

      -----
      Athens Pastries
      509 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4K, CA

      Victoria Park Restaurant
      335 Durham Market St N, Kincardine, ON N2Z1Z4, CA

      11 Replies
      1. re: jmarcroyal
        jlunar Aug 15, 2010 02:12 PM

        Also, Athens has the best loukoumades, especially when they're fresh. I could inhale a whole box of those.

        1. re: jlunar
          j
          jmarcroyal Aug 15, 2010 05:49 PM

          Food of the gods those are, Athens really is the best place for both the Loukoumades and the Pita

        2. re: jmarcroyal
          Davwud Aug 16, 2010 09:38 AM

          Athens is your best bet. We included it on the bakery tour in the spring and everyone loved it.
          The best Span. most of us have had.
          http://davwudsfoodcourt.blogspot.com/...

          Louk. is great but needs cinnamon. Too sweet otherwise.

          DT

          1. re: Davwud
            b
            biffy Aug 16, 2010 10:58 AM

            Just want to say a few words about Athens. I agree that it is quite good, but being Greek myself, there are some things that can be improved: (i) the phyllo, which is homemade, is quite good but sometimes is dry - phyllo should be flaky layers of buttery goodness; (ii) spanakopita is greatly improved by the addition of (a) dill and (b) leeks (prassa in Greek). Good spanakopita is not just spinach and feta cheese. The taste can be vastly different based upon the seasoning and the fillings. For example, it is quite common to put a handful of rice or semolina in the filling to absorb the water from the spinach. In addition, the feta can sometimes be replaced by a different Greek cheese (i.e., mizithra) or a combination of feta and a soft cheese such as ricotta. Also, spanakopita filling generally includes egg which acts as a binding agent and keeps the pita from not falling apart while you eat it.

            Just some suggestions of things to consider when sampling spanakopites around the city. Hope this helps!

            1. re: Davwud
              p
              phoenikia Aug 21, 2010 06:43 PM

              I actually prefer the spanakopita at Akropolis Bakery to the Athen's version. It's the rolled, snail shape version (looks like Bosnian burek), rather than the square slices of a big pie. Akropolis sells frozen spanakopitas, tiropitas, kreatopitas, and appetizer sized pitas on Saturdays from a warehouse somewhere in the east end, or you can pick up fresh baked pies at the their storefront bakery east of Pape. Not a destination spanakopita (none are in TO), but good if you're in East York.
              http://www.dine.to/akropolis

              Haven't had a really good restaurant version in a while.

              Homemade still trumps any version I've had at Greek restaurants or bakeries.

              -----
              East York
              1039 Pape Ave, Toronto, ON M4K3W1, CA

              1. re: phoenikia
                j
                julesrules Aug 23, 2010 08:08 AM

                Well PHEW! I'm tired of feeling like the only person who likes Akropolis best! And coming from phoenikia this is quite validating ;)
                They do also do the square version, along with mini cigars which are perfect for a party. I like their meat and cheese fillings too, and the owner is lovely.

                1. re: phoenikia
                  TorontoJo Aug 23, 2010 08:15 AM

                  Do you have an address or phone number for the Akropolis warehouse?

                  ETA: oops, never mind. The wonders of search!

                  Akropolis
                  746 Warden Ave., Unit 4
                  Tel: 416-615-2774

                  www.appinc.ca

                  1. re: TorontoJo
                    Davwud Aug 23, 2010 08:31 AM

                    Bakery Tour Redux??

                    DT

                2. re: Davwud
                  p
                  pakmode Sep 8, 2010 07:59 AM

                  Just had a piece of spanokopita last night from the Athens on Vic park and 401. Amazing...

                  The loukamedes were killer too.

                  1. re: pakmode
                    Davwud Sep 8, 2010 10:53 AM

                    I'm guessing the two Athens are sister stores??

                    DT

                    1. re: Davwud
                      p
                      pakmode Sep 8, 2010 03:03 PM

                      Yessir.

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