Tori's Bakeshop: What's it like?

[kwass]

This place looks awesome! Has anyone been? It's a vegan bakeshop, which gives me pause. So I just wanted to hear some feedback from anyone who's tried it.

[ylsf]

I recently came across the write up on BlogTO and I was planning to make a trip at some point to check it out but I guess I will just wait until I am closer to the area:

http://www.blogto.com/bakery/toris-ba...

If they don't indicate clearly that they are "vegan only" they should so that people like eppicurious don't go in expecting milk/cream.

I am curious about the donuts too, if anyone tries one (pictured in the BlogTO profile) please report back

[AverageJo]

I could be wrong about the vegan/not vegan status of the baked goods. I thought Tori's offered some conventional baked goods, but maybe I'm not remembering properly.

I DO know, without a doubt, that I ordered a latte there, and it was a conventional latte, made with dairy milk. That was in July...perhaps they've changed their policy since then?

[LemonLauren]

in addition to the other feedback, i'll add that i did make a destination out of visiting here, on a saturday afternoon, and the service was very unfriendly (talking to their friends, rather than serving me) and they were out of many items. ah well, not again.

[kwass]

Thank you for that. The more I hear, the less I want to go.

[eppicurious]

The space is beautiful, inferior products at crazy high prices and, don't mess with my coffee!!!! When I told them they were out of cream, they told me they didn't offer any...only almond milk....I haven't been back. Don't mess with my morning coffee!!!!

[kwass]

I hear you!!!

Thank you everyone for the feedback on this place. It looks like I won't be rushing to check it out!!

[gembellina]

I can tell you that my mum was not impressed with her vegan BLT. The bacon was made from coconut. She charitably said that it was quite good for a coconut sandwich.

[kwass]

Coconut? That sounds disgusting!

[hungryabbey]

really strange...

[jeffs101]

Not all that strange actually. There are many vegan restaurants that substitute smoked coconut for bacon and in my opinion, it works quite nicely...but I am biased as I am vegan.

My understanding is that Tori's is all vegan. They use "butter"and "cheese"in their product descriptions but they assured me that they use animal-free substitutes.

Having said that, Tor's is a nice place for a weekend coffee and pastry/sandwich but I do not see it as a destination, as there are many alternatives closer to home.

[AverageJo]

Just to clarify: It's not exclusively vegan. There are some vegan products; there are also some gluten-free products. But there are lots of conventional baked goods as well, made with dairy, wheat, etc.

I've sampled the blueberry-lemon scone, the buttertart, and the oatmeal chocolate chip cookie. They were all quite tasty, particularly the cookie and the scone. I can't comment on the cupcakes or the savory buns.

I read online people raved about how good the cinnamon buns are, so I finally tried one. I thought they were overrated, I'm afraid. A fairly ordinary, doughy bun with lots of icing. Too sweet and not enough cinnamon for my taste.

It's a decent bakeshop if you're in the neighbourhood. But it's not worth making a special trip -- not a "destination" spot, especially given it's a bit pricey.

[kwass]

Thanks Jo for the clarification about it not being "exclusively" vegan. I was under the impression that it was. Also, thanks for your feedback, because I was thinking about making a special trip out there, but now I'll wait until I'm in the area. Btw, Have you tried the doughnuts?

[AverageJo]

I was in there last Sunday and I spotted the doughnuts for the first time. But I did not try one, sorry, so I can't report on them. FWIW, they looked very pretty: small and nicely decorated in different colours of icing. But looks aren't everything!