Europa Fine Pastries & Bakery
713 Danforth Avenue
Phone: 416.462.3808
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Europa Fine Pastries & Bakery just might be the king of custard tarts. These incredibly delicious, flaky Portuguese delicacies sell by the thousands here each week. But obsessing on them alone would be a mistake as they're just one of many homemade baked treats made fresh at this GreekTown destination each day.
While Europa has only been around for about four years, there's thirty-nine years of expertise on display here as the owner has been baking since he was fourteen. Through most of his formative years he traveled through Europe, picking up a recipe here and a recipe there as he made this way through Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece and other European kitchens.
The result is Europa, which is an apt name because the baked treats here span the best of what's available in Europe, from Sicilian canoli to Spanish flan pudding to Portuguese cod fish pastry or, perhaps, French baba au rum. There's also whole wheat croissants (a rarity in this city), a variety of artisan bread such as Calabrese and Focaccia, sesame and multigrain bagels, apple strudel and Greek pastries such as spanakopita and baklava.
Many display a small flag indicating the country of origin. So even if you're not buying everything in the store you'll at least walk out with a geography lesson.
During a recent visit I noticed a number of people stopping by for lunch. There are a handful of tables here and a few ready-to-eat options including whole wheat pizza, fresh soup of the day, espresso and other coffee-themed drinks.
Comments (9)
This used to be one of our favourite places to go for coffee/dessert after going out for dinner on the Danforth. Cheap, and nice selection.
But I've found that their selection seems to gone slightly downhill over the last few months. Don't get me wrong, the custard tarts are still great, but I'm sure missing the cappuccino brownies.
Went to try it last night (every Tuesday I go to the Eton House across the street for a free comedy open mike) but they had closed at 8:00
Hey,
I have been going to Europa for over 3 years. Elga gave me a free custard Tart, and I have been back almost every day since.
I love everything there but must admit it takes a lot of control to resist. Oh to answer the other comment about cappuccino brownies- they never had them. Believe me I would know.
My favorite savoury foods at the Bakery are the veggie pizza and salt cod and potatoe fish cakes. Yummie!
My favorite sweet, Hmmm.. Let me think . There are so many.
I like the Coconut Tarts. They remind me of a souffle, kind of fluffy in a gorgeous pastry. I also am a fan of the carrot cake with the crunchy walnuts and thick icing.
Any way you really should try it and please don't just Look, Buy. You Love.... It can only be love Delicious Sweetness..... A love affair.
Darren 09/04/2008
I was in heaven the first time I experienced a custard tart from Europa. I've been buying tarts for every pot-luck party I've been to since they opened...and I keep getting invited to more. But the service isn't the same any more. I was told I should pre-order tarts, but they never have my order ready on time. I guess I'll be going elsewhere for tarts and good customer service.
When I lived in Toronto, I used to spend a nice time in Europa bakery on weekend, after my meditation class, I liked enjoy a nice conversation at the same time I tried a tasty croissant or delicious cheesse cake, I loved them. I enjoyed speak spanish with Elga or someone else. However the time has gone and I came back home and sometimes the homesick involve my life, maybe is the memory of the winter, the cold in my hands, the flavor in my mounth or finally the melancholy.
Hear ye, hear ye!
I am Central European born and raised and I have to tell you that Europa's pastries,croissants and breads are the best in Toronto and always fresh.No wonder, the owner apprenticed all over Europe and it certainly shows in the quality and the taste.
And I am guanteeing that his Apfelstrudel is devine."The best Strudel this side of the Atlantic"
You simply must try it, you will fall in love with Europa.
Erwin Mertens (in love)
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