Baked Goods
La Bamboche
La Bamboche is quietly nestled on Manor Rd E just north of Yonge & Davisville, and without pretention exudes French decadents at its finest. It took me two years of my four years living at Yonge and Davisville to find this petite patisserie, but it wasn't long before it became my secret haven for Macarons, Pan Au Chocolate and Eclairs that would make a French Mime scream with excitement.
On Sunday mornings patrons flock to snag the few tables that decorate the small patio outside of the shop while sipping Lattes, Americanos and choosing from an impressive selection of loose-leaf teas that include Chai, Gold fruit and Vanilla Redbush. If you are feeling extra frisky, the breads and croissants are delightful. Offering Almond croissants to pan au chocolate, these buttery crescents are the perfect compliment to one of the soul soothing beverages. Even pair it with a hot chocolate on that frosty Toronto morning.
Intricate tarts and playful varrines line the modest fittings of this Yonge & Davisville nook. The unique combinations and rich colours lend themselves to a truly mouth watering experience. The Green Tea Sesame cake is a must, while the little capris of chocolatey raspberry heaven call your name like sirens from the glass display cases.
The macarons, which range in price from $2.50ea to $32.00 for a dozen, come in a wide variety of flavors including Lavender, Passion fruit, Chocolate and my personal favorite of Caramel and Sea Salt. Each brilliantly coloured and delicately crafted using traditional French and Japanese techniques; this French version of the Alfahore is the perfect bite size dessert. You can even wrap some up and give them as a gift to your favorite sweet tooth.
La Bamboche also offers seasonal home made gelato, and its one of the few places in mid-town that does. With flavors that include Chocolate, Vanilla, Mango, Strawberry or a combination of each they go for $3.80 per scoop. Try it in a cup or get all-gluttonous with their extra sugary waffle cones. Either way you're leaving feeling tres jolie!
Hours of operation:
Mon-Thurs 8am-10pm
Fri-Sat 8am-11pm
Sun 8am-9pm
Writing and photography by Carolyn Sandler.
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I went there last year after my sister wouldn't stop talking about this French Japanese-trained baker who opened a shop in Toronto. I wanted to get a cake to surprise her, so called in advance to ask them what they had - they gave me two options: White chocolate with Passion Fruit mousse or Chocolate hazelnut. I went with the first and it was the BEST CAKE we've ever had - tart mixed with sweet, nothing like i've ever tasted before.
In addition, the glass counter held this long rack of what looks like mini-colourful hamburgers lol. They turned out to be Macarons (not macaroons, those coconut thingys) - they're a sandwich of two flavoured pieces of meringue with filling in the middle. They had soo many different flavours and were OMG so good... La Bambouche started a Macaron obsession for me and my sister - we tried a few in NYC, but they weren't even as good as these.
Plus, as we head into summer, La Bamboche will bringing back its beyond delicious ice-cream!
While the girl behind the counter was incredibly nice, the macrons were beyond horrible.
Thinking that I had the unfortunate luck of having a macron from a bad batch, I went back and bought 10 for a gathering I was holding that evening.
Again, the macrons were just as bad as the first time.
If you're a macron fan, you'll be highly disappointed.
and i've tried the macarons so good!!!
specially the cassis and salted caramel
and nice staff
I am not sure I would go back there as it is overpriced and so well hidden you can't even find parking!
On a side note, the owner/baker isn't that much friendly either..
I tried the greentea mango flavoured macaron .. it was AMAZING!
The video is posted on MyCityLives.com, called "At The Table With Stephen Nason - Head Pastry Chef, La Bamboche"
Enjoy!
MacaronDayTO will take place on Tuesday, March 20th, 2012 to coincide with Macaron Day taking place in Paris, NYC and other international cities. There are other patisseries across Toronto that will participate as well. They are offering each customer a free macaron and any purchases made that day, 25% of sales will go to support Red Door Family Shelter.
For more details and to see the other participants, please check out their site:
http://macarondayto.com
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