The Corktown area of Toronto’s East End just West of the Distillery District is evolving incredibly slowly. The massive rise in condo buildings is not being met with the population growth (or visitor attractiveness) necessary to sustain the businesses meant to populate the ground floors of the many buildings. It’s a boon then to see one of these long-vacant retail spaces finally open with an exciting new spot.
‘Le Beau’ Boulangerie (French for a bakery that makes their own bread on-site) features upscale espresso and tea options plus fresh baked goods in a stylish space that’s minimalist but not uncomfortable. If you’re not lucky enough to snag one of the few charming booths (tiny tables and little stools on one side but a surprisingly cozy bench on the other), there’s lots of outdoor seating, weather permitting.
The vanilla latte (only available in one size, always a flaw in my opinion but not a fatal one) is rich in flavour and beautifully speckled with real vanilla bean. The confident but not too speedy barista tops every elaborate drink with a latte art heart, whether it’s matcha or black sesame or good old fashioned vanilla.
But the pastries are the real scene stealer at Le Beau. An array of massive croissants take centre stage with too many delicious-sounding fillings to choose from. On an overheard recommendation from a regular, I took a chance on one that featured a dense but not too sweet raspberry paste and light vanilla cream. The balance was perfect and the pastry fantastically flaky, resulting in maximum deliciousness and maximum mess (if there’s a delicate way to eat such a thing, I’ve yet to find it). The chocolate chip cookie is solid but perhaps a missed opportunity for something a bit more creative. The two-bite lemon poppyseed loaves, on the other hand, are very memorable with bright flecks of zest baked into the fluffy cakes and a thin layer of glaze that, like everything at Le Beau, nails the perfect balance of sweetness for an adult palate.
Sitting at the foot of a condo just outside the Cherry Street entrance to the Distillery District, Le Beau is a perfect addition to a community that needs more gathering places. I hope to see them expand their hours in the future to grab some of the Distillery pre-theatre crowd (they currently close at 6pm), a key missing feature of the area’s competing cafes.
My Food World 