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Best Hot Chocolate & CroissantsToronto's Best: Pain Perdu, SOMA Chocolatier and Le Gourmand
In search of the finest hot chocolate and flaky pastries, this intrepid writer has scoured Toronto to bring you some of the finest options available!
In the dead of winter, few things are as satisfying as a delectable hot chocolate and a proper croissant. So, without further ado, let the listing begin! Best Hot Chocolate in Toronto: Pain Perdu There was almost a tie here ladies and gentlemen- so you’ll have to let your taste buds decide what appeals to you most because depending on this hot chocolate drinker’s mood, she’ll go with one or the other. But the baked goods at one of the three finalists almost always sways her some how… First Place:The luscious bowl of hot chocolate at Toronto’s Pain Perdu (736 St. Clair Avenue West) where Monsieur Folgoas offers patrons a rich version made with (drum roll please), none other than real chocolate ganache! Decadent, rich, très French and magnifique. Adults and children alike love these hearty bowls of goodness and the best part? Yes, you can have your hot chocolate AND croissant too because Pain Perdu has some of the loveliest, buttery croissants, almond croissants and chocolatines (for you die-hards out there- croissants with a strip of melted dark chocolate inside) around. If you insist, you can also try their tremendous pain perdu (think French bread pudding with a side of crème anglaise), an almond-scented Gâteau Basque (the owner is French Basque after all) or a lip-smacking éclair. Oh and their savoury offerings are tasty too (tip: the ham and gruyere cheese on baguette that’s melted in the oven and served with a side salad and the most parfait Dijon dressing in town!) Next Best: SOMA Chocolatier SOMA Chocolatier in Toronto’s Distillery District (where parts of the movie Chicago was filmed) has some inspired hot choc creations. From the now-famous Mayan Hot Chocolate (preferably made with steamed milk), each cup is a heady blend of cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, chili and the chocolate maker’s “special spices.” Similar to this but much thicker and in the European fashion, there’s the Barcelona Hot Chocolate (this writer’s fave city in the whole world) and a Bicerin- Italian inspired with roasted hazelnuts and cacao a la gianduja. In a word: Mmmmmmmmm. And while you’re there, don’t forget to try the sumptuous truffles that Toronto’s own Willy Wonka makes with loving care. Balsamic truffle or a Douglas fir truffle anyone? Sounds weird- but trust these taste buds when they say: Magnificent! Next Yummiest: Le Gourmand In third, and terrific in its own right is Le Gourmand’s Poulain Dark Chocolate made with hot milk. A bit of France in your cup! There’s also milk chocolate if you prefer and Le Gourmand’s thicker, Euro version. As a colleague once said, “it’s like hot chocolate cake batter in a cup.” Or chocolate pudding as it were. Tremendous! Top up on flaky pastry at Rahier- considered the finest croissant in the city or this writer’s personal favourite: Le Comptoir de Celéstin. A nice chew in the centre with a perfectly flaky exterior- these are perfect with some fresh butter and house-made preserves next door at Celéstin where of course you can enjoy these with a lovely cup of Hot Chocolate as well. Brunch or a break never tasted so good!
The copyright of the article Best Hot Chocolate & Croissants in Food Trends is owned by Mary Luz Mejia. Permission to republish Best Hot Chocolate & Croissants in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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