Le Pain Quotidien - Coming to Toronto?
I heard that a location of this Belgian bakery chain is going to be opened at the York Mills Plaza (York Mills and Bayview). Can anyone confirm?
Fwagra
Jul 10, 2007 01:40PM
That would be awesome if one came here. I was at one in Brussels 3 weeks ago and they have fantastic baked goods. Please let us know if anyone hears anything. Thanks!
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Can't confirm that but I know that Première Moisson (Montreal bakery) goods are available at the Dominion at Crawford and College. Their baguetes knock down the current crop of "Vienna " sticks that are so readily available here.
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I was wondering if I was cracked....so it was Premiere Moisson goods that I saw....neat
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Are Première Moisson goods available anywhere else in the GTA?
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Yes, I've seen them at some other Dominion locations (Front Street/Church, Major Mackenzie/Bayview). So I assume they are at all, or most Dominion's.
That makes them the *only* bread that I would buy from their store!
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They don't have this bread at most Dominions. They don't even have their own premium "Front St Bakery" line at most of their stores.
I have tried these breads at the Danforth & Vic Park Dominion, where they do have a display. On one occasion, an olive loaf was one of the best breads I have ever eaten. However, they are typically less than stellar.
The baguettes didn't live up to this bread's reputation. They were much inferior to Ace baguettes and to the "French flour" baguettes sold at Loblaw's. I'd describe them as, mainly, very hard.
Most of the loaves (we currently have a walnut loaf) seem past their prime at the time of sale. A shame, really. I don't know whether it's just this location.
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I've noticed a two day turnover, replacing half the product line each day, and the old ones are sold off at the end of the second day. Some are still OK then, such as walnut or olive.
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And that is the best part (the selling off)!
I'd sooner eat good quality, stale bread than "fresh from the oven" bread that is inferior.
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I'm pretty sure that they are 'flash frozen'. This is the same thing most bakeries (including Ace) do now.
if they're stale it's because the stock hasn't moved - not the journey from Montreal.
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I can confirm that Le Pain Quotidien is definitely opening the first of many locations in Toronto in October. The location at York Mills and Bayview will open first, followed shortly thereafter by a location on Eglinton just west of Avenue Rd., in the location vacated recently by Lucie's Kids Cats & Dogs.
www.lepainquotidien.com
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Thanks, Edible. That's authoritative confirmation if there ever was.
Now, my next question: is my evergrowing excitement about this justified?
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It depends - both the food and the atmosphere is great (i've been to locations in Brussels and London), particularly for weekend brunches (I used to love sitting at the communal table on a Sunday with the Sunday Times).
However, I am a bit surprised by the choice of York Mills/Bayview for the first location in GTA - my impression of the concept would be that it would be located where there would be plenty of pedestrian traffic or an existing "cafe culture" in the neighbourhood (i suppose eglinton / avenue would fit the profile)
Regardless - good to see them coming to town (just need one to open in my neighbourhood!)
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Ben, I don't know where you live, but I do know that the owners of Le Pain Quotidien in Canada are scouting out more locations across the GTA, and plan to branch out across Canada.
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While York Mills/Bayview doesn't have pedestrian traffic, trust me, there is a serious cafe culture of ladies who lunch in that plaza. I am always amazed at how packed that plaza is. The choice is of location is actually pretty savvy -- people with lots of money and plenty of time to spend it.
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We have such poor choices in our area that this will be a very welcome addition.
The location will be very successful.
I agree with Toronto Jo very saavy.
I am really excited to hear this, as it a favorite light lunch place when I am in Brussels.
thanks for the information.
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Where did you hear it is to be located at the former Lucie's, edibleTO? I've searched Le Pain Quotidien's website and there does not seem to be mention of that. Looked for confirmation of it elsewhere but to no avail. Just curious where you found out this info...
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...from the owners of Le Pain Quotidien Canada.
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Yes! They are opening on Eglinton (between Spadina and Avenue). I just drove by on my way home and saw the signage was up and construction has begun! I am soooo excited as I live a couple of blocks away. When I lived in Brussels, I would go there quite often. I used to pick up a croissant on my way to work at least once a week! Awesome sandwhiches and a warm chevre, walnut and honey salad to die for!! Here's hoping the food tastes just as good as I remember...
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don't forget their home made chocolate spread (kicks nuttela's ass...yes you heard it).
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Yes, they are coming....
I can't wait, I've been a regular in NYC...
and their Chocolate Brownie kicks ass... pardon my French
I will be there every morning, since I live round the corner of their first location...Bayview/ York Mills
I just saw the banners up today, it is the former Primrose location, stunning pictures
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Any word on an opening date?
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Drove by York Mills and Bayview on the weekend and was surprized to see that the store that was supposed to house Le Pain Quotidien is now for lease.
Anyone know what happened? What about the other location that was supposed to go at Eglinton?
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The Eglinton one is still under construction. I’m not around much but I’ll tell you I’ve never seen construction crews there. I may have missed them, I’m not around during the daytime but so far all that I’ve seen is a boarded up window with their sign saying it is coming soon.
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Don't know but the October Village Post reported that the YM/Bayview location's opening had to be delayed from October to November.
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Sometimes curiousity doesn't kill the cat, it just tells the cat what is happening with the opening of the bakery.
Ok, that was a bit of a stretch, but I am on my 4th cuppa coffee this morning, so I think I can be forgiven.
Anyway, the reason for that enigmatic little half-joke is that I emailed Le Pain Quotidien's Canadian enquiry address this morning and got a response less than an hour later (now that my friends, is service). So for those of you in the Bayview & York Mills area that were hoping for fresh baguette, you are, as the French say, S.O.L. Apparently, they couldn't come to terms with the landlord (that seems to be happening quite a lot these days, n'est pas?)
But do not despair. The location at Eglinton West will open, but not until February. The reason being that the remodelling of that location appears to have been a larger undertaking than originally anticipated.
As for the now non-location at Bayview & York Mills, they are still looking to open a store in that area, and are currently spying out spots on Bayview south of Eglinton (could this mean that stretch of Bayview from Eglinton to Merton becomes known as rue de la boulangerie? That would be neat...and please, no one correct my French, I know that it sucks the big donkey)
LPQ has also assured me that other Toronto locations are in the works....let's wait and see....not sure why I am so jazzed up about this...I haven't even tried their wares yet....must be the coffee....
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Great sleuthing Lazar!!! Thanks for sharing and please, treat yourself to another cuppa.
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Thank you and waaaaaah! <insert futile tantrum here> I was so looking forward to having a good little bakery in that plaza. Bayview, south of Eg does NOT need any more bread density. Bayview, north of Eg desperately needs it. Sigh. I guess the only bright side is that the ridiculous traffic in that plaza won't get any worse.
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very disappointed, as I live nearby, and the parking on Bayview is always a problem.
York Mills and Bayview is a wasteland of plastic menu restaurants.
Would have been a smart move.
However they are not really known for their baguettes, and if I am going to drive to Eglinton, I'll head for Rahier.
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Thanks for the info, Lazar. Quite disappointing.
But... what IS going to go in that space? Something good, for once? Hopefully not another overpriced fruit market. If anyone finds out what may be moving in, let us know. Hope springs eternal.
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Marche has a small bakery in that Plaza, non?
The bread's good and reasonable - has it closed down?
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Unfortunately the opening of the first “Le pain Quotidien” in Canada has been delayed one more time. Rumor has it that the first store slated to open at the Bayview North York mall at York Mills has been dropped, but the good news is that the one to open at the Eglinton/ Avenue is on track. Canada will have a chance to start enjoying the quality “Le Pain Quotidien” has brought to many parts of the world.
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This is pretty much the same information that Lazar posted on Oct. 30. Also, I have to agree with an earlier post by magic on Oct. 29 that there is no evident sign of construction at the Eglinton W. location. I drive by twice a day and have never seen a sign of any work there.
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Yup, don't think I've ever seen any sort of construction crew about there. If they are on track with construction, they must be doing everything via a back entrance! Who knows....
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I live right near there and have never seen anything going on... I hope they eventually open!
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I drive past the site twice a day. Today, I'm almost sure that the front had been framed off with plywood (I had my eyes on the road more than usual, due to the snow, so I'm not 100% sure that's what I saw)--maybe the work has begun.
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I have been advised that there is construction going on at the Eglinton site (but from the back alley -- not from the sidewalk), and that the restaurant is scheduled to open
just after New Year's. The next location will be in Thornhill.
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Here's a pic
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Quick update, 508 Eglinton will be open by early March at the latest (which means it could open sooner, but let's not give ourselves false hope just now). The one in Thornhill should be open by June of this year at Bathurst & Centre. A downtown "flagship" store is also in the works to be opened in the PATH closer to Union Station.
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Eglinton update- construction now expanded to the front facade, and I witnessed large grey stones being hauled in, fire brigade style ( by hand, from one person to the next..)
!
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any updates? I'm in South Carolina right now...hoping it will be done when I get back!
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The date announced to the press is March 26th. Possibly a soft opening before that, but official opening is late March.
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It wasn't open when I drove by yesterday, but haven't checked today.
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It looked like their opening was tonight, there was 5 spiffy dressed valets in front helping folks out of their cars. Did anyone go and sample their goodies? Can't wait to see if it's comparable to the one I went to in Brussels...
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I attended the opening last night. There weren't as many samples to try as I would have liked. They offered open faced sandwiches, soups, and a few of their tarts. Everything was good, but nothing really blew me away. I especially enjoyed the coffee ganache tarts.
The public opening is tonight, and after that they will be open regular hours starting April 9.
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Just to confirm--this is 508 Eglinton Ave. W. (i.e. a bit east of the Shopper's Drug Mart)?
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Yes. It's on the north side of the street, just west of Ferraro.
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Excellent--thanks!
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I has one right around the corner from me when I lived in NYC
I really enjoyed their open face sandwiches, coffee and apple muffins. Some of the preserves were pretty good as well.
I really missed my Saturday morning newspaper and coffee at LPQ when I moved back to Toronto
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I'm in the same boat. I moved back to Toronto from New York about 7 months ago and was used to having 2 LPQs within a 10 minute walk from my work. I was a big fan of their $1 coconut macaroons!
WON
http://whatsonmyplate.wordpress.com
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+
508 Eglinton Ave West, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Good to know it's ready to open soon- I got excited when I walked by today and saw the new store front...
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Well, LPQ opened to the public today! I was there at 7:45 this morning and the place looks awesome! Spoke with the owner a bit and we talked about the store, my living in Brussels and how excited I was to have a LPQ in my TO neighbourhood! Bought croissant and some rye bread. Bread tastes exactly the same as I remember and I love that they are offering all the same goodies from my stint in Europe (have never been to a LPQ in USA). Apparently the criossants are supposed to be better, per the owner, but frankly I found them to be heavier and not as fantastic. Since criossants are so finicky and change according to the climate, I am going to hope that they weren't at their peak due to the rain and dampness in the air today. I recall their criossants to be light, very flaky and melt in your mouth...but sadly not today! Hours are M-F 7am - 7:30 pm and weekends, 8am - 7:30 pm. Can't wait to eat my way through the menu! R
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We went for breakfast this morning. Got there just after 8am. It was busy at first with walkins and guests but then died out very quickly (people were coming and going) the owners were very friendly.
We were the only ones to sit for breakfast, had a pain au chocolate (very tasty but a little heavy like you said), the ricotta and fig tartine, and a horde of pastries for the office. Belgian brownie-excellent, savoury cheese muffin-excellent, madeleines-great,slightly sweet, cookies-crunchy and sweet.
The place looks fantastic, it is truly LPQ in every facet. The food is great so far, everyone was friendly. Will visit back soon for a proper sitdown a the long communal table.
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The criossants are not made on the premisses. They are pre-made, frozen, and shipped in from Europe. They then get finished in the oven at LPQ. I was quite dissapointed when the owner told me this. At least they are all butter.
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Read somewhere that there will be one at Yorkville. Hope it's true and soon!
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The Thornhill location looks like more of a May/June thing.
There was supposed to be a Bagel World in the same plaza (and the "coming soon" sign is still there) but rumour has it they've bailed. I thought What A Bagel opening their resto first, around the cornern, might have been the dealbreaker but it sounds like they quit when they found out LPQ would be a second bakery right next door. I guess they failed to get an exclusivity clause in their lease.
Anyone know anything?
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Whereabouts in Thornhill is this?
Thanks kindly :)
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