Gouter on Eglinton
Gouter is a family-run patisserie, boulangerie and chocolaterie initially founded in 2016 by Rodney Alléguède at their original location on Bathurst.
This second location stocks all the pastries and breads the shop is known for, as well as frozen items like ice creams at the back. Alléguède was trained in culinary studies as a chef in Europe, and has worked at Michelin-starred restaurants in France.
The space is small and narrow but bright due to a big front window, with a pop of detail at the back thanks to illustrative graphics.
A Nutella croissant ($4.25) is crunchy with big air bubbles, and feels super luxurious with a generous amount of Nutella inside and top, with a sprinkle of nuts on top as well.
There are also double baked almond croissants ($4) and classic chocolate croissants ($3.50).
Kouign amanns and raspberry croissants ($4) are top sellers. The kouign amann is made with bread dough layered with butter and sugar, unlike the croissant dough used at many bakeries. It's caramelized in the oven so the outside is very stiff and crispy, and the inside is sweet and gooey.
The raspberry croissant has a sugar glaze on top and a house raspberry jam inside, with is also available to take home jarred.
There are also jarred butternut squash and carrot and ginger soups ($9).
A Paris Brest ($7) is like an eclair on steroids - basically the same fluffy choux pastry, but in a round giant donut shape with very sweet, creamy, toasty hazelnut mousseline inside. There's also a pistachio variety.
There are also even fancier creations like a Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Moka, Hazelnut Creme Brulee, Chocolate Pistachio, and a Chocolate Intense ($5.75), a flourless brownie with different layers of chocolate mousse.
Gouter's own ice cream ($11.50) is available in Cookies Explosion made using their own cookies, Birthday Cake and Vanilla Bean. There are also raspberry, strawberry and mango sorbets.
Gouter also makes airy birthday cakes covered in sprinkles ($38), and does them in individual versions too ($5.75) for distanced parties.
They also have their own line of sourdough-based breads like classic baguettes, and do walnut and olive loaves as well ($7.50).
Their own dragees (crunchy chocolate coated candies, $12.50) come in almond and hazelnut varieties, as well as creative PB&J.
For coffee, beans from Java and Propeller are used, and are also available for purchase.
Expect lattes topped with cinnamon, available with pumps of flavoured syrup like pumpkin spice, and alternate milks like oat or soy.
Hector Vasquez