Julienne's Patisserie
Julienne's Patisserie is a family-owned bakery cafe offering buttercream cakes, freshly baked pastries, and their one and only afternoon tea experience.
Situated in the heart of the Upper Beach community, you'll be captivated by their adorable and feminine interior embellished in pastel pink throughout — from walls to furniture, with a visually pleasing rose mural at the back.
The eye-catching falling roses ceiling decor imparts a romantic and elegant touch to their modest store layout, creating the ideal atmosphere for a leisurely afternoon tea break with friends.
The opening of this pink-hued cafe not only actualized owner Jessica Lee's dreams, but also fulfilled her ambition to carry forward the values instilled by her beloved grandmother, Julienne, who played a vital role in shaping her passion for baking from a young age.
At Julienne's, your palate is always greeted with a diverse selection, whether you're in the mood for morning delights such as muffins ($4.25) and croissants ($2.65-3.20) or seeking afternoon treats like macarons ($3).
Take a seat on their comforting plush velvet chairs with your favorite pastry and beverage in hand.
Their signature cupcakes are loaded with plentiful flavor options, ranging from flower-shaped lemon cupcakes to the classic chocolate vanilla, Biscoff, and red velvet.
Characterized by its unique light lavender color, this Ube cupcake ($4.50) is an Asian-inspired flavor that imparts a mild vanilla-like undertone.
You can never resist the temptation of the sweet and little chocolatey S’more cupcake ($4.50).
Sticking to its namesake dessert, it's topped with soft marshmallow, graham cracker and a gently toasted whole marshmallow garnish, all resting upon a rich chocolate cake.
We also tried a number of flavors of their scones ($3.50), including Lemon Lavender, Cranberry Orange, Cheddar with Chive or Ham, and Mixed Berries.
Frankly, I find myself more inclined towards the savory varieties as the sweetness of the icing tends to be a bit overpowering for my taste.
Within their menu offerings, I am particularly thrilled about the weekend tea set ($55 per person), available only on Sundays.
This exclusive experience includes a series of sweet and savory pastries nicely arranged on their aesthetic three-tier serving stand, accompanied with your choice of beverage from local tea brand Sloane Tea.
I've opted for the Rogue Provence, a caffeine-free rooibos tea infused with fruity and floral notes.
For those who love adding milk to your tea, consider the Masala Chai Classic — a robust black Assam tea complemented by a hint of aromatic spices.
Start off with savoring the delectable bites on the lower tier, where you can find a heart-shaped ham and cheese sandwich that mirrors the exact appearance of the sandwiches crafted by Jessica's grandmother.
On the upper level, you'll encounter Julienne's signature bite-sized scones.
Delicately splitting these soft moist pieces into half and slather with devonshire cream and lemon curd, or house jam if you have a sweet tooth.
Petit fours like lemon meringue tart, and macarons with daily special flavors (Champagne, Tiramisu, and Pistachio) certainly earn the title of my personal favorites.
Additionally, I highly recommend the vanilla panna cotta cup with mixed berry compote, which introduces an impeccable balance of sweet and tangy taste profile in every spoonful.
Make sure not to overlook the small cake served alongside, showcasing seasonal flavor of Strawberry and Raspberry.
If an afternoon tea set fails to quell your sweet cravings, give a try to the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Square ($4.25).
Wrapped in melted marshmallow, its delightful blend of sweetness, crispiness, and gooey goodness is a perfect ending to our visit at this charming bakery cafe.
Julienne's Patisserie is located at 2195 Gerrard St E.
Fareen Karim