WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU? An addition to my series of walks for curious foodies: the new Delysées on Ossington Avenue, with adjacent lanes turned into open-air art galleries.
I usually park on Givins Street to do this 1.4 km walk.
Delysées Luxury Desserts
There was a time when the pastry shop was located on King Street West. I have a perfect partner for that sort of crime and it was one of our favourite destinations. We were pretty sad when they closed their doors.
In summer 2021, I discovered that their kitchen and a very small counter was now in my neighbourhood, at 20 Logan Street. Covid obliges, they had adjusted their offer to simplify their life while feeding the city's foodies.
Then... tadam! In fall 2021, they opened their decadent mecca on Ossington Avenue, renaming their pastry shop Delysées Luxury Desserts (131 Ossington Avenue, open weekdays from 11 am to 9 pm, and weekends from 10 am to 10 pm).
I checked it before Christmas. The long counter, filled with wonders will be a real torture for the indecisive, with rows of multicoloured macaroons, amazing fruit-shaped creations, glazed icings sprinkled with gold flakes... There's only one kind of friend to visit this place with: those who love to share!
As we sat down, we could appreciate the subtle elegance of the decor with golden accents. The delicate cup in which I was served my americano was gorgeous. Dessert plates were selected to enhance the beauty of each culinary creation. Our favourite was the Colette, an artichoke-shaped beauty, dusted in gold, with flavours of raspberry and lychee, served on its forest green plate.
Delysées lives up to its name of "luxury desserts," with the majority of its pastries costing over $9. But the way I see it, it's THE way to treat yourself to the best Toronto has to offer without having to shell out for a full meal at the gastronomical restaurants.
If you live on the east side of town, you'll want to know that you can place an order on their website and pick it up in Leslieville. Note that you will have to call them after placing your order online, to specify that you want a pick-up at 20 Logan Avenue (you'll have to go around the block to get around the row businesses).
Ossington Avenue
The alleys on either side of Ossington are lined with great murals, from Queen to Dundas. There’s an easy to miss large snake by artist Birdô, on Argyle Place, east of Ossington. Most of the murals are in the alley west of the avenue.
While strolling along Ossington Avenue, we noticed several French references. The intriguing Pastiche restaurant/cocktail bar only visible to the eye on the sidewalk, the Annie aime fashion boutique, and the two restaurant/wine bars Côte de boeuf and Paris Paris.
There are many stores to peruse on Ossington. I made a mental note to myself to come back and browse through the large men's section of I Miss You Vintage's high-end second hand clothing store, and to buy chocolate Christmas trees from Avoca Chocolate Factory for my stocking stuffers (their windows displayed a lovely village during the Holidays).
I ESPECIALLY want to come back to Anice Jewelry (102 Ossington Avenue, open from noon to 6pm every day except Sunday, when they close at 5pm). One of a kind, it's been around for seven years.
One enters it as in a pretty jewel box. On the walls and counters, delicate necklaces, original rings, jewelry for every day or for special occasions. I had a big crush on the rose gold pendants with vintage medallions!
The back of the store opens up to rooms decked out for jewelry making workshops. They sell a perfect beginner's kit for those who want to get started in this hobby. They can also engrave with a punch in a variety of fonts.
But their most original feature is their custom necklaces section, where we are invited to choose a chain, a treasure and a gem to make a personalized creation for ourselves. If we take a broken piece of jewelry to them, they’ll suggest how to include it in a new creation!
This post is a complement to mini-walk #13 in local author Nathalie Prézeau's latest walking guide: Toronto BEST Urban Strolls available in Toronto’s major bookstores, on torontourbangems.com/shop and amazon.ca or indigo.ca. We also deliver or contact the author directly at nathalie@torontourbangems.com to arrange for a pick up with a discount at 299 Booth Avenue, in Leslieville.
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