Greece: Santorini, Zoto's

We visited Zoto's Family Pastry TWICE in three days, first, for this.

Greece: Athens, Breakfast: Makriyianni 3

Location:

Makriyianni 3, Athens

Nile Guide

It's time for breakfast + the Acropolis! 

Who knew we'd have a view of the Acropolis from our breakfast nook situated on Makriyianni street?

Splendid. As was the sandwich and croissant. Greek coffee is going to take me some time getting used to though.

Great little cafe/deli, with a fantastic vantage point of the Acropolis. I'm happy to see the Nile Guide agrees!

Boston: Thinking Cup

Location:

165 Tremont Street, Boston, MA

Honestly, this place should be called thinking crap.

Hands down, the worst Earl Grey I've ever tasted...and I've tasted plenty.  And besides, the chocolate croissant was nothing to write home about.  Boo.  Very disappointing.  Someone quickly direct me to a good bakery/coffee shop.  I miss Le Gourmand.

NEW: L'eat

Location:

410 Adelaide St W

www.leatcatering.com/home.htm

In the cursed location where Zimbel's Cafe and before that,  Mosaic used to be, L'eat Express is the newest addition to the building beside Toronto School of Art.  Herbal Infusions is faring quite well so far, so maybe there is hope for L'eat (such a difficult name to wrap my head around.  Sometimes I think "teat", wrongly, of course).

I hear the brownies are amazing, but I walked by earlier today and the door was locked!  Will try again in a bit and keep you posted.

** So went back with some co-workers but they were still closed.  Someone did inform us that they were open this morning for a training session which included free pastries and plan to open again later this afternoon for another training session.  We were told they'll be open again tomorrow, so fingers crossed!

*** Went back on Friday and they were OPEN!  Found out a few things. 

Most importantly it's pronounced "ELITE", literally pronounce the letter "L" and the word "EAT".  I feel so much better, now. 



Owned by Tony Loschiavo with hand-crafted  goodies and gourmet meals made by Chefs Christopher Palik and Eric Walker, L'eat Express looks promising, especially with their original full service catering business (started 1983) in full swing at their Bathurt location.  I DID try the brownie, and it did not disappoint.  Shared with several co-workers, it was a huge hit! 



The complimentary bran muffin and double chocolate fudge cookie I scored was equally as satisfying, although I have to admit the cookie can't compare to Le Gourmand's chocolate chip walnut cookie which still reigns supreme. 





The teas on hand are from Language of the Leaf, which I love and which Neeta Khanna had sent me a package of teas to review in 2009.  I've also heard great things  about Paese, the sister restaurant to L'eat on King St W.

 

 

I really hope L'eat Express does well in this district, it's such a beautiful space and after speaking to Christopher, Tony and Rahim about their vision for this location, it looks like it's got all the ingredients to being as successful as the original.

Open Monday - Saturday (7:30am - 7pm)

TRAVEL: Paris: Paul's

Location:

Outside the Louvre.

Paul, the French bakery (since 1889) came highly recommended by our friend A, so when we discovered a kiosk outside the Louvre, we stood right in line!

I must say, eating a chocolate chip baguette and tomato, mozzarella and basil sandwich under the shade of a tree in the Carrousel Gardens was one of the best experiences of the whole trip.

Michel's Baquette

Location:

(Yorkdale Mall) 3401 Dufferin Street, Toronto

www.michelsbaguette.com

One of my favourite "go-to" bakeries in Toronto is Michel's.  It's an European-inspired cafe/bakery and there are several locations in Ontario.  It reminds me of Paul's in Paris.  No nonsense pastries, sandwiches and cafe lattes.



It's the perfect spot for a giggly group of girls women to go without bothering anyone.

The pastries are delicious.



Perhaps not as good as in Paris, but when you're with a group of good friends, who knows where you really are?

TRAVEL: Paris: Boulangerie Patisserie Coudrier Geffroy

Location:

77 avenue Kléber, Paris (16th Arr)

This was my First Taste of Paris:



I think I did well.

We stopped by this bakery on our way to our hotel...and they line-up was huge!  Am not surprised at all.  We wanted to go back again, but got distracted by some sort of tower in the area. ;)