Line Up: Toronto

I would like to introduce a series called: Line Up.  This series will cover one or more joints that seem to always have a line out the door but still manage to be under the radar.  The last part of the sentence is key because all kinds of places have long lines to get in and order.  We're not talking about the legendary institutions like Katz's or Carnegie Delis in New York or Neptune Oyster House in Boston.  After all, that would go against the whole purpose of this blog.

For the first edition, I head up to Toronto, the city that apparently likes to line up.  I've noticed that if there is a line somewhere, people become curious and head to the back.

I have and a lot of great food there, but I found these two dessert shops to really stand out during my stay.  I was introduced to these places by my cousin, who really gave me a great overview of the city for a weekend.  So let's satisfy that sweet tooth.

Uncle Tetsu's Japanese Cheesecake

What's the best way to define Downtown Toronto or the CBD?  Boring, dull, and best to avoid for tourists.  But now there seems to be something that is drawing a lot of attention around these parts.  And it isn't Rob Ford.  It's the Japanese, with cheesecake, now available at the corner of Bay and Dundas.

Opened recently, this place has already developed a cult following and is drawing the attention of those passing by.  Many people are drawn to the long lines that wait outside the small shop over an hour prior to its 11am opening, especially those getting at the bus stop at the corner of the block.  I wouldn't want to know how long the lines are later in the day.  Although I've been told that people have waited up to 2 hours.  And for good reason.  Once the door opens, a mesmerizing baked smell coming from the ovens permeated throughout the line, drawing the crowd in.

Since it has not opened for long, the full menu of sweets isn't available just yet.  Right now, only the cheesecake, Madelines, and cheese cookies.  Madelines are basically lemon and honey flavored muffins.

In keeping with the Japanese tradition of culinary excellence, attention to detail and quality is emphasized.  Right as you walk into the shop, you notice that everything here is made from scratch.  There is one lady in the front mixing the batter for the baked goods and another lady wearing a yellow dress taking the muffins in and out of the oven.

But the main event is in the back, the cheesecakes are being baked in an oven that can only fit 12 at a time.  That's right, only 12.  Everything is made to order, so there's no consistent movement in the line.  There are no heat lamps so everything is expected to sell out that day.  Once 12 people get their cakes, the rest have to wait until the next batch is ready.  Some people may look at this as a con, but I see at as a exceptional mark of quality.

Once the cakes are finished, they are branded with the Uncle Tetsu logo in the middle.  Once that's done, they are removed from their baking pans can wrapped in cheese cloth and placed in their beautifully designed red and white boxes.

Now its time for the prize.  After waiting for over an hour, I finally get mine.  The freshly baked smell was mesmerizing.  I had to take a bite or two.  So my cousin and I went to nearby Ryerson University to get the first bite.  As I open the red and white box and remove the cheese cloth.

Now, the treasure chest is opened, the cheese cloth removed, and there is the prize.

Since there were no utensils near me, fingers would do.  As I pinch the first piece, I notice that it's much lighter than the New York cheesecake.  The same would apply to the taste.  It's milder and has more of a cheese taste.  The taste and flavor is so distinct and unlike anything I have had before.

Having been open since March, they are still only serving a limited menu compared to their other locations.

598 Bay St
Toronto, ON M5G 1M5
Canada

Bang Bang Ice Cream and Bakery

It seems every major in the world has its pockets of hipsters and Toronto is no exception.  One of their enclaves here in the city that loves to line up is Little Portugal.

Like Uncle Tetsu's, this is a very tiny shop.  There's a little counter space, some refrigerators up front, and a mini kitchen in the back where they make the ice cream every day.

Although you can have your ice cream in a standard cone or cup, Bang Bang ups the ante quite a bit.  You can put it in a cream puff, between two cookies, or in a Hong Kong waffle cone.

This isn't your ordinary thin, bland, and crusty waffle cone.  The Hong Kong waffle is very similar to a Belgian waffle but with circles instead of squares.  Each cone is made to order and is dusted with powdered sugar on both sides before its folded into a cone.  How the hell did no one ever think of that?  It's so ingenious, it made me singlehandedly rethink about how truly great America is.

Now, onto the ice cream.  Knowing hipsters, they are not about doing the same old stuff.  They are rebellious, avant garde, and creative.  And when it comes to ice cream, this is a really good thing.  Quite frankly, it's also necessary to stay in business.

All the flavors they have for the day are listed on metal buckets on the shelves behind the counter.  The night I went there, they had flavors like avocado, orange cardamom, Bellwoods Stout (beer and brown bread), miso and cherry, corn, and even Fruity Loops.  Let's be honest: whoever thought of cereal flavored ice cream at the time was probably stoned.  But since 4/20 was coming up, I guess it's the perfect occasion.

I went hard and got the double smoked bacon ice cream in the Hong Kong waffle cone.  It was, to say the least, obscene.  I mean how else can I explain the combination of a warm, crisp waffle combined with the ice cream containing bacon bits and a hint of maple?

I didn't realize until after I got it, but the order came with two scoops.  If I had known earlier, I would have split the scoops between bacon and avocado.  Then I would have gotten a club sandwich of sorts.

Now, to find something like this in the states...

93 Ossington Ave
Toronto, ON M6J 2Z2
Canada