4 stops, 2 dozen macarons, 1 memorable, wonderfully delicious day. Macaron Day TO 2014 came and went last Thursday and despite the chilly, windy weather it was everything I hoped it would be! Even though I didn’t surpass last year’s total of 5 stops, I truly had so much fun and in addition to raising money for Red Door, that’s the point of Macaron Day: to have fun and to build passion, excitement and awareness for these mouthwatering desserts that we love so much. I hope everyone had a really great time noshing on macarons and being swept up in the excitement because I sure did! I was raring to go early in the morning with my trusty Hello Kitty tin lunch box in tow, waiting in the wings to be filled with luscious macarons throughout the busy day and I’m happy to report that the highly anticipated day didn’t disappoint.
I passed by so many macaron-happy folks out and about with their baggies and boxes and I’m excited to find out if our final total for Red Door this year exceeded the one from last year. I’m hoping – fingers crossed! I had been anticipating this day for so long, not only because I was looking forward to having a ridiculous amount of macarons in my mouth and belly but also because March 20 is my anniversary with my sweetheart. Macaron Day, my anniversary, and International Day of Happiness – it was meant to be.
I switched up my Macaron Day route this year. For the last two years I generally stayed close to Yonge Street, attacking several different patisseries each time with a few repeats thrown in: in 2012 I hit up Patachou, Daniel et Daniel, La Bamboche and Petit Thuet and in 2013 I paid visits to Patisserie La Cigogne, Rahier Patisserie, and Yorkville Espresso Bar with return visits to Petit Thuet and La Bamboche. This year I really wanted to choose either an east or west end area and swing back central so I chose to start out east and I’m so glad I did because I FINALLY made my way to J’Adore Cakes & Co. on the Danforth after all this time!
Located at 3308 Danforth Ave. in the east end of the city near between Warden and Victoria Park, J’Adore Cakes & Co. is a beautiful and sweet cake and dessert boutique and cafe specializing in cake design and all the fresh, homemade sweet treats dreams are of made of: cupcakes, donuts (owner Isabelle was a winner on Food Network’s Donut Showdown!) and macarons! In addition, the shop serves plenty of hot drinks and panini sandwiches for the times when you need some food to round out the sweetness. The sweet-as-pie shop is painted in pastel blue and pink-and-white stripes with bursts of sleek and modern black and white designs adorning their decorated cakes and beautiful framed watercolours of yummy desserts on the walls. It’s a lovely space bursting with beauty and delicious things to eat.
Macarons are $2.25 each with half a dozen coming in at $13 (tax inclusive) and a dozen at $25, also tax inclusive. On Macaron Day, 8 macaron flavours were on deck, ripe for the picking and patrons were allowed to choose any flavour of their choice as their free one so I chose their Flavour of the Month, Apricot Ginger with chocolate drizzle! In addition to my free macaron, I bought a dozen to take home with me (L to R): 2 each of their Yuzu, Blood Orange, Praline Crunch, Earl Grey, Guava, and Apricot Ginger. The only two flavours I didn’t choose were the Pistachio and Peanut and it certainly wasn’t because I didn’t want to! The peanut one sounded delicious, like a peanut butter cookie with creamy peanut butter filling or something and I’m always up for Pistachio but I wanted to try something different so I chose the flavours that were most different to me.
Their macarons are so beautiful and colourful and yes, delicious! They’re about the size of a typical macaron (comparable to an Oreo cookie) and their fillings are mouthwateringly yummy. While I didn’t try all 6 flavours (remember I took these home for my family with the intent of sharing – I had to keep my word and save some for them!) I did try their Yuzu (the bright yellow with black sesame seeds), Guava (the lovely pinky-coral one), and Apricot Ginger with chocolate drizzle and I enjoyed them all. The fillings were light as air and so soft and creamy. If I had to choose a favourite I’d choose Guava simply because it’s extremely true to the fruit and also because it’s very unique. I haven’t come across another guava at any of the other patisseries thus far so it totally gets my vote! I can’t wait to go back to J’Adore Cakes & Co. for more macarons and to try their cupcakes and donuts. An honest-to-goodness sweet tooth like my self wouldn’t do justice if i didn’t!
Macaron Day this year was extremely special. I got to visit a beautiful sweets boutique I had never been to before, I got to try a plethora of new flavours, and I got to enjoy the special day with my sweetheart. And you know what else? This Macaron Day enabled me to share my love and passion for macarons with my grandma on her birthday. 6 of those macarons were for her because I knew I’d be seeing her the next day and I wanted her to try these amazing sweets and to be a part of all the fun I had. Because of Macaron Day, I got to give my grandma her first macaron at the tender age of 81. And she loved it.
*****
J’Adore Cakes & Co. is located at 3308 Danforth Ave. between Warden Ave. and Pharmacy Ave. (west of Robinson Ave.), walking distance from Victoria Park subway station in the east end of Toronto. They are open 5 days a week from Tuesday to Saturday (10am-6pm Tuesday-Friday and 10am-5pm Saturday). They are closed on Mondays and only open on Sundays for consultations and appointments. You can visit their official website at http://www.jadorecakesco.com/, ‘Like’ them on Facebook, and follow them on Twitter @jadorecakesco
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