J. P. Challet to open Le Matin, a new French boulangerie on Queen East

Queen Street East has been steadily attracting culinary entrepreneurs for the last decade or so, but with prime spaces available for rent and condos and townhouses going up at every turn, the pace has really picked up. French ex-pat J. P. Challet, a culinary craftsman of many trades, is the latest to try his hand with Le Matin, a new authentic French bakery that’s slated to open in December.

Challet, of course, is the talented chef behind the Annex’s Ici Bistro, but he’s also a master baker and bread maker, caterer, sommelier and, most recently, a chocolatier, as well (Challet enrolled in Montreal’s Cacao Barry academy to learn the art of making fine bonbons). At Le Matin, which will take over the space formerly occupied by Leonidas Belgian Chocolates, he’s partnered up with event planner Arnaud Presti to take care of the business side of things.

Challet describes the new space as “modern rustic.” On display, fresh every morning, will be quiches large and small ($24/$6), scones ($2.50), muffins that taste more like little cakes ($2.50), buttery, flaky croissants ($2.25) and two Lyonnaise specialties: bugnes and tartes aux pralines roses, which you can enjoy with a scoop of Challet’s homemade ice cream. And, of course, there’ll be Challet’s breads—like his baguette ($2.50) and sourdough boule ($6.50)—which many consider the best in the city.

Le Matin, 5 Coady Ave., 416-461-6992.