Introducing: The Artisan Baker, a new bakery café at Yonge and St. Clair
Chef-owner Bruno Beaudoin (Image: David Ort)
The Artisan Baker, a new bakery café at Yonge and St. Clair, opened with little fanfare last week right beside the space left vacant when grab-and-go shop Le Panier Rouge closed. Chef-owner Bruno Beaudoin began his culinary training in France when he was only 13, and left a career in hotel management to launch the restaurant. It took exactly six months from the day casual Italian restaurant Passione pulled up stakes for Beaudoin to renovate the space, with the help of Glen Peloso Interiors. The 40-seat café is a very midtown Toronto take on Paris, with wall-mounted Edison bulbs and seat-to-ceiling tufted banquette backs. Toward the rear of the restaurant are display cases from which Beaudoin dishes up what he calls “food with a European flair but using Canadian products.”
Beaudoin serves set menus at lunch ($9 to $15) and dinner ($22), which draw from soup, sandwich, quiche and hot entrée selections that are made in-house and change daily depending on market availability. There are also fresh breads (most are $3.25) and pastries (croissants are $2.10; everything else is $3.10), all made using specialty flour from Quebec’s Moulins de Solanges. Beaudoin takes pride in sourcing ethically raised and chemical-free pork and vegetables from Ontario, beef from Alberta and Quebec cheese made from either raw or thermized milk. To satisfy the local office crowd, all food is available for takeout, and once the liquor licence comes in (in four weeks or so), the Artisan Baker will offer beer from Ontario microbreweries, a short wine list and a small selection of whiskies.
183177 (Image: David Ort) Introducing: The Artisan Baker Introducing: The Artisan Baker https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-11.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/the-artisan-baker/slide/dec12-the-artisan-baker-11/ dec12-the-artisan-baker-11 0 0
(Image: David Ort)
183179 As part of their takeout and catering service, The Artisan Baker is offering a traditional Christmas dinner ($24.95 per person) (Image: David Ort) Introducing: The Artisan Baker Introducing: The Artisan Baker https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-13.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/the-artisan-baker/slide/dec12-the-artisan-baker-13/ dec12-the-artisan-baker-13 0 0
(Image: David Ort)
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(Image: David Ort)
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(Image: David Ort)
183173 Selections from the marketplace shelves. Beaudoin hopes to eventually fill these entirely with house-made products (Image: David Ort) Introducing: The Artisan Baker Introducing: The Artisan Baker https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-07-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-07.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-07.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/the-artisan-baker/slide/dec12-the-artisan-baker-07/ dec12-the-artisan-baker-07 0 0
(Image: David Ort)
183170 Pied de Vent, a washed-rind cheese from the Magdalene Islands (cheese board is $9.75 for three cheeses) (Image: David Ort) Introducing: The Artisan Baker Introducing: The Artisan Baker https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-05-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-05.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/the-artisan-baker/slide/dec12-the-artisan-baker-05/ dec12-the-artisan-baker-05 0 0
(Image: David Ort)
183183 Black forest ham sandwich on olive ciabatta ($10.95; $12.95 with a salad or soup) (Image: David Ort) Introducing: The Artisan Baker Introducing: The Artisan Baker https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-17.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/the-artisan-baker/slide/dec12-the-artisan-baker-17/ dec12-the-artisan-baker-17 0 0
(Image: David Ort)
183182 Veggie sandwiches on whole-wheat baguette ($10.95; $12.95 with a salad or soup) (Image: David Ort) Introducing: The Artisan Baker Introducing: The Artisan Baker https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-16.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/the-artisan-baker/slide/dec12-the-artisan-baker-16/ dec12-the-artisan-baker-16 0 0
(Image: David Ort)
183169 Choco-coconut croissant ($3.10), toasted (Image: David Ort) Introducing: The Artisan Baker Introducing: The Artisan Baker https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-04-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-04.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/the-artisan-baker/slide/dec12-the-artisan-baker-04/ dec12-the-artisan-baker-04 0 0
(Image: David Ort)
183181 The popular choco-coconut croissant ($3.10) (Image: David Ort) Introducing: The Artisan Baker Introducing: The Artisan Baker https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-15.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/the-artisan-baker/slide/dec12-the-artisan-baker-15/ dec12-the-artisan-baker-15 0 0
(Image: David Ort)
183180 House-made croissants ($2.10) (Image: David Ort) Introducing: The Artisan Baker Introducing: The Artisan Baker https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-14.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/the-artisan-baker/slide/dec12-the-artisan-baker-14/ dec12-the-artisan-baker-14 0 0
(Image: David Ort)
183174 Apricot tart ($3.15) (Image: David Ort) Introducing: The Artisan Baker Introducing: The Artisan Baker https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-08-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-08.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-08.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/the-artisan-baker/slide/dec12-the-artisan-baker-08/ dec12-the-artisan-baker-08 0 0
(Image: David Ort)
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(Image: David Ort)
183168 (Image: David Ort) Introducing: The Artisan Baker Introducing: The Artisan Baker https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-03-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-03.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/the-artisan-baker/slide/dec12-the-artisan-baker-03/ dec12-the-artisan-baker-03 0 0
(Image: David Ort)
183176 (Image: David Ort) Introducing: The Artisan Baker Introducing: The Artisan Baker https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-10.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/the-artisan-baker/slide/dec12-the-artisan-baker-10/ dec12-the-artisan-baker-10 0 0
(Image: David Ort)
183185 The view from the back of the restaurant (Image: David Ort) Introducing: The Artisan Baker Introducing: The Artisan Baker https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-19-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-19.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/the-artisan-baker/slide/dec12-the-artisan-baker-19/ dec12-the-artisan-baker-19 0 0
(Image: David Ort)
183187 Chef-owner Bruno Beaudoin began his culinary training when he was only 13—even in France’s kitchen apprentice system, that was young enough to require special dispensation from Jacques Chirac, then mayor of Paris (Image: David Ort) Introducing: The Artisan Baker Introducing: The Artisan Baker https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-intro.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-intro.jpg 656 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/the-artisan-baker/slide/dec12-the-artisan-baker-intro/ dec12-the-artisan-baker-intro 0 0
(Image: David Ort)
183184 The Artisan Baker took over the space formerly occupied by Passione (Image: David Ort) Introducing: The Artisan Baker Introducing: The Artisan Baker https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-18-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-The-Artisan-Baker-18.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/the-artisan-baker/slide/dec12-the-artisan-baker-18/ dec12-the-artisan-baker-18 0 0
(Image: David Ort)
The Artisan Baker, 1423 Yonge St., 416-967-1423, theartisanbakers.com
This place will need to improve a lot. Nice room, but the staff is clueless. The croque-monsieur was tasteless (bechamel lacked flavor & no trace of gruyere) and for $11 is a rip-off. I could get a more decent Croque-Monsieur in New York for $10 including a salad. Bread pudding was equally lacking flavours. Sorry. Coffees were OK.
Sandwiches look meh! All bread with nothing in between.
So far, thumbs down. Sandwiches look average but if you want to go for coffee/tea/pastries, go elsewhere. Designer coffee was lacking in skilled craftsmanship, macrons came boxed and looked a little too stale to be trusted, staff were clueless and couldn’t offer any substance behind what the place offered. Lack of milk selections/alternatives for coffees (ie only milk or cream. No almond/soy/lact.free. Is this Tim Hortons??) With three types of tea, asked for hot water with lemon. Cashier squeezed the lemon wedge into the mug with his cash-handling hands and was about to charge me for it!
Chandeliers are cute.
Tried their mille-feuille and whole wheat baguette. The latter was great. Glad to see a French baker, who makes products with non-white flours. Mille-feuille was delicious but needed more cream in my opinion. Will be back for bread but pastry prices bite, so it will be a rare indulgence.
Félicitations Bruno , tu nous donne une envie d’une randonnée a toronto pour vous voir et goûter a tes merveilleux plats.Raymonde et Claude Beland
Prices here have increased. A croissant is now $2.63 (rounded up to $2.65 of course) and the croque Monsieur is now $13.95 and comes with soup or salad. Today I was told that the soup/salad was a “bonus”. I didn’t want either and they refused to reduce the price. I bought a croque Monsieur, a croissant, and a san pelligrino. My bill was over $22. Service has been craptastic since they opened. Staff is generally clueless and acts like they started 3 days ago. With Delica across the street and Aroma down the block, I don’t know why anyone would bother to do take out from this place. This place won’t last much longer with bad service and high prices. Today was my third and final visit. I will be sure to advise fellow friends in the neighborhood to steer clear. Delica across the street gives a much better balance of price, quality, and service.