Ola Bakery & Pastries 230 James Street North
I was thinking this would be a nice spring day to stroll along James North to check out some new spots to eat. No such luck, weather wise. Even though it was the day after the first day of spring, flurries were on and off all day, and it was quite chilly out with a blustry wind. Nevertheless, the food more than made up for it.
After checking out McCartney & Son for lunch, it was a few doors down to Ola Bakery. I had heard so many great things about the bakery, a staple of the street. Grabbing dessert was the perfect way to visit for the first time.
I didn’t realize from the outside how spacious it is – two rooms with plenty of tables to have a seat with your treat and coffee, or even a sandwich. Approaching the glass case full of Portuguese delicacies, everything looked so good, I had a hard time deciding. In the end, I just had to point at something and say, “That one, please!”
I knew I had to go with their famous custard tart, though, having heard so much about it. My dad went with a huge piece of chocolate mousse cake – did that ever look good! The custard tart completely lived up to all the hype. When I posted a photo of it on Instagram, it was met with so many comments raving about it. I know why! I’m now hooked too, and will be back for more.
I couldn’t leave without buying a few more sweets for the road. I picked out a lemon cake, an almond tart, a coconut tart, and this other coconut cupcake-type confection. All were scrumptious!
As I said – I will be back! I’ve got my eye on something with rainbow sprinkles.
– Kristin
If you want a great treat of the non-sweet variety, try their roasted chicken for only $9. You have to give one hour’s notice but it’s delicious. It is made with a piri piri sauce which is a hot Portuguese sauce. We get it quite often and have had the real thing in Portugal and this is just as good.