Sweets for the sweet, and just in time
Three places to get that special taste of Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is around the corner. Celebrate with sweets from one of these shops. (With so many amazing bakeries, let’s do this roundup more often.)
LA BAKERI
Three years ago, Marisa Blackburn (née Scibetta) took over the reins of La Bakeri — a dream come true. On the walls of the charming bright space, photos remind patrons of Carmelo (Cam) Greco who opened the bakery in 1981. Marisa — a “close friend and paesan to the Greco family” — spent much time in his kitchen as she honed her craft, began to teach baking and make custom cakes.
Yes, it’s an Italian bakery, so why a French name? When, in his Italian-accented English, Cam said he’s going to the bakery, it sounded like “La Bakeri,” and the name stuck.
Since taking over the reins, Blackburn has retained (and enhanced) the traditional menu. Renowned for their traditional Sicilian Cannolis, she has added creative options such as Salted Caramel, Pistachio, and Espresso. Their cannolis are fresh every day, resulting in a fabulous taste experience.
There are beautifully displayed Peaches, Rum Baba, Tiramisu, Strawberry Bigne, Brownies, Cherry Cheesecake, Vanilla Squares, Sfogliatella and Ciardone and often special treats.
Though not Italian, I have sweet memories of Rum Cake and was delighted to find a bakery expertly making this. Sponge cake is layered with chocolate and pink rum-flavoured custard, lightly iced and decorated. Their sponge cakes are available in almost a dozen flavours. Blackburn also has a catalogue of unique special occasion cakes that can be ordered. These are visual treats and I’m sure must taste di- vine.
They also sell classic Italian cookies and biscotti. Macaroons and Amaretti are naturally gluten-free, and there is a GF version of brownies. This is a takeout only bakery that takes special orders.
LA BAKERI
935 Fennell Ave. E, Hamilton 905-383-3667 labakeri.com/
Hours: Tuesday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, Saturday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Monday closed
What you’ll pay: Ciardoni $3.50; Tiramisu $2.75; Espresso and Regular Cannoli $2.75; Salted Caramel Cannoli $3.00; Rum Cake $2.20; Venetian Cannoli $2.20
MY SWEET TOOTH
Jia Tian and Peter Sun, both from China, met at McMaster. They have just opened their long-dreamed of Gourmet Asian Fusion Bake Shop in a beautifully restored century-house. “Fusion” scoops up new and old customs from various countries (China, Japan, Korea, Thailand) that are often combined with French techniques — and the results are scrumptious.
Jia and Peter are charming and talented. Using WeChat they developed a following of patrons longing for Asian sweets they could not find locally.
Many of the basics are recognizable — shortcake, cake rolls, cream puffs and (18 layer) crepe cakes. But next to strawberry or mango, are what (for me) were uncommon — and supremely delicious — flavours. Matcha (finely ground green tea leaves), soya and taro show up in various forms. Think Matcha Cream Puffs or Taro Layer Cake or Chestnut Cake.
The most interesting was the Pork Floss Mochi Cube. Resembling graham cracker crumbs, pork floss (derived from totally dehydrated shaved pork) imbues a sweet/salty flavour — in this case to a cake square layered with mochi filling.
DOCE NATA PASTRY & CAFÉ
Sergio Trocado brought his Portuguese pastry chef experience to Stoney Creek, opening his first bakery with his wife Suzy Agostinho in September 2018. Doce Nata Pastry & Café offers many classic Portuguese sweets, the most recognizable being Pasteis de Nata — glorious layers of pastry filled with light custard, marked with distinctive golden spots of caramelization.
Doce Nata’s pasteis de nata are so fresh that when you bite into them you hear a delicate crunch just before you’re hit with the taste of the custard. I’m a fan of the plain version though they sell variations — salted caramel, Nutella, coconut, almond and peanut butter.
Other Portuguese treats? To name just a few — Bolo de Arroz (tall light rice cakes); Bola de Berlim (custardfilled doughnuts); Bolo Ferradura (festive horseshoeshaped bread); Farturas (cross between funnel cake and churros); Malasada (flat cinnamon doughnut) and Queijada (milk tarts in various flavours). Of course, the classic flans are available — Caramel and Molotof (meringue pudding flan). Order one for a home event
The base for most desserts is a light sponge cake and “creams” are always full fat dairy. Cakes are sold in slices, but you can order full cakes.
Expect to find new additions to their offerings. You’ll want to return often if not for take-away, then to enjoy their lovely second floor space. Beverages include various coffees, Jia’s favourite Chinese teas and “lattes” — drinks that combine milk and syrup with the likes of peach resin or black sugar.
They are in it for the long haul. “We’ll be around for a long time, so one day you can bring your grandkids to our shop and tell them this is the sweet shop that you’ve loved for 30 years.”
MY SWEET TOOTH
301 Main St. W., Hamilton 905-923-0636 instagram.com/mysweetooth_hamilton/ Hours: Tuesday to Friday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. What you’ll pay: Matcha Cream Puff $5; Soya Cream Puff $5; Vanilla Crepe Cake $11; Cream Moustache Jasmine Tea $5.50 or enjoy a slice with your Delta coffee — try a Galão (espresso and foamed milk). Take home bread and bolo levedo, and ask about their custom cakes.
The café now serves breakfast and lunches that feature Portuguese specialties. For Valentine’s, they are making cupcakes and heart-shaped cakes.
DOCE NATA PASTRY & CAFÉ
259 Hamilton RR 8, Stoney Creek 905-570-3574 https://www.facebook.com/docenatastoneycreek/ Hours: Tuesday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, Saturday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Monday closed.
What you’ll pay: Pasteis de Nata $2.80; Ferradura $2.25; Bolo de Arroz $1.50; Malasada $1.50