I Know it’s not cheese but…..
I wanted to let you all know about a fantastic Cake Design shoppe that has emerged on a relatively low-key (occasionally desolate) block of Eglinton Ave W in Toronto. Not long ago, after a quick visit to the dentist, I walked past a small storefront and did a double take. The store was called Cake Opera and I had often walked past it while it was closed, but this time it was open. I took the opportunity and walked in. I was immediately taken aback by the amazing (and delicious) edible design I was met by. Cakes that can only be described as works of art lined shelves and tables and the open kitchen in the back was shielded by a display case full of cupcakes, cookies, and macarons.
I was greeted by a smiling woman who I started to hound for some information on the store. I turned out to be speaking to one of the owners of the business, Jessica Smith, who is the pastry chef. Jessica graciously took a moment to tell me that she runs the business with Alexandria Pellegrino (Artist and Pastry Chef, respectively). They started out as a custom cake design operation, running out of basements and houses before moving to their current spot on Eglinton 
W. Since its creation in 2007, Cake Opera has gained notoriety as a boutique cake design studio, equipped to meet every fanciful whim in wedding cake form. Cake Opera now specializes in cakes, confections and most uniquely, Operettas, which are carefully customized sweet tables that look too amazing to eat!
After speaking with Jessica, I wandered around the store, letting the amazing creations wash over me. I may be trained as a designer but making cakes like the ones in Cake Opera seem far beyond my creative capabilities! I snapped some photos and then headed to the counter to decide what to bring home. I chose to try the cupcakes in 2 flavours (which Jessica then doubled, so I could try 4 flavours), a macaron, and a piece of the delicate-looking nougat. I chose to try a Salted Milk Chocolate Caramel Macaron and I couldn’t even make it the 5 minutes to my house to break it out of the little plastic bag it was wrapped in. Without a doubt, it was the BEST macaron I have EVER had!! It was the perfect mix of sweet, salty, crunchy and chewy – delicious!!
Thankfully, I ate dinner that night with about 6 other people so I had help in eating my 4 cupcakes.
Delicious Macarons!
We cut each into 4 and took little pieces. We tried: The Lady Pompadour (vanilla cake, vanilla icing); The Queen of the Night (choco cake, chocoicing); The Madame Butterfly (coconut cake, coconut icing) and my favourite, a Red Velvet with rich red cake and cream cheese icing. They were the most creative cupcakes I’ve seen in, maybe ever, and they were delicious! The cake was fresh and light, but not so light that they fell apart. The icing was sweet buttercream that wasn’t too heavy. The garnishes were perfectly created and placed. Later that night I also took a bite of the traditional nougat, with honey, vanilla, almonds, and apricot.
I truly don’t think that you could go wrong with anything that comes from Cake Opera, and I can’t wait to walk back in and try everything else! I also wish the duo the best of luck and hope that they stick around in their secretive little space – at least until I need my own wedding cake!!
CHECK OUT THEIR LOVELY WEBSITE
Beautiful Cupcakes!
