La French Taste
11401 95 Street
825-523-8278
www.lafrenchtaste.ca

Walking home along 95th Street, I was reflecting on how nice it is to have so many lovely local businesses like OTTO, which I’d just passed. The next spot, nestled between OTTO and Arden’s Varimart, had been another favourite of mine since the 1980s: La Favorite Pastry Shop. Its former location at 114th Avenue has been renovated to blend that old French tradition with a more modern welcoming “local cafe” environment. 

Julien Dallaine, a local originally from Paris, and Anthony Cucchiara, also from France, opened La French Taste together at the end of 2023. In the three years since, they’ve continued to perfect their cafe/bakery, making it a star of the area. With an awning above and (in good weather) bright red chairs on the front sidewalk, it’s like a little piece of Paris on 95th.

Inside, you’re greeted by a long glass bakery counter, packed full of dozens of different types of sweet or savoury creations. The variety of pain (French breads), brioche, croissants and more had me staring wide-eyed for several minutes trying to make up my mind.

Inside, the first thing that catches your attention is the long glass bakery counter. It is filled with an almost overwhelming variety of sweet and savoury creations. There are baguettes and other breads, brioche, croissants, tarts and pastries of all kinds. I stood there for several minutes trying to decide what to take home.

The choice is not easy. The cinnamon bun is a particular favourite among customers, with flaky, layered dough that gives it a distinctly French twist. Gateau St. Honoré, lemon meringue tarts, and chouquettes provide plenty of temptation for those with a sweet tooth. If you’re not sure what those are, the staff are entirely welcoming and very passionate about their craft.

And then there is the bread. A traditional sourdough baguette, with its crisp crust and chewy interior, is reason enough to make a stop. There is plenty for savoury appetites, too. Quiches come fresh from the oven, sausage rolls abound, while a spinach, feta, and pine nut brioche offers a delicious combination of buttery bread and savoury filling.

The sandwiches make La French Taste an appealing lunch stop, with fillings served on buttery house-made croissants, brioche, or focaccia. My son particularly adores their turkey and pesto croissant with cheese.

But for all the savouriness, don’t leave without a canelé. This tiny, dark, slightly sweet morsel is a unique flavour bomb with a deeply baked almost crispy exterior that opens to a soft and sweet interior. What texture!

La French Taste may have taken over a familiar location, but it has made the space its own. With genuine French skill, superb ingredients, and a welcoming local atmosphere, it feels like a neighbourhood treasure - or should I say in French, a “trésor du quartier” - a perfect place to sit outside enjoying a coffee and fine pastry.

Alan Schietzsch lives in McCauley and is a member of the paper’s Board of Directors.