In a city that gravitates towards new openings, it is hard to imagine a highly anticipated European patisserie coming to Toronto but having no grand reveal or long lineup. This was the reality for Marvelous by Fred Toronto -- the first Canadian location of the extremely popular French patisserie.
Aux Merveilleux de Fred has over 40 shops across Europe and one in New York City. Frederic Vaucamps -- founder of Aux Merveilleux -- opened up his first pastry shop back in 1982 with his brother, following a childhood centred around the artful skill of pastry making (Frederic had his first apprenticeship at the young age of 14).
Frederic Vaucamps gained much recognition and success after he reworked the recipe for Merveilleux cakes (originating in Belgium) -- making them in many flavours and creating a lighter texture overall. The Merveilleux cake is a small cake consisting of two light meringues sandwiched on top of one another, welded together by whipped cream and encased in another coat of whipped cream and dusted with chocolate shavings. Frederic's other variations include coffee, cherry and praline; which are given names using comparable adjectives to marvelous (magnificent, revolutionary, incredible and unbelievable).
The newly opened Toronto shop, located at 224 Queen Street West, has migrated entirely to online orders (they are only producing depending on incoming orders). Customers receive free delivery with a minimum order of $24 or orders can be picked up at the store with no minimum required. Deliveries will be made day of the order, with no deliveries on Mondays and Tuesdays and store pick up is available every day between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
On offer are a selection of Merveilleux cakes such as cherry, coffee and caramel; as well as the traditional flavours with both chocolate and white chocolate shavings. Chocolate Cramik Brioche is another pastry one can find at the French bake shop, consisting of Flemish-style brioche filled with chocolate chips.
