It's easy to see why mini desserts are gaining popularity - éclairs,
once the size of a shoe, have shrunken into a petite pastry easily contained within
a palm. Things become cuter and you don’t feel bad having one … two… okay maybe
three.
Recently, I’ve had one of those nights. Delysées threw a
summer rendezvous event showcasing their line of miniaturized desserts.
Bringing along a sweet loving friend, I had intentions of only trying five
things and relying on the expert’s opinion instead. Yet, when I caught sight of
the intricate pastries encased in beautiful hues, I started reaching for more.
Chocolate lovers should adore their mousse cake and dark
chocolate truffle “Rocher”. The cake was fluffy as air incorporating a slight
peanut butter finish to the sweet - quite nice. Chocolate and I have our
moments: in general I don’t love the ingredient, but when the dessert’s right
it can be delicious. I had my doubts about the oversized Rocher, but it turned
out to be astonishingly light in the centre while still feeling indulgent.
I may not be a wedding planner, but Delysées’ collection of
Grange of Prince Edward desserts (a limited edition menu of items infused with their
wines) would be perfect for the occasion. Although it’s difficult to decipher
in the picture, their champagne macaron is dusted with edible sparkles! Brides,
please try to contain your excitement.
Then there’s éclairs in every hue and texture: a vibrant red
one filled with Sloane raspberry cream, a “soft” cloudy looking coconut, and a
whimsical meringue filled with a lovely lemon cream.
Yet the most jaw dropping has to be blinging éclair fully
encased in gold (inside is a hazelnut chocolate mousse).
For me, the tastiest is the plain white one – so clean and
unassuming looking. The jasmine yuzu cream piped inside is utterly refreshing
and perfect after a heavy meal. Although the tea and citrus both aren’t strong
flavours, their tastes were still rather pronounced and delicious.
Delysées’ cakes are quite the sight, especially the
flourless dark chocolate dome drizzled in blue and pink stripes.
The cheesecakes were not overly heavy: the inside incorporating
a fluffy almond tofu texture. I only wish the graham cracker crust on the
bottom was thinner given the dessert is so delicate and the thick base finishes
it like a granola bar.
For those who want a shot of booze with their dessert, they
even have a line of parfaits crowned with a squeeze of liqueur. An earthy
pistachio paired with a whiskey or a crunchy almond cream with Grand Marnier?
Their mini choux or
cream puffs were also tasty. Instead of the typical sweet whipped cream, this
was filled with real Madagascar vanilla bean cream.
Although more understated than the other offerings, Delysées’
tarts are worth a try: the crust is crunchy yet flaky and the fillings the most
flavourful of all the desserts. Pictured below is the dark chocolate &
salted caramel and the roasted pistachio. I also tried the fresh lemon tart,
which was refreshing and balanced.
Overall, the majority of Delysées’ pastries aren’t overly
sweet and appear to be flavoured naturally (rather than tasting very strong from
the use of artificial extracts). It’s a matter of preference: as a person who
doesn’t like overly decadent desserts, it’s perfect. However, if you yearn for
the sugary flavourful explosion that can only be subdued with milk, you may be
disappointed.
Regardless, Delysées’ new mini collection includes TONS of
choice – the above is only a fraction of their overall menu. So, you’ll have to
sample and judge for yourself. The fact that they’re the size of a silver
dollar? Well, you can just have a few more.
How To Find Them
Location: Toronto, Canada
Address: 780 King Street West
Address: 780 King Street West
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Is That It? I Want More!
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