Janchenko's Bakery

Bakery: Janchenko's Bakery 
Address: 2394 Bloor St W, Toronto ON 
Website: facebook
Style: Ukrainian, Eastern European 
Price: $$ 

As specified in the corresponding post, a bit more than a year ago, the long-standing Bloor West institution, Anna's Bakery quietly closed its doors after a great many years. As devastating as it is whenever any bakery closes, let alone one that's been there forever, there was a silver lining in this case: it was almost immediately taken over by another bakery. That's right. It didn't turn into yet another Tim Hortons or a restaurant. It's been kept as a bakery and that bakery is Janchenko Bakery.

The window decals and interior may have been entirely revamped, but examining the goods from both outside and inside, I had a curious sense of deja vu. From the big doughy turnovers to the strawberry tarts and poppy seed rolls, it felt a bit like Anna was haunting the new bakery. ;) Perhaps the bakery kept on some of the previous bakers? Perhaps this was more a management change than necessarily a new bakery? Of course, not everything is identical, but many of it is, so it's a bit of a head-scratcher that overall Anna's had average online reviews, at best, while the new kid on the block is doing exceptionally well for itself according to public opinion.

Regardless of that, I like to try things out on my own, and not wanting to stick to the familiar goodies, I went with some of the newer arrivals, namely one of the many individually priced cake slices (having so much priced by slice and not by weight is a plus in my books). There were a few promising choices, but I finally decided on the walnut cherry macaroon square ($4.50, taxes included). With all those descriptors, it's hard to say anything after that! It wasn't as elaborate as the other tortes available, but what in lacked in cake appeal, it made up in a flavourful blend of tastes and textures. Crunchy and chewy courtesy of a walnut-infused macaroon topping, soft cake bottom and a bit of slightly sour cherry filling right in between. Probably the best item I've had at new and old bakery alike.

Seeing that the doughnuts appeared the same as always, I went for the new addition: mini raspberry ponchiki ($9.80/lb). Curiously priced by weight, it added up to $1.90 for two mini doughnuts, almost the same price as two full-sized ones. Hoping there was something more to it, I bit in and instantly recognized the doughy, almost bread-like jelly doughnuts that used to be sold at Anna's and ones which I wasn't particularly a fan of. The difference lay simply in the thicker icing on top and that, being smaller, you had more fried, golden brown exterior with each bite, which was an improvement, but not enough to sway me over.

Rating: **1/2