Loukoumania Cafe

Bakery: Loukoumania Cafe
Address: 3120 Rutherford Rd Unit 10, Concord, ON 
Website: https://www.loukoumania.ca/
Style: Greek
Price: $$ 

I can't even remember the last time I encountered a new 4-star sweet spot in the GTA - it's been a long time! I'd driven past Loukoumania a couple times and kept saying I'd give it a try in the future. The idea of a cafe specializing in the greatest of Greek pastries - loukoumades - was certainly an appealing one, though having tried them elsewhere, I wasn't really prepared for how good the ones from Loukoumania were.

 The one thing Loukoumania definitely has going in their favour is that their loukoumades - honey-soaked dough balls - are made to order so they're not sitting around at room temperature all day, getting soggy and losing the incredible crunchy outer layer they have when freshly made. Of course you have to bypass all the gimmicks and go with their traditional, in as big a pack as possible ($16.95 for 36). They're soaked in honey and dusted in cinnamon, deliciously crunchy on the outside and, with a quick crack, you have a moist spongy centre. These were a transcendental experience - I'll never look at loukoumades the same again!

Rating: ****