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Boreal Gelato Company
Categories: Food Coffee & Tea Food Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Coffee & Tea, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
1312 Queen Street WestToronto, ON M6K 1L4
Neighbourhood: Parkdale
(647) 352-7717
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
9 reviews for Boreal Gelato Company
9 reviews in English
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Review from Jay B.
Toronto, ON
1/15/2012
I wish I could give Boreal Gelato Company more than 5 stars.
It isn's unheard of for me to walk all the way to Parkdale just for an icy treat from Boreal. Now, when it comes to gelato, I am generally not very particular and usually tend to enjoy any of it so my review might not be as powerful as, say, my roommate's. She is a surly Italian who is generally unimpressed by everything, so it goes without saying that her hearty endorsement of BGC's Rosemary Shortbread and Salted Caramel flavours as "among the best she's ever had" is one I do not take lightly.
Beyond them exceeding the expectation to provide top-tier gelato, they also have a great environment. The people are friendly and laid back and don't roll their eyes or act annoyed when you ask for samples (which they are quick to remind you are limitless.) The music, the place, the people and the gelato itself make this my new non-negociable choice for gelato in Toronto.
Finally, let me tell you a tale from my vault of Boreal Gelato Company experiences. I was wandering Queen West during Nuit Blanche 2011 (which, as you Torontonians will recall, was by no means a tropical evening) and it occured to me that they were likely open late so my gang of NuitBlanchers and I hiked it all the way over to Parkdale with the sole motivation of hoping to find BGC open at 3:30 am. GUESS WHAT! They were open! So we all got our big cones and went wandering outside in the frigid night. Needless to say, people were shocked to see us with frozen goods in such weather; so surprised that Rogers TV interviewed us to ask us why oh why we would subject ourselves to such unpleasantness. Our rebuttal - what unpleasantness? With the deliciousness the gelato brings to one's pallet and the warmth BGC brings to their customers' hearts...getting cold is an easily overcomable sacrifice.
Highly recommended. Go now. Seriously....turn off your computer and go RIGHT NOW. -
Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
Boreal Gelato Company's Lemon Olive Oil Sorbet is quite interesting... Refreshing and light for Summer evening, especially when I just want something light before my meal at Grand Electric...
The interior has this cozy and homey feel...love the sofa...
Ask for password if you want to use the Wifi. -
Review from Kent P.
2/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
Haven't tried the gelato....but they've surprisingly got a very solid brunch line-up.
There were eggs benny, rostis, blueberry pancakes, french toast, and I had some vegan chilli. It was spicy and beany (but no meat). Very good, very good! Also, I think it was only 6$. Oh, Also again, they have fresh squeezed grapefruit juice here! You know what that means. -
Review from Kate S.
Toronto, ON
Between the Gladestone and Parts & Labour, I used to think my lunch and brunch options were limited to the Mascot and Skyline Diner, but this Sunday I saw a sidewalk sign advertising brunch outside a shop I, frankly, never would have noticed otherwise.
Boreal Gelato Company (perhaps an unfortunate name during Canadian winter*) serves an amazing and affordable brunch featuring items such as a bread basket brimming with freshly baked almond, chive & cheddar scones, croissants, whipped butter and in-house preserves ($6.00), classic Eggs Benedict with either back bacon, spinach or smoked salmon ($10.00), omlettes ($7-10), waffles ($8.00), blueberry pancakes ($8.00), AND THE BEST FRENCH TOAST I'VE HAD IN TORONTO TO DATE ($8.00).
We ordered the savory scones (4 for $6.00 with preserves and butter), Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon ($11.00), the French Toast ($8.00) with a side of fried chirizo ($2.00) and two fair trade coffees ($2.00 each). With tax and tip $39.00 for two.
Food notes: The savour scones are baked fresh every day and rival the crumb of the infamous Drake Blueberry Scones though no as rich. The hollondaise on the Eggs Benedict was light and full of citrus and not at all the clumpy re-heated horror that Anthony Bordain warns against ever ordering. The Eggs Benedict comes atop a freshly baked biscuit and is sided by a potato rosti and a nicely dressed side salad of baby spinach and grape tomatoes. The chef also makes ketchup from scratch so be sure to try some on your rosti (the flavours are tomato chutney, but the consistency is ketchupy.)
The highlight of the meal was absolutely the french toast. Three thick pieces of egg soaked Challah browned perfectly and served with spiced caramelized bananas (we wish there were a few more pieces on top), with a generous side of fresh pineapple and raspberries (so much better than melon), and a side BOWL of vanilla whipped cream with candied oranges. We devoured this by dipping each piece of sturdy (and not at all soggy) french toast already dripping with real maple syrup (complimentary) into the bowl of whipped cream... and somehow still it wasn't overly sweet. I am a savory over sweet girl, and I couldn't get enough of this plate.
We finished the meal with samples of the various gelatos and will definitely be back in summer to eat a full serving of the Lemon & Olive Oil Sobretto and the Salted Caramel Gelato.
The service was superb, Mel, the chef, was happy to answer my questions and show me the gelato machine (lust!), and the restaurant was clean, bright and warm.
Note: everything is made in-house, there is vegan salted caramel and vegan chocolate gelato made with almond milk, and the joint offers free wifi.
*The Owner did mention she is thinking of changing the name because its hard for an ice cream shop in winter... we think the sidewalk sign is enough to get people inside in winter. Instead, I'd recommend a more design conscious front window sign because until this weekend when I walked by I always thought this was some kind of non-profit art gallery. -
Review from Steph L.
1/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
While waiting for a table at Grand Electric, this gelato shop was the perfect spot to wait! ..Well, if you want to start with dessert.
It's a small and welcoming shop with a small but unique selection of gelato, sorbet, and baked goods (vegan brownies too). The menu has brunch and lunch items, but it looked a lot more like a dessert stop rather than a restaurant (around 6pm).
I have to give Boreal Gelato extra snaps for their uber-awesome Canadian logo. They have made-in-Canada gelato and their logo is a picture of an Inuksuk holding an ice cream cone. Too cute. Yay, Canada!
The gelato flavours were original and interesting:
* Lemon olive oil sorbet
* Spicy rosemary shortbread
I had a salted caramel milkshake ($4 small/$6 large), which can be made with almond milk! It was pretty good, not very thick, but still tasty.
This is a great place for a cool treat, fair-trade coffee, and a quick vegan-friendly snack. -
Review from Michelle G.
Toronto, ON
8/17/2011
I was lured to the Boreal Gelato Company by it's air conditioning (and to some extent, like Allison T, the decor)
I've been in twice, but today I finally tried one of their sorbettos - Ontario Peach. How can you go wrong with a flavour like that? You can't. They also had a lemon olive oil that sounded interesting, but I passed on it this time.
Word is they will be getting baked goods soon, but unfortunately it's from my least favourite bakery in the city.
Service was quick and friendly, there is wifi, ( that I didn't use) but there is ample seating and they make coffee, so I can see myself paying these folks a visit again sometime soon. -
Review from Allison T.
Toronto, ON
7/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
The newly opened Boreal Gelato Company lured me in with its decor. It looked clean. It looked modern. It looked cool. & it didn't disappoint - it was all of those things! Their flavors rotate but they have been luscious so far. The pistachio is subtle & soothing - the pineapple is creamy (but dairy-free!) & not too tangy or acidic. They also have what my Granny would call "brave" flavors - like lemon olive oil.
They're so new & friendly - I hope they stick around.Listed in: Roncesvalles & Parkdale
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Review from Ford C.
Brampton, ON
Updated - 9/9/2011
The new flavours are fantastic - pumkin, lots of fruits, and the best maple walnut the world has ever tasted (I am quite partial to maple walnut - a big fan and this is the best!) - the best!
I hear there is a new brunch menu coming out for the weekends too.1 Previous Review:
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8/15/2011
Espresso - marvelous
Gelato - can't get enough
Sorbet - delicious
Decor - wow!
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Review from Bill M.
Toronto, ON
10/9/2011
I'm sold !!! Excellent quality gelatos, and great service too. And I think I'll go back and grab one of those gelato pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving dinner......Nice job !!
