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LPK'S Culinary Groove
Categories: Food Specialty Food Chocolatiers and Shops Food Desserts Chocolatiers and Shops, Desserts [Edit]
718 Queen St EToronto, ON M4M 1H2
Neighbourhood: Riverdale
(416) 461-6440
- Hours:
Tue-Wed, Sat 11 am - 7 pm
Thu-Fri 11 am - 8 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
13 reviews for LPK'S Culinary Groove
Review Highlights
"So good you'd never know it was both vegan AND gluten free."
(in 5 reviews)
"In particular, the coconut lime cupcake is amazing."
(in 4 reviews)
"Spicy Chèvre Noir Shortbread™Cookies (so, n, goat dairy..."
(in 3 reviews)
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13 reviews in English
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Review from Jen W.
Scarborough, ON
10/18/2011
Next to the Love of cakes shop, this is one of the best places I have been to for cupcakes. Im sure ive said that in another review but this place is amazing. I love it because it caters to those with dietary issues, its super cute, and the staff took their time to explane what each product they sold had in it. This is super importent to me because If I want to take cupcakes into work for students I have to be super careful and this place allows me to do so without being worried about the ingredents.
Poppyseed with lavender honey buttercream cupcake. Would go down there just to get that agin. Best icing ive had yet........Im sure of it this time.
Its also near dangerous dans which just made me all the more happy. Cupcakes and huge burgers.......too good to be true. -
Review from Faye C.
11/21/2011
This place has a fab selection of vegan/gluten free desserts. The desserts are rich and delicious. I've had a few cupcakes and tarts, and they were all delish, and totally worth a try.
They also make some great cookies, and have recently expanded their offering to include other locally made goods.
I haven't had anything here yet that I didn't enjoy!Listed in: Cool Places in Leslieville
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Review from Juliana H.
Toronto, ON
9/23/2011
With the exception of shortbread (my Achilles' heel) I wouldn't really call myself a dessert person. Having said that, I can appreciate a delicious sweet and if the situation arises, let's say having friends over for dinner, I have every reason to want to go to LPK's. I've tried a variety of their sweets such as brownies, cupcakes, nanaimo bars, and cookies and each one has been excellent.
In particular, the coconut lime cupcake is amazing. I've had cupcakes from all over this crazy land of bakeries known as Leslieville, but hands down, it's my fav.
And the shop itself is very cute. Yes, if you like sweets and especially if you have dietary restrictions, I think LPK's is crucial. -
Review from Sara K. P.
Toronto, ON
6/27/2011
Happy Happy, Joy, Joy Part 1
I randomly picked up treats from the LPK stand at the Leslieville Farmer's market as they were pretty much the only baked goodies vendor there. I was also drawn to the fact that they offered a fair selection of vegan/ gluten-free products as I am on the quest for the ever elusive delicious vegan treat.
Was recommended to get the Coconut with Lime frosting cupcake by the friendly vendor and also got some gingerbread cream sandwich cookies.
Held off on eating them til I got home as I was still full from brunch at Papillion on the Park...But boy was I in for a treat!
I later mowed down on the Lime Coconut cupcake which was moist with a nice zing from the lime frosting I can't believe it's not buttercream! The cookies also were consumed with much relish as hubby kept looking over at me sheepishly, expecting me to share....ummm ...nope, I ate them all myself!
Will definitely follow up with a second review of the LPK storefront and I'm so happy that I can eat yummy treats and not feel bloated and gross afterwards... Thank you LPK , you brought MY culinary groove back!
Happy happy, Joy Joy....Listed in: Mouthgasms :D
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Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
3/5/2011 5 photos
LPK's Culinary Groove is a cute little bakery.
I really like the fact that it caters to people on strict dietary restrictions! And when one indulged yourself with all these sweetness and knowing they are eating "healthy" sweets!
Chocolate Chip Sandwich Cookies (v, g, d, n) $2.75/Jumbo
- now I know where to get some vegan and gluten free goodies for my friends
- the cookies itself is crisp and light.. the cream is rich.. for me it just taste like an awesome cookies!
Spicy Chèvre Noir Shortbread™Cookies (so, n, goat dairy only)
$12.00/bag
- I wish they have smaller bag... $12 is quite pricey...
- personally, I am not crazy about anything goat/sheep... I didn't enjoy that... just too goaty for me?
I wish one day LPK's Culinary Groove will have some products that are calories and fat free too...and taste like the REAL thing? -
Review from Amy C.
Toronto, ON
4/27/2011
Yum yum yum!
I am gluten- and egg-free and this, hands down, is my favourite place in Toronto to indulge in sweets. Every time I've been there, the ingredients have been fresh and each item has delivered its expected respective texture.
My favourite item in the coconut lime cake. It has such a great texture, but it still makes me think it's healthy for me. The taste is luscious but not overly sweet. I love it so much, I ordered a 6" for my wedding (but only my husband and I were allowed to eat it!). Yes, they're on the pricey side, but each item is worth every penny. -
Review from Kat F.
7/9/2009
LPK's Culinary Groove is a tiny boutique at Queen & Broadview that specializes in stunningly beautiful organic creations like cakes, tarts, truffles and pastries. There are vegan and gluten-free options galore and everything is expertly labelled with descriptions.
Owner Lesia is incredibly knowledgeable and welcoming and knows absolutely everything about the intricacies and ingredients in the store's baked goods.
The neat thing about the beautiful mini cupcakes on display is that they're made from leftover cake batter, so the flavour combinations vary from day to day depending what's being baked/ordered. How economic! The only downside to these cupcakes is the somewhat prohibitive cost - $2.50 for a mini cupcake is definitely the most money I've ever spent on a mini. However, it had a real uniqueness and beauty to it - vanilla with brown sugar buttercream. The butteriness (a word??) was very evident; I almost felt like I was eating an entire rosette of butter that's served with a dinner roll. Dieters beware!
While LPK focuses on sweet baked goods, the true knockout of the day was the "Spicy Chèvre Noir Shortbread Cookies", which I had a free sample of. Unbelievably good. The flavour is unlike anything you've ever graced your lips with - at once tangy and spicy with a bit of a kick. The cost ($12 for a bag of 16) is well worth it for the journey to tastebud nirvana!Listed in: Toronto Cupcake Crawl 2009
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Review from Christa B.
11/4/2011
I used to be a believer- like from the early days this place was heaven for the gluten free vegan and they were the first to do it and do it well.
Sad to say that I've been very disappointed of late. Nevermind the lack of addition to their menu or the fact that they've sold me on more than one occasion a rock hard cupcake for almost $5 no less! Recently I went to order a cake for my coworker's shower on a Thursday for pick up on the following Tuesday, I was treated like I would be lucky to have my order accepted at all then informed that the bakers would do it but they had to charge me a $10 late charge to do it... This is on a 10" banana cake already overpriced at $60. THEN was informed that to have congratulations written on it, it would be another $5....needless to say it left me feeling pretty shocked that I was expected to pay $75 for a cake. I ended up backing out of the order when I talked to Bunners Bakeshop who informed me that I could get the same size cake for $45 and all they needed was 24 hours notice not 5 days like LPK. -
Review from Helen L.
Toronto, ON
3/7/2010
As my fiance was eating a cookie sandwich from LPK, he turned to me and said "if i didn't love you so much, i wouldn't be sharing this with you." Yes, the cookie was THAT good. So good you'd never know it was both vegan AND gluten free.
LPK is more of a boutique than a bakery. Their baked goods are expensive but I'm not surprised as they use only natural and high quality ingredients that are organic, fair trade and good for you.
When we needed a last minute vegan cake for a party, Lesia was able to come through for us with only a few hour's notice. The cake was a hit and made me an instant fan. Their cupcakes are also fabulous. I've tried a few different kinds and they were all great. I even loved the coconut & lime, even thought I am usually not a huge fan of coconuts.
I only wish there were more bakeries like this. There are many options that are vegan, gluten-free and all the items are vegetarian-friendly. Not only that, but they all taste equally amazing so you don't need to compromise on taste just because you can't have certain ingredients! On some weekends, they teach classes as well. No, their baked goods are not cheap but when it comes to food, it should always be quality over quantity. -
Review from Carmen M.
5/24/2010
LPK's Culinary Groove popped my vegan cherry. I'm sure LPK would be happy to know this. :-)
LPK's is a small shop on Queen East near Broadview that specializes in vegan and organic creations. I went specifically to try a cupcake, which was okay, but stumbled upon the Oreo Cookie Sandwich (vegan!) and the best cookie I've ever eaten -- the Spicy Chevre Noir Shortbread cookies! Holy, are these things fantastic!
The staff, including LPK, was super nice and very interested in getting to know their customers. I'll definitely be back.Listed in: Cupcakes, Cupcakes, We All…
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Review from Benjamin G.
Toronto, ON
7/4/2009
This is going to be a pretty simple review. LPK's CG has the nicest, most knowledgeable staff I have had the pleasure to meet in a very long time.
I've been trying hard to find something there that isn't absolutely delicious. I fail every time. I make up fake birthdays, retirement parties, baby showers, just because it's a weekday, anything to give myself an excuse to visit them. The best part is you leave feeling awesome because everything is made with fair trade organic local ingredients. Hello! Ok, the real best part is eating the goodies.
To be completely fair I feel I should give you a con with LPK's. Here it is: make it a habit and take it out on your scale.
Why are you still reading this? Go treat yourself already! -
Review from Christine C.
Etobicoke, ON
Updated - 8/7/2009 5 photos
I've become a regular at LPK's since I wrote my review. Dropped back in there the other day (on my way to Swirl) and grabbed up some more of those nasty assed spicy Chevre Noire Shortbreads. Also picked up a small chocolate cake to take home. So from the mouth of the babe in my house....."mmmmmmmmmmmm......mummy....this is absolutely by far and away the best chocolate layer cake I've ever eaten!". There you have it folks, the child has spoken.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/9/2009
Just for the record, LPK stands for Little Punk Kid and for those of you who have had Lesia, I'm… Read more »
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Review from Jimi S.
ON
11/19/2008 12 photos
the ladies at lpk's have been very welcoming each time i have come in. they are excited to answer questions and seem on a mission to make sure that customers see the true culinary merits of well made organic pastries, cakes and chocolates, especially vegan ones. i tried the vegan jelly squares which essentially as pictured above is jam that theyve managed to hold together in a rectangle and covered with some type of sugar. its quite lovely actually and i wouldnt flock to vegan desserts on any day but i would buy this one as a dessert on par with any other. it was not rubbery, or hard to rip apart, or jelloey or gelatinous at all. it was as i said - magically made to stay in a fixed shape as it tasted more like a delicious, not overly sweet jam. the chocolate chip cookies, the brownies and the shortbreads were all made on site and very fresh. my personal favorite was the chevre noir shortbread, which has goat cheese in it and was spicy- perhaps from cayenne pepper maybe, not sure, but a great find and dessert alternative.
their cakes are amazing and death-defying in their construction and colour. havent tried any of those but likely they are made from high quality organic goods and taste great. they also sell other dessert acoutrements.
all the displays are created with care and are very welcoming. the small cake display was a little sparse when i came in, but im sure thatll fill up in no time at all with good stuff. (i didnt try the white chocolate truffle creme brulees for absolutely no good reason at all as they looked and sounded awesome so i will have to go back for that.)
good luck and thanks for making healthy desserts taste awesome.
