Although I will admit that Riviera always immediately comes to mind when I think of bakeries in the Downtown area, I must agree that its really just "ok". Although they make a mean Cannoli and marvellous Calabrese Pita, beyond that the pastries are rather mediocre.
However, and its a big however, if you have never tried a Zeppola from Riviera, you are missing out on the most fantastic Italian pastry experience of your life. For the feast day of St. Joseph (March 19) Italian's in North America for the most part bake a special dessert, and Riviera makes the best ones I've ever tried (and I've tried quite a few)! They are donut shaped dough fritters filled with pastry cream and amarena...divine!
Facing the bakery ladies' wrath is worth in it, the month of March!