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| - Despite multiple trips per week to Kensington Market for coffee or sometimes lunch, I only recently became aware of Blackbird Baking's presence in the Market. A colleague of mine had made a special trip to Blackbird to get one of their lemon tarts. It is not often that this particular colleague endorses products or restaurants but the few he has recommended were particularly memorable. Thus when he boldly proclaimed that Blackbird Baking has "the world's best lemon tart", I knew I had to trek over there to see whether there was truth to his claim.
The bakery is situated in the space once occupied by ACE bakery a few years back. Like ACE bakery the smell of freshly baked bread and pastries is intoxicating when you walk in. They sell a huge assortment of bread, cakes, tarts, scones, Special items such as caneles, brioche, challah, and olive breads are only available on certain days of the week. Spelt bread is available for the wheat sensitive consumer.
There was a basket of generously sized fresh baguette slices to sample. The bread was delicious and had the perfect balance of slightly chewy crust to soft tender bread. The selection of gluten rich items was quite overwhelming and I instantly regretted not having brought more than a few dollars change (intended for my coffee).
I eventually spotted the original object of my desire and raison d'être in the store...the lemon tart. It had a perfect brûlée topping, deliciously tart and not-too-sweet lemon filling, and a browned shortbread cookie-like crust. For $4, it was very reasonably priced and will continue to be a reason for me to repeatedly visit this bakery. I can honestly say it is definitely one of the best lemon tarts I have ever had. But I plan to reserve declarations of it being "the world's best" until I've tasted lemon tarts across the globe.
If you are a fan of bread, you must check out Blackbird Bakery!
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