Bakeries are still a relatively rare site in China. In modern China the populace has embraced bread, but on their terms.
Patisserie Harmonie in the heart of Chinatown is evidence to that. The display cases along every wall are filled with assorted baked goods providing ample evidence that you are in a bakery. The fresh baked smell of bread wafting through the air is noticeably absent and a closer look at the items on display appear garners a bit of curiosity, a slight craving, and a bit of nausea.
A few gems can be found that are worth trying. The egg tarts are a classic and if you can get them warm they are worth trying here. There's a coconut custard filled bun that is also not bad, but it seems they may have discontinued it recently. I'd steer clear of anything with meat floss or mayonnaise or excessive amounts of sugar cream, but that's just me. The slightly warm buns filled with assorted meats including but not limited to curry pork and bbq pork are more stomach churning than mouth watering for me so I avoid them like the plague.
Aside from that the store is usually quite busy which means food is fresh and lines are long. It's not always the cleanest place, though for Chinatown it's about average. It's certainly a Chinese style bakery, but it's not a terribly great example. There are a few more Chinese bakeries spread around the city (Guy-Concordia metro and Atwater metro) and I actually prefer them, but when in Chinatown this is the place to get your fix.