Patisserie La Cigogne

Great place for desserts (but not the service). One lady operates everything from the food prep to the cash register, so this might be the reason why things are a bit slower.
I ordered a lemon tart to go. They can give you a box that houses one individual tart. This tart is not too sweet and the lemon curd has the perfect tartness to it. It is a bit pricey at $ 5.75, but reminiscent of my lemon tart tea times in Australia.
The sandwiches are alright, as I ordered the barbeque pulled pork sandwich. The fresh baguette is probably the best part to the sandwich. The pulled pork itself was a little cold, but well flavoured.
The latte to go was hot. Nothing special about the drinks.

Let me begin by saying I adore the food at this place. I love the baguettes, the meals, and the pastries. I have had so-​so service in the past, but I have been here enough times (at least ten, if not more), to really weigh my words carefully.
Today I stopped by for lunch after an appointment. One of the servers came to my table after I said hello at the counter, and left 2 menus, even though I was alone — not a big deal — and told me I could come order at the counter. After a short time considering what I would order, I went up, placed my order and paid for my food and latte, leaving a tip in the jar as well. I sat down for about 15 minutes, read my emails, and wondered where my latte was. I went up to the counter and asked about my order. The server who had taken my money told me she had brought my food and it was on the table. I told her no one had served me, and she basically told me I was wrong. I then firmly told them to come and look. They took 5 minutes to arrive at the table, and then another 10 to bring a sandwich. No latte ever arrived. They were not even at one third capacity during this visit.
I am not a nightmare customer — I will put up with most levels of service, and not return when I am not happy, and frankly it takes a lot for me to yell at anyone. This was one of those times I probably would have been justified in raising my voice more than I did. However, I left a note, telling them to make sure to check all their tables in future, and feeling in a generous, festive mood, also left $ 20 on the table. I really hope they get the message. Their food is really, really good.

The food was OK. The service was AWFUL.
I went with some guests from out of town. We waited at our table for over twenty minutes before a server came over. We asked for menus, she handed us the catering menu. It looked great, but I was hoping for a sandwich not a 12″ quiche. I asked again and pointed out that we wanted lunch and weren’t looking to order cakes for 40. I was informed that that was the menu. Funny because I was there earlier in the week and there were two different menus. So I wandered around and found a stack of lunch menus on the pastry counter.
It was another twenty minutes before they came back to take the orders.
The food that arrived was mostly edible, but there was bad salmon in the quiche and a ton of sand in the salad. My sandwich was slathered in mustard. It wasn’t mentioned in the menu but apparently they only prepare the roast beef with mustard. I wrapped it up and brought it home for my husband. Oh well.
Every request was met with an upturned nose. Honestly some of the worst service I’ve ever had. At one point I considered asking if they wanted us to leave.
It’s too bad, we’re local and have been before without incident, but the waitress today made it very clear we weren’t welcome. Don’t worry honey, we won’t be back.

Walked in here with friends on a chilly day. It’s much bigger than it looks from the outside!
We decided to treat ourselves to warm and comforting French lunch. I ordered the Beef and Mushroom Tourtière. It’s like a slice of quiche/​pie. Very yummy and large slice for the price. My friend and I also shared a pot of Earl Grey (which was about 3 cups between us).
Service is very prompt. We also got ourselves dessert (a chocolate éclair). They had many tasty treats on display, including chocolates. But I was too full to even glance at the display.
I’m hardly in this particular neighbourhood, but if/​when I return, I will be coming by for some treats!

I’ll start with the good — this place is clean, the french bread and quiche are great and the cakes and pastries look delicious. Now the bad — the customer service here is very poor. I recently moved to the neighbourhood and I have come in three times looking for breakfast or lunch. All three times I have had to initiate an interaction with one of the two or three people behind the counter because not once has anyone here even acknowledged that there is a customers standing in front of them. The first time I came here was the worst — I told the lady I wanted to have breakfast and she just kind of waved at a stack of menus and went back to whatever she was doing. I grabbed a menu and sat down and waited… and waited… and waited. I got frustrated after about 20 minutes of being completely ignored while seeing the two other occupied tables receive food, so I got up and left.
On my two subsequent visits to buy baked goods I was again completely ignored by staff that could obviously see me standing in front of them, so I think it’s safe to say that the very poor service here is an ongoing problem. It’s unfortunate because I had hoped this would be a place I could take visiting relatives for tea and treats. Too bad.

We just moved in the neighbourhood, friends of us visiting us from France get croissants and pains au chocolat from this place for breakfast. I’m also French, making me a croissant expert by default, they are nice!!! It really taste like home. They make it very ‘buterry’ but really tasty! It is a pleasure to break night fast with their croissants! Get some for your lady in the morning!

Took my mother for Mother’s Day and it was fantastic! Croissants are are as close as I’ve to my old home in Grenoble. Quiche and Omelets were also up to snuff and the Macarons might just be the best I’ve ever had. Not sure if everything is made in house, but it sure as Hell tastes like it. Definitely worth the drive from Waterloo and I’ll be happy to go back again.
Finished the brunch off with Pistachio, Hazelnut and Blood Orange ice cream/​gelato. Oh yeah!

The almond croissants are bomb. So, so good. I’ve tried most of the cakes as well, and they have yet to disappoint.

Great experience. Will never forget this gem,

I can’t say enough good things about this place. What an absolute diamond to find in a surprising area. All the the pastries I’ve tried are outstanding and the quiche that has the goat cheese and cranberries in it is fabulous too. A+

The rating above is for the almond croissant — which is one of my ultimate favourites in the city (and the only thing I’ve tried here). A tad expensive, but the flakiness and the amount of almond paste inside is just about perfect.

I like the free coffee refills and the sandwiches are very good. Sometimes the staff seems a little surly and once I ordered iced coffee and they didn’t even ask me how I like it and brought me one that must have been loaded with cream and sugar, which I’m not eating right now.
The desserts look delish but I haven’t tried them, the washrooms are clean and so is the dining area. I’d definitely recommend the place to anyone looking for a nice coffee shop or for brunch.

Great ambiance and patio but a little expensive for an iced coffee…$ 4.00 for a regular. I could get one for cheaper at Starbucks! I also didn’t like the cup the iced coffee was served in… it was plastic and looked like it should have been served to a child. Besides that, this is a cute little place with some very tasty looking treats!

Yummy desserts and good, staple coffee. I remember they have free coffee refills which is cool. The place is neat and quiet, good for reading or studying. Staff are nice and polite too.

After walk I stopped in for a coffee and crossiant. Wednesday evening at about 6:10. The woman working was counting her cake inventory and did not greet us. She continued counting and finally asked us what we wanted. She was so unfriendly and I could tell that she didnt want to be bothered with customers.
I placed my order which was simple. A coffee (which is self serve) a latte and a croissant. She asked is it to stay or go. I said to stay. She then tells me oh I am going to give it to you in to go cups because we are closing soon. It is now 6:18 and they close at 7:00. This lazy woman didnt want to wash dishes or serve customers.
There are more coffee and dessert places popping up in this area. I would rather visit a place that is happy to see paying customers. I think this establishment should rethink their staff.

Great tasting croissants. The coffee and latte were a bit average considering the prices. Free refills on the coffee at least.

Reading all these other awesome reviews for La Cigogne, I really hate to be the downer, but my experience with them just hasn’t been anything memorable. I speak for the selection of desserts I’ve tried as well as a brunch visit with family.
Pros:
Gorgeous pastries and cakes.
Large selection of baked goods and breads.
Great location appealing at the families of the area.
Free Wifi.
Pleasant staff.

Cons:
The flavours don’t do the descriptions nor the appearances justice.
The weirdly dense crusts were virtually snapping off from both the tourtière and midsection of the cake I tried.
Self-​serve coffee is subpar in taste and freshness.
Long wait times for food that was essentially just reheated out of the display case. …it really is visually appealing though.
Either Or:
Every time I’ve been, «French» instrumentals piped through the café. Depending on your musical tastes, this can swing towards being too contrived or adding to the authenticity of your visit.
I really wanted to like this local bakery. I thought it was going to be my new place for a quality cake fix, but at the price point of $ 6 – 7 dollars per miniature, I’d rather trade in my box of them for a supermarket cake. I’ll stick to Ruelo when I want pretty *and* delicious dessert goodness. And as for brunch, onward to Queen Street.

Croissant my life please.

**½ stars
Came here with my aunt and cousin to grab a «quick» lunch during his break between assessment tests at the Greenwood School.
I had heard good things about La Cigogne, and was even more excited that they opened up shop closer to the East end so I don’t have to trek all the way up to Bayview.
There is an outdoor, shaded patio which is nice for the summer months. When I arrived, there was only 1 other table of 2 moms and their posse of tots. I did alert the server (who was authentically French), that we were kind of pressed for time as we only had a half hour for lunch. She replied with a facial spasm of sorts that she would try but that there’s no guarantee. We had already scoped out the display and knew what we wanted. 2 Bacon, Egg & Ham quiches and a Mushroom & Spinach Quiche. All quiches come with a side salad and rings in at $ 8.99. I also ordered an Earl Grey Tea and coffee.
The coffee is self-​serve and they use the Van Houtte brand here. Twinnings is the brand of tea they use. I expected more out of a local patisserie than Van Houtte — but then again I’m comparing it to the likes of Tango Palace Coffee Company, Ezra’s Pound etcetera — all independent coffee houses.
How long does it take to reheat a quiche and to mix a salad? Even an amateur cook such as I can do it in less than 5 minutes. We ended up waiting 20 minutes before our food showed up! This is without a doubt an authentic French establishment with their laissez-​faire service.
I ordered the Mushroom & Spinach Quiche with my mom’s homemade version in mind. I think they should hire my mom as her quiche is infinitely better. This one was too much spinach and mushroom and not enough egg and cheese! It tasted way too «earthy» for me! The only redeeming factor is that the quiche crust is buttery and flavourful. The salad was baby spinach, grape tomatoes and dried cranberries served with a side of Dijon vinaigrette. The salad was fresh and the vinaigrette was tasty.
I didn’t get a chance to try their pricey croissants ($ 1.95 for a plain, $ 2.50 for chocolate and $ 3.00 for an almond), macarons, or other beautifully-​crafted pastries, but will definitely be back in the future when I’m not racing against the clock.

Compare to Patisserie La Cigogne’s location on Bayview, this location on Danforth is huge with this nice side shaded patio…
Great selections of French pastries and individual cakes… and great services…
Green Tea cake ($ 5.25) has great matcha taste and with a great nutty taste that compliment each other. It is a little pricey… especially in this neighbourhood?
Nice staff helps me select some chocolate and truffles to surprise my friends. Caramel, Black Currants and Hazelnuts? My friends seemed to enjoy them without complaining? I guess they must be quite good.
I definitely be back to have a cappuccino and croissant on the patio next time when I am in the neighbourhood!