Notte’s Bon Ton Pastry & Confectionery

I may be the ONLY reviewer here who liked the people who sold me the pastries today better than the pastries themselves! I found the two women there very nice and helpful… I hadn’t been to Bön Ton before and they showed me where everything was-​what they recommended etc so, I didn’t have the experience of nasty service so many others seemed to have been hit with. That being said, I just am not that crazy about their pastries overall (tried several with a friend) The Diplomat was okay (I am not sure what they are «supposed» to taste like but crunchy buttercream frosting is a bit off putting. The «Progressive» (my fav) was pretty good; I like the chocolate and buttercream mix. The «Dobosh» was NOT what I would call a real Dobosh torte (and yes, I even tried the real McCoy in Budapest a long time ago) It was an overly sweet cake with a mash-​up of flavors (but lacking any real taste of caramel, which is what the DT is known for) The little white petit fours (?) were the most awful of the bunch – I didn’t know a pastry could taste SOGGY-​but it did… soggy and seriously overly sweet. Yikes…
It was fun to see the inside (time has clearly stopped in there!) and again, the service was just fine but there was nothing I tried that would make me hurry back, that’s for sure.

For my father’s 80^th birthday we wanted him to have his favourite cake — a Hazelnut Cake. I called a number of bakeries in town and was hard pressed to find such a cake until I called the Bön Ton. We decided to order a Chocolate Vienna Cake from this bakery — we’ve enjoyed the Diplomat Cake over the years so figured we’d be in good hands.
Sadly, not so. The cake was dry and tasted like cardboard — I could not detect any Hazelnuts in it at all. How disappointing. Especially since we drove from North Vancouver.
Also, I found the service over the phone to be short — both when I inquired about a Hazelnut cake and when I called back to order it. Should have got the hint after the first phone call.
Never again.

I had a piece of diplomat cake from someones 108^th birthday. It was amazing. It really is how cake should be. An event. Give someone a piece. Make their day, they might return the favour.

I love this bakery. It’s an old style bakery. I have to admit that I don’t come here often but when I do come I only order 1 thing: their diplomat cake! I know it’s a bit on the sweet side and its super rich (a small piece will do) but its pretty darn good!
Service is pretty good at Notte Bön Ton Pastry. The woman are really friendly and they do their best to make sure you leave as a satisfied customer.
Next time I’m in the area I’m going to come in here and try some of their pastries… They all look really good!

These are fabulous, we live on Vancouver Island and we bring the pastries home and freeze them… it’s great, out of the freezer they are perfect … Love them.

This place is really cute, I love the setup. The service is average, the lady who helped us was new and that was difficult because we were looking at the bon bons, which is a problem because they all just have name cards and no descriptions of what they are. Clever names but it makes it really difficult to keep asking what each was and to have the person helping us fumbling through her cheat sheet. Honestly I would have preferred if she just gave us the cheat sheet so we could pick out the flavors we liked. Maybe in the future they could have a laminated sheet for customers to look at.
She did recommend the «Jealousy» which is their best seller and this was actually my favorite of the little sampling we chose. Their Napoleon is also done very well. Skill wise with baking this place definitely knows what they are doing, I do agree with the other reviewers that their customer service is sub par.

Can I rate this place 0 stars?
First time at this bakery with my girlfriend and her parents. It was her parents’ idea to come to this bakery as we had just eaten lunch nearby. They were so excited to see this shop having heard about their «famous» cakes /​desserts. The experience quickly turned sour as the service is absolutely TERRIBLE! We realized that the two ladies working the Saturday morning shift were RUDE, miserable, truly unhappy to be working/​interacting with customers. Cold service even after spending a large amount of money. We asked a simple question about ordering some of their goods and she scoffed as if we should have known!
It was our first time but truly, our last… the pastries just aren’t worth it. Do yourself a favour and don’t ruin your morning by coming to this place!

I’ve been here a few times, however, it took me forever to actually get the name of the store simply ’cause the font on the outside of the door. I finally took one of their pamphlets and I now know. Every time I am in the area I come here and buy something for whomever I am seeing that day, a little thank you for your sweetness gesture for my friends. They few times I have been here they have had some awesome decorated cookies. They had some special mother’s day themed cookies. I got the standard small cakes for some of my friends later and for myself some meringue.

Diplomat Cake
Not the best, I’m afraid. For those of us who have had diplomat cakes from more than one bakery should be able to agree that there are better ones out there. I’ll tell you why the diplomat cake here sunk beneath expectations.
From most of the reviews, I gathered that diplomat cake was one of their signatures. As I couldn’t drive all the way to Steveston, I decided to try the one here. When I phoned them to reserve this cake, they knew right away I wanted a diplomat cake. That must be how popular it is. I chose to have blue roses on the cake — it seems roses are the only option? I was only told to pick a colour. It was a birthday cake. So, there’s that. She asked how many I was serving. Apparently, the 7-​inch cake serves 8 people. I thought to myself: «These 8 people must not love cake».
I got to the store and it was marvelous. From the décor to the cakes in the window, it was old-​fashioned and very cosy. It feels like you’ve walked into a french bakery from the 1800s. I loved the feeling. The ladies were very pleasant. When she held up the box, I heaved a sigh — not at the roses, but at the size. It was quite small. I was then told I could request a cake of any size, regardless of their recommendations.
Here are my thoughts on the cake itself:
It was quite dry. The buttercream wasn’t creamy, rather it was quite stiff. The pastry was almost too crunchy, which again leads us to the word ‘stiff’. The flavours did not come through very well. It was just a crunchy cake with cream and not much else. It left much to be desired in a diplomat cake. Now, I gather most people love it, so this may be the one bad cake they’ve made? I’m not prepared to go the distance and try them again. This might just be too bad. But, the cake was beautifully decorated. The roses were excellent and very romantic.
I did manage to poke around before leaving the shop. All the other little cakes and pastries look delicious and beautiful, so I will give those a go when I get the chance. For now, I will seek my diplomat cakes elsewhere. Sorry, Notte’s.

The pastries and cakes are great but a bit overpriced. I’ve always treated myself to them, however, the appalling and extremely rude behaviour from the staff have now turned me away. The short, older blond lady actually threatened me. I asked her if we could do a simple modification to the sausage rolls and without even asking she said no. I was surprised because I was giving lots of advance notice and didn’t see the big deal so I insisted and she said no, she doesn’t even ask or even look like she’s contemplating it. I then said I wanted to speak to someone else because I knew someone who had gotten this done before and she said there was no one. The back is full of people but there’s no one. So then I said I wanted to speak to a manager and she turns away in a huff and walks to the back and talks to lady and the other lady comes back saying that they could do it but I had to order a minimum amount. I said that’s fine and I didn’t mean to be pushy but the other woman hadn’t even wanted to ask and she goes ‘well I didn’t know!’ in a really bitchy tone. So I said that it was obvious to me that she didn’t which is why I wanted to speak to a manager and the she starts yelling at me telling me I have no right to speak to her like that. I shot back with ‘oh and you think it’s right to speak to customers the way you do?’ and she leaned over the table and said ‘you don’t talk to me like that or…’ And the the other lady intervened and pushed her back. I actually wished she had finished because if something had happened, I would have been able to report her.
So I hope someone in that store is reading this and making note. The staff are amongst the worst I’ve encountered and their attitude turns customers away. The products are great but that’s only going to tie them over for so long.

I have enjoyed 40 years of the delicious diplomat cake from Notte’s. It has been the cake of choice for 4 generations! However, I must say that I prefer the smaller diplomat cakes vs. the birthday cake with the roses. Whenever I am in the area, I will stop by and buy a whole cake to take home. Still my all time favourite cake!
I am only giving it a 4 star because some of the staff can seem unfriendly.

I’ve always ordered the plain diplomat with no roses but for some reason the person on the phone kept pushing the roses and said I could remove them myself if I didn’t want them. I told her I have always ordered the one with just the icing sugar topping so finally she said OK… now I’m hoping I won’t be charged the price of the one with the roses. Great cakes, but service can be a little more customer-​focused. I understand they are popular and busy, but let’s not knock the reason for why you’re still in business… the customer!

Cmon Unilocalers, I’m floored there’s only 21 reviews on this famous institution!
They have the best buttercream pastries: signature ones are their Diplomat (non-​rum and rum versions), Jealousy and the Mocha.
Friendly service.
Cakes, baked goods, and candies too.
Accept debit/​credit.
free parking in the back.
A european-​inspired seating area in the back, believe they may offer high-​tea or something like that.
Offer one-​hour delivery.

The bon ton has the best cake that you will ever come across in Vancouver. However, the staff are usually rude and unfriendly. I think the diplomat cake alone makes up for the service though.

Been going to Bön ton since I was a kid and it was on Cambie street. Great pastries
And especially love the diplomat cake! They lose two stars for awful service though. Every time I go in, I dread the cranky snippy service. I have never ever had any one smile or be a tiny bit engaging while I am being served. Older unhappy women who clearly hate their jobs behind the counter does not do this business any good.

This is a disappointing review but after the last three times we have been to the Bön Ton and received such cold and almost mean service I just can’t justify returning. I have had Diplomat cakes for family birthdays and gatherings for many years and enjoyed some of the best pastries available in the city from them but times have changed and I know that this type of food is terrible for our health. I would still go and all the way from west vancouver to get these cakes regardless but now with whole foods available and with such rude service I can’t continue to patronize this bakery. so sorry but customer service stands for a lot for me and the owners or management don’t seem to do anything about that aspect of their product. I’m done.

Notte’s Bön Ton Pastry is tradition. I have been coming here since I was a wee lass. Hands down their baked goods are worth me making the 30 minute trip from East Vancouver. The diplomat cake has be salivating just thinking about it. Don’t me started on the macaroons. Every family function we buy, buy, buy their most beloved treats. Delicious.
However…
If I have to deal with one more of those horrible wait staffers again then I just don’t know what I will do. The service there is almost always terrible. Maybe I have been coming when they schedule their worst staff (the worst = the 50 year old brunette lady with accent — THE WORST). I just don’t understand how Notte’s can employ people that are just so terribly rude to their customers. I’ve had enough of it and will be sending an email to the owners ASAP.
This morning we drove out to buy some treats for our relaxing day. Sun is shining, birds chirping and I wanted nothing more then to surround myself with deep lovely nostalgia. We pleasantly asked the round little angry gnocchi of a woman for a dozen pastries, cookies and macaroons (my favourite)! She sighed with anger, rolled her eyes. My partner and I looked at each other shocked (but not so shocked because we are getting VERY used to the SHITE service) and just continued politely asking for additions to our box.
I then said that I would like to add some cookies. She almost lost herself with anger. Weird crazy behaviour to be coming from someone who is only slinging baked goods. I asked her if she was okay and if she was feeling okay? She said «Yes, but, I don’t know what you are doing» I said «Is there a problem with our order and that I was telling her what we wanted so, there should be no issues with anything we were doing. It’s only baked goods! We were not holding up a line or humming or huhing on any of the items. I have been coming there since I was wee and I know EXACTLY what I want. I told her to please package our order. NOW.
She was so rude I had to walk away. Such feelings of sadness that this lovely little cute bakery has such terrible people working the counter.
Notte’s, you make some damn tasty treats but, if you would like to continue having your old customers come in a spend money then you need to get rid of your angry, spinstery type staff. You’re business deserves better and your front staff should be friendly and professional. ALWAYS.
I won’t be back until XMAS because you my dears ARE ON NOTICE. Get it together.
PS: The baked goods were as amazing as ever.

They have a great selection of mini pastries and cookies!!! I like how their mini pastries are delicate and moderately sweet :)

Bön Ton is Awesome! This bakery is definitely not somewhere to visit often (unless you have the most amazing metabolism for which I hate/​am insanely jealous of you) but it is worth a half hour drive for. They have a lovely apple tart/​pie which has perfect sweetness and flaky, lightly sweet crust… Which comes in peach as well, and is also the perfect size and presentation and price for a small hostess gift. I have to try their other confections but that tart keeps demanding to be bought! Oh well… One day. The star off is for the surly staff… You think that all that sugar and delicious food would make you happy? Or maybe they’re angry because its hard to keep on top of your diet with so many temptations around. Oh well. It’s worth checking out NBT!
²⁰⁄₃₀ Unilocal challenge

Mixed feelings on how to review this place.
Cakes: delicious, creamy, classic italian cakes. They are about $ 2 a piece, and you can’t just buy one. if its to go. They sell it in boxes (6,8, or 12)
Service: They seriously need to be more friendly to customers. Maybe they have the notion that they are too popular and too in demand, that they need to scare customers away with their bitchy, granny attitude. Or maybe its all part of their play to act out as Italian snobs? I don’t know what the deal is. but I would rate this place a lot higher if only the service allowed me to.
Atmosphere: Really old, and dusty. I have second guessed myself if the place they put out the cakes are clean. But once I see that butter cream… i’m ready to put down my dollar bills.
Maybe its a good thing that their place isn’t so clean, and their servers are so bitchy. It helps my waist avoid those temptatious butter cream goodness :)