What do you know about creampuffs? Besides the fact that that was my nickname in gym class all through high school, the only thing I know about creampuffs is that I can crush about 15+ of the frozen profiteroles that come in a bucket from Costco. While still frozen. This week I visited Verdun. Home to some of my favourite restaurants Hong Mere, Blackstrap, Street Monkeys, and Janine – I recently was put on to a local spot in the neighbourhood who was making a variety of flavours of cream puffs and ice cream sandwiches. This week I went to Alice & Theo to check out the city’s newest purveyor of artisanal creampuffs.
Alice & Theo started as a small local artisanal ice cream shop. They slowly expanded like choux pastry into a one stop shop for sweet streets. The ice cream and sorbet flavours rotate with a few mainstays on the menu as well as weekly specials. They have unique options like, passion fruit, matcha, rose sorbet, caramel-pecan, bitter chocolate and citrus. There was an awesome rum-raisin on the menu the day I stopped in. By far the most underrated flavour.
Besides the fact that that was my nickname in gym class all through high school, the only thing I know about creampuffs is that I can crush about 15+ of the frozen profiteroles that come in a bucket from Costco.
Ice Cream Sandwich
Alice & Theo offers these delicious ice cream sandwiches created by you. Pick from a selection of homemade cookies (I got the double chocolate) and any two flavours of ice cream. It was explained that a lot of their products are purposely made not overly sweet (which I appreciate). When you have sweet on sweet on sweet, things get very cloying and overwhelming. The ice cream at Alice & Theo was perfectly subtle in sweetness that when paired with the under-sweet chocolate cookie, made for the perfect bite in texture and flavour.
Cream Puffs
If you know me well enough (or even just follow me on Instagram) you’ll know I’m a sucker for anything ice cream. As pleasant as the ice cream was, I was here for the cream puff experience.
The puffs are filled to order with a variety of flavours, matcha, strawberry, passion fruit, peach and cinnamon, vanilla, chocolate. I was told that the owners and chef are very meticulous when it comes to sourcing the highest quality ingredients and produce from local suppliers. And it shows. The fillings had a very distinct flavour that had almost a “natural sweetness”. Definitely distinguishable from corn-syrup ladened industrial flavour concentrates many pastry fillings are made with.
My favourites where the chocolate and matcha. There’s something to be said about the matcha. It’s deep in flavour.; aromatic and smokey. It’s not for everyone, but the muted sweetness and silky texture is nice with the crisp choux pastry. I loved the chocolate because I’m basic.
The creampuffs are sold individually or in boxes of six or eight. They are a great option for a quick sugar fix during the day or a nice change of pace for dessert after dinner. Opposed to the 15+ frozen mini profiteroles I can demolish without a second though, I tap-out at two of these from Alice & Theo. I had the opportunity to speak to the owners who were candid and open about their experience in opening a shop during the pandemic. Friendly and welcoming the staff was eager to share what makes their products different from the rest. The secret ingredient; warm hospitality. With local support and a loyal customer base, it’s easy to see why this place is a neighbourhood hot spot.
Alice & Theo
3870 Wellington
(514) 576-3870
http://aliceandtheo.com/en/
–
I was a guest of Alice & Theo. Thoughts and opinions are my own.
