It’s no secret that there is a sibling rivalry between Toronto and Montreal. The two cities are historic competitors in sports – Leafs versus Habs – and in many other things. But rivalry and sports aside, Montreal introduced us to wonderful things; one of them is the Montreal-style bagel. Torontonians have developed a bit of a taste for these doughy creations with bagelrias popping up all over the city.
In Forest Hill, The Bagel House is the go-to place for the ultimate morning indulgence. Located at 450 Eglinton Avenue West, near the corner of Castle Knock Road, this is one of five Toronto Bagel House spots, with locations at 1722 Avenue Road, 1548 Bayview, 1438 Yonge Street and 235 Lakeshore East in Mississauga. This franchise is owned by Jassi and Chouhan, a duo of ex-Montrealers with credentials from Montreal bakeries including Real Bagel, Fairmount and St. Vaiteur. If you’re a bagel connoisseur who visits Montreal, you won’t leave the city without at least a dozen bagels from these shops.
Since the opening of their first Toronto bagelery in 2000, the duo continues to make bagels using the same simple ingredients of water, flour, sugar, eggs and oil. The bagels are hand-rolled and boiled in honey-water to give them a crunchy-sweet exterior and baked in a wood oven fueled by maple. There is definitely a difference in taste between the sweet and chewy Montreal-style bagels and the saltier, crustier New York variety. But whatever your preference, when served piping hot and topped with cream cheese, few slices of turkey or just butter, they’re heavenly.
The Bagel House is a perfect place to drop in any time of day. Stop by Saturday morning to pick up a dozen of your favourite bagels, or drop in for a casual lunch with family or friends. Not a bagel fan? That’s ok. The Bagel House also offers other tasty baked goods such as a sweet apple turnover, apple strudel and chocolate puffs, or, if you lean to savoury, you’ll love the beef knish, chicken samosa or potato latkas.
This bakery also offers a convenient catering service.
Among a favourite by the residents of Forest Hill, if you haven’t checked out this destination yet, it’s truly worth discovering!
The Bagel House
450 Eglinton Ave. W.
Open: Monday – Sunday, 7:00am – 10:00pm
~ the urbaneer team
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