Out & About #157 | Brioche Dorée + Union Juice

November has had a turn for the better with soaring temperatures, but that's not to say that I won't further my excursions in the PATH.
 
Brioche Dorée, a self-proclaimed "Parisian bakery" that started out in the Fashion District, has recently opened shop underneath Metro Centre.
 
While they oddly prevented the photo-taking of their products (it's free advertising though?), this attitude did not earn them any fewer customers than other businesses that opened at the same time.
 
Catering to the working morning crowd, the bakery begins their operations at 7:00 AM, as with McDonald's, Burger King, and trusty ol' Timmy's. The only difference is that there isn't a lineup, at least not yet anyway.

This new shop isn't as spacious as the images I've seen of its other location; with only a bar area consisting of roughly seven seats and the remaining area set aside for kitchen equipment, display cases, the cashier, a small refrigerator, and a lineup area, this new venture is clearly more of a grab-and-go spot.
 
Savoury options are found in one display case: quiches, ham-and-cheese croissants, pre-made crepes, etc. Another smaller case houses neatly-placed glimmering danishes, flaky croissants, and other varieties of glistening pastries. Above the cashier, a minimalistic drink menu makes customers aware of their basic selection of caffeinated hot beverages (Americano, cappuccino, and lattes), in addition to a few iced alternatives.

I'm not the biggest fan of butter, nor do I enjoy extraneous amounts of grease on my fingers. With that in mind, I approached the counter hoping that Brioche Dorée would be able to provide me with an item that was somewhat filling, but not excessively rich.

The process of careful inspection commenced. It was very much a Goldilocks moment – the danishes appeared too sweet, the croissants too buttery, and the twists too chocolatey for a morning snack. At last the Multigrain Croissant was chosen, as it appeared to be the only somewhat satisfying baked good available.
 
As I handed over my $2.50 plus tax, the croissant was warmed up and placed into a paper bag. There was also a combo option that included a small coffee, though it wasn't necessary for my particular level of mental alertness.

Unlike my initial perception, the croissant was far from dense, but instead considerably flaky. The oat bits, quinoa pieces, and flaxseeds coating the surface gave it a nice crunch, though the rest was soft and crumbly. It was also much richer than I would have preferred.
 
Clumsy as I am, a bite of the croissant immediately resulted in an unappealing mess of crumbs. Momentarily setting it back into the bag allowed me to catch sight of my now-greasy fingertips. Thank goodness for napkins!

The Multigrain Croissant met all the requirements of an authentic French croissant in that it was noticeably buttery, with soft, fluffy layers and a flaky exterior; however, it was far from the type of baked goods I was accustomed to. Frankly speaking, it just didn't suit my tastes all that well. While I admit that Brioche Dorée did offer quality baked goods, the spectrum was simply not of my preferred variety.


For my post-lunch walk, I engaged myself in hunting down Halloween clearance items from Michaels and picking up a Panini and Juice combo from Union Juice on my return trip.

Union Juice was relatively empty, and reasonably so as the lunch rush had subsided. I took to ordering a Meatless Panini, comprised of beet hummus, spiced avocado, and a number of other feel-good ingredients, along with a green apple-pineapple-mint concoction named The Ace. The juice had been recommended to me as I had stated that I was in search of "something light", and it was, indeed, just the thing I was looking for.

The copious amount of foam that had formed at the surface first took me by surprise, though I then realized that that was a common case with juicing. I had been warned that addition of pineapple may render the juice a tad filling, but found nothing of the sort. The pastel lime-hued juice was refreshing and energizing, despite the mint being barely distinguishable.

And while I'm not one to preach health "cleanses", I am a firm believer of "You are what you eat." It's no surprise that overdosing on sugar and foods high in saturated and unsaturated fat will lead to sluggishness and drowsiness, so one shouldn't be exclaiming in disbelief when I say that this juice made me feel healthier as well.

View the full album HERE !

The Meatless Panini was also great, regardless of devoured cold or lightly toasted. Flavourful with a kick of spice, the medley of textures worked well in curbing hunger without leaving the consumer feeling satiated.

Union Juice is a great option for those looking to get back on track after a season of constant indulgence, or simply for maintaining a healthy diet while on-the-go. The only downside would be that their menu is profoundly pricey, where the most budget-friendly juices and salads ring in at around $7 each before tax.
 
I cannot guarantee that I will re-visiting if Union Juice ever discontinues their promotional deal, though I would suggest regular lunch-buyers to purchase here instead of other establishments simply due to the greater health value. (The Burger's Priest is priced relatively the same no?)
 
And for the rare occasion in which you wish to treat yourself, don't forget that there's always Sweet Jesus's insane soft-serve creations next door. (Aha!)

---