Patisserie la Cigogne on Bayview in Toronto

Are you a young mom with sweet food craving? I know the right place for you, it is at 1626 Bayview Avenue, south of Eglinton East. For less than $5 they have amazing pastries and they taste just as good as the french ones. I had a chocolate hazelnut cake and it was just what I needed.. A little bit of chocolate for magnesium, hazelnut for fibers and the rest for pure pleasure... From typical french pasrties to viennoiseries such as croissants aux amandes or pains au chocolat or even classical baguette, food is fresh and home made. And all the quiches, sandwiches and crepes make you come back for more too...
The store is big enough for strollers, the atmosphere is relaxing with classical music and service is okay and baby friendly. Not sure about a changing station though.
Because it is so close to Moms to be and More, the baby store on Bayview Avenue, I am sure you will have an occasion to first go and then you won't need any other excuses to go back except that it is sooooo good:)
Take a look at the pictures and then you'll know what I am talking about: http://patisserielacigogne.com/who_we_are.html. And even if your little ones are not ready for pastries yet they can still enjoy the smell:) Poor little guys...

Grapefruit Moon Cafe in the Toronto Annex district

If you don't know about the place I don't think you will ever go there by chance but now that I am telling you about it you may want to check it out. It is between a coffee shop, a dinner and a bistro which makes it quite unique. I haven't had the chance to check if they have a changing table in the washrooms but they are breastfeeding friendly as per the sign on their door and the lady we suspected to be the owner is helpful and friendly. Even though we were just 2 adults we were given a table for 4 and lot of space for the stroller and they have a pretty nice patio too.
Not so baby friendly might be the rock'n roll music, not too loud though.
Food is good and they claim to use local products which gives us The excuse for those delicious blueberry pancakes or french toasts.
It is located at 968 Bathurst Street in Toronto (Queen West and Bathurst) and the kitchen is open from am to 10pm.
Their website is still under construction at http://www.grapefruitmoon.ca/ but you can check on dine.to at http://www.dine.to/grapefruitmoon

Lil' Bean n' Green Cafe & Play in Toronto

A trendy AND mommy friendly place in Toronto? Yes, it does exist, I went there earlier this week and it's quite nice. Lot of space to park strollers, choice of food and pastries made of fresh and local products and basic baby equipement such as high chairs and changing tables. Not to mention the wonderful setup and decoration made of vintage furniture (if it's not, that's what it looks like). The atmosphere is almost like at home except that you don't have to do the dishes after you had your coffee! And if you forgot Baby's food, no worries: they sell baby food too.
And for the little ones, there is a playroom at the back where they can play while Mommy is watching and enjoying girls talk with her girlfriends, unless Mommy wants to join the little beans group:) No shoes allowed and the playing area is protected from the sitting area by a fence. All sorts of toys from puppets to balls, from a slide to a little house on the prairie or even books and learning toys. I stayed there for a couple of hours and meanwhile a lady came to clean up and sanitize the toys. Good job!
No need to say that everybody is friendly there. We got there early in the afternoon and it got busy from around 4.30pm but the good thing, if they are old enough, is that kids get to play together.
The only downside for core downtown or west end moms is that Lil' Bean n' Green is located 1133 Queen Street East (between Greenwood and Carlaw Avenues). So you can either take the streetcar if you're comfortable or drive (parking is free in the side streets).
It looks like their website is still under construction: http://www.lilbeanandgreen.com/. Definitely a good address to check out. I heard there is a similar place by High Park so I will keep you posted soon... Stay tuned:)

Zoe's Bakery in Toronto

Achille and I went for coffee this morning at the Zoe's Bakery at 548 King Street West downtown Toronto and we quite liked it. Actually we don't drink coffee but tea and the green Jasmine tea is average price and average quality but always good:) 3 rooms with lot of space between the tables which makes it quite easy to move around and park your stroller. We were there together with 10 other couples moms/babies/strollers and we were all fine with enough space. Floor is concrete so definitely not the most comfortable if you want to put your baby down but I guess you can work something out with a thin mat (from your diaper bag). High chairs are available. No changing table but the waitress offered me to change Achille in the meeting room (his dad loved the idea that he got changed in a meeting room... Dads are always dads...)
Lots of food and pastries to choose from and it gets pretty busy around lunch time. Altough pretty quiet in the morning.
Last thing I want to mention: they have a few steps to get down to the room but at least you really feel like you deserve your sticky bun:)
In my opinion, it is worth a try. More details on their onsite and catering menus at http://www.zoesbakerycafe.ca/