Dessert Lady has been making baked goods of all kinds and some of Toronto’s best wedding cakes since 2005.

This location expands the options to full-on savoury fare with coffee and basic booze options.

Whereas the original Dessert Lady spot just a stone’s throw away in Yorkville has no seating, this dreamy and intimate space outfitted in signature orange can seat up to 30 inside and 25 out on a licensed, fenced patio. 

A citrus chicken salad ($18) feels like something I could eat every day. An artisanal lettuce mix isn’t too tough or bitter, balanced out by a decent amount of chicken that’s been slow cooked sous vide for two hours, very thinly shredded apple, candied pecan and a light red wine vinaigrette tying everything together.

Add baked chili salmon to a veggie quinoa salad ($15) for an extra $8.50. A sticky Thai chili paste topping the salmon makes this dish.

Pulled pork buns are $18 for an order of two, steep for the size but with eight-hour pork shoulder, a house bbq sauce and slaw, and a sweet perfectly toasted brioche bun. 

An avocado grilled cheese sandwich ($13.50) comes on thick slices of pumpernickel, five-year-old white cheddar melted in with fanned thin slices of avocado and a thick sun-dried tomato pesto. 

A signature coconut lime vegetable soup ($8.50) is a vegan crowd-pleaser of a deal, served with your choice of toast. Made with coconut milk, chickpea, red bell pepper, spinach, sweet potato, fresh lime and a house veggie stock, a consistency between velvety and textured makes it feel like there’s no need to choose between a puréed or chunky soup. 

Two egg omelettes ($14.50) are served until 11:30 a.m., along with breakfasts of grilled cheeses, french toasts, oatmeal and eggs Benedict. Add bacon or roasted turkey for a $3 upcharge, avocado, cheese or an extra egg for $2.

Cut Coffee provides the caffeine, drip starting at $2.50, cappuccinos and lattes starting at $4.25.

There’s also house lemonade ($3.75), cloudy and a good balance between sweet and distinctly sour.

There’s a whole corner devoted to the Dessert Lady treats you know and love, including a pastry case stocked with delectably dense double chocolate cakes with hazelnut ganache and buttercream, mango chocolate mousse cakes, and even coconut ube cakes.

Most are available by the slice and varying sizes, some even in cute individual sizes. 

Also unlike the Cumberland space, this spot is totally accessible. It’s a good transition away from a neighbourhood seeing lots of uncertain change while still keeping the community clientele familiar with Dessert Lady intact.