This week’s local love is a new Toronto spot that I might even call my favourite cafe in the city. Specializing in tea, coffee, house-made confiture, and the fluffiest, butteriest scones you’ve ever tasted, Kitten and the Bear is the perfect place for an indulgent afternoon tea alone, a romantic outing, or just catching up with friends. Due to extremely limited space, expect to take your goodies to go, and be pleasantly surprised if a table is available (don’t worry, a picnic in High Park is just a few blocks away!)
Owned and run by Sophie and Bobby, two of the cutest folks you’ve ever met, the shop offers scones and mini servings of jam to-go if you’re in a hurry. They also sell tins of Sloane Tea, hand-picked vintage tea ware, and their fresh, handmade, local-fruit-filled jams in adorable jars to go (in case you’re ever planning on getting me a gift, look no further.) They’re always dreaming up something new too- in fact last time I visited there was talk of jam parfaits with local yogurt, and I got to sample some not-yet-released jam sweetened ice tea (which, in case your wondering, is the best thing ever!)
I could go on and on about banana jam that tastes like heaven, and pots of Perfectly Pear tea, but just take my word for it: stop by Kitten and the Bear next time you’re craving something sweet. I promise you’ll leave will a full belly, a smile on your face, and most likely a shopping bag full of jam, tea, and tea ware to take home!