In the morning, locals go for croissants and steamy bowls of cafe au lait, hearing French spoken (from the kitchen), reading newspapers supplied to customers. Sit back and relax. Croissants are the big draw at Clafouti for good reason: They’re fresh (made that very morning), made by pros (Parisian pastry chef Boris Dosne) and painstakingly perfect (most of the time).

Croissants, herby roast chicken, olive bread with garlic and clafouti (more on this later) are all specialties of this cute-as-a-button French bistro, owned by brothers Boris Dosne and Olivier Jansen-Reynaud’s. With its rustic cottage-y interior (wouldn’t it be great to have a fireplace here), this is what cafe-bakeries should look like.

Clafouti opened its little doors across from Trinity park in January, and every so slowly it has captured the heart of - not just the Bellwoods neighbourhood - but the hungry Toronto masses. Pastry Chef Boris Dosne and brother Olivier Jansen-Reynaud’s menu is a crash course in classic French bistro fare, stocked with French bistro staples such as Croque Monsieur, Croque Madame and of course, croissants. Other than the croissants, you won't find anything groundbreaking here - just simple, expertly prepared food at reasonable prices.

Lunch features salads, a sandwich selection that includes the likes of chicken breast, and roast beef, and a refreshingly fresh take on garlic-spiked lasagna (perfectly cooked outside and in -- the parmesan cheese, basil, tomatoes and meat sauce dispersed throughout), basically well-prepared foods. Again, it's casual, feels French, and the pastry selection alone is worth the drive. Owner and employees speak French and English. Service isn't always perfect, but it's fine. The best part: it's relatively cheap. No entree costs more than $10.

The pastry department includes a selection of clafout - a fruit-filled French dessert. Dosne prepares his clafouti as a fruit-filled tart. Several freshly baked varieties - sour cherry, lychee - in smooth custard, baked in a buttery crust.