On a good day, when the wind is coming from the south, the scent of buttery pastry wafts north and teases Trinity-Bellwoods Park with a heavenly perfume. The culprit is this café’s croissants. Light, flaky and rich, the croissant adapts perfectly to both sweet and savoury flavours. Variations range from cinnamon–brown sugar and pain au chocolat to asparagus-cheese and spinach-feta. Hungry shoppers look beyond the signature product, crowding the takeout counter and filling the small number of tables to enjoy a cup of Balzac’s coffee or homemade sandwiches and salads. For dessert there are homemade shortbread cookies and decadent miniature fruit tarts and clafoutis. Closed Monday.