Forty Ninth Parallel Café & Lucky's Doughnuts

After dim sum at Dynasty Seafood Restaurant and before gelato at Amato Gelato, a donut stop was made. Apparently Forty Ninth Parallel is known for their donuts and a lot of my friends have been raving about them, so I finally made the visit. My first thoughts were, is this busy or what?! It seems like quite a few people come here to grab a drink as well as a donut and to study or chit chat. Do I consider it odd for a Sunday? Sort of… I rather be out walking around. A lot of people also just sat here with empty plates and finished drinks.

SALTED CARAMEL, LEMON POPPY SEED, GLAZED DONUT AND STONE FRUIT BISMARCK. 

Since I wanted to finish the donuts on the same day but none of the flavours really popped out to me, I held a little tasting with some friends at home.

SALTED CARAMEL ($3.25). 

Rather than a sweet and salty taste, the donut has an unappetizing burnt caramel taste. Apparently this is one of the must order donuts? The burnt taste is quite gross. As for the texture, the donut is pretty dense (in a good way) and resembles an old fashioned donut. Perhaps the salted caramel tastes better with coffee?

LEMON POPPY SEED ($3.25).

The lemon poppy seed was everyones' favourite and first choice. The donut has poppy seeds throughout the batter and not just sprinkled on the top or bottom. As for the glaze, it tastes very light and lemony and the texture of the donut tastes a bit dense (in a good way), although quite dry as well.

GLAZED DONUT ($2.50).

The donut tastes very soft as well as light and air like. As for the glaze, it does not taste overly sweet and this is the perfect donut of those who like simplicity. However, for the price, will anyone pay for simplicity? I did not mind it but prefer the lemon poppy seed a lot more.

STONE FRUIT BISMARCK ($3.50).

The texture is the exact same as the glazed donut, light as well as fluffy and soft, perhaps the same batter? As for the filling, the custard is fluffy and not overly sweet, with only a subtle sweetness. The bismarck is topped with canned peaches which do not taste too sweet either.

POSITIVES

- Drinks may be better than the donuts

- Place to hang out…?

NEGATIVES

- Pricey

- Below average donuts

- Burnt caramel? Really? For $3.25? Better businesses know not to serve damaged food

LITTLE THINGS

- Not worth the price and there is nothing gourmet about the donuts

- Cartems Donuterie is so much better!

Food: 2/5

Service: N/A