Toronto Doughnuts: Nova Era Bakery

With the term doughnut liberally applied these days, the sheer range of fried dough available in Toronto kinda runs the gamut. We’re a city that supports more Tim Hortons than public libraries afterall. With Glory Hole Doughnuts set to bring their impressive fried chicken and waffle toroidals to the masses – with all due fanfare, we thought we’d take the opportunity to catch up with some of the establishments quietly serving our favourites old and new. - BHH

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Nova Era Bakery

Nova Era Bakery opened its first location on Dundas West in 1991 and now has 9 bustling storefronts across southern Ontario. In addition to their expansive line of Portuguese baked goods, they also serve these whopper sized malasadas on the regular. The sugary coated crunch is offset nicely by creamy custard filling, although they’re available without filling as well. I think they have a case for a 10th location. $1.50 each.

Nova Era Bakery
1172 Dundas Street West | Website

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7-Eleven

This is our first post in the series so in the interest of contrast, here we have 7-Eleven’s… interpretation. Glazed and larded a la Kwik-E-Mart. 2 for $1.

canon ae-1 | black’s 400

Sometimes all you need is a donut

I excitedly purchased a roll of Fujichrome Provia 100 slide film in December. It took me a couple of weeks and well into mid-January to go through all 36 exposure, because I kept waiting and waiting for the right kind of light and the right moment for the right subjects, scared that I would be wasting my shots and being quite careful with framing, setting up each exposure, and making sure everything was in the right focus plane. I had high hopes. Then, coming towards my last few shots, #35 and #36, the counter kept going and the shutter kept clicking. Those who have shot film or still do probably know that feeling of dread and panic. I didn’t load the film properly. It came right out of the film rail after I closed the camera. Two weeks of waiting to hear back from the lab confirmed it. It’s blank. Live and learn…I guess. If you’re ever doubtful or concerned that you may be shooting into nothingness, pay attention to the film rewind knob. If it’s not advancing when you crank your film for the next exposure, chances are you didn’t load the film properly.

Black’s 400 was an absolute surprise. After the mishap with the Fujichrome, I didn’t feel like buying an expensive film and then ruin it. Out of all places, we found a 4 pack at the Value Village at Victoria Park and Eglinton. They were only a dollar each. WHAT A DEAL, RIGHT? ESPECIALLY SINCE YOU GET FREE DEVELOPING AT BLACK’S WHEN YOU PURCHASE THEIR FILM. I wasn’t expecting much from it, so I’m quite happy with the results. :) Leo has kindly scanned the photos for me. This is probably the cheapest film post I’ve ever made.

The donut I’m holding was delicious.

canon ae-1 | black’s 400