Bombe Calde Corporation/ espresso expresso coffee bar
3175 Rutherford Road, Concord
905-660-3030
Cotton candy, chocolate Pocky sticks, red bean slushes - these treats bring back fond childhood memories for me. However, for Marzia Poldi, bombe caldes (a.k.a "hot bombs") are what invokes these happy times. As owner of Bombe Calde Corporation, Poldi's love for these Italian style donuts has translated into a flourishing business that's been operating since 2006. With a passion for this filled pastry that she grew up with in Italy, Poldi decided to create a business to let Torontonians in on the secret of this dessert.
Three years ago, Poldi began learning the art of bombe calde making both in Toronto and in her jaunts back to Rome. It took a year of many trials and testing before she was satisfied with her pastry dough, but she now deems it perfect. What is the best way to describe a bombe calde? It is a lightly fried yeast-based pastry dusted with icing sugar on top and granulated sugar on the bottom. They can be enjoyed plain, or generously filled with options such as Nutella, lemon cream, raspberry jam or a customer requested Nutella and peanut butter combination. Upon first bite, the dough is bouncy and just barely sweet, which is complemented by the sweeter fillings oozing out. They are best devoured warm, and it is hard to eat just one!
I tried to get Poldi to budge on the recipe behind these light rounds of pastries, but it is her trade secret. When asked about future plans, she has a goal of expansion; "I look forward to bringing this product all over the city very, very soon!" She is currently shopping around the company's dry pastry mix to cafes and food establishments so the experience of bombe caldes can be added to their menus. (Hint to Toronto business owners: bring them downtown!) Her short term goal is to have the product more widely distributed in Canada before tackling markets stateside such as Miami. She envisions in the future of becoming a consultant for businesses carrying the Bombe Calde Corp's trademark product.
Poldi primarily focuses on the wholesale side of the business, but also operates a retail coffee bar, espresso expresso. The shop is open Fridays – Sundays, and customers can enjoy bombe caldes prepared to order with a cappuccino. These Italian donuts are available in three sizes: regular ($2.95 each), bombettes ($1.90 each) and mignons (bite size, available for special events and weddings only). For large orders, it is best to call ahead so Poldi can accommodate the request. Other menu items include funnel cakes (influenced from nearby Canada's Wonderland), an array of smoothies, and other Illy based coffee drinks.
Concord might seem like a far trek for a donut, but it is worth the drive to try this sweet treat and understand the passion that Poldi brings to her craft.
