Sergio Manrique and I have sat on an inter-agency immigrant services committee for some time now, but I had no idea that he and Ninfa Castellanos had been planning on opening a Latin bakery together until I read about it.
La Monarca opened on December 1, just a block away from where the Old Bread Factory (now shuttered) used to be, tucked behind the Whitemud Crossing complex. It takes its name from the Monarch butterfly, which migrates from Canada to Mexico every fall, symbolizing a bridge between the two countries.
On Saturday, Mack and I walked over to the bakery after an event at the nearby library, and Sergio warmly welcomed us both.
Sergio
As it was near the end of the day, it wasn’t a shock that he had been nearly cleaned out – most of the bread, and all of the cakes had been sold out. We still did have a fair share of sweet and savoury pastries and cookies to choose from, beautifully displayed and lit in wooden cases fit for a curio collection (customers select what they want using tongs and plastic trays, a la Garden Bakery). Most of the items were under $2, so a trip here definitely wouldn’t break the bank. I couldn’t help but think the location is great – students studying at the library could easily pop over for a snack.
Display cases
We asked Sergio what his favourite treat was, and though it was difficult to get him to commit, he did lean towards the conchas (sweet, shell-shaped buns). Mack ended up choosing a corbata ($1.50), a sweet bun filled with custard, and I decided on the tornillo ($1.75), a chocolate twist.
Tornillo
Empanada
Too cute
Mack’s corbata was our favourite of the two – he initially said we’d only have a bite before dinner, but of course, it was gone before you know it: he bread had a subtle sweetness that complemented the custard so well.
Corbata
Be sure to check out La Monarca the next time you’re in the neighbourhood – I know we will – there are still two dozen options we have to try! Best of luck to Sergio and Ninfa with this new endeavour.
La Monarca
4119 106 Street
(780) 218-9777
Only Here for the Food 
I was driving through the neighbourhood (I decided to dodge traffic on Gateway Blvd) on my way home from work and decided to stop by this bakery after reading it in The Journal. I thought it was in the same area as the Whitemud Crossing Library, but to my discovery it was across the street beside Yokozuna (I managed to pick up some Wild Boar Sausage from Valleyview Meats while I was there). I tried the corbata, bread pudding and a biscuit (can’t remember the names). They were pretty good, but the texture of the bread, for me, was too dry. I tried the Mexican bakery that was opened in Whitemud Crossing a while ago (now closed) and most of the items were very similiar.
wow…that is some amazing looking baking! I would love to get down there to have ‘closer look’ LOL. I didn’t see anything in your article about organic which is too bad.
Squeal!!
My friend and I are going next weekend. The corbata looks delicious.
Thanks for the tip – we will get there early!