Madame Marie’s Weekly Roundup: Toronto’s Best Takeout and Delivery During COVID-19 – April 23, 2020
Bonjour, Toronto!
Whether you’re ordering takeout every Wednesday for #TakeoutDay, or you’re craving a change from cooking at home, this glorious city has plenty of takeout and delivery options. Ordering takeout/delivery from a local restaurant can provide a feeling of normalcy during this uncertain time. More importantly, it can help keep businesses afloat and people employed. Please support Toronto’s hospitality community.
Here are my picks this week.
Alo at Home by Alo
163 Spadina Avenue
(416) 260-2222
alorestaurant.com
A tasting menu at Alo is a culinary journey taken to exquisite heights by Chef Patrick Kriss. If you’ve had the pleasure of dining here, you’ll surely agree. Kriss and his talented hospitality team have pivoted their concept entirely, offering patrons a mind-blowing takeout tasting menu, aptly named Alo at Home.
In true Kriss fashion, it’s just as delicious and detail-oriented as the restaurant version. For $65 per person (with a beverage add-on option) the multi-course tasting menu changes regularly. Last week included subtly sweet Hokkaido sea scallops, bitter greens, ricotta agnolotti, beef bourguignon and dark chocolate crèmeux. Highlights from this week include roasted lamb shoulder and cavatelli pasta.
Takeout from Alo at Home even includes a curated Spotify playlist that, together with the meal, will add some much-needed levity to social isolation. Use Tock to book a time slot and pay in advance for contactless pickup. This will be your quarantine culinary highlight.
Isaan Der
2961 Dundas Street West
(416) 604-9262
isaander.com
If you’re craving the authentic flavours of northeastern Thai cuisine, Isaan Der has you covered. Chef/owner Ko, who immigrated to Canada in 2011, has developed an extensive menu with Thai classics ranging from Fresh Rolls bursting with vegetables ($10) to delicious Pad Thai ($17) to warming Khao Soi ($16). With its spicy kick tempered by coconut milk, Khao Soi – a golden curry noodle soup – is some of the best I’ve had. The generous portion is served with egg noodles, lime and a choice of protein. It’s not surprising that this is one of Isaan Der’s most popular dishes. Takeout is available through Uber Eats, DoorDash and Foodora.
Sugo
1281 Bloor Street West
(416) 535-1717
sugotoronto.com
This bustling Italian joint recently launched on Uber Eats after feeding hospital workers and supplying food banks with hot meals since the early days of the pandemic. Sugo is known for its hearty meatballs, satisfying veal parm sandwiches and simple pastas smothered in their famous sauce. Although Sugo just launched delivery, business is already operating at full speed. Through Uber Eats, you can order rigatoni dusted with Grana Padano ($17), sauce sold by the Mason Jar ($12) and homemade tiramisu ($9) for a sweet ending to your takeout experience.
Order Wine, and Give Back to the Community
La Palma, Constantine and Mercatto have partnered up with some of their favourite wine suppliers, restaurants and WineAlign to bring wine lovers the Restaurant Relief Case. It’s a mixed 12-pack of private import wines intended for Ontario restaurants, and $15 from the sale of each case will be donated to Community Food Centres Canada. Check it out.
Stay safe, everyone.
Does your restaurant want to be featured in Madame Marie’s Weekly Roundup: Toronto’s Best Takeout and Delivery? Are you a diner who wants to share your delicious experience with the city? Contact me.
Operations are subject to change during this crisis so please contact each restaurant for the most up-to-date information.