Madame Marie’s Weekly Roundup: Toronto’s Best Takeout and Delivery During COVID-19 – May 28, 2020

While we might not be getting out for dinner quite yet, Toronto restaurants are making it easy for locals to bring their favourite flavours home. Kudos to the city’s talented culinary professionals for helping to keep us safe and well-fed at home! Let’s support them.

Here are my picks this week.

Alobar Yorkville
162 Cumberland Street
(416) 961-1222
alobaryorkville.com

This eminently elegant Yorkville restaurant recently launched takeout tasting menus that will make any Torontonian blush. Chef/owner Patrick Kriss and his detail-oriented team have transformed their scrumptious dine-in offerings into an impressive prêt-à-manger format. The tasting menu culls together Asian-inspired raw dishes and succulent proteins fired on the charcoal grill. Some highlights from last week include Hamachi tartare and beef tenderloin with ramps and oyster mushrooms. There’s always one guarantee when Kriss’ name is on it: the food will put you in a good mood. Don’t forget to queue up the old-school hip hop playlist on Spotify, too. Dinner is available every Thursday to Saturday, and brunch is available each Sunday ($45 per person). Book your reservation through Tock.

The Alobar Yorkville menu from May 22.
Alobar’s tasting menu from May 22.

Osteria Rialto
1006 Bloor Street West
(416) 306-8123
osteriarilato.com

Few things can get more comforting than Italian food, and that’s what Osteria Rilato is all about. This restaurant was barely two months old before the pandemic hit. Like many other restaurants – new or established – they’ve pivoted their business model and now offer many Italian classics for takeout and delivery. The buffalo mozzarella with giardiniera ($17), ricotta cavatelli, spicy sausage ragu ($18) and polpettone ragu ($21) are all non-negotiables, and add a pistachio lemon cake cup ($14) for a sweet ending. Ordering at Osteria Rialto turns an average weekday into something special – particularly if you’ve been cooped up. It’s open for takeout and delivery every Wednesday to Sunday from 5 to 9:30 p.m.

Buffalo mozzarella and foccacia.
Cavatelli.

The Good Neighbour
238 Annette Street (and other locations)
No phone
instagram.com/thegoodneighbour

With three locations in the city, The Good Neighbour serves some of the best espresso-based drinks, savoury treats and tempting baked goods (including many gluten-free and vegan options). The Annette Street location recently re-opened after a temporary closure. With Plexiglas shields installed and social distancing measures in place, they’re ready to serve up your favourite beverages every day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The latte art will surely bring a smile to your face, too.

I’m so happy this place is open again!

Stay hungry, and stay safe!

Bisous,

Mme. M. xoxo

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.