Madame Marie’s Weekly Roundup: Toronto’s Best Takeout, Delivery and Dining During COVID-19 – June 11, 2021

Lake Inez
1471 Gerrard Street East
416-792-1590
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In late 2016, Lake Inez opened its doors in Little India, and five years (and a pandemic) later, it still serves what I consider to be one of the most unique dining experiences in the city. In true Lake Inez fashion, the restaurant put a creative spin on its takeout experience, offering a weekly themed tasting menu and bottle of natural wine for $125. Most recently, a five-course barbeque-themed menu was perfectly timed with the Toronto heatwave. The meal started with “tat-chos”, a comforting hybrid of tater tots and nachos topped with hearty chili and all the fixings. Middle courses included an iceberg wedge salad and mushroom skewers coated with HP sauce and steak spice. A boneless BBQ back rib sandwich with caramelized onion jam, dill pickle, Carolina mustard drizzle was the main event, and grilled pineapple bourbon upside down cake was the sweet, sweet ending. Whether you enjoy a weekend takeout meal to finish at home, or you score mystery patio reservations (starting June 24), you’ll most certainly devour every last bite.

Emmer
161 Harbord Street
416-922-1626
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If you haven’t heard of Toronto’s newest bakery to hit the food scene, Emmer, you’re living under a rock. Back in 2018, Philip Haddad (prosthodontist by day, devoted baker during his off hours), launched his bakery side hustle on Instagram. The pop-up bakery churned out perfect loaves of sourdough, and word spread. Fast. Over three years later, the brick-and-mortar space Haddad dreamed about is now a reality. And, while Emmer is still very much known for its crusty loaves of sourdough, there are plenty more baked delights that rotate daily: ham and cheese baguettes, mortadella sandwiches, bacon butties, croissants, pain au chocolat, coconut cream pies, and more. My advice? Go early, be prepared to wait, and order EVERYTHING you can, because you won’t regret it.

Summer’s Ice Cream
101 Yorkville Avenue
416-944-2637
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A summer in Toronto wouldn’t be complete without a visit (or ten) to Summer’s in Yorkville. Serving ice cream-loving city dwellers since 1984, Summer’s is a tradition and a summertime rite of passage. Filled with classic flavours of homemade ice cream yogurt and sorbets, everything is made without compromise, and you can taste the difference. Toronto Pothole, Credit River Turtle, and Campfire Marshmallow are among the shop’s original creations, but there are plenty of classic flavours too.

Ice cream from Summer’s.

Bon appétit!

Bisous,

Mme. M. xoxo

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Operations are subject to change during this crisis so please contact each restaurant for the most up-to-date information.