Madame Marie’s Weekly Roundup: Toronto’s Best Takeout, Delivery and Dining During COVID-19 – January 7, 2021

Bonne année, Toronto!

On December 26, Ontario moved into lockdown for 28 days. If there’s one thing you can do this week, please continue to support your favourite local restaurants and shops in whatever way you can.  

Here are this week’s takeout and delivery picks.

Maison T Bistro
1071 Shaw Street
416-551-9898
maisontbistro.com/

Situated at the corner of Shaw Street and Dupont Street, Maison T has all the French bistro feels that will keep you warm and cozy through the winter. Chef Masayuki Tamaru has a rustic approach to regional specialties and offers dishes like mussels, duck confit, steak frites and other French classics, while emphasizing seasonal produce and quality proteins. Although the takeout menu is fairly edited, the options are, for the most part, crowd-pleasing (save for the escargots, perhaps!). To start, enjoy a crisp endive salad with Roquefort, walnuts, pears, black currant dressing or the trout tartare accented by peppery radish. The Japanese Fried Chicken with Yuzu mayonnaise and scallops with bacon tomato sauce are also lip-smackingly delicious. Portions are on the smaller side, so consider ordering extra appetizers or an additional entrée if you’re hungry. The à la carte dinner menu is available Wednesday to Monday from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Pasaj
1100 Queen Street East
416-551-1957
instagram.com/pasajtoronto

The next time you’re strolling through Leslieville, pop into Pasaj for some Turkish-inspired baked goods, some solid coffee and some of the most authentic Chai in the city. Pasaj is a new concept from the King West bakery Simit & Chai, known for their simit – an ancient form of a bagel that’s dipped in molasses and coated in sesame seeds. The newly outfitted space is stunning with its archways, turquoise and gold accents and cobblestone tiles that are reminiscent of a shop you’d visit in Istanbul. There’s no shortage of treats in the display window that will easily coax you inside. For a sweet bite, consider the pistachio and Nutella filled acma (similar to a brioche), a decadent square of flaky baklava or a miniature eclair that’s almost too cute to consume!

Arvo Coffee
80 Atlantic Avenue
416-531-6864
arvocoffee.com/

If you need a morning java or a mid-day caffeine boost (because don’t we all these days?), head to Arvo Coffee’s new-ish shop in Liberty Village for a regular Joe or something a little more extraordinary. The Aussie Magic, for example, features a double ristretto shot with Australian roasted beans and steamed micro foam milk. Pair it with a chocolate chunk sea salt cookie, and you’ll quickly float up to cloud nine. Arvo’s stunning new space, much like its sister shop in the Distillery District, boasts an inviting industrial chic vibe with plenty of natural light flooding the shop as well as soaring ceilings. You almost don’t want to leave! In addition to serving better-than-average espresso-based beverages, light bites (avo toast, anyone?), and baked goods, Arvo has an impressive bottle shop with some of the city’s more unique offerings. If you’re looking to expand your vino knowledge, consider registering for one of their upcoming virtual classes.

Bon appétit!

Bisous,

Mme. M. xoxo

Hungry for more? Check out my other weekly roundups.

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