Toronto’s Top Delivery: nine first-rate provisioners of groceries, sweets and booze

Toronto’s Top Delivery: nine first-rate provisioners of groceries, sweets and booze

LOÏC GOURMET
722 Queen St. E.,
416-850-8835

Inspired by French traiteurs, chef David Kokai’s prepared meals and house-made snacks are whimsical and delicious. The veal osso buco makes an excellent Southern Italian meal on the sofa. Free delivery with orders of $80 or more.
COOKIE FRIDAY
cookiefridayco.com
Baker Lois Kim’s web-based cookie business specializes in haute versions of your mom’s favourite recipes. For example, her chewy oatmeal is studded with sour cherries, and the traditional chocolate chip is dusted with fleur de sel. $20 per dozen. Free delivery.
ALWAYS-
DIAL-A-BOTTLE

416-890-7451
Always-Dial-a-Bottle goes to every nook of the city. We requested a bottle of Blaufränkisch, an obscure red wine, and snacks from the grocery store (they do that, too). The booty arrived in two hours. $8 for delivery, plus a 10 per cent surcharge on items.

MCEWAN
38 Karl Fraser Rd.,
416-444-6262

Top Chef judge Mark McEwan’s gourmet grocery store delivers simpler versions of his restaurant favourites, like buttery lamb curry or a creamy snarl of bucatini noodles, topped with poached lobster and peppery chorizo. $25 for delivery.
SUGAR BAKING
647-669-9754
Pastry chef Catherine Chen delivers her scrumptious cupcakes by the dozen ($24–$30). She’s a whiz with classics like the red velvet topped with tangy cream cheese icing, as well as more novel treats like the piña colada, made with coconut cake and pineapple buttercream. $8 for delivery.
THE BEER GUY
thebeerguy.ca
The Beer Guy is basically the same as Always-Dial-a-Bottle, only there’s no surcharge. We asked for a six-pack of Gaymers English cider and the friendly driver went to three locations to find it. The booze showed up in an hour. $10 for delivery.
FOODDEL
fooddel.com
Launched a little over a year ago in partnership with the city (don’t tell Mayor Ford), Fooddel brings the wares of St. Lawrence Market vendors—stalwarts like Di Liso’s, Seafront Fish and Sausage King—to your door. $10 for delivery.
DESMOND AND BEATRICE
750A Queen St. E.,
647-352-2257

The year-old Riverdale shop makes gooey, dense, addictive squares and tarts. Our favourites include the tooth-meltingly sweet butter tarts and the tricky bar—a sticky, crumbly mess of almonds, chocolate, Skor bar and house-made salted caramel. $14 for six bars, plus $12 for delivery.
HALPERN WINE ENTERPRISES
416-565-2829,
halpernwine.com

The family-run business sources from over 100 international wineries and delivers by the case. The selection is flush with French and Italian vintages, many of which are not available at the LCBO. Order 48 hours in advance. Free delivery.

(Images: Booze photographs by Carlo Mendoza)