The past couple of months at home have had ups and downs. It is hard not to admit that I miss going out to my favourite spots for a glass of wine that I don’t have in my cellar paired with a meal I love. On the flip side, it is enjoyable to see restaurants offering their menus and wine lists to-go or delivered right to your door. I have always been keen on supporting homegrown Toronto businesses, while I am unable to grab a seat at the bar, it feels good to support them from my kitchen table.
Here is a list of my favourite wine-focused restaurants to order from. Whether you place your order for delivery or don your best PPEs for a pickup, these featured restaurants have opened their menus for the full dining experience at home. Including the best wine specials for single bottles, and even mixed case orders.
Downtown
Grand Cru Deli 304 Richmond St W
This fantastic spot in the heart of the city has reopened! Serving wines, cheeses and house-made terrine to-go! Run by Master Sommelier Bruce Wallner and his troupe of Sommeliers, Grand Cru Deli boasts an amazing wine list with everything from Natural Wines to Grand Cru productions. Currently, the restaurant is offering their full wine list for sale, at retail pricing comparable to the LCBO. The best part is that you would be hard pressed to find any of their curated wines on the LCBO shelves. All orders are available for pick up only, from 12-5pm with days of operation posted on their Instagram page.
Jacobs & Co. Steakhouse 12 Brant St
Jacobs & Co. has reinvented the steakhouse, bringing their top cuts to your home table. Order your favourite cuts prepared by the kitchen or packed for home cooking and a bottle suited perfectly to your selection. Wines are heavily discounted from their original list prices, and GM/Sommelier Robert Gravelle keeps his list up to date daily, so drop the restaurant a line if you are looking for something special. All orders with wine are pick up only, every Wednesday through Sunday from 4-9:30pm.
Labora Restaurant and Bar 433 King St W
Enjoy a night in Spain at home with Labora. Their delicious Spanish cuisine is now available for pick up, with their classic dishes like paella, sandwiches and sides all listed on their website. The Labora team has also opened their cellar, selling wines at 50-60% off the original list pricing. The best part is you won’t find these bottles on the shelves of the LCBO. Email Rob at rob@labora.to for all wine orders and questions. The full wine list can be found on their website, but Rob might have a bottle or two of some special tucked away.
A sophisticated Italian spot on King Street West, Oretta has added a whole new side to their business. Their off-restaurant café now doubles as a grocery shop and wine store. With house-made meals, take-home pasta kits, as well as wines and spirits. Wines are offered at half price and spirits are sold near retail pricing without those LCBO lineups. Stop by the Oretta café and pick up everything you need for a good night in, they are open daily from 9am to 9pm.
This little piece of Paris has become an institution on Queen Street West. La Palette and its owners Shamez and Maria have changed up their menu and have turned their bar into a bottle shop. To-go meals to be prepared at home follow their classic French cuisine, and the bottle shop is offering a fantastic array of French wines all at half-price. There is even a tasting station where customers can pay to try a selection of wines for sale. Open every day of the week except Tuesdays, from 2-8pm, but feel free to call ahead and place your order. All orders are pick up only and be sure to check their Instagram page for weekly updates.
West End
Montgomery’s Restaurant 996 Queen St W
Montgomery’s has reinvented itself, starting with bread and wine and now opening a full online grocery store called Grassroot Food Box. Sign up as a patron on their website and every week, you will be sent the full list of the offerings you can order from. There are over 200 items for sale, with everything from spices, wine and even household supplies. The store focuses on Canadian ingredients and natural wines that lean on the lighter side. Wines are sold at near retail pricing and won’t be found on the LCBO shelves. Orders are delivered to your door on Fridays, but you can pick up your order every Thursday.
This hideout for Italian food and wine culture in Toronto is serving up some of their classic dishes and palate craving wines for pick up and delivery. In classic Il Covo style, the wines they are offering showcase a side of Italy wine lovers rarely get to experience outside of the motherland. Wines are offered at a discount from their original wine list price points. If you are looking for a more extensive selection of wines with your takeout, pick up your order instead and see the full wines this gem has available.
When Queen West hot spot, Chantecler had their fire, Le Phénix rose. The French cuisine pop-up restaurant by the Chantecler team released its online delivery menu soon following the first days of delivery only for restaurants. They have been quick to start wine, beer and cocktail delivery and pick up. Offering a highly curated selection of half-priced wine, beer and cocktails available for pick up or delivery with UberEats.
Reopened and back by popular demand, Archive 909 is offering a massive selection of wines to go with take-out orders for cheese, charcuterie, bread and olives. Wines are on offer at a steady discount from their traditional list price points, so it’s easy to pick up a bottle or two of your favourites for a homemade cheese and meat board. All orders are pick up only, so place your order the night before by 7pm for their Wednesday and Saturday pick up days from 3-6pm.
Côte de Boeuf 130 Ossington Ave
This Ossington Ave. butcher shop is a classic! You could always stop by and pick up fare with a Parisian flare from Côte de Boeuf, but they have expanded their menu to include everything from pantry staples, to eggs and wine. Their wine list is focused on purely French wines, with all bottles list at half off restaurant price. Stop by between 12-5pm for all take out orders, but if you would prefer delivery instead and you live in the west end, give them a call to place your order. Check out their Instagram page for daily updates and all the delivery info.
Après Wine Bar 1166 Queen St W
Natural wine and Korean Fried Chicken, what could be better? Après Wine bar has reopened with a bang. Chef Jeff Kang and Chef Edward Bang have come together for a fried chicken and wine pop up at Après, with wine, sake and beer that can be added to your order at a substantial discount from their original wine list prices. Follow Après on Instagram page to place your order and see what they have in store for the week. It’s best to place your order early as these pop-up delights are in high demand.
Driven by the passion to nourish Alma restaurant in Bloordale has moved its full menu of fusion Hakka-Chinese cuisine online. Near everything at Alma is made in house, from the pasta and miso to the cheese and charcuterie. The only thing that’s not is their highly curated wine list, now offered at half off the original list price. Place your order with Alma by phone for pickup ordered with a bottle or two to go, and be sure to check their Instagram page for weekly specials.
Paradise Grape Vine 841 Bloor St W
Cult wine lover bottlings are key at Paradise Grape Vine. This recently rebranded Bloor Street wine bar had turned into a delivery-only restaurant featuring fancy chips and a bottle shop. Being skilled collaborators as well this spot will be diving into some more projects with a few restaurants around town. Shop online for all their wine and food options, including their own Paradise Imports red and white bottlings. Wines are sold at retail pricing and all orders are delivered to your door within three days of ordering.
Bar Neon Owners Niki Tsourounakis and Katy Chan are reopening with a bang, starting Neon Bread and Wine behind their Bloordale bar. Offering a selection of Greek and Ontario wines, as well as beer all at half-price. Along with wine and beer, the menu includes housemade sourdough pitas, dips and 2 dozen oysters all packed and ready to go. Find Neon Bread and Wine across from Susan Tibaldi Parkette off of Margueretta St. open from 5-9pm every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. In addition to Neon Bread and Wine, the Neon team has also launched Neon Commissary, a full grocery store selling nearly every essential you could need! Find out more about Neon Bread and Wine as well as Neon Commissary from the Bar Neon website and on Instagram @neon_breadandwine and @neon_commissaryandcatering.
East End
Chez Nous Wine Bar 798 Queen St E
Chez Nous has always been an ode to local Ontario wines, offering a full list of the best productions the province has to offer. Owner Laura Carr has been a champion of everything local Ontario and has reinvented her east end stop by opening the Cellar Door at Chez Nous with wines from Niagara and The County. All bottles on offer at the Cellar Door are sold near retail pricing, with their wine list changing from week to week and usually listed for no more than $40. All orders are pick up only, and the Cellar Door hours are posted daily on the Chez Nous Instagram page.
Good Cheese Toronto 614 Gerrard St E
Good Cheese Toronto is synonymous with a good time with cheese and wine. This cheese shop in the east end boasts a liquor license and makes art out of wine and cheese pairing. They have upgraded their online shops to include cheese and charcuterie Night-In boxes so you can make your own fancy cheese boards at home. With wine priced near retail pricing, it is easy to add a bottle or two to the evening itinerary. Orders can be placed for pickup (seven days a week) or delivery, with deliveries going out every Tuesday and Friday.
Brickyard Bistro 1289 Gerrard St E
This east end French bistro is a neighbourhood hot spot. Brickyard Bistro has reopened, and East Enders couldn’t be happier. Serving a menu of their top dishes, take-home packages, as well as wine and beer at heavily reduced pricing. Orders can be placed for pickup or for delivery by the soon to be famous Jesse’s Bicycle Delivery Service, for deliveries in their delivery zone. Feeling like more than one bottle for your evening? Brickyard Bistro has you covered with their Jesse’s Choice 6 packs, priced at only $160. Place your order by phone or email before 4pm for same-day delivery.
Uptown
The Oxley Public House 121 Yorkville Ave
Pub fare is the ultimate comfort food, especially when ordered from The Oxley Public House. Known for their daily specials and classic pub eats, The Oxley has moved their operation online, with the addition of wine and spirits to-go. All wines have been market at half price, and bottles of spirits are near retail value without the long lines at the LCBO. If one bottle of wine isn’t enough, give them a ring and The Oxley team will make a customized 6 bottle box to go with your order for only $210. Orders can be picked up or delivered within their central Toronto delivery area, Tuesday through Sunday, from 12-6pm.
Rasa & Sara 196 Robert St & 98 Portland St
These two sister restaurants by Adam Minster and the Food Dudes are teaming up. Selling the Rasa menu and Sara wine list on UberEats and for pick up from 5-9pm seven days a week. All bottles of wine are listed for half off the original list pricing, but better yet give Adam a call at Rasa or shoot him an email at adam@thefooddudes.com for a custom case of 6 or 12 bottles. Variety pack cases are available by pick up and are priced near retail pricing. Whether you order 6 or 12 bottles, each bottle is selected with you in mind, suited to your tastes and preferences.
If you are missing dining out join me in supporting local and have the full restaurant experience at your table instead. Stay safe and drink good wine by trying one of these amazing spots for your next meal.
