LibbyFrom Christmas Eve to New Year’s Eve, the theme remains the same, stay the F home. We’re seemingly in the final countdown of this pandemic existence, which means celebrations are through screens, but hopefully for not much longer.
To help you stay put, we’ve selected a few nifty-noshings to see you through this holiday season.
Nick Liu and Dennis Tay bring dynamic eats to their vibrant spot on College Street, and while we’re a few months shy of popping bottles upstairs at Lopan, we can recreate the warmth and excitement at home with their deluxe NYE Kits. Each kit is designed for two people, with a generous eight course meal including cocktail and wine pairings and some festive revelry to make it feel like a night out. Keeping in mind many people will be going without this holiday season, DaiLo and they’re partners are carving 25% of each box sold directly to Community Food Centres Canada, a charitable effort that provides stability and resources to those who need it most.
Email Trevor at office@dailoto.com to secure your kit and if you missed out, seek out their new line of sauces to amp up your eating in the new year. XO Sauce at home? Sign us up!
Our friends at Marben know a thing or two about meat- their burger of course is one of our favourite, ditto the insane fried chicken, but in step for more loftier engagements, Marben has introduced their Beef Wellington – with all the finery of four courses at home. The main meaty affair comes with Dauphinoise Potatoes, Braised Red Cabbage and Morel Cream Sauce. Mark this for a special occasion, like the start of 2021.
We’re not eating dinner every night. Sorry, but sometimes cheese, crackers and charcuterie is a better plan, especially when it comes crafted with inspiration. Hygge vibe check- did you light a candle? Did you set the tone? You may as well drink wine from a box (no judgement) and eat Velveeta. Upgrade your hibernation, we call it Campo Hour. Our friend Matt Basile from Fidel Gastro’s suggests including music- ‘Funk Outta Here‘ on Spotify is a fave. Check out @stacktmarket for their Campo Hour every Wednesday until the 30th at 6pm.
If we’re not eating Turkey on the 25th, then we’re eating Chinese Food. Hong Shing will be open on Christmas Day serving up their favourite bundles of amazing eats, including Chef Tim’s Cantonese BBQ Turkey (Pre-order Only) or the Christmas Day Turkey Fried Rice Special.
The Beef Wellington kit from Canoe is a gift from the O&B gods. While it doesn’t come with four courses it does come with everything (including a basting brush) to replicate the Canoe experience right at home. Also available, the Ontario Lamb Saddle with Saskatoon chanterelle mushrooms, nettles, and spinach.
If millennials are spending, research has proved it’s going to be on experiences. The Food Dudes get that- and with their illustrious pedigree of restaurants, from Rasa, Sara, Pantry and Blondie’s, they have you covered for a meal that will be hard to forget. Designed to be more than just a meal, the Experience Boxes come complete with everything you need to recreate leaving the house, Movie Night (comes with vintage popcorn boxes and candy salad), Breakfast in Bed (mimosas, fresh baked goods and the weekend newspaper), Date Night (florals, candles and a custom playlist), and Family Time (DIY pizza kits and Food Dudes aprons). Makes for a nice gift to your long-lost bestie too.
We have a freezer full of these pristine pies for a good reason. They are the quintessential snack, or meal, and are as easy to make as they are to eat- no fork required. Double down on Susan’s Nasty Sauce, it’s the crowning garnish on these delectable hand-held pockets.
While nothing will truly replicate an evening at CHOTTO MATTE, what, with their Drag Queen Brunches and boozy cocktails, their at-home kits are a very close comparison. Five signature dishes built for two with step-by-step directions for picture-perfect plating make this a truly special effort.
Alexis de Portneuf Cheese Board
Three stunning cheeses make for an effortless cheese board, just bring the wine and get out of the way! A trio of creamy soft cheeses lends itself perfectly to a juicy red, snag one of these cheese boxes and set it and forget it. The comes with Le Cendrillon-Semi-Soft, La Sauvagine-Soft surface-ripened cheese and Sir Laurier D’Arthabaska-Soft surface cheese.
All photos by Libby Roach.