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Delux
Category: Restaurants Cuban Cuban [Edit]
92 Ossington AveToronto, ON M6J 2Z4
Neighbourhoods: Ossington Strip, Trinity Bellwoods, Beaconsfield Village
(416) 537-0134
- Hours:
Tue-Sat 11:30 am - 3 pm
Tue-Thu 6 pm - 10:30 pm
Fri-Sat 6 pm - 11 pm
Sun 10:30 am - 3:30 pm
Sun 6 pm - 10 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Trendy, Casual, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
54 reviews for Delux
Review Highlights
"The steak-frites is a work of art."
(in 10 reviews)
"DUCK CONFIT - I had this and it was good."
(in 7 reviews)
"aside from the Pressed cubano Sandwich."
(in 2 reviews)
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53 reviews in English
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Review from Kaleb R.
Toronto, ON
12/20/2011
Even though I live in the area I've only been here once before and have avoided it for lunch. I hear great things about their meat dishes but they have very few vegetarian options. Went there today for a work meal and will definitely be back. There is only one veggie sandwich option but it was SO GOOD. Messy and basic but delicious. Got rice & beans as a side after trying some of someone else's and had a small salad to go with it.
For dessert we shared creme brulee and donuts which were seriously polished off. Was very happy to have given it a chance. -
Review from Mary D.
Etobicoke, ON
12/31/2011
Went to Delux on a Sunday night in December to celebrate the holidays. Since our group consisted of 16 people, the restaurant requested (in advance) that we do a prix-fixe menu. That was fine with us.
The menu choices were alright, but I was certainly not blown away by the options. Our options for apps were a poached pear salad, charcuterie (all pates), or "tiny white fish". I chose the fish, not realizing that it is many individual whole fish, deep fried in batter. While delicious, I was a bit put off once I learned exactly what I was eating.
Our options for mains were scallops, steak frites, or duck. Almost everyone chose the steak frites. While enjoyable, it was nothing to write home about. Others in my group were far more impressed than I was.
Dessert was impressive. They brought us all empty dessert plates, and it occurred to me that it was going to be family-style dessert. I immediately worried that there would not be enough to go around. But they then began to bring out plate after plate of warm, fresh-baked cookies (delicious!). And just when we thought that was enough to go around, they also brought out fresh, warm "doughnuts" (timbit-shaped). Dessert won me over.
Service was decent (although the waitress confused the bill and told us an incorrect per-person cost which would not have covered the whole bill.... luckily we double-checked her math before too many people left and underpayed). They gave us the back room to ourselves which worked out great, although the acoustics weren't great and it seemed excessively noisy and difficult to hear each other.
I understand their brunch and full menu are beyond impressive. So I may try this place again. I enjoyed it, but won't be sending everyone there in a rush. -
Review from KL M.
Toronto, ON
11/20/2011
I like this place a lot. It has more French offerings than Cuban, aside from the yummy Cubano sandwich, but everything is done very well.
It's trendy without being pretentious - just a clean, modern cool. Two of my dinner companions heralding from New York likened it to a hip Soho eatery, and I cannot disagree.
The duck confit and steak frites, two classic French dishes to which one can measure by, are fantastic. -
Review from Lauren M.
11/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
The most DEE-LICIOUS BRUNCH I have had in ages!
Delux does Cuban brunch on Sundays (yes, only Sundays) from 11am-3pm.
My fab femmes and I visited here and were blown away by the scrumptious food. I had the duck confit hash with rice & beans, salad, tostanos (fried plantain) topped with two sunny side up eggs. My dining companions had the breakfast sandwiches and the Cuban breakfast.
Complete silence ensued once the food arrived - it was so good we had to stop the small talk for awhile.
Brunch is reasonably priced from $8-$14. Booze (mimosas, mijitos) were $8 each. Cuban coffee, americanos and cafe con leches were also available. Homemade in-house donuts and fritters available for $5 a plate.
We were seated in a comfy little booth, but there were some regular tables too. Nice decor and friendly hipster-ish staff.
I'm not sure I would return here for dinner, but I will definitely back for brunch. A new favourite for sure. -
Review from Natalie T.
East York, ON
11/14/2011
VIBE
Relaxed. Casual. We were here for lunch on a Saturday afternoon. Perfect for a lazy weekend. Lots of dusty blue booths and if you go right when it opens, it's quiet. By noon the tables were pretty much gone. It's the type of place where the clientele are stretching out their legs or reading a newspaper at the bar.
WE ATE
This was my first time for a pressed Cubano. Cured pork and ham were tender and sweet. It went well with the grainy mustard, chipolte mayo, chopped cornichons (mini pickles) and red onion. Sweet and sour is a good way to satisfy my tastebuds. Instead of fries, we tried the rice and beans and the fried plantains. The rice is a hefty portion and had great flavour. The plantains were a wee bit on the salty side but also sweet and a great alternative to fries. Plus, I got a mini coke bottle. It added to the whole retro-modern vibe of the joint. I'm definitely coming back here.
OBLIGATORY CATCHY REMARK
The only restaurant I know of in Toronto that has conch fritters on the menu. Refreshing to see food with a Cuban/French flair. I felt like I was on vacation. Brava!Listed in: 30 Day Challenge, It's Just Lunch, Hipster Havens
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Review from John M.
Toronto, ON
11/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
While the food was good, the service was horrible. It took the coked out servers (yes, that's servers plural) 20 minutes to make eye contact and then they stumbled around in a daze. They were nice but fucked.
The food was pretty decent, so after awhile I got over being mad at the lame staff and enjoyed the company i was with
The inside of Deluxe is pretty cool and it does have a nice feel to it (very small but comfortable).
This review is from late 2010 (was sitting in my drafts folder for a year), so maybe the 3 servers i had are in re-hab and things have improved - I hope so as i do think the place has awesome potential and a decent chef -
Review from Jayne J.
Toronto, ON
12/4/2011
As soon as we walked in the place it smelled delicious! We were greeted nicely buy host who was very accommodating. We started with the freshest doughnuts that were still hot when they served omg yummy. Had for the first time the mango mimosa's they were good. Then we share the French on egg bread which was to die for. I had the Breakfast sandwich served on the freshest bun. My friend had the Duck confit and said that it was flavorful and definitely recommended. The ambiance was warm and inviting with a cool city vibe.
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Review from Mrs. S.
Toronto, ON
11/20/2011
Brunch in Toronto is usually very depressing. Aunties & Uncles excepted, the waiting is just not worth it. Delux is different. You can go on Saturday and have a wonderful sandwich and feel happy about your life instead of looking down at a plate of wimpy hash browns, wondering where it all went wrong.
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Review from jenna m.
Delux restaurant located on the very hip ossington strip is a wonderful eatery. Everything there is done to perfection with subtle modesty. The interior of the restaurant is warm, welcoming and tastefully decorated. Castor design type lights hang in the entrance way, giving the place an instant funky industrial look. On the right side of the wall hanging over some cozy booths is an interesting Technicolor alphabet light installation which some how does not look tacky at all. There are some random industrial, metal chairs throughout the bistro. I really enjoy the design and atmosphere at Delux. They achieve an ambiance that is contemporarily chic and cool without it coming across as being contrived or pretentious. Service was excellent, our server was very knowledgeable and an obvious foodie. I ordered the Steak Frites and it was delightful. The meat was cooked to perfection, was very tender and flavourful. The French fries were delicious. I was very pleased with this meal. For dessert we tried the donuts that were freshly baked for us. I felt like Homer Simpson having a love affair with the dessert. Prices range from $10-15 for tapas, $19-30 for entrees which all incorporate a classic French style cuisine. Well worth the price for such delicious flavours. Spend your hard earned bucks at Delux.
I highly recommend Delux!Listed in: best brunch joints in Toronto
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Review from Elle G.
Toronto, ON
5/16/2011
We ate at Delux over the weekend. Great meal!
Dinner dining seems more focused to French style food than Cuban although they had a cubano sandwich as an appetizer.
The lunch menu on the wall leads me to believe that it is very Cuban focused for the noon-crowd.
As for dinner -- things to love:
- STEAK FRITES - my hubby had these and they looked good and tasted good. Meat was cooked perfectly, frites were crispy on the outside.
- CHARCUTERIE PLATE - OMG --- was so good, three different options, and way to much to eat alone unless you are very hungry -- so perfect for sharing. Came with lots of toast points. We had chicken liver mouse, another soft pate and a coarse country pate - pickled raisins and cournichons on the side.
- DUCK CONFIT - I had this and it was good. It is a smaller helping than the steak/frites but I was good with that. Crispy skin, moist meat and on top of grilled eggplant and some greens. Had some kind of "jus" that just made it wonderful.
They had good selection of wines - some at good price point. The Crianza we picked went well with our food.
DESSERT -- you must try the doughnut holes with chantilly cream. They came warm -- sooooo good.
SEATING - ATMOSPHERE -
In the front -- note that the booths are tight seating and also the side seating is close (right on top of your neighbour!)
In the back - much more room (no booths) and very comfortable. We sat back here and enjoyed it very much.
PARKING - street parking only
Not a huge space so if you can reserve or go early - do so -- place fills up quickly.
Enjoy! -
Review from Teresa C.
Toronto, ON
6/20/2011
CHARCUTERIE PLATE
This was nice. To be honest, I wasn't sure what I was having, but it was all very delicious and flavourful. Nothing was overly gamey. The flavours were subtle and delicate.
DUCK CONFIT
Heavenly. The way duck confit ought to be. The meat fell right off of the bone. It was so tender and moist, unlike the way many places make duck (dry and tough!). The duck was served on a bed of brussel sprout greens, which was a nice, tender touch. The slice of grilled eggplant was a nice contrast to the pretty salty duck. I want the confit again. And again.
THE STEAK
Oh, goodness. That steak was so tender and buttery. The flavour of the meat was just right - tasted of good quality beef and none of that "meaty" flavour. Just lovely.
CUBAN COFFEE CREME BRULEE
Oh yes. Oh, what a creme brulee. So silky and aromatic. It was rich and thick...so satisfying. The silkiness was a wonderful oral experience.
DONUTS
People love these donuts. I didn't. I mean, they were good, but I found too much of a oily/greasy taste to them. They were obviously deep-fried because all good donuts are deep-fried...but no good donuts taste of the grease! And I found these ones did. However, like I mentioned, I know people really, really enjoy these. -
Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
4/14/2011 9 photos
Telus Tuesday Specials Restaurant #2
I wish Delux will keep its Cuban flare for their dinner menu... I tried really hard to find anything remotely Cuban... aside from the Pressed cubano Sandwich....
I asked my waiter which items on their menu that is close to Cuban cuisine... and he went hmmmmmm ... and said just try the chicken.. since the chef used Achiote and lime as marinade....
Oysters on half Shell ($15)
- great oyster flavour and fresh.. that hint of crisp apple migonette did enhanced the flavour...
- I finished that in record speed... and I want more more oysters!
Salt Roasted Pear ($11)
- I don't know why I enjoy what my date vegetarian option more... maybe I am slowly converted..........
Achiote and Lime Roasted Chicken ($21)
- The chicken was surprising juicy... even the breast area which usually dry turned out to be nice and tender...
- A-OK! But did not Wow me...
Cuban Coffee Creme Brulee ($7)
- Now.. I discover this ongoing pattern.. what your date ordered is always more tasty!!
- Not the best creme brulee I have, but rich and creamy... and yes I was glad that someone nice shared it with me!
- The coffee taste was not really strong... just a hint...
Buttermilk Doughnuts with Chantilly Cream ($7)
- Fresh and Hot Doughnuts... crispy and crunchy on the outside.. soft and warm inside...
- Good tasting as doughnuts.. but they don't really satisfy my sweet tooth
The drinks!! $11 for a Mojito and other cocktails are a little pricey.... I am not surprise when no other tables around us ordered any cocktails, most of them either drink beer or wine...
Will I come back? Maybe for lunch... but I found the dinner menu uninspiring... but I am glad that I came for the Telus Offers!!
BTW, my date was still hungry after eating here with the 3 course meals...maybe Delux knows she wants to be on a diet?Listed in: A Day in Ossington!
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Review from Viviana M.
Toronto, ON
3/30/2011 3 photos
Dining Experience: Dinner
Specialty: Quebecois/Cuban Fusion
Menu items: Pressed Cubano Sandwich, Black Cod & Steamed PEI Mussels and Steak Frites
Wine Pairing: Pinot Noir, Beaune-Burgundy.
It's quite a delight to find restaurants that truly give you a run for your taste buds. It's even more interesting when those same restaurants explore with different types of cuisines, without being afraid to be boxed into a "specialty". I say Delux is one of them. Some people think of it as French inspired; others say it has Cuban influence...I say, who cares? In my mind, when it comes to Cuban and French, it just doesn't get better than that (ok, maybe if you add some Italian to that mix).
I fell in like with Delux from the moment the fresh Pressed Cubano Sandwich landed on my table.
To the naked eye, the sandwich looks like your typical grilled ham and cheese. However, this is way more than a sandwich, its a "deluxury". Cider cured pork shoulder (lamb shoulder could've also worked here), ham, gruyere cheese, grainy mustard, cornichons (aka pickled cucumbers) and red onions, are definitely not the typical ingredients one finds in a grilled sandwich.
The acidity of the cornichons mixed with the nuttiness of the gruyere and the strong flavour of the pork created that je ne sais quoi I was hoping for.
Moving from the Cuban inspired to the French influence, we are now on to the Black Cod and Steamed PEI Mussels on a Bouillabaisse broth.
Having previously found Julia's Boeuf Bourguignon at a Toronto spot, I was extremely happy to see yet another place showing off with a great execution of her recipes. Bouillabaisse is a seafood soup originating from the south of France made with various kinds of cooked fish, shellfish and vegetables. The soup is flavored with a variety of herbs and spices such as garlic, orange peel, basil, bay leafs, fennel and saffron.
Delux managed to make the broth with two of my favourite aquatic animals - Black Cod and Mussels. The cod was soft and buttery and topped with a crunchy and perfectly fried skin; the mussels were fresh, chunky and tasty. All in all a great Julia experience.
Fully aware that Delux was known for its Steak Frites; the decision was made to go with this recommend. It didn't disappoint.
Deluxe's Wellington County Flat Iron Steak has been named one of the top 5 Steak Frites to eat in Toronto by Toronto Life. Next to Jacob's and CO steak frites, their stake offers a unique earthy mouth-watering flavour. I am sure the fact that the meat is grass-fed has a lot do with its taste, as well the way in which they cook it. Paired with some well done French fries, this was certainly the way to end a meal at Delux. Ok, I take that back...dessert would have been awesome, but unfortunately this Foodie can't over do it. Like my fellow Colombian said, my hips don't lie.
Until next time Foodies.
Buen Provecho,
Viviana.Listed in: Best Restaurants in Toronto
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Review from mondayjane s.
Toronto, ON
8/13/2011
Went there last night. Almost sent my dish back it was so yucky. I ordered the gnocchi, which was more like fried potato soup. The black truffles topping the dish were dusty and dry, and uncertainly plopped on top of the whole disaster. The sweet peas were raw (which is fine, but not in a pasta dish). The gnocchi were basically five logs of fried potato, nothing reminiscent of any pasta. Everything languished in tasteless broth. For $19.
In terms of dessert, the creme brulée had no lightness to it; just a heavy creamy custard. More British in sentiment than French. The cookies were good though.
Delux calls itself a Cuban bistro and the only remotely Cuban thing about the place is its Cubano sandwich. This place seems to have an identity crisis on many levels. Wish I could recommend, but there are too many other consistently good places to chow down in this city. -
Review from Karen S.
5/4/2011 2 photos
They have duck on the menu! If there's duck at a restaurant, I must try it, and here, I'm super glad that I did! This is a low key, dark restaurant with some seriously tasty food. I came here with Catherine L for the Telus Tuesday Special, which by the way, was an amazing deal.
We started with the oysters and charcuterie plate. Delicious! The oysters were so fresh and the charcuterie was the right amount of saltiness and quantity to make for a light and appealing appetizer.
The aforementioned duck was crispy, juicy and all round awesome. The black cod with mussels was meaty and perfectly done.
For dessert, we both had the creme brulee which tasted like it should.
If it wasn't for the deal, the bill would have added up quite a bit. Also, it's not the place for big eaters to come and expect to be full. I was pretty satisfied, but I know bigger eaters than me certainly wouldn't be with our choice of the menu.
The service was good. The bathroom is located down a steep flight of stairs with single self-contained stalls. The restaurant is bigger than it looks on the outside because there's an entire back area that is separated from the front of the restaurant by the kitchen.
The only complaint I have really had nothing to do with the restaurant, rather the difficulty I had getting here via public transportation. The Queen Street West streetcar is notoriously unreliable. On the way back, we waited over half an hour even though the ttc text system said it would take 10 minutes. A better alternative is to take the Ossington Bus which starts at the Ossington Subway Station and goes through to Liberty Village and back.Listed in: A good time with friends
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Review from Real B.
Toronto, ON
7/9/2011
Went for their lunch. Totally dead quiet. Service is nice enough and food tasty, not memorable thou.
I guess Ossington is more a dinner destination? -
Review from Kent P.
2/16/2011
Got the cubano lunch combo.
14$ for fries, a coke, and a sandwich. Sort of steep for what you get - but the restaurant decor is nice enough to command that price I guess.
The sandwich was OK. A pressed panini with porcetta, ham, some mustard, and cheese. Didn't wow me. Fries were nicely salted and fresh, though.
Totally empty @ mid-week lunch. Cool design inside, comfortable booths (although a little tight).
If you have someone with bad knees or are really old - don't let them go to the bathroom. The stairs to the basement are like a foot and half apart. All I could think about was trying to get down them drunk.
Bay of pigs. -
Review from Vivek S.
Strolled into Delux on a lazy Saturday afternoon around 2pm. The place was mostly empty so we grabbed a quiet corner booth. Loathe as I am to use a word like "chill" this place does have a chill vibe, with slate grey booths, whitewashed walls, and ashen hardwood floors. The natural light courtesy the Ossington-facing window does much to illuminate this marvellous but small space. Well placed mirrors don't hurt either.
Service is spot on. We were immediately greeted with menus and gender-coded napkins, and presented with beautiful menus clipped to non-standard sized clipboards. Neat. Only in for an afternoon snack I opted for the most Canadian of snacks from this Cuban-themed menu: donuts and coffee. Bueno. They serve a Cuban brunch on Sundays from 10:30 to 15:00. I shall return for a heartier serving and report back.
Obligatory Title Pun: Power up your DELUX capacitors and travel back to brunch time.
Menu Readability: Revolutionary typeface on natural kraft paper. Drool.
Need to mention: Closed on Mondays.
What this place teaches me about myself: If I owned a time machine, I'd travel back to brunch time.Listed in: Ossington Strip
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Review from D B.
Toronto, ON
6/4/2011
Great.
Had the Cubano, the pulled pork, the chicken sandwich and the rice and beans. All amazing. Great coffee as well.
A little on the pricey side, but they care, and caring isn't free (check my other reviews for the places that charge less and don't give a s***)
Oh and the manager has a peanut allergy so my fellow allergists should be safe (ask anyway of course) -
Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
1/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
A little known fact about me may just be that I have an obsession with tomatoes. They are always on the grocery list, they are the one thing I'd choose over all others if I had to pick one food item to live on for the rest of my life, they fit into my daily diet - breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack - they're my food soul mate.
And right now, Delux wins the top prize for favourite tomato sandwich: a beautifully stacked tomato, avocado and queso medley inside a soft bun melted in my mouth. I was bummed that they were out of plantains and wished that I had known to order a side to accompany my sandwich, but that's what second and third visits are for. Perhaps at another visit I'll learn why it's categorized as "French" and not "Cuban" on Yelp, but I'll leave that to the local Torontonian Yelp community to decide.
On a weekday at lunchtime, it's pretty quiet, which worked well for Vivek S and myself who sprawled out in one of the comfy booths, enjoying coffees and the big bottle of water that was left on our table.
Oh, and the sugared donuts served in a bag, alongside of a dulce de leche dip and a Cuban coffee? Yeah, that's the way every meal should finish!Listed in: Toronto Musing
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Review from jocelyn l.
4/20/2011
More like a 3.5* but i'll round it up...because our group had fun here.
Dinner:
- Salted Pear Cheese Salad: the salted pear was so different but yummy
- Cubano Pork Sandwich: done perfectly; crunchy, crusty and yummy pork
- Steak Frites: the steak was good, but i wouldn't call it the top 5 steak in TO. Good fries...but maybe a little too much
Overall, reasonable prices, yummy meal. -
Review from Paul S.
9/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
Good food, had oysters then pan fried pickerel
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Review from Maria P.
Toronto, ON
1/10/2011
All I have to say is this --BRUNCH. Only on Sundays.
I've never tried their dinner or lunch, but maaaaaan is their brunch ever tasty. You must try the fritters before your meal. I've only ever had the chorizo with egg accompanied by these delicious little flattened plantain pancake looking crisps you eat with your eggs. Enjoy! -
Review from Phil H.
Toronto, ON
10/31/2010
Forgot I went here in the summer. Had two dishes.
Duck confit picadillo hash:
The hash needed more duck. I shouldn't have to search my plate for it. There were a small amount of fresh veggies on the side of the plate that felt like an afterthought. They didn't ask me how I wanted my eggs and they overcooked the sunny side up ones they gave me by a bit. Tostones felt overly oily. Just a lot of meh.
Donuts:
Love the presentation in terms of having them in a bag marked Donuts. They didn't really wow me with their taste though. Felt overly thick, and kind of just reminded me of Timbits if they were baked fresh. Just a one note flavour of cinnamon.They came with some chantilly cream (I heard before that they came with both cream and dulche de leche, so I was disappointed by the lack of it).
In principle, while I'm all for complaining when something goes wrong, I just wasn't feeling it at all so I didn't do anything about it. Maybe I just had a bad day. It can happen. I'm just not going to take my chances on it again. -
Review from Shelley B.
Vancouver, BC
9/4/2010 3 photos
For a restaurant that marks itself as Cuban, the menu isn't a very good indicator that they're attempting to create anything other than hautely prepared french bistro-country food. The dishes were all texturally and visually delicious, but lacked in flavor.
That's not to say the food wasn't excellent - but after basking in the warm ambiance of the cozy space, which has a rustic modern graphic-chic decor, I was expecting to be blown away.
The place was almost packed, but without that uber-trendy lineup, and the server was knowledgeable and playful, a plus for us 4 girls who hadn't seen each other in half a year and wanted photos taken and flirtations thrown around, giddy as can be. He dealt with us well, and we never had to lift a finger to have our wine glasses filled. One of our group is vegan, and he had no problem accommodating her diet by checking with the kitchen, who offered the vegetables pimped up a little from one of the meat dishes. (it looked like a sad story of a meal to me, but she seemed ok about it - vegan is a tough subject in dinning that i don't want to get into).
The best part about the meal was a) the wine and friends, and b) the dessert of buttermilk doughnuts, which were the reason we chose Delux; a friend read an article where they were ranked as one of the top 13 doughnuts in Toronto. There was a bowl of them, timbits size, and a bowl of Chantilly cream to dip into; a totally decadent and wholly unnecessary finish to our feast.
I'd go again but only for the ambiance, dessert, and perhaps some oysters - though they could be cheaper. -
Review from Jennie B.
Toronto, ON
4/25/2011
For me, it's always been 5 stars for both food and service every time I've been to Delux. I love it here. What's there not to love? The menu is succinct and their pate/terrine/charcuterie appetizer is melt in your mouth. Ordered the sauteed rapini, french fries and oysters on a half shell also as part of our appetizer round. Being Good Friday, we had to order fish :) So, out came the black cod with mussels in a bouillabaise broth. Lastly, the donuts with creme anglaise was masterful. And the 2 bottles of Chinon, poured and refilled constantly didn't hurt, either. I will always recommend Delux - I will always go back - and I love this place.
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Review from Daniel B.
6/25/2010
Blah.
I spent a while trying to figure out a good reason to go here.
I mean, the food's unspectacular. The ambiance is kinda played-out. The portions are smallish. There really isn't much selection. It's very expensive for what it is.
But... they do have a really cool fluorescent alphabet sign on the wall.
It's what suckered us inside in the first place.... and ended up being the most memorable thing about our meal. It's really quite wonderful. All of the letters are there. You can combine them to spell any word.
While this neon-induced do-it-yourself wheel-of-fortune fantasyland can take you so far, in the end you're left hungry and unsatisfied.
BL_H.
I'd like to buy a vowel, please. -
Review from Noel D.
10/2/2009 ROTD 6/16/2010
I took my friend here for her birthday and I had been warned ahead of time that it gets expensive so I came strapped and prepared.
The atmosphere is great. Some nice exposed brick and an overall simple vibe, with a nice little bar and kitchen in the back. I felt comfortable as soon as I walked in and having two super-friendly servers made me feel even more at home. Our waiter was knowledgeable and genuinely seemed pleased to serve us! Started off with some Kronenbourg draft (one of my favourites that I seldom see at bars, let alone in draft form) but they only came in half-pints. Which I guess makes sense for a French restaurant.
Now the food tastes amazing... But I was a pretty hungry lad and the portions are very small. I ordered a romaine lettuce salad which was delicious, but it was very minimal. Same goes for the duck, which was the size of a baby chick. The flavours are out of this world though but I am a simple man and was looking for something more filling. So you might not want to assume going on an empty stomach is a smart plan.
We went full-on this night... We even had some dessert and fruit wine to end the evening. The dessert was fantastic. I had a coffee creme brule! In total we had appetizers, mains, dessert, a bottle of wine and dessert wine as well. For two people the total (with generous tip) was 260 dollars!
So definitely not for the poor. But if you want to impress someone on a date I can't recommend this place enough. I think the thing I was more impressed with was the service. It just couldn't get any better in my opinion. Mind you there were only about 3-4 other tables when we were there, so when the place is packed it might be slower. The overall vibe of Delux is perfect. Will definitely be coming back when I can afford to spend a bill on one dinner.Listed in: Reviews of the Day
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Review from E C.
6/3/2010
Happily, Delux has managed to survive the inflated hype and clientele that plagued the Ossington strip for several years. It now imparts more of a neighbourhood feel; save weekends, we often walk in without a reservation and tend to not have problems getting a table.
The service is reliable and the food is consistent: updated classics without unnecessary embellishment. The coffee creme brulée is terrific and the menu is definitely a nice reflection of the Chef's time at Chez Henri. -
Review from Tom G.
Toronto, ON
4/3/2010
Delux has been my favourite regular place now for several months if not a year now.
The place has a beautiful vibe and feel, and my partner and I take family and friends here with confidence. The staff really make the experience, they know how to tell you about the food, what to expect, etc. They've been helpful in picking wines--btw the Hungarian (not sure if it's available still) was a great find.
The steak frites is a favorite. Scallops are beautiful.
Deserts ... the crème brulée is a superlative. Not on the menu any more, but there was an exquisite pastry desert.
Unlike Boehmer across the street, Delux is a little more in tune with the Ossington/Queen W vibe, if I can put it that way. Not trying quite so hard (and by that I don't mean working hard, just, cooler).
Btw.. the bread that comes with every meal is, I believe, house made, and has a beautiful unique texture and flavour. -
Review from The Vong Choice I.
Toronto, ON
6/22/2011
This intimate and narrow restaurant oozes with cool and funkiness, only identified by a big sign with a '92 with an arrow through it'. Occupying Sparrow's previous space on Ossington, Delux has been on my list of places to try for at least a year. It's a small space so reservations go fast and the last time I tried to go - we stood waiting for our reservation for about 20 minutes before we decided to check out another spot as we were starving. And I am happy I made it there again and actually got seated right away!
I was adamant that I needed to try their famous Cubano pulled pork sandwich since I have heard it's absolutely delightful. So Steve and I decide to share it as our appetizer. The pork is cured in cider and molasses and is tender and sweet. It's paired with grainy mustard, chipolte mayo, chopped cornichons and red onion to create a balance of sweet and sour which is delicious and addictive. The fries are salty and crunchy which is a great compliment for the dish. -
Review from Duncan H.
Toronto, ON
6/17/2009
I actually decided to go to Delux because of the positive reviews on Yelp.
Here's what you'll find. An exceptionally knowledgeable and approachable staff. A straight-forward menu with a great variety of local options. A hip (but not too-cool-for-school) atmosphere. And an excellent meal without much buyer's regret (Dinner for two with booze, 3 courses, tax and tip was $130).
Since I made a reservation at the last minute (a reservation is a MUST for any night, not just the weekends) my partner in dine and I were added to one of the two communal tables in the back. "Great" I thought, good food and a chance to mingle. Unfortunately, my partner and I were the only two in this room for the first half of our meal. It certainly didn't take away from the meal, but we felt a little "left out" as you could hear the laughter and commotion from the front room. Unless you want a really private dinner, I suggest asking if there are other reservations for the communal table when you go. And we'll be going again for sure. -
Review from Deanna W.
6/21/2009
Delux has the whole french bistro dining thing down to a pat from food, decor to service. I'm not sure why I had been putting off a visit to this resto for some time now, most likely I was fearful of competing against the crowds that flock to this place nightly!
Anyways I'm certainly glad I paid no mind to that recently managing a couple of visits in the past few months. This spot is located on the tail end of Ossington near Queen and carries an industrial chic decor inside with the flourescent bulb fixtures hanging overhead, white cement walls to the awesome alphabet art installation that is situated on one wall. Service is charming, attentive and professional, definitely none of that too cool for school attitude that I was worried about.
I had the steak frites which was not as really well seasoned but it was tender to say the least-it's a flat iron cut which is not my favourite cut when I have steak in mind. The accompanying fries were knockouts, true bistro frites, crispy on the outside yet soft inside with the slightest trace of nutty peanut oil. On another visit I had the cubano which is truly an awesome sandwich, a tasty menage a trois between home baked bread, cheese and pork. Between expertly grilled bread there's molasses cured pork, ham, gruyere cheese, red onion, grainy mustard and cornichons-an explosion of sweet, sour and savory all in a few bites.
There must be some good bakers out in the kitchen because the homebaked bread I had to start and the bread in the sandwich was soft, sweet and had a perfect crust. Desserts are good and in-house made here, the cuban coffee creme brulee is a real treat as is the seasonal strawberry rhubarb shortcake. Wine list has some unique ones quite a few from niagara region.
Delux ranks up there with my favourite bistros in Toronto, it offers good value, great service and well executed food.Listed in: Bistro's R US: Toronto's…
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Review from Adrian C.
Toronto, ON
6/25/2011
I had the crispy duck confit and a glass of chardonnay, and was for the most part quite satisfied with my meal. I was a little amused by the Urban Outfitters aesthetic of the waitstaff, but the gentlemen servicing our table were for the most part friendly and helpful. I will concede that the food is a touch overpriced, but once you indulge in the refined, exotic flavors, money sort of becomes a non-issue. Ambiance was fairly relaxed and there wasn't an overhanging sense that one had to "put up appearances".
I would go back again. -
Review from Vanessa G.
Toronto, ON
9/16/2008 2 photos
Ossington isn't exactly the culinary destination in Toronto, but that doesn't mean it can't have its fair share of great eateries.
Delux is just that, a sort of fish out of water in an area known more for discarded box springs and hobos than fine cuisine. But the ambiance in this little French bistro is strong enough to make you forget where you are and just enjoy your surroundings.
I shared a molasses pulled pork sandwich and fries with a friend, and of a bottle of wine of course, and the food was just delicious. The pork was tender and juicy and smothered between two slices of homemade bread. The fries were also perfect - crispy and light and not greasy in the slightest. The waiter we had was friendly and amicable and we chatted about the resaturant's hours and how business was going.
The wine was also very tasty - a dry fresh white with may not have been the best pairing with pork but it was tasty none the less. The food wasn't too expensive either, considering the tastiness of the meal!
If you're looking for a new hot spot to hit up, away from where all the normal foodies like to hang, Delux is it! -
Review from Jonathan W.
Calgary, AB
1/2/2009
A new one on Ossington wihch is just across from Foxley. Billed as French-Cuban but mostly a French menu. A bare interior but with a warm atmosphere. Limited seating and ask for a booth when making a reservation for 4. The menu is limited but has several few gems.
The charcuterie was smaller portions but marked by a tasty duck breast/ foie gras terrine. A celery root soup was flavorful. The much raved Cubano lived up to billing. Just the right mix of meaty crunchiness.
A braised short rib was very soft and hearty. Steak frites consisted of a flat-iron steak, smoky and tender. The fries in this place are a perfect balance of starch and crunch.
The one thing you MUST have and definitely earns a star on its own is the warm homemade chocolate chip cookies. Beautifully moist and crumble soft. Order with a steamed milk. YUM.
Overall, definitely worth another visit. -
Review from Todd V.
Toronto, ON
10/17/2008 2 photos
It appears that the point where Ossington meets Queen is not just reserved for really shady looking karaoke bars and the mentally ill (http://www.yelp.ca/biz...). Not only do we have a dandy drinking hole in Sweaty Betty's (http://www.yelp.ca/biz...), but we also have a newly-opened restaurant that serves up dandy food in the form of Delux.
One of the fun things about Delux is that you need to know its there in order to find it. Hiding on Ossington doesn't really help, and neither does a street sign with a single arrow pointing to the door, unless you know where you're going. Your ability to find the place will be a rich reward. No worries. Once your in, you're taken away from the albeit roughness of Ossington to a modern monochromatic dining area. Seating is ample, and the food rich and well plated. I ended up ordering the duck off the menu upon recommendation by the servers and was anything but disappointed. The freshness of the ingredients is showcased prominently in the resultant dishes.
The wine list is ample. The post-supper liquors and liqueurs are sufficient. The restaurant as a whole is so inviting it can easily be the focus of the evening instead of a part of a larger night. Worth fighting your way down Ossington for. -
Review from Keith B.
7/30/2009
Let me preface this review by saying that the service was so slow I can only assume one of their servers called in sick. There were only two servers on the floor (and no bartender or any other wait staff) which was nowhere near enough. I went there last weekend, and was disappointed at having a long wait between every step of the meal (including even ordering drinks).
For an appetizer myself and my companion ordered two orders of the chickpea fries on the servers recommendation that one would not be enough. The fries were pretty tasty (I have never had chickpea fries before, so I have nothing to compare them too) but two orders was way too much. I barely made it through my order and my friend barely finished half of hers.
What seemed like hours later, our main course arrived. I had the 'crispy duck' which was more tough than crispy. It was served on a bed of lentils, which I felt were completely unremarkable. I have made better lentils at home. My friend had the red snapper which was much better. Personally I thought it was just ok, but my friend really enjoyed it.
However, the highlight of the meal was the freshly baked chocolate chip cookies we had for desert. If you do end up going here, you must order these! Delicious!!!
They were also pretty generous in filling up my wine glass, which was nice.
All in all, I think the poor service probably tainted my experience. I probably won't go back here, but if the service improved it could be a decent place. -
Review from Diane R.
Toronto, ON
8/22/2009
My new favourite restaurant in the city.
We went for a special occasion and the staff couldn't have been more helpful. I had arranged a surprise at the end of the meal and I felt as though the staff were nearly as excited as I was for it.
The food was unbelievable and the portions are generous: I don't see the need in ordering the extra sides. I met the chef, Corinna, and she couldn't have been more pleasant (or darling!)
The wine list is reasonably priced, along with the food. I understand now why the place has diners coming in until 10:00 at night. -
Review from Erin H.
Toronto, ON
8/28/2008
I used to think of Ossington as a street only to be trodden on if you were scouting locations for a murder scene or looking to buy illegal weapons from a guy named Buddy X.
But Ossington has become quite a hot spot in recent years with bars, restaurants, and galleries popping up rapidly on its southern blocks. Among the hubbub is a very notable little place known as Delux, a French Bistro that is coolly stripped down to its naked elements - concrete walls et al. The décor though definitely atmospheric leaves something to be desired, which is a good thing, because the food is most definitely desirable and fills in any gaps that the space itself may leave open.
Definitely check out the address before going to this place because it's one of those places that is way too cool to put up a sign. God knows I walked by the place as many time as it takes to fight with your boyfriend 3 times before arriving.
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