Delica - Yonge and St Clair

[Thatcher]

See that there is a new spot called Delica, just S of St Clair. It looks like a carry-out place. Anyone tried this yet or know the scoop?

Thanks.

[miketoronto]

haha. Last time I was in they weren't available, but I've seen them twice. The best dessert I've had there. It was chocolate not pumpkin when I had it. No harm in calling if you're that gung ho. :)

[Ediblethoughts]

I did actually call and they were out of the whoopie pie--and didn't have many items left. I'll try another time--reserve ahead.

[miketoronto]

I really would love to eat there more, everything has been delicious and the closest place to get a good sandwich around it is Black Camel. I'm guessing their ingredients are top notch and they want people to pay more for good ingredients. Totally understandable, but I have trouble justifying a flimsy (but tasty) sandwich for almost 10 bucks. I can go to Black Camel and be insanely satisfied for less.

I stick to the homemade oreos and whoopie pies, still expensive but less of a blow to the wallet. Everyone inside is super friendly and you can tell they really care about the food.

-----
Black Camel
4 Crescent Rd, Toronto, ON M4W1S9, CA

[Ediblethoughts]

What is a "whoopie pie"?

[toveggiegirl]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whoopie_pie

[Ediblethoughts]

Ohhh... that looks wonderful! Does he use chocolate (i.e. not pumpkin?)? Just looking at the site, and the whoopie pie isn't there...

[toveggiegirl]

Sorry I can't help you. I don't know what is available at Delica as I've never been. I have however tried whoopie pies. Hopefully Mike will see this and respond with whoopie details. :-)

[Ediblethoughts]

Thanks. I should just call and see what they have; if I can figure out when I can go, I might do that...

[Bronfman_Heiress]

Delica is beautifully run, with a great selection of treats. I love their soups and sandwiches. Their 'Spicy Bird' sandwich is like a chicken wing dinner all wrapped up in a bun, including the carrots & blue cheese dip. Delicious!

[JamieK]

but too pricey for a poor plebe like me when there are other good lunch choices nearby (Boccone, Bagel House, etc) where you get more bang for your buck.

[AJMC791]

I was there this morning.

Had a latte, and quite a small sandwich. Total was $10.16.
It tasted very good (egg, bacon, cheese - grilled in the sandwich press) , but then went next door to grab a bagel, because I was still hungry.

[hungrynovelist]

I went today and had a spicy bird sandwich which was a tasty combo of ingredients, not too spicy, I liked the blue cheese aioli. I might have preferred less bread but the roll had been sliced horizontally into three. I also had a baby banana bread with chocolate chips (liked it a lot and will go back for it and pretend it's not a muffin in mini loaf form). The place seems quite stylish/jhigh-end ish for St. Clair & Yonge, more in the Terroni vein (the former premises of the Ace Bakery shop) than the Boccone one.

[sumdumgoy]

Has anyone been in recently?
I was underwhelmed 2 weeks ago and wondered if there had been any further comment.

[Thatcher]

Have to say even though I'm in the neighbourhood, I just keep walking by, based on the reviews people have posted here about it being - to use your word - underwhelming. For now I just keep defaulting to Petit Thuet and MbCo...

[The Boss]

MBCO is closed down....

[magic]

Closed down?! Didn't they just open a couple of months ago?

[estufarian]

They were open on Saturday and the website still shows them as a 'location' - although with websites that bad, it's not worth checking!

[magic]

I'd be surpirsed if they were closed so soon after opening.

[syoung]

There's a tea place around here that opened for only a few months and closed. The strip between St. Clair & Rosedale seems to have high store turnover as you see going out of business signs not infrequently, so would not be surprised if MBCO suffers the similar fate soon if not already.

Re Delica, I haven't been yet; there are a lot of choices in all price ranges in this area so if the food is underwhelming and pricey at the same time, it doesn't make me want to try.

[Thatcher]

You have to look at the concepts going in, however, as some of the business that have tried to make it go and just didn't read the market right.

"The Xian" tea house your referring to is a perfect example. What were they thinking? This will sound horrible and nasty, but it was much better suited for Highway 7 in environment and offering than for the area. I think there's a reason French bakeries and coffee shops and Starbucks thrive in the neighbourhood. They're all meeting places that the local denizens can relate to and offer an environment people feel comfortable in. I think that even tea concepts like Ten Ren and Go For Tea - which are jammed up north - would fail here.

My partner is from HK and a huge tea drinker and he walked by it pretty much daily, but wasn't once compelled once to go in. Even he would scratch his head and say "what the hell are they doing *there*???

MBco however, is something a little more suited to the neighbourhood, but you're right, I think they got greedy with the pricing. Maybe the rent in that location was so high it was killing them?

Just a guess.

[sumdumgoy]

I think the market for $20 sandwiches ($14+tax+tip) is a little thin.
MBCO did some water and juice business on the patio in the nice weather but otherwise the place has been relatively "uncluttered" with customers.

[estufarian]

Drove past today.
The sign said 'Open' but there were no lights or signs of activity.
I guess you really are 'The Boss'!

[Thatcher]

Surprised, as we walked by last weekend and it was still open. Plus the patio was jammed all summer. That's a bummer. I loved their steak sandwiches.

I understand that there is a licensee running it in TO. If that is indeed true, I think that they have done the concept a disservice by making it more expensive and delivering less value than Montreal. The prices here are slighter higher and I (feel) like I am getting less. I always get a little salad on the side or extra something when I order in MTL, but just get what I've asked for here.

Focus group of one...

(Now if only we could get Rapido to open a Toronto location...)

[Ediblethoughts]

If anyone tries the cupcakes or "homemade oreo", pleasse post!

[pâté chinois]

I had the homemade oreo and they're good! Very chocolaty wafers, very sweet (maybe a tad too much) white cream.

[Ediblethoughts]

Thanks! Too much white cream?? Can this be possible....

[RobbieD]

The oreo cookies ROCK You have to like sweet, but they aren't too sweet at all

[Ediblethoughts]

Sounds like it might be the only reason to go there! Still, I like normal oreos it sounds like it would be worth it. Thanks

[estufarian]

I walked in and took a look. Everything looked good - but no seating (Ok a counter with a handful of seats). But prices were 'not cheap'.
So I continued on to Boccone where the 'average' costs are about 30-40% less (and I can sit for a while). Certainly the Ace breads look nice - but again, Boccone has daily delivery too.
Maybe if someone can recommend the 'best deal' I'll give it a try.

[sumdumgoy]

Was there for lunch today.
Very attractive little "store" and display counter with 6 hard stools in the corner.

Triple decker: one little slice cheese, 2 tiny strips of bacon and barely a schmear of tomato relish. Way too much bread for the less than generous amount of filling. $7.99+ tax
Guest had med. squash soup which was good but not exciting. In fairness I have never met an exciting squash soup. $5.75

Rather liked the strawberry jammy but it would not make the place a destination by any means.

It appears they are hoping to maintain a 10% food cost
Boccone had nothing to fear - nor do any other of the local restos.

[miketoronto]

http://www.delicakitchen.ca/downloads...

This menu looks great. Giving Boccone a run for the lunch rush money. I'm definitely going tomorrow, I live 20 metres away :)

[chuang]

It just got a little write-up in the Star yesterday in the Living section, suggesting the "strawberry jammies" (baked doughnuts). Please post if you go - it's not in my area but I'd like to try it out if it's good.

[Tatai]

It's owned by Devin Connell, the daughter of ACE Bakery founders Linda Haynes and Martin Connell. She and her mother recently released a joint cookbook.

[miketoronto]

Just finally saw this open.

I think it is all take out, a lot of gourmet ready made foods. They're open until 3 pm this week, definitely going to try it tomorrow.