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Food & Drink

Cut the stress and call the caterer

Though most will eat just about anything after the third drink, having the gang over for cocktails and a few snacks calls for more than a two-four and a couple of bags of no-name ripple chips. But if you want your friends to remember more than what happened in the spare bedroom, you’re going to have to call in the big guns.

Some of T.O.’s most popular restos will cater your bash. Known for some of the best Mexican and barbecue around, both Grand Electric (1330 Queen West, at Elm Grove, 416-627-3459, grandelectricbar.com, @grandelectricTO) and its spinoff, Electric Mud (5 Brock, at Queen West, 416-516-8286, electricmudbbq.com, @electricmudbbq), have stepped up. Simply fill out the forms on their websites and a bike courier shows up at your door with enough tacos or slow-cooked ribs to feed a crowd.

Prefer smoked brisket to southern-fried chicken? Order a portable spread from Caplansky’s (356 College, at Brunswick, 416-500-3852, caplansky.com, @caplansky) that also includes latkes, chopped liver and cheesecake.

If you really want impress the guests, be like us and call in the professionals, caterers like All the Best, À la Carte, Daniel et Daniel and the Food Dudes, though a minimum order is usually required. And forget about doing that last-minute thing. Caterers always need at least three days’ notice.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s get this party started NOW!


All the Best

1. Spicy beer-battered Cajun coconut shrimp with tropical mango, red pepper and coriander salsa in a sweet lime vinaigrette. $26.95/dozen

2. Charred zucchini bundles stuffed with creamy goat cheese, grilled red ‘n’ yellow peppers, red onion, mint and arugula. $17.95/dozen

All the Best, 1101 Yonge, at Scrivener, 416-928-3330, allthebestfinefoods.com, @allthebestff


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Daniel et Daniel

1. Buttermilk-battered fried chicken with Sriracha-spiked mayo and nippy red cabbage slaw on a cheesy cheddar biscuit. $31.20/dozen

2. Savoury creamed corn pudding puffs topped brûlée-style with candied jalapeño and blow-torched brown sugar. $30/dozen

3. Crispy deep-fried Malpec oyster taco finished with both Sriracha aioli and a sweet pepper, cucumber and scallion relish on Boston lettuce leaf. $31.20/dozen

Daniel et Daniel, 248 Carlton, at Parliament, 416-968-9275, danieletdaniel.ca, @danieletdaniel


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Food Dudes

1. Corn Flake ice cream pops crusted with pulverized Frosted Flakes over dark chocolate ganache laced with cayenne pepper. $30/dozen

2. Blueberry-cured sustainable steel-head trout on a pan-fried potato rosti garnished with cream cheese, pickled shallots and compressed English cucumbers. $28/dozen

3. Seared pierogi stuffed with both King-Cole-duck and new-potato confit, aged cheddar and caramelized onion, and dressed with puréed parsley, smoked sour cream and the Dude’s own hot sauce. $21/dozen

Food Dudes, 24 Carlaw, at Eastern, 647-346-0114, thefooddudes.com, @TheFoodDudesTO


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À la Carte

1. Steamed new potato brushed with garlicky truffle oil on brioche layered with smoked Atlantic salmon, lemony cream cheese and chive chiffonade. $45/dozen

2. Fresh strawberry tartelette in pastry shells dolloped with pistachio buttercream, crushed pistachios and glazed apricot. $45/dozen

3. Woolwich Dairy goat cheese stacks freckled with watercress on toasted brioche, topped with parsley and roasted sweet red pepper. $45/dozen

À la Carte, 2 Thorncliffe Park, at Overlea, 416-971-4068, alacartekitchen.ca, @alacartekitchen

All photos by David Hawe

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