Saturday, January 22, 2011

Delux is just that


It has been a few months since chef/co-owner Corinna Mozo introduced her Cuban lunch menu at Delux and already she has the Ossington lunchtime crowd swooning over her authentic food. Looking into the restaurant, I can see one man reading the paper while sipping his Cuban coffee ($2.50) and two ladies sharing a Cuban crème brûlée ($4). I go in, feeling welcomed by the bright warmth of the space.

Natural light pours in through the east-facing windows and bounces off the white-painted brick walls and grey leather banquettes. The décor is minimal and fresh. At the back of the dining room, a woman leans over the dark wooden bar to chat with the bartender. Behind them, a small window into kitchen displays Chef Mozo and her cooks bustling about. Everyone is smiling. Chilled tap water is brought to the table in a large, green bottle and the waiter refills the glasses regularly. The service is attentive and well timed. 

The small menu is easy to navigate and reasonably priced. The waiter divulges his favourite item is the fried ripe plantains ($4). We opt for the jicama salad ($9). It comes with matchsticks of jicama and apple and thinly sliced cucumber and radish tossed in a mustard dressing. It is crispy, crunchy and fresh and will no doubt be a hit on hot summer days. The achiote and lime chicken sandwich ($9) is worth every penny. The chicken is moist (they use thigh meat) and the avocado is perfectly ripe. The brioche bun -- made that morning -- is sweet and soft. The calm atmosphere and comforting food eases diners into their seats, where they sit, talk, and eat as time passes unnoticed. Hot doughnuts and coffee ($6) gives the soothed customers the jolt they need to get back to their day; Not that they will be able to focus on anything but the sumptuous meal they just ate.

Cuban Lunch at Delux: Tuesday – Saturday 11:30 to 3pm.
A large table in the back makes this the perfect location for lunchtime business meetings.
(416) 537-0134
info@deluxrestaurant.ca
92 Ossington Ave
Toronto, Ontario

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