Foodie 2.0

Signe Langford

We scoured the Internet to find some of the best spots for ordering high-end food. The result? Eleven reliable Web sites that will deliver delicious goods straight to any Toronto doorstep. From fresh lobster to aged cheese, our picks for the best on-line food shopping.

La Tienda
Based in Williamsburg, Virginia, La Tienda carries an impressive stock of authentic Spanish ingredients (smoked paprika, dried beans, roasted piquillo peppers) and kitchenware (paella pans, wineskins, rustic terra cotta dishes called cazuelas). With clear photos and thorough descriptions, the Web site is smart and easy to navigate. For the hopelessly addicted, there’s even an RSS feed.
Best bets: Take a cue from Cava’s Christopher McDonald, who uses marcona almonds, known for their large size and slightly sweet flavour, in the restaurant’s fig bread, and watercress and roasted beet salad. Marcona almonds $9.95 for 150 grams. Hand-carved olive wood tapas serving dish $34.95. (Prices are in U.S. dollars.)
Shipping: Charges based on UPS shipping rates, plus the cost of “carefully packing your order”; perishables will not be shipped.
Payment: Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Discover.