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Attended a group event so had a chance to visit Alo's private dining room on the third floor. Was greeted nicely at the ground floor and was guided to the elevator. The whole half of the floor was a dedicate private space. Passed canapés started the evening followed by a nice sit down dinner. See attached for menu and pics. Standouts were the hamachi, Wagyu with caviar, and Ontario apple. The bread course served with the New Zealand lamb was fantastic. The east coast scallop was a pass. Unremarkable.
Getting ready for our trip to Toronto, I watched a lot of travel guides to find just the perfect place to celebrate my Husband's 50th birthday dinner. Alo; time and time again was a restaurant that kept popping up as a popular option as a must-visit culinary experience. I made the reservations several months out for a party of 4. As the time of the reservation neared, the restaurant reached out to me about a week prior to confirm our reservations and see if anyone in our party had dietary restrictions. I typically follow a pescatarian diet and two others in my party had gluten restrictions. It was really thoughtful of them to reach out and get that squared away. The restaurant itself is in a non-descript entrance. You're greeted by the hostess to confirm your reservation and then you are granted entrance to an elevator that takes you to the restaurant. The restaurant has a beautiful decor that's dark, chic and sophisticated. We were welcomed into the bar area while we were waiting for our table. Once we were seated, the food show began. Everyone who waited on us from our waiter, sommelier and support staff, were very professional and friendly. Every time something was brought out- there was almost like a synchronized choreography to the presentation. There would be two presenters placing plates at both ends of the table simultaneously. It was unlike any dinner service I had ever experienced. We had an about 9 different courses in our tasting menu. Mine was modified to account for my pescatarian preference. Here are the dishes I was served: Pomme Soufflé/ Amaebi/ Tomato - Tasting of Tuna Akami/Chutoro/Otoro These courses were delicate and fancy. Basically it was tuna, a little caviar and pastry. The Otoro was out of this work yummy and rich! Dungeness Crab, Black Truffle, Hen Egg, Spinach This was my favorite course. Nothing quite beats Crab + Runny egg on fresh bread. NOTHING. It was so delicious, the ultimate comfort food dish. East Coast Scallop, Courgette, Lemon, Fine Herbs. Very good- you cannot go working with a buttery scallop! Koshihikari Rice, Dashi, Lobster, Porcini Mushroom, Kohlrabi, Black Truffle. This was my second favorite dish. It had so many umami flavors that harmonized well. Very satisfying. Agnolotti, Black Turffle, Parmigiano- Reggiano, Ricotta. Another well-executed comfort dish. Freshly made pasta with a rich cheese sauce. De-lish! Madam, Chanterelle Mushroom, Artichoke, Watercress, Black Garlic. This was my least favorite course. I could've done without it. Cherry Sorbet This was unlike any sorbet I'd ever had- it was like crunchy ice infused with cherry. It was really good though, and I'm still thinking about it! Ontario Strawberry This was a pavlova type cake along with a macaroon and a few other small pastries. Ultimately, I would've traded it all for some more of the Cherry Sorbet. The items in this last course did not mean sure up to the deliciousness of the Cherry Sorbet. We had begun our dinner reservation at 8:45pm and were wrapped up at midnight. Overall, our party really enjoyed our time here at Alo, and had excellent service the entire evening. Most of the food was really spectacular, and the only recommendation I would have is to have a deeper dive with more vegetables. I would've like to have seen more green in the dishes to balance out the richness. Other than that- a phenomenal night! Finally- I have to circle back with some of the elegant and smart design touches that make this establishment stand out. The team wears New Balances- SMART choice! I lobe those and enjoy the comfort- no doubt this helps the team stay on their toes! The restrooms are individual and gender-neutral. This is great for privacy- and they have Le Labo hand soap. Another SMART choice! Okay, it's totally clear that Alo Restaurant is a stellar place to go for an immersive and elegant night out. This was an excellent choice for my husband's 50th birthday and one we will definitely never forget. It was a special night- and all the details from the exceptional food, chic decor and too-notch service were worth the hefty price tag. Thank you Alo Restaurant!
What a magical experience! It was like a dance and everyone knew the moves. All the safe were friendly, efficient and on the ball! They all were clearly very passionate about food and it was magical to get walked through this lovely experience. We were plenty full and got to try so many different things on the chefs tasting menu. From caviar, to wagu beef to foie just in the starting little tastes. Then tuna 3 ways moving towards the fattier cuts. The little elements and layering of flavours and textures was like a little mouth adventure for each course. It did get darker and darker so I want able to capture some of the later items but just gosh they were good. It was my birthday and they even brought out a tiny chocolate mouse with a candle. So sweet!
Immaculate flavours, presentation, and service. TIP: The door is unmarked, but you can enter Aloette their sister restaurant on the 1st floor and a staff can lead you to the elevators to Alo. My favourite standout dishes was the: -signature Koshihikaru rice dish (almost like a lobster mushroom risotto. Love the umami flavours and the textures were unreal) -wagyu tarte with caviar & the foie gras roll were rich and scrumptious bites -the sea urchin wrapped with medium fatty tuna & the fattiest tuna with crispy seaweed and chewy sago was divine. Literally melted, remelted, and melted again in my mouth! Dessert was a lovely presentation. -I'm a sucker for a Canele... and Alo's was perfection. Crunch on the outside, chewy, but then custardy in the middle! -The cheesecake cube was also the most lightest softest form of cheesecake I've had, topped with the ice cream with the icier texture was lovely. The staff is HIGHLY attentive and I swear...every-time I go to the washroom, it seems like the facilities have been refreshed. Altogether pristine experience at Alo!
Wow just wow! I don't even know where to begin with this review. Probably the most expensive dining experience ever but also a very delicious one. This was definitely a culinary experience. Heavy on the experience. We did the tasting menu with the wine pairings for our 2 year wedding anniversary. The service is impeccable. The food was extremely creative and yummy. The ambiance I thought would be fancier but I guess they really let the food speak for itself. It's literally located across from the infamous McDonalds at King and Spadina (lol). You enter and there's no signage just like this secret elevator that staff accompany you up to. I love how all the wait staff wear the new balance 327's because I love that shoe too and think it's such a comfortable yet stylish walking shoe. I found the details in the food preparation were impeccable and the emphasis on service was stellar. My favourite dish was probably the scallop one. If I could get a huge plate of that ONLY, I would've been happy. I think Alo definitely lives up to the hype and I would highly recommend for a special occasion.
I've been here 3 times. It's a hit or a miss. 1st time was good but not great. 2nd time the menu was literal perfection (Dec 2023). At that time it was a Japanese inspired menu and the dishes were executed very well. We went for a 3rd time this past Nov and we were really disappointed. The dishes either had no flavour (the egg and mushroom one was very questionable) or were too salty. The risotto with Wagyu was incredible though, so as some of the small appetizers and the petit fours improved. I used to think this was the most consistent Michelin star restaurant that I've tried in Toronto, but after the last visit it was a let down. The service is always great and they're all really friendly.
Perfect dinner We've chosen this restaurant for our anniversary celebration, and it was a cool idea. The set was awesome: interesting and classic tastes combinations, good serving - everything made your dinner as a journey. There are options to upgrade couple of servings with black caviar and black truffle, and I highly recommend you to use this options to enhance your experience. There are counter seats (from there you can see how kitchen works) and table seats - more classic dining experience. Staff is polite, but not all of them have sparkle, only couple of people made your dinner exceptional.
We dined here on a Saturday night. Excited to try Alo. The meal started so promising and great and just went downhill (from a dish quality standpoint). Firstly, we were not having wine pairings and finished each course fairly quickly, and then sat there twiddling our thumbs waiting for each course. The meal was almost 3 hours for no reason. Gone are the days of blocking useless time in between courses - restaurant team needs to keep an eye on tables moving quickly in order to match their pace. Read the audience. A server should also explain all available up charges at the start of the meal so guests can plan which option they elect. Strangely, we were not offered caviar service, though I would have wanted to select that. The canapes, hors d'oeuvres, and seafood courses were the best parts of the meal. Lobster risotto and dungeness crab dip were very good. The red meat dishes were huge disappointments - the duck was hard to cut into yet mushy to bite into. Completely lacked flavor. The rack of lamb lacked a nice outer crust and was gamey while the A5 wagyu (upcharge) was way over salted but otherwise lacked any other character. The servers were attentive (waters always refilled), nice, and dishes cleared promptly. Unfortunately, for 400+ per person, this was not worth it.
We made a reservation 2.5 weeks ago for their special, truffle tasting menu. We prepaid $785 CAD for 2 which included gratuity for an 8 course meal. We sat at the counter and loved every moment of it. It was bright so I could take pictures of the food and watch the kitchen in action. The dining room area became very dark and dim later in that evening. Although everything except for the lemon with olive oil ice cream in shave ice and the petit fours, had truffle in it, we didn't taste much of it. We were expecting more truffle flavor in the dishes. If we hadn't known it was a truffle tasting menu we would have thought maybe 2 or 3 items had truffle in it. When we went to Italy to have truffle it had a much stronger truffle flavor. However we did enjoy most of everything we've eaten. Some were actually the best things we've ever eaten. They certainly do deserve that Michelin star. The only issue we had was the small and old elevator going up to the restaurant. It was stinky and it didn't leave us with a good first impression. The meal itself was near perfect but then we had to take that same elevator back down to leave, we were slightly put off.
I am not going to go into great detail here. Frankly this place doesn't need my measly five stars. They have a Michelin star, and well earned at that. The experience is a journey. Heck, even one dish contained a journey! I'm a fairly picky eater, and I enjoyed every dish, right down to the sumptuous desserts. We went a little crazy and started with champagne, did the wine pairing, and upgraded one of the dishes to the truffle option. Final bill was just under $1,000 Canadian. No regrets. Staff are all so nice, including our delightful sommelier. Gorgeous place. Exactly what you would expect for the rating and the price.
To get to this place, it's attached to Aloette but it's a separate entrance. You should be able to see an entrance with stairs and an employee waiting by the elevator. You walk inside, tell the employee you're here for your reserved time, and then they send you up the elevator. After you walk out, they offer you a complimentary coat check. The dining room ambience is dark, intimate, and sophisticated. It's also more on the quieter side, so that you can have an actual conversation with the person or people you're with. We did the tasting menu in the dining room for $225 without tax and tip. It was about 12 courses total. I'll attach a picture of the menu along with everything I ate. Service was perfect and superb. Our empty plates were taken away when we finished and they kept our table clean. They provided a well detailed description of each course. The tasting easily breaks into my top 5. It's difficult to choose a singular favorite dish as they all were perfectly prepared, seasoned, elegant, and the presentation was immaculate. Yes, I was completely satiated by the end of the meal. This was definitely one of the highlights from my trip.
Modern French cuisine with impactful details in each component. The only criticism was that the red meat courses were a bit over seasoned, but everything else of the meal was fantastic. Great service, knowledgeable Somm, overall a remarkable experience.
Came here for our anniversary and it didn't disappoint. We had the 6 course tasting menu $120 First course: tuna sashimi. This course was okay. It was served with cream cheese but the sashimi has a little fishy taste. Second course: Foie gras pate - very refreshing with citrus taste. Third course: risotto it with black truffle with dashi soup. East meets west. Italian risotto with Japanese dashi soup Fourth course: Pan seared scallop - Cooked to perfection. Crunchy on the outside and soft and moist inside. Fifth course: Veal was very tender and full of flavour. So soft that it almost melts in your mouth Sixth course: chocolate mousse with ice cream and various desserts Service is top notch. She is very friendly and always smiling. The ambiance is rather dark but romantic as we are sitting on the bar side. The only complaint is it is hard to take pictures of the food with such low light :)
4 months ago
Amazing tasting menu! They're consistently in the Top 10 restaurants for a reason.. Impeccable service with a well deserved elite clientele atmosphere. read more
4 days ago
We made a reservation a couple of weeks in advance without issues for a Tuesday night at 6:30 pm. The actual restaurant was quite difficult to find even with the address as it was on the second floor, with the elevators in an area that was connected with a different restaurant with the unfortunately very similarly named Aloette Restaurant. The service was very nice and worthy of the Michelin star, though often there is a lot of time spent waiting, from being seated, to getting the menu, between each dish especially dessert, to getting the bill at the end. The whole experience took just about 3 hours. The food itself was pretty good; I enjoyed the presentation, the colors, and the unique taste with a lot of French style tastes and techniques which I appreciate. There's a generous use of Petrossian caviar that you can taste but not see. One of my favorite dishes was the aji fish with rhubarb and ginger and chrysanthemum, had a slightly sweet taste tha really enhances the freshness of the fish. The foie gras itself is very tasty, though the pairings that I had with it were not my favorites to give it the contrast to really elevate the dish. Our final dish was veal which is usually really hard to cook but it was amazing here, this was paired nicely with mushrooms which I normally do not like but nicely done on this dish. read more
Came here for a birthday dinner on a weekday. Definitely need to scope out reservations with this place as it's one of Toronto's most well known. They have a couple other off-brand spots like Aloette and Aloette Go which each offer different things but Alo is the flagship and the Michelin Star. Right off the bat, I thought it was just alright. At $250 per person its definitely a hefty price for the 10 course. Variety is great in terms of each dish tasting distinctly different and flavours being quite unique. Nothing really blew me off my socks though. Some things that were good include the dungeness crab appetizer, east coast lobster, and strawberry petits fours. Service as you'd expect is excellent, with each dish being explained in detail and very attentive. Not sure if I overhyped this place in my own head but at $250 the bar is really high! read more
Attended a group event so had a chance to visit Alo's private dining room on the third floor. Was greeted nicely at the ground floor and was guided to the elevator. The whole half of the floor was a dedicate private space. Passed canapés started the evening followed by a nice sit down dinner. See attached for menu and pics. Standouts were the hamachi, Wagyu with caviar, and Ontario apple. The bread course served with the New Zealand lamb was fantastic. The east coast scallop was a pass. Unremarkable. read more
1 year ago
Getting ready for our trip to Toronto, I watched a lot of travel guides to find just the perfect place to celebrate my Husband's 50th birthday dinner. Alo; time and time again was a restaurant that kept popping up as a popular option as a must-visit culinary experience. I made the reservations several months out for a party of 4. As the time of the reservation neared, the restaurant reached out to me about a week prior to confirm our reservations and see if anyone in our party had dietary restrictions. I typically follow a pescatarian diet and two others in my party had gluten restrictions. It was really thoughtful of them to reach out and get that squared away. The restaurant itself is in a non-descript entrance. You're greeted by the hostess to confirm your reservation and then you are granted entrance to an elevator that takes you to the restaurant. The restaurant has a beautiful decor that's dark, chic and sophisticated. We were welcomed into the bar area while we were waiting for our table. Once we were seated, the food show began. Everyone who waited on us from our waiter, sommelier and support staff, were very professional and friendly. Every time something was brought out- there was almost like a synchronized choreography to the presentation. There would be two presenters placing plates at both ends of the table simultaneously. It was unlike any dinner service I had ever experienced. We had an about 9 different courses in our tasting menu. Mine was modified to account for my pescatarian preference. Here are the dishes I was served: Pomme Soufflé/ Amaebi/ Tomato - Tasting of Tuna Akami/Chutoro/Otoro These courses were delicate and fancy. Basically it was tuna, a little caviar and pastry. The Otoro was out of this work yummy and rich! Dungeness Crab, Black Truffle, Hen Egg, Spinach This was my favorite course. Nothing quite beats Crab + Runny egg on fresh bread. NOTHING. It was so delicious, the ultimate comfort food dish. East Coast Scallop, Courgette, Lemon, Fine Herbs. Very good- you cannot go working with a buttery scallop! Koshihikari Rice, Dashi, Lobster, Porcini Mushroom, Kohlrabi, Black Truffle. This was my second favorite dish. It had so many umami flavors that harmonized well. Very satisfying. Agnolotti, Black Turffle, Parmigiano- Reggiano, Ricotta. Another well-executed comfort dish. Freshly made pasta with a rich cheese sauce. De-lish! Madam, Chanterelle Mushroom, Artichoke, Watercress, Black Garlic. This was my least favorite course. I could've done without it. Cherry Sorbet This was unlike any sorbet I'd ever had- it was like crunchy ice infused with cherry. It was really good though, and I'm still thinking about it! Ontario Strawberry This was a pavlova type cake along with a macaroon and a few other small pastries. Ultimately, I would've traded it all for some more of the Cherry Sorbet. The items in this last course did not mean sure up to the deliciousness of the Cherry Sorbet. We had begun our dinner reservation at 8:45pm and were wrapped up at midnight. Overall, our party really enjoyed our time here at Alo, and had excellent service the entire evening. Most of the food was really spectacular, and the only recommendation I would have is to have a deeper dive with more vegetables. I would've like to have seen more green in the dishes to balance out the richness. Other than that- a phenomenal night! Finally- I have to circle back with some of the elegant and smart design touches that make this establishment stand out. The team wears New Balances- SMART choice! I lobe those and enjoy the comfort- no doubt this helps the team stay on their toes! The restrooms are individual and gender-neutral. This is great for privacy- and they have Le Labo hand soap. Another SMART choice! Okay, it's totally clear that Alo Restaurant is a stellar place to go for an immersive and elegant night out. This was an excellent choice for my husband's 50th birthday and one we will definitely never forget. It was a special night- and all the details from the exceptional food, chic decor and too-notch service were worth the hefty price tag. Thank you Alo Restaurant! read more
What a magical experience! It was like a dance and everyone knew the moves. All the safe were friendly, efficient and on the ball! They all were clearly very passionate about food and it was magical to get walked through this lovely experience. We were plenty full and got to try so many different things on the chefs tasting menu. From caviar, to wagu beef to foie just in the starting little tastes. Then tuna 3 ways moving towards the fattier cuts. The little elements and layering of flavours and textures was like a little mouth adventure for each course. It did get darker and darker so I want able to capture some of the later items but just gosh they were good. It was my birthday and they even brought out a tiny chocolate mouse with a candle. So sweet! read more
1 year ago
Immaculate flavours, presentation, and service. TIP: The door is unmarked, but you can enter Aloette their sister restaurant on the 1st floor and a staff can lead you to the elevators to Alo. My favourite standout dishes was the: -signature Koshihikaru rice dish (almost like a lobster mushroom risotto. Love the umami flavours and the textures were unreal) -wagyu tarte with caviar & the foie gras roll were rich and scrumptious bites -the sea urchin wrapped with medium fatty tuna & the fattiest tuna with crispy seaweed and chewy sago was divine. Literally melted, remelted, and melted again in my mouth! Dessert was a lovely presentation. -I'm a sucker for a Canele... and Alo's was perfection. Crunch on the outside, chewy, but then custardy in the middle! -The cheesecake cube was also the most lightest softest form of cheesecake I've had, topped with the ice cream with the icier texture was lovely. The staff is HIGHLY attentive and I swear...every-time I go to the washroom, it seems like the facilities have been refreshed. Altogether pristine experience at Alo! read more
Wow just wow! I don't even know where to begin with this review. Probably the most expensive dining experience ever but also a very delicious one. This was definitely a culinary experience. Heavy on the experience. We did the tasting menu with the wine pairings for our 2 year wedding anniversary. The service is impeccable. The food was extremely creative and yummy. The ambiance I thought would be fancier but I guess they really let the food speak for itself. It's literally located across from the infamous McDonalds at King and Spadina (lol). You enter and there's no signage just like this secret elevator that staff accompany you up to. I love how all the wait staff wear the new balance 327's because I love that shoe too and think it's such a comfortable yet stylish walking shoe. I found the details in the food preparation were impeccable and the emphasis on service was stellar. My favourite dish was probably the scallop one. If I could get a huge plate of that ONLY, I would've been happy. I think Alo definitely lives up to the hype and I would highly recommend for a special occasion. read more
2 years ago
I've been here 3 times. It's a hit or a miss. 1st time was good but not great. 2nd time the menu was literal perfection (Dec 2023). At that time it was a Japanese inspired menu and the dishes were executed very well. We went for a 3rd time this past Nov and we were really disappointed. The dishes either had no flavour (the egg and mushroom one was very questionable) or were too salty. The risotto with Wagyu was incredible though, so as some of the small appetizers and the petit fours improved. I used to think this was the most consistent Michelin star restaurant that I've tried in Toronto, but after the last visit it was a let down. The service is always great and they're all really friendly. read more
1 year ago
Perfect dinner We've chosen this restaurant for our anniversary celebration, and it was a cool idea. The set was awesome: interesting and classic tastes combinations, good serving - everything made your dinner as a journey. There are options to upgrade couple of servings with black caviar and black truffle, and I highly recommend you to use this options to enhance your experience. There are counter seats (from there you can see how kitchen works) and table seats - more classic dining experience. Staff is polite, but not all of them have sparkle, only couple of people made your dinner exceptional. read more
We dined here on a Saturday night. Excited to try Alo. The meal started so promising and great and just went downhill (from a dish quality standpoint). Firstly, we were not having wine pairings and finished each course fairly quickly, and then sat there twiddling our thumbs waiting for each course. The meal was almost 3 hours for no reason. Gone are the days of blocking useless time in between courses - restaurant team needs to keep an eye on tables moving quickly in order to match their pace. Read the audience. A server should also explain all available up charges at the start of the meal so guests can plan which option they elect. Strangely, we were not offered caviar service, though I would have wanted to select that. The canapes, hors d'oeuvres, and seafood courses were the best parts of the meal. Lobster risotto and dungeness crab dip were very good. The red meat dishes were huge disappointments - the duck was hard to cut into yet mushy to bite into. Completely lacked flavor. The rack of lamb lacked a nice outer crust and was gamey while the A5 wagyu (upcharge) was way over salted but otherwise lacked any other character. The servers were attentive (waters always refilled), nice, and dishes cleared promptly. Unfortunately, for 400+ per person, this was not worth it. read more
2 years ago
We made a reservation 2.5 weeks ago for their special, truffle tasting menu. We prepaid $785 CAD for 2 which included gratuity for an 8 course meal. We sat at the counter and loved every moment of it. It was bright so I could take pictures of the food and watch the kitchen in action. The dining room area became very dark and dim later in that evening. Although everything except for the lemon with olive oil ice cream in shave ice and the petit fours, had truffle in it, we didn't taste much of it. We were expecting more truffle flavor in the dishes. If we hadn't known it was a truffle tasting menu we would have thought maybe 2 or 3 items had truffle in it. When we went to Italy to have truffle it had a much stronger truffle flavor. However we did enjoy most of everything we've eaten. Some were actually the best things we've ever eaten. They certainly do deserve that Michelin star. The only issue we had was the small and old elevator going up to the restaurant. It was stinky and it didn't leave us with a good first impression. The meal itself was near perfect but then we had to take that same elevator back down to leave, we were slightly put off. read more
1 year ago
I am not going to go into great detail here. Frankly this place doesn't need my measly five stars. They have a Michelin star, and well earned at that. The experience is a journey. Heck, even one dish contained a journey! I'm a fairly picky eater, and I enjoyed every dish, right down to the sumptuous desserts. We went a little crazy and started with champagne, did the wine pairing, and upgraded one of the dishes to the truffle option. Final bill was just under $1,000 Canadian. No regrets. Staff are all so nice, including our delightful sommelier. Gorgeous place. Exactly what you would expect for the rating and the price. read more
To get to this place, it's attached to Aloette but it's a separate entrance. You should be able to see an entrance with stairs and an employee waiting by the elevator. You walk inside, tell the employee you're here for your reserved time, and then they send you up the elevator. After you walk out, they offer you a complimentary coat check. The dining room ambience is dark, intimate, and sophisticated. It's also more on the quieter side, so that you can have an actual conversation with the person or people you're with. We did the tasting menu in the dining room for $225 without tax and tip. It was about 12 courses total. I'll attach a picture of the menu along with everything I ate. Service was perfect and superb. Our empty plates were taken away when we finished and they kept our table clean. They provided a well detailed description of each course. The tasting easily breaks into my top 5. It's difficult to choose a singular favorite dish as they all were perfectly prepared, seasoned, elegant, and the presentation was immaculate. Yes, I was completely satiated by the end of the meal. This was definitely one of the highlights from my trip. read more
1 year ago
Modern French cuisine with impactful details in each component. The only criticism was that the red meat courses were a bit over seasoned, but everything else of the meal was fantastic. Great service, knowledgeable Somm, overall a remarkable experience. read more
Came here for our anniversary and it didn't disappoint. We had the 6 course tasting menu $120 First course: tuna sashimi. This course was okay. It was served with cream cheese but the sashimi has a little fishy taste. Second course: Foie gras pate - very refreshing with citrus taste. Third course: risotto it with black truffle with dashi soup. East meets west. Italian risotto with Japanese dashi soup Fourth course: Pan seared scallop - Cooked to perfection. Crunchy on the outside and soft and moist inside. Fifth course: Veal was very tender and full of flavour. So soft that it almost melts in your mouth Sixth course: chocolate mousse with ice cream and various desserts Service is top notch. She is very friendly and always smiling. The ambiance is rather dark but romantic as we are sitting on the bar side. The only complaint is it is hard to take pictures of the food with such low light :) read more
1 year ago
My bf and I made reservations for the chef's table for our anniversary. From the moment, we walked in, the service was impeccable. We sat at the bar while we waited to be seated. We started off with a few amuse-bouches. The wagyu with caviar was my bf's favorite. I really enjoyed the foie gras cigar pastry. We moved on to the first few courses. The otoro with uni melted like butter. Of the main dishes, the lobster and risotto stole the show. All of the desserts were amazing. The canelé was perfection. I loved the special anniversary chocolate mousse mini cake. It was so much fun watching the chefs prepare each dish with such detail and precision. Definitely recommend for any special occasion! read more
3 years ago
With all the hype that Alo gets, my expectations were pretty high coming in for a New Year's Eve tasting menu. We were seated in the bar room, which wasn't very spacious, but had a nice moody aura. Though Alo is labelled as a French restaurant, our seven course meal was surprisingly Japanese, with components like bluefin tuna sashimi, sake kasu, and maitake mushrooms. My favourite courses were the koshihikari rice white truffle risotto and the east coast scallop topped with caviar. Flavours of each dish were well balanced in every course, tasting best with all elements in one bite. Service was great throughout the evening. My friend didn't like the foie gras (our second course), and the waiter promptly replaced it with a citrus-y beet salad. We appreciated that they were well prepared for such a scenario, especially with how rich the foie gras is. Fresh cutlery was provided with every course, with the waitstaff clearing the table in sync. I was content with my experience, and I do think Alo deserves their star, but with a price point of $250pp, I wasn't entirely blown away. You are also required to pay the full amount upon booking. I'd love to come back in the future to see if the dining room experience is different. read more
3 years ago
What a unique and wonderful dining experience!! Service was stellar from the moment we entered. I communicated with this restaurant several months in advance and made sure they could accommodate my wife's dietary restrictions for her birthday celebration. They explained they could not modify the menu in their main dining room, but would if we sat in the bar area. Considering the high quality of being a Michelin restaurant, I readily accepted. We both loved our experience. They saved a special corner table (# 26) for us, overlooking the rest of the bar area. Food was a 5-course menu for $120 ea. Drinks were an additional $189, for a total of $429 CAD. Joy, our server took great care of us. Food was exquisite. We would love to return. read more
As I recount my latest experience at Alo, I grapple with the final mark: would I still consider them a 9 or a "top pick"? There were dishes that were incredible, but then some that missed the mark. The tasting menu ($225 per person) was off to a shaky start when the canapés arrived. We're instructed to eat the four bites in a particular order. The first, an oyster with compressed cantaloupe and Iberico ham oil had a fishy essence without an acidic element (like the traditional mignonette or lemon) to help cut through the strong taste. It also seemed off that it wasn't ice cold for something that should be served uber fresh. The first bite was a bust. Slowly, the redemption started with the beautifully presented uni tart, which was made even creamier with a thick crème fraiche on the bottom. While this wasn't mind-blowing, it was at least not repulsive. After the fishy oyster I had doubts about the mackerel tart, but this was unfounded as the meaty fish was very clean tasting and well balanced with bright pops of the daintiest tomatoes and fruit. Indeed, there was an ocean-like essence from the caviar, but it wasn't overpowering. The canapés ended with a foie gras and strawberry jelly tart that created a sweet and savoury element. This was surprisingly good and wonderfully rich. It's unclear if Alo is pandering to Michelin inspectors as the procession of Japanese dishes just seem out of place at a French restaurant. Sure, I can understand if they want to throw in one dish that's has a Japanese influence, but to feature a handful was just too much. Moreover, some dishes just can't live up to what you'd be served during an omakase meal. Chef Patrick Kriss should drop the madai course, a sea bream paired with chili oil, caviar, and kumquat. Like the oyster, it was fishy and warm. Give me this fish cool with freshly grated wasabi and soy sauce any day. The kinmedai was better, the red snapper was at least cold and refreshing with the oh so finely julienned radish in the centre. The various oils complimented the fish nicely and this was an improvement over the other sashimi course. If Alo must have a sashimi course (why would it), one is enough. Having a soft spot for chawanmushi I wouldn't be opposed to this remaining on the menu. The actual steamed egg was hot and silky, but then enhanced with lovely French and Western elements: smooth foie gras tofu cubes, fragrant truffle paste, crunchy radish, sweet corn, and crispy chicken skin. All this amongst a pool of reduced capon broth. What an incredible dish! This is a long review, head to Gastro World for the rest. read more
One of the best Michelin experience in Toronto, absolutely amazing service, great for date and celebration Magic food, every dishes with perfect presentation, me and my friend had a wonderful experience with alo. Everything was perfect, price was reasonable and super love their vibes. So good read more
9.5/10 Alo has Been on my list for a very long time. I'm So glad that the fiancée was able to book us a table! Excellent food The whole menu and Each dish was well balanced well thought out. The menu did introduce me to different flavours and combination that will get me thinking about again and again! Service Impeccable service - the best service I had. It was the little things that makes this an amazing experience Our reservation was at 915 pm and we were seated promptly. We didn't finish until 12am so it was quite a long dining experience. Couple of dishes that didn't really wow me for example we had a pasta dish, and desserts was ok (although it introduced me to canelés and I'm obsessed). Expect your wallet to hurt. We ordered 2 glasses of wine and added truffles to one of our meals. That was almost an additional of $150. This is definitely a restaurant worth visiting and experiencing. Great for occasions. Highly recommend this to anyone who can obtain a reservation! read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
We snagged some reservations for a Friday night during our trip to Toronto. We dined in the dining room and had the tasting menu. This was one of my favorite dining experiences I have had and was my favorite spot we tried in Toronto. We had to wait a few minutes before our table was ready and they had these little areas by the window and maybe order a drink for us to wait at. We started off with cocktails which I enjoyed. They also gave us some complimentary glasses of sparkling wine for our anniversary. Every dish was delicious. All of the staff were super helpful and so knowledgeable about every dish. It really felt like they were all very passionate about their jobs. We will definitely be back to try another rendition of their tasting menu! read more
I've been wanting to go here for a while and was worried that reservations would be hard to get after they received their Michelin star. Luckily I was able to get one, but they do get filled up quick! I made the reservation over Tock about 2 months in advance. Right when we walked in we were greeted at the elevator and they asked if we wanted our coats taken. We were taken to our seats and asked if we wanted any champagne before the meal. We were also asked if we were interested in any upgrades/additions to our meal including a wine pairing. Our meal was 11 courses with the option to add an additional course. There were 2 wine pairings to choose from, a regular and premium one. We opted to have one regular pairing and share as we're not much of wine drinkers. During the meal they started off every course with a brief explanation of the dish. If there was a wine pairing for the course the wine would come first with an explanation as well. In between courses our utensils were changed as well. All the courses were really good. We especially loved the lobster and swordfish courses. For dessert we were given an additional small cake as we were celebrating a birthday. After our meal was finished we were given our menu for the night as well as our wine pairings. The service and food was excellent throughout the whole night. read more
1 year ago
Food: 5 Decor: 5 Service: 5 Came here with 2 work colleagues after my girlfriend recommended it. It was also to celebrate our birthdays (mine was 2 weeks prior, one was that next week, and the other was 2 weeks after). Overall, incredible spot for only 1 Michelin star (maybe the best I've been to), and would definitely come back again the next time I'm in town. Dining Room Tasting Menu, 225 I won't get into each dish since there were 11 in total, but the highlights were probably the shima aji, lobster, and wagyu. Menu: Hokkaido Scallop Shima Aji Sunchoke Alaskan King Crab and Uni Koshihikari Rice Lobster Peking Duck Provimi Veal Japanese A5 Wagyu Striploin Coconut and Matcha Guanaja Pots de Creme Petit Fours Service was superb, on par with 2 and 3 star restaurants. The awards are definitely deserved: #1 Canada's Best Restaurants Canada's 100 Best, 2020 95.50% La Liste, 2023 #90 World's 50 Best Restaurants, 2019 97.50%, #0 La Liste, 2018 1 Star Michelin Guide, 2022 #1 Best Restaurants Toronto Life, 2018 read more
Quite possibly the best restaurant in Canada, and one of the best restaurants in the world, getting a table can be quite difficult. You have to snag a spot 3 months in advance and they go quick! The best thing to do is ditch your friends/ family and go solo in case all tables are already taken. They just recently reopened for dine-in after lockdown. I was quick about making a reservation because it was now or never...and never wasn't an option for me. Located on the 3rd floor in a building along Spadina, this French-inspired restaurant aims to please and arouse the palate. I did their 6-course tasting menu and aroused I was. The bar tender is quite impressive. Very personable and gives excellent recommendations. Same thing with the server whose name escapes me but she helped me navigate non-alcoholic options and I ended up with a drink called Bom Dia (Orgeat, lemon, passion fruit, nutmeg)...absolutely delicious. The best comparison would be Yakult but better. 6-course tasting menu (in order): fluke sashimi, foie gras tart, Koshihikari Rice, scallops, wagyu for an up-charge instead of the tenderloin, petit four (Granny Smith apple dessert, passionfruit caramel, Granny Smith sorbet, S'more, kumquat macaron). It was a lot of food but with a great variety. Every single thing was perfect. One dish comes, you close your eyes, savor, and tell yourself just how good it is. Then, the next dish comes and you start over with eyes closed, savor, and you get the point. Their prix fixe menu starts at $120. A good excuse to wear something nice, do you hair and makeup...unless you're me and your luggage is floating around elsewhere. Good thing I had a dress in my carry-on long enough to cover my boots. And my skin still sun-kissed from days on the beach. I digress. If you're going to Toronto, you might want to get a table at Alo first before booking your flights and hotel. You simply can't go to Toronto without having a meal here. read more
2 years ago
I did not go to Alo the restaurant but I was lucky enough to have Chef Patrick cater a diner at my house. He and his team were nothing short of spectacular in every conceivable way. The food exceeded my expectations and became a point of discussion for weeks after. The service was commensurate with the food, completely perfect. The staff was polite but more so, kind and considerate. The people at Alo know their business... and then some. I'm greatly appreciative to all of them for making my special occasion so unforgettably wonderful. read more
I've wanted to come here for a while, and what better occasion than to celebrate a friend's birthday? The service here is excellent and the food pretty good (some courses more delicious than others)... but I'm not entirely sure I'd eat here again with the $185 price tag. Service was impeccable - every time I took a single sip of my drink, it was immediately replaced. I don't think my drink was ever less than 3/4ths full! They asked if we wanted champagne to start but we opted for other drinks instead. I got a cocktail, one with bloody orange, and my friend got a glass of light-bodied red wine. We started off with canapés and bread. There was venison tartare, parmesan biscuit with portobello, and a tartlette. The venison wasn't gamey at all - the flavour from the shaved truffle wasn't too strong and there was a healthy dose of mustard. The toasted rice added a nice crunch too! The parmesan biscuit reminded me of a fancy Ritz cracker while the tartlette was a touch too salty but very creamy. The bread (brioche-like) was so good! It was sufficiently salty with a buttery flake. Next came the seafood course. The east coast oyster tasted fresh but not too fishy thanks to the tarragon oil. It was like a starburst of flavour - fruity, light, and refreshing. The kinmedai was lightly torched, with miso and yuzu dressing. You could taste the citrusy essence from the yuzu. The bluefin tuna toro pastry cigar with caviar was quickly devoured - it was a great juxtaposition between the crunchy, crispy pastry and the smooth, buttery toro. The salty caviar helped balance all the flavours. There was an egg dish not dissimilar from chawanmushi with an Alaskan king crab and cured quail yolk on the bottom. This was the richer and heavier dish of the four, and we were advised to eat it last (in order from light to heaviest). The egg mousse tasted like the sea and the king crab was so sweet - but I forgot to properly mix the dish and ended up biting into a very salty quail yolk. The foie gras came next - frankly speaking, I generally find foie gras to be too heavy and rich. Alo's rendition was very interesting. The foie gras was the filling of a "rhubarb pie"; the rhubarb came in multiple forms (freeze dried, cream, compote) and helped alleviate the richness of the foie gras. It was a melange of flavours and textures, as has been the theme thus far, the fresh celery, tangy coating, and pickles cut the butteriness, the pastry tart was slightly sweet, but I disliked the bitterness of some of the cured rhubarbs. We slowly moved into the heavier courses, starting off with the koshihikari rice. It came in the form of a risotto, served with porcini mushrooms in a dashi broth. The puffed rice helped add some texture to the otherwise soft dish, and there was a subtle citrus taste that balanced the earthiness. The Spanish dover sole came next, crusted in panko crumbs and in a soup like creamy broth. This was my least favourite dish - the sole was too soft, and it was a weird mix of flavours. The flavour profile was mostly bland with the exception of the olives (which added a peculiar punch) and a lemon foam. The BC mussels also seemed out of place... The Pekin duck was presented soon after, and it was delicious! The roasted meat was warm, hearty, and the sweet white chocolate dressing played the role of the plum sauce typically seen. The savoury Ferrero rocher was intriguing but I still have no idea what was on the inside! The New Zealand lamb rack was another interesting take on Asian cuisine. It was a perfect medium rare and, though well seasoned and grilled, was a great partner for the Thai green curry. This dish was one of the highlights for sure! The lamb rounded out the savoury part of the meal and we moved onto the sweet. A black sesame biscuit encompassing a blood orange sorbet and sake jelly was presented. This was mediocre - I didn't find that the flavour combo worked at all. The sesame was a bit earthy, nutty, gritty, and the sake flavour overpowered at first. The desserts, which rounded out the meal, were a delight! The apple tartin served on a pastry with a butterscotch custard was good, but I personally found it too sweet and rich. It was served warm, which was a nice contrast to the ice cold, tangy, refreshing Granny Smith sorbet. The gingerbread profiterole was decadent and reminded me of a warm hug with the cinnamon and nutmeg flavours. Then came the petit fours; the chocolate s'mores had a great chewy texture from the marshmallow, the grapefruit truffle was citrusy and slightly bitter, the macaron was well-executed but not terribly memorable, and the passion fruit caramel was extremely fruity and fresh! I'd told the servers it was my friend's birthday and they also brought out a sprinkle birthday cake on the house, with a candle and all! It was so sweet. If you're looking to splurge on a special occasion, this is the place to go. It is quite pricey, so may be a looooong while till I attend again. read more
3 years ago
We went for the $125 pp bar seating 6 course prix fixe. Ambiance was nice but note that the tables are very small and tight together. Service was good but I have had better at other fine dining establishments. Portions were very small, but I did not come ravenously hungry, so I was satisfied and happy by the end of the meal. Hamachi sashimi - divine. Sitting atop some very flavourful oils. Foie gras tart with strawberry gelé and crème fraîche - super different and interesting, but way too rich Rice - very creamy and buttery, the crispy rice on top adds great texture and grapefruit pulp adds a refreshing tang Scallop and mussel in foam - a perfectly seared scallop is the way to my heart Steak - not a steak lover but even I thought this was great. Eggplant tempura on the side. Bread - very rich and oily bread. Adding butter on top seemed like overkill. Came warm. Dessert - a delicate and light peach cake, passion fruit caramel, canelé, strawberry jelly, and a birthday dulce de leche dessert with candle (not pictured). Although this meal stretched my budget, it was an adventure in food and well worth it for a special occasion. read more
I've been waiting to eat at this restaurant for several months now. Service was not very impressive despite the only interaction we made was "can I get some cutlery with this meal so I can eat it at a park nearby" and got a response with "we don't provide it" , really? Ffs! The overall experience of the food was mediocre. I'd say the flavours are not my cup of tea. There's no wow factor to most of the courses served. Totally not worth the money, but I'll give them benefit of the doubt that it's because they are serving it thru takeout style so hard to compare to the non covid dine ins. In conclusion, this restaurant makes me feel like a sucker. Just mediocre and I'd most likely never go back. read more
When thinking of a restaurant for takeout, fine dining is not one that comes to mind at first. Well, this is the time to take advantage of this opportunity. Alo is one of Canada's top restaurant so good luck trying to get a reservation during a normal period. But now it's much more accessible. While you don't get the environment and particular plating of the fine dining experience. You still get to enjoy the layers of flavor, save yourself the money and pick up your own fav wines from LCBO and enjoy it at the comfort of your own home. I say a lovely experience to enjoy for a special occasion or during the holidays. The attention to detail from the first pickup. My food was in a sleek black shopping bag, the added personalization of your name printed on the menu in a nice stock paper. They also have their own Spotify playlist which you can play during your dinner to bring up the mood. We got the package during the summer and enjoyed in our newly furnished balcony in the summer and it was just the best experience. As for food it was great even the small sides like bread and soup was a highlight. I had high expectations and dessert was the only thing that fell below that. Rasberry cheese cake, wasn't bad but didn't blow me out of the park. I guess it's kind of hard to do a visually appealing dessert for take out so I don't blame them. Our set is $160 incl. tax tip for 2 in their rotating menu, less than what it would be for their dine-in experience. This could make for a wonderful gift or for a special occasion. read more
2 years ago
The food here was just impeccable. So good that the service, which was a 4 of 5 for *this caliber* of restaurant was more than made-up for. The space is warm and inviting. I enjoyed the mirror wall next to our table. The kitchen is partially open. Chef Patrick Kriss can stand and watch his team like a hawk (and he does) before rotating through his other restaurants. Nearly every single plate was flawless -- the Asian-inspired ingredients were cooked and seasoned into harmonious blends. The scallops one over the table. The dining "Tweezers" were a hit with my kids on the dish they were provided. The only flop was a sort of wing plate that seemed both out of place and difficult to eat (haute cuisine sports bar?) -- maybe it was an experiment? I will not blame a restaurant for trying when everything else down to the petit fours was excellent. There were a few moments where the servers lost the plot. I've been to many restaurants that compete at this level, some where Michelin rated (including several 3*s) and places that could compete had they not been in cities not reviewed. Not all have great service, but the best do. Here there were moments where the lead waiter was distracted in some side-world I couldn't entirely discern. The support staff saw I was searching for someone, no one stepped in. A few of the assistants were good at their work, but the primary line of wait staff seemed a little less responsive for how few tables and how this sort of place should be run. There was a slight pretentiousness through the entire establishment that the best restaurants don't need (because they've mastered hospitality). It began at the host desk in the hot, unairconditioned ground level lobby (now that was a *disastrous* space!). Maybe this can be recalibrated by skilled management. Overall, saying this is any less than a 5* restaurant would be inexcusable. My nitpicks are to see it step beyond being excellent food and being a truly memorable experience. read more
This place has been on my list for years, it was definitely worth the wait. My boyfriend and I went with the full tasting menu and got a cocktail each with our meals. Here are my thoughts on the courses: 0. Canapés - love the presentation and taste of every bit. It was a great balance of unique flavours, mostly savoury and creamy. My favourite bite was the smoked salmon with caviar. The tart crust was so crispy, the salmon was very fresh and the caviar was a great pop of flavour. 1. Hokkaido Scallop - these were the best scallops I've had! Super fresh with a hint of sweetness. The zesty sauce was a great compliment. 2. Wagyu & Oyster - one of my favourite bites of the night. The wagyu was so buttery. I usually don't enjoy raw oyster, but this was very fresh. The 2 purées were refreshing and light. Excellent balance to the buttery wagyu. 3. Shima-aji - these sashimi slices were so fresh. The spot of yuzu really brought out the natural flavour of the fish. 4. East Coast Lobster - thoroughly enjoyed this dish as well. The lobster was springy and sweet. The uni was very creamy with a light salty flavour. The egg based sauce added to the creaminess of the dish. This was a very filling and comforting dish. 5. Koshihikari Rice - this dish resembled a risotto. Loved the mushrooms used. The rice itself was slightly on the saltier side. 6. Swordfish - very unique chewy texture. Loved the flavour of the spicy peppers and sauce. 7. Pecking duck - very tender and flavourful. The purée was an amazing complement to the meaty flavour of the duck. Be sure to eat them together! 8. Provimi Veal Tenderloin - this tasted so much better than it looked. It was one of the most tender steaks I've had. The light salt brings out the natural flavour of the meat. Don't skip out on the eggplant purée! It was an excellent complement to the veal if you wanted a stronger smoky flavour. I should also shoutout the butter milk bread, so soft and buttery! 9. Dessert 1 - love the chestnut praline topping. Inside the chocolate dome contained ice cream and meringue. A delightful dessert with many textures and flavours. 10. Petit Fours - contained yuzu Madeline, chocolate tart. Chocolate rum Choux, and Canelé. This was my first time having Canelé and I absolutely loved it! Overall one of the best dining experiences I've had! The waiter and all the staff were super attentive and friendly. Definitely worth the price :) read more
3 years ago
Food: 9.0 Service: 9.5 Ambiance: 9.0 굽기나 식감다 잘 살려내고 재료도 신선했으나 임팩트 있는 메뉴는 없었음 서비스는 최고 수준. 약간 캐쥬얼한 분위기 시끌벅적한 느낌? 좌석간격은 넓다고 느낌 read more
Food: 9/10 Service 10/10 I really loved my experience here! The canapes, Hokkaido Scallop, Shima Aji, Wagu & Oyster, East Coast Lobster, Japanese A5 wagyu, Lemongrass & Limquat were all exquisite! Alo definetely has the most unique and unbeatable flavor. However, the pasta dish was not up to my expectations and failed to impress me. But let me tell you about the Japanese A5 Wagyu - it was simply divine! The meat melted in my mouth, and I finally understood what Gordon Ramsay meant by saying how steaks would melt in his mouth. It was so much better than any other steak I've had. Although it did get too fatty in some bites, to the point where I chugged my entire mocktail, I didn't notice the wasabi at first, but once I did, it changed the taste in the most delightful way. As for the Lemongrass & Limequat, it was refreshing and light, and I simply adored it. The Mont Blanc Petit fours were a little too sweet for my taste, but the coffee balanced it out. I especially loved the box that came with the dessert; I wanted to take it home with me! I must commend the waitstaff; they were all lovely and made my dining experience even more delightful. All in all, I truly enjoyed my time here and can't wait to come back! read more
Shocked that I haven't reviewed Alo yet! I try to make it a habit of coming here at least once or twice a year to try their different seasonal tasting menus and they always hit it out of the park. This place is easily a 2 Michelin Star restaurant by the guide's definition of "excellent cooking, worth a detour" (even though the guide only gave Alo 1). The flavour profiles range from simple to complex and how they mix flavours, textures, and visuals is amazing. Having been to a few 1,2, and 3 Michelin star restaurants around the world, this place is phenomenal. If you live in Toronto, this is an absolute must. If you come from abroad, plan ahead and eat here if nowhere else. Logistically, to get a prime time reservation slot, you have to plan ahead. They open 2 months worth of reservations on the first Tuesday of the month. So on April 4, 2023 reservations open up for May and June. I believe the tasting menu is now $225 per person for 9 courses and every dish is built to perfection, and when you're done, you'll realize it was worth every penny. Service is incredibly attentive and they are super humble. Not pretentious at all. Everything from their service, to their food, to the atmosphere, is top-tier. If you are looking for a place that truly defines the Toronto high-end culinary scene, look no further. read more
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More info about Alo Restaurant
163 Spadina Avenue
3rd Floor
Toronto, ON M5V 2A5
Canada
Queen Street West, Entertainment District, Downtown Core, Waterfront Communities-The Island
Directions
(416) 260-2222
Call Now
Visit Website
http://alorestaurant.com/
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