31 December 2023 16:08
Thank you to Alo for being such a special part of our engagement night! The food was superb, and the service was phenomenal. It was a night I’ll truly never forget. Thank you to the team there for making it so special.
29 December 2023 16:21
Overall food and experience was amazing! All the dishes were delicious but I did not think the wagyu main was worth the extra cost wish we’d stuck with the other one. We also opted for the wine pairings which were definitely worth it!
01 December 2023 23:49
Wake up! For a 1 Michelin star restaurant, I had hopes for my palette, the ambiance, and the overall experience. Please save your money and visit at least London or Copenhagen to experience true gastronomy or go to Montreal where there are many gems without the Michelin moniker.
Gastronomy without the fuss. We aren't talking portion size here or counter dining.
Grateful that Toronto is on the map, but we got ways to go, because I thought I was going to a Japanese restaurant instead of French. Details below.
Experience -
Our sitting was over 30 minutes delayed because the time between sittings is probably not enough.
The table was close to the adjacent tables - I get it, pack us in and turnover. The tardiness meant more time to catch up with my friend. For potential diners, just be mindful.
This hasn't happened in London Copenhagen, or parts of Spain where customer experience is important from the moment you walk in - it's all in the details. If there is a delay, you'd get at least an amuse bouche or a drink on the house instead of asking you to wait at the bar and buy your own drink (still and sparkling water is offered).
Washrooms - hidden behind a sliding door that is not automatic. If you have accessibility issues, you definitely need someone to assist. There is an accessibility washroom.
Staff - attentive, able to explain all the ingredients, and have a laugh. We are human after all. However, I felt that there was pressure to upsell. Wagyu instead of sirloin, an additional $90 and another thing which had a supplement. Even when we took the 6 course as is, they confirmed again whether we wanted the wagyu supplement. Faux pas, but I'm not doing restaurant economics here.
Accessibility - see above note on the washrooms and in the other section of the post.
Food - this is what we came for. We had the 6 course to get an impression to see if we would try the full menu another time. A la carte is available. While there are two sections to the restaurant and we were in the bar room, i'm curious if the customer experience is dramatically different or there some first principles they need to be consistent.
Kudos on trying for the presentation but more effort needed to be world class.
Hamachi (w/ shiso, plum, umeboshi, radish, kohlrabi, ginger, kombu) - it was nicely wrapped. The ginger was not overpowering. Japanese not French though
Foie Gras Tart (cranberry, serrano chili, sicillian pistachio, cocoa, crème fraîche) - the cranberry overpowered everything else. Was a cool dish which made the foie gras kind of slimy. Half a portion. Tart was the thick and hard crust kind. Consider making it a warm dish, filo pastry, some brie, hazelnut, foie gras, and other garnishes - check out Casavant.
Koshihikari Rice - basically risotto with mushroom - well made, but portion size for a toddler starting to eat solids. It included Perigord truffle, nori, dashi, matsutake mushroom, and sudachi.
Matsutake mushrooms should have a distinct flavour, mix of spice and pine, but I did not taste it. Granted there are two types in Canada (east or west coast). I hope it was the mushroom.
East Coast Scallop - Persian cucumber, mitsuba, lemon, sake, kaso, kansho - Nicely grilled large scallop. Tasty sauce on the salty side, (could have included something to soak up the sauce). Kansho is sweet potato in Japan. Unless it was pureed to the point it was almost liquid or somehow infused, I didn't notice it in the dish. Saw the finely cut cucumbers.
Creekstone Prime Striploin - myoga, king oyster mushroom, scallion, peppercorn. Great mushroom and steak, despite smaller size.
Dessert - when we got the accompaniments for the dessert they put some food glue to peel off. Seriously.no one wants to peel rice paper or your bon bon off of food glue. Be intentional and bring it out properly. Canele was dry.
Photos are not filtered. The restaurant was dimly lit.
Gastronomy without the fuss. We aren't talking portion size here or counter dining.
Grateful that Toronto is on the map, but we got ways to go, because I thought I was going to a Japanese restaurant instead of French. Details below.
Experience -
Our sitting was over 30 minutes delayed because the time between sittings is probably not enough.
The table was close to the adjacent tables - I get it, pack us in and turnover. The tardiness meant more time to catch up with my friend. For potential diners, just be mindful.
This hasn't happened in London Copenhagen, or parts of Spain where customer experience is important from the moment you walk in - it's all in the details. If there is a delay, you'd get at least an amuse bouche or a drink on the house instead of asking you to wait at the bar and buy your own drink (still and sparkling water is offered).
Washrooms - hidden behind a sliding door that is not automatic. If you have accessibility issues, you definitely need someone to assist. There is an accessibility washroom.
Staff - attentive, able to explain all the ingredients, and have a laugh. We are human after all. However, I felt that there was pressure to upsell. Wagyu instead of sirloin, an additional $90 and another thing which had a supplement. Even when we took the 6 course as is, they confirmed again whether we wanted the wagyu supplement. Faux pas, but I'm not doing restaurant economics here.
Accessibility - see above note on the washrooms and in the other section of the post.
Food - this is what we came for. We had the 6 course to get an impression to see if we would try the full menu another time. A la carte is available. While there are two sections to the restaurant and we were in the bar room, i'm curious if the customer experience is dramatically different or there some first principles they need to be consistent.
Kudos on trying for the presentation but more effort needed to be world class.
Hamachi (w/ shiso, plum, umeboshi, radish, kohlrabi, ginger, kombu) - it was nicely wrapped. The ginger was not overpowering. Japanese not French though
Foie Gras Tart (cranberry, serrano chili, sicillian pistachio, cocoa, crème fraîche) - the cranberry overpowered everything else. Was a cool dish which made the foie gras kind of slimy. Half a portion. Tart was the thick and hard crust kind. Consider making it a warm dish, filo pastry, some brie, hazelnut, foie gras, and other garnishes - check out Casavant.
Koshihikari Rice - basically risotto with mushroom - well made, but portion size for a toddler starting to eat solids. It included Perigord truffle, nori, dashi, matsutake mushroom, and sudachi.
Matsutake mushrooms should have a distinct flavour, mix of spice and pine, but I did not taste it. Granted there are two types in Canada (east or west coast). I hope it was the mushroom.
East Coast Scallop - Persian cucumber, mitsuba, lemon, sake, kaso, kansho - Nicely grilled large scallop. Tasty sauce on the salty side, (could have included something to soak up the sauce). Kansho is sweet potato in Japan. Unless it was pureed to the point it was almost liquid or somehow infused, I didn't notice it in the dish. Saw the finely cut cucumbers.
Creekstone Prime Striploin - myoga, king oyster mushroom, scallion, peppercorn. Great mushroom and steak, despite smaller size.
Dessert - when we got the accompaniments for the dessert they put some food glue to peel off. Seriously.no one wants to peel rice paper or your bon bon off of food glue. Be intentional and bring it out properly. Canele was dry.
Photos are not filtered. The restaurant was dimly lit.
19 November 2023 14:05
I was very disappointed dining here for my birthday. The cocktails were unmemorable, our dishes came out a different times, and the steak was too tough to cut through with the butter knife that it was plated with.
On top of that, there were noisy patrons at the bar that seemed to be friends with the staff, going in and out for cigarettes.
I was really looking forward to this experience but unfortunately will likely not be returning.
On top of that, there were noisy patrons at the bar that seemed to be friends with the staff, going in and out for cigarettes.
I was really looking forward to this experience but unfortunately will likely not be returning.
20 September 2023 14:51
Update: Alo commented on this review that they would reach out to me again, which they still have yet to do so.
After all this time having wanted to dine with Alo, we finally had the chance to and were disappointed with both the food and service. At a $600+ price tag for two and it being a Michelin star restaurant, you expect that you would receive stellar service and food. Our experience was anything but and truly not worth the money. Although the servers ensured that our table was always clean and our water was filled, they lacked the warmth that we were hoping for and rarely engaged in conversation with us. We felt this could have been due to the fact that we didn't order any expensive wines or champagnes that they carted around the restaurant and were pushing us to purchase.
Further, the food was not unique nor up to par. It felt like the restaurant prioritized just adding luxurious ingredients such as caviar, foie gras, and uni without much thought on whether it paired well with the dish. One example was there was a dish that had crab risotto with foie gras. Sounds good at first, but really it was too much creamy flavour - where the foie gras overpowered the crab and so the crab was not present at all in the dish. Another example was pairing uni with foie gras, which again the foie gras overpowered the uni. With these luxurious ingredients, it caused each dish to be too rich, and my partner and I felt sick after each dish due to its heavy nature. Instead of going with simplicity and using subtle flavours to highlight the star of the dish, the beautiful flavours that could have come out were overshadowed. Additionally, while we were there, the menu was too seafood heavy, and trust me I do love seafood, causing the flavours to become quite monotonous. Further, there was a palette cleanser at the end of the meal that was sour and tasted like emergen-c. I couldn't believe that they served something like that.
We tried to first reach out to the restaurant with this feedback with the hopes they can rectify our experience. Sad to say, they had no intention to compensate us for our wasted time and money and, instead, offered to waive the deposit and provide a complimentary glass of sparking wine for the next time we would visit the restaurant. The last thing we would want to do is visit this restaurant again and spend another $600 just to be disappointed again. I am not only disappointed with the food and service, but also management's ability to commit to superior customer service since they have no intention to rectify the situation.
My partner and I have been to other Michelin star restaurants before that were way more affordable and we had a wonderful time eating the food and loved the service. I hope Alo isn't getting complacent after earning a Michelin Star and should look to vastly improve their food and service. Beware of dining at Alo because it feels like they are just in it for taking your money and are not focusing on the art of the food and dining experience.
After all this time having wanted to dine with Alo, we finally had the chance to and were disappointed with both the food and service. At a $600+ price tag for two and it being a Michelin star restaurant, you expect that you would receive stellar service and food. Our experience was anything but and truly not worth the money. Although the servers ensured that our table was always clean and our water was filled, they lacked the warmth that we were hoping for and rarely engaged in conversation with us. We felt this could have been due to the fact that we didn't order any expensive wines or champagnes that they carted around the restaurant and were pushing us to purchase.
Further, the food was not unique nor up to par. It felt like the restaurant prioritized just adding luxurious ingredients such as caviar, foie gras, and uni without much thought on whether it paired well with the dish. One example was there was a dish that had crab risotto with foie gras. Sounds good at first, but really it was too much creamy flavour - where the foie gras overpowered the crab and so the crab was not present at all in the dish. Another example was pairing uni with foie gras, which again the foie gras overpowered the uni. With these luxurious ingredients, it caused each dish to be too rich, and my partner and I felt sick after each dish due to its heavy nature. Instead of going with simplicity and using subtle flavours to highlight the star of the dish, the beautiful flavours that could have come out were overshadowed. Additionally, while we were there, the menu was too seafood heavy, and trust me I do love seafood, causing the flavours to become quite monotonous. Further, there was a palette cleanser at the end of the meal that was sour and tasted like emergen-c. I couldn't believe that they served something like that.
We tried to first reach out to the restaurant with this feedback with the hopes they can rectify our experience. Sad to say, they had no intention to compensate us for our wasted time and money and, instead, offered to waive the deposit and provide a complimentary glass of sparking wine for the next time we would visit the restaurant. The last thing we would want to do is visit this restaurant again and spend another $600 just to be disappointed again. I am not only disappointed with the food and service, but also management's ability to commit to superior customer service since they have no intention to rectify the situation.
My partner and I have been to other Michelin star restaurants before that were way more affordable and we had a wonderful time eating the food and loved the service. I hope Alo isn't getting complacent after earning a Michelin Star and should look to vastly improve their food and service. Beware of dining at Alo because it feels like they are just in it for taking your money and are not focusing on the art of the food and dining experience.
12 September 2023 21:03
The service was excellent, far beyond what I would expect from a one star Michelin restaurant. The atmosphere was lively with the open kitchen design.
I was a bit shocked by the amount of Japanese influence knowing that it would be a classical French dinner. Here are a few points I'd criticize on:
1. There was an abuse of herb oil - it was present in every dish. Shiso oil, basil oil, tarragon oil, chimichurri.
2. The lack of vegetables. The only veggie course we had was the chanterelle mushroom. The sabayon sauce was spectacular and by far the best dish of the night.
3. There were too many umami components in the seafood dishes. The mix of herb oils with creams masked the delicate flavors of the fish.
4. The two protein dishes were good medium rare. However, the basil sauce overpowered the beef. Also, I did not understand why the bread service was only done at the last savory dish.
5. The champagne foam on top of the dessert was too much. Again, it overpowered everything else. I little bit goes a long way. The rest of the desserts were excellent.
I was a bit shocked by the amount of Japanese influence knowing that it would be a classical French dinner. Here are a few points I'd criticize on:
1. There was an abuse of herb oil - it was present in every dish. Shiso oil, basil oil, tarragon oil, chimichurri.
2. The lack of vegetables. The only veggie course we had was the chanterelle mushroom. The sabayon sauce was spectacular and by far the best dish of the night.
3. There were too many umami components in the seafood dishes. The mix of herb oils with creams masked the delicate flavors of the fish.
4. The two protein dishes were good medium rare. However, the basil sauce overpowered the beef. Also, I did not understand why the bread service was only done at the last savory dish.
5. The champagne foam on top of the dessert was too much. Again, it overpowered everything else. I little bit goes a long way. The rest of the desserts were excellent.
09 September 2023 18:39
This establishment exudes an air of sophistication, boasting a stylish interior design that complements its pleasant ambiance. The staff were attentive and exceptionally knowledgeable, ensuring we were well-informed about the menu offerings. The commitment to cleanliness throughout the establishment is evident. However, the true standout feature is the culinary experience. The dishes are not only beautifully presented but also burst with flavors, showcasing a remarkable commitment to using fresh and high-quality ingredients.
05 September 2023 21:26
Great tasting menu and service! Worth the experience for a special occasion. Menu had a lot of Japanese influenced flavours and styles combined with western ones.
02 September 2023 13:44
Dined at the bar, which has a separate prie fixe menu than the restaurant. You can also order a la carte. The bread service and Koshihikari Rice were some of the most delicious bites I've had in a while. Lee, the bar manager, made some amazing cocktails and was extremely friendly and personable. I also enjoyed the atmosphere and service. Would highly recommend! My favorite dining experience in Toronto!
01 September 2023 20:11
The best dining experience we had in Toronto! The service was outstanding but the food took the cake! Everything was an explosion of flavors and surprises. Highly recommend! You have to book way in advance though.
31 August 2023 1:44
Came here for my birthday and was beyond impressed with everything. The food was so good that after each course was done, I was a little sad that it was over. The servers were highly attentive. I really don’t know how to describe the experience other than as one-of-a-kind and must-be-had. Best meal I’ve had in many years in Toronto and one that I fantasize about.
29 August 2023 14:58
Ok, so here is my review on this place.
1- decorations 10/10. Very nice decorations with style.
2- service 10/10. Excellent service, the waiters, bartender knew their menu, and described all plate correctly.
3- ambiance 9/10. The ambiance is very nice with smooth music, not too loud, where you can hear yourself talk. The only thing is that if you are a smoker, you need to go all the way down the elevator and go outside.
4- food 10/10. Very tasty, fresh, and well presented, it's a 6 course service for 120$, good drinks too. (Look at pictures)
5- cleanest 10/10. Now, these are one of the most cleanest bathrooms I have ever seen. It even smells good. There is nothing worse than having a good meal, and after you go to the bathroom, it stinks. But not at this place
1- decorations 10/10. Very nice decorations with style.
2- service 10/10. Excellent service, the waiters, bartender knew their menu, and described all plate correctly.
3- ambiance 9/10. The ambiance is very nice with smooth music, not too loud, where you can hear yourself talk. The only thing is that if you are a smoker, you need to go all the way down the elevator and go outside.
4- food 10/10. Very tasty, fresh, and well presented, it's a 6 course service for 120$, good drinks too. (Look at pictures)
5- cleanest 10/10. Now, these are one of the most cleanest bathrooms I have ever seen. It even smells good. There is nothing worse than having a good meal, and after you go to the bathroom, it stinks. But not at this place
28 August 2023 23:56
If I could give this more stars I would. I came here with my partner for my birthday. The staff were welcoming from the second we walked in - and the service throughout the night was nothing short of fantastic: attentive, engaging and passionate. We truly felt looked after - there's even a 'crumb zamboni'!
Now to the food and wine. The food blew all my expectations, and I could have eaten heaps of each dish. The blind tasting menu was great because I felt fully engaged with the meal, and each dish inspired wonder and joy.
Alo's wine director was super fun. He provided a great story of each one and it was truly an education in the wines - which paired superbly with the food.
Well done Alo - that was a very special birthday meal!
Now to the food and wine. The food blew all my expectations, and I could have eaten heaps of each dish. The blind tasting menu was great because I felt fully engaged with the meal, and each dish inspired wonder and joy.
Alo's wine director was super fun. He provided a great story of each one and it was truly an education in the wines - which paired superbly with the food.
Well done Alo - that was a very special birthday meal!
20 August 2023 2:15
Alo is an exquisite dining destination that offers a truly extraordinary culinary experience! Their menu is a culinary masterpiece, featuring a meticulously crafted tasting menu that showcases the creativity and skill of the chefs. The intimate and elegant ambiance, along with impeccable service, creates a dining adventure that's both refined and memorable. Each dish at Alo is a work of art, and the wine pairings complement the flavors perfectly. It's a must-visit spot for those who appreciate the highest level of culinary excellence and seek a dining experience that's nothing short of extraordinary.
17 August 2023 18:35
Love to try different menu and Alo never disappointed me. BUT THIS time some dishes are so fatty & oily and none of the dishes amaze me. Give three stars for the service which is always exceptional!
17 August 2023 8:14
Hands down the best restaurant in the city, the only issue was that I had to book 2 months in advance, but it’s totally worth it.
The staff were soooo nice and welcoming, the food was phenomenal, well deserved Michelin star.
The staff were soooo nice and welcoming, the food was phenomenal, well deserved Michelin star.
17 August 2023 0:51
Decided to splurge for my birthday and come to Alo for the chef's table 11 course blind tasting menu with wine pairings! Midsummer at Alo Salon was such a core memory, we've had it on our list to go to regular Alo ever since then.
We had the best time ogling the kitchen during dinner service (we were literally there for 4 hrs HAHA) predicting courses, touring diff parts of Europe with the master sommelier (Christopher is Michelin awarded too!), and gushing about the food to each other and our servers. I still think it's so funny that Alo is inspired more by Japanese than French cuisine but I'm definitely not complaining, because the food is freaking awesome!
Dollars wise, obvs it's a special occasion thing (for us normal ppl lol) - but if you have a pretty penny to spend and you're looking for a super delicious and fun dining experience this is the place! Also if you have the money, do splurgeon the wine pairings - they were genius - the dish tasted different with the wine, it was like having 2 dishes in one - value haha!
I do this thing where I do a lil shake/dance when food is yummy and I shimmied the whole night in my seat LOL Highly recommend!
We had the best time ogling the kitchen during dinner service (we were literally there for 4 hrs HAHA) predicting courses, touring diff parts of Europe with the master sommelier (Christopher is Michelin awarded too!), and gushing about the food to each other and our servers. I still think it's so funny that Alo is inspired more by Japanese than French cuisine but I'm definitely not complaining, because the food is freaking awesome!
Dollars wise, obvs it's a special occasion thing (for us normal ppl lol) - but if you have a pretty penny to spend and you're looking for a super delicious and fun dining experience this is the place! Also if you have the money, do splurgeon the wine pairings - they were genius - the dish tasted different with the wine, it was like having 2 dishes in one - value haha!
I do this thing where I do a lil shake/dance when food is yummy and I shimmied the whole night in my seat LOL Highly recommend!
13 August 2023 4:49
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.
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.
01 August 2023 16:46
Great service and presentation but found food overly salty. I recommend going to alder instead