Alma is an Asian fusion restaurant in the Bloordale Village neighbourhood[1] of Toronto's West End.
| Alma | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | July 1, 2018 |
| Owner(s) | Anna Chen[1] William Dunn[2] |
| Head chef | Anna Chen[1] |
| Food type | Asian Fusion Chinese |
| Rating | Bib Gourmand (Michelin Guide) |
| Street address | 1194 Bloor Street West |
| City | Toronto, Ontario |
| Country | Canada |
| Coordinates | 43°39′34″N 79°26′17″W / 43.65946°N 79.43802°W |
| Seating capacity | 34[2] |
| Website | www |
History
editThe restaurant was opened in July 2018 by Anna Chen, who also serves as the head chef, and her husband William Dunn.[2] Chen, originally from Calcutta, India, is of Hakka Chinese heritage.[3] She had previous experience working at restaurants in Toronto and London.[4]
At its opening, the restaurant focused on fusion cuisine, taking influence from French, Italian, and Hakka Chinese cooking styles.[3][4] Chen cited wanting the restaurant to serve "simple and approachable, yet meticulously constructed, food".[5] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chen shifted the restaurant’s culinary focus towards modern Chinese cuisine, including incorporating elements more deeply rooted in her Hakka Chinese heritage.[3]
Parmesan tapioca fritters are considered the restaurant's signature dish.[4] Everything served at the restaurant is made from scratch, including its miso and soy sauce.[2]
The business’s name, Alma, is derived from the same Latin word, meaning “kind" or "nourishing.”[5]
Recognition
editThe business was named a Bib Gourmand restaurant by the Michelin Guide at Toronto's 2022 Michelin Guide ceremony,[6][1] and retained this recognition in 2023 and 2024.[7] A Bib Gourmand recognition is awarded to restaurants who offer "exceptionally good food at moderate prices." Michelin specifically mentioned the restaurant's pan-fried radish cakes, scallion bread with stracciatella cheese, and noodles with pork wontons as dish highlights.[7]
CBC Toronto food writer Suresh Doss praised Chen for offering a distinctive perspective within Toronto’s culinary landscape. He also highlighted the restaurant’s scallion pancakes, noting the dish's successful combination of cheese and bread.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Kaplan, Ben (7 May 2024). "Michelin chefs pick Toronto's best new restaurants: Anna Chen, Alma". Streets of Toronto. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ a b c d Cheung, Christina (10 August 2018). "Alma - Review". BlogTO. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ a b c d Doss, Suresh (4 February 2021). "Toronto chefs collaborate for Lunar New Year menu". CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ a b c Lerner-Frank, Ivy (2 May 2023). "Anna Chen's guide to Toronto". Fine Dining Lovers. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ a b Gupta, Rahul (20 August 2018). "Alma offers subtle flavours in the heart of Toronto's Bloordale Village". toronto.com. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ Hui, Ann (13 September 2022). "Michelin Guide awards 13 Toronto restaurants with prestigious stars". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Alma - Toronto". Michelin Guide. Michelin North America. Retrieved 23 October 2024.