Alma (restaurant)

For the Portuguese restaurant of the same name, see List of Michelin-starred restaurants in Portugal.
Alma
Map
Restaurant information
EstablishedJuly 1, 2018 (2018-07-01)
Owner(s)Anna Chen[1]
William Dunn[2]
Head chefAnna Chen[1]
Food typeAsian Fusion
Chinese
RatingBib Gourmand
(Michelin Guide)
Street address1194 Bloor Street West
CityToronto, Ontario
CountryCanada
Coordinates43°39′34″N 79°26′17″W / 43.65946°N 79.43802°W / 43.65946; -79.43802
Seating capacity34[2]
Websitewww.almatoronto.com

Alma is an Asian fusion restaurant in the Bloordale Village neighbourhood[1] of Toronto's West End.

History

The 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

The 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

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ a b c d Cheung, Christina (10 August 2018). "Alma - Review". BlogTO. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ a b c Lerner-Frank, Ivy (2 May 2023). "Anna Chen's guide to Toronto". Fine Dining Lovers. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ Hui, Ann (13 September 2022). "Michelin Guide awards 13 Toronto restaurants with prestigious stars". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Alma - Toronto". Michelin Guide. Michelin North America. Retrieved 23 October 2024.