Alma (Toronto restaurant)

Last updated

Alma
AlmaToronto.jpg
Alma (Toronto restaurant)
Interactive map of Alma
Restaurant information
EstablishedJuly 1, 2018 (2018-07-01)
Owner(s)Anna Chen [1]
William Dunn [2]
Head chefAnna Chen [1]
Food type Asian Fusion
Chinese
Rating Bib Gourmand
(Michelin Guide)
Location1194 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Coordinates 43°39′34″N79°26′17″W / 43.65946°N 79.43802°W / 43.65946; -79.43802
Seating capacity34 [2]
Website www.almatoronto.com

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

Contents

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 has retained this recognition each year following. [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]

Canada's 100 Best Restaurants Ranking

Alma [8]
YearRankChange
202294new
202391Increase2.svg 3
2024Decrease2.svg No Rank
202575Increase2.svg re-entry

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Kaplan, Ben (7 May 2024). "Michelin chefs pick Toronto's best new restaurants: Anna Chen, Alma". Streets of Toronto. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Cheung, Christina (10 August 2018). "Alma - Review". BlogTO. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Doss, Suresh (4 February 2021). "Toronto chefs collaborate for Lunar New Year menu". CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 Lerner-Frank, Ivy (2 May 2023). "Anna Chen's guide to Toronto". Fine Dining Lovers. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  5. 1 2 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. 1 2 "Alma - Toronto". Michelin Guide. Michelin North America. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  8. ↑ "Canada's 100 Best Restaurants Lists". Canada's 100 Best Restaurants. Canada's 100 Best. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
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