Alma (restaurant)
History
The restaurant was opened in July 2018 by Anna Chen, who also serves as the head chef, and her husband William Dunn. Chen, originally from Calcutta, India, is of Hakka Chinese heritage. She had previous experience working at restaurants in Toronto and London.
At its opening, the restaurant focused on fusion cuisine, taking influence from French, Italian, and Hakka Chinese cooking styles. Chen cited wanting the restaurant to serve "simple and approachable, yet meticulously constructed, food". 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.
Parmesan tapioca fritters are considered the restaurant's signature dish. Everything served at the restaurant is made from scratch, including its miso and soy sauce.
The business’s name, Alma, is derived from the same Latin word, meaning “kind" or "nourishing.”
Recognition
The business was named a Bib Gourmand restaurant by the Michelin Guide at Toronto's 2022 Michelin Guide ceremony, and retained this recognition in 2023 and 2024. 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.
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.
References
- ^ Kaplan, Ben (7 May 2024). "Michelin chefs pick Toronto's best new restaurants: Anna Chen, Alma". Streets of Toronto. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ Cheung, Christina (10 August 2018). "Alma - Review". BlogTO. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ Doss, Suresh (4 February 2021). "Toronto chefs collaborate for Lunar New Year menu". CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ Lerner-Frank, Ivy (2 May 2023). "Anna Chen's guide to Toronto". Fine Dining Lovers. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Alma - Toronto". Michelin Guide. Michelin North America. Retrieved 23 October 2024.