Aloette: Toronto, Ontario
Located in Toronto’s Queen West neighbourhood Aloette is the sister restaurant to Alo which is notorious for it’s 3 month reservation wait list. Aloette however is walk-in only and has a more casual, yet upscale, diner feel and serves elevated comfort fare.
Aloette has the classic diner layout – long and narrow with booth seating and stools lined up against the bar for counter seating. It’s finishes however are not classic diner and the space has all the details for a chic-upscale atmosphere including beautifully laid tilework, modern light fixtures, and leather stools and banquettes.
We’re first presented with some perfectly toasted parmesan challah toasts served with a side of miso butter, which is served complimentary for all guests. It’s so perfect that I could come here just to eat that alone and it’s pretty hard for me to even believe this is even complimentary. All other restaurants should take note because after this the standard bread basket just isn’t going to cut it anymore.
It’s hard not to just order everything on the menu, and we practically do because it all sounds so good! We decide on Crispy Squash ($12, brown butter, pumpkin seed, parmesan), Long Bean Tempura ($12, garlic, parsley, capers), Sea Urchin on Toast ($22, scallion ginger, yuzu, kosho), Grilled Octopus ($28, Pork Belly, black beans, cauliflower, lime), Foie Gras Terrine ($20, Peanut, grape compote, armagnac, toast) and the Aloette Burger & Fries ($20, Beaufort cheese, onion, lettuce, pickle) Yes, all this was split between just 3 of us because it was just that enticing.
The standouts of them all were the Crispy Squash, Long Bean Tempura, and the Grilled Octopus. Flavourful with a twist of Asian to give them a unique spin it’s exactly the kind of creativity that should match the modern upscale diner vibe.
And no, we did not proceed to order 3 additional items…on a completely separate occasion I come back to try out a few more including the Iceberg Wedge ($16, chive cream, avocado, parmesan, wild rice), Tuna Toasted ($16, Granny Smith apples, kimchi, scallions, furikake), and Atlantic Cod ($28, Shitake Mushroom, miso butter, Brussels sprouts, radish).
I am typically not a fan of iceberg lettuce but this one topped with all the right flavours is enough to convert me. Served as a full round disk cut out of a head of iceberg the creamy avocado, chive cream dressing, and generous grating of parmesan flavours the lettuce well without completely overwhelming the senses. The wild rice also adds just the right amount of texture. It is a salad that I would actually lust after and is making me question my very identity.
The Atlantic Cod was also a favourite with it’s perfectly cooked, buttery like texture topped with crisp shards of roasted Brussel sprouts. The radishes add a nice little bit of acidic crunch while dotting the entire plate in pretty pink round disks.
We finished off with dessert because what is a visit to a diner without some ice-cream and pie? Like everything else at Aloette dessert here is next level and certainly won’t be upstaged by the already stellar apps and mains.
The Black First Sundae ($12) is served in a tall classic malt glass and layered with kirsch, chocolate cake chunks, chocolate cookie crumble, whipped cream, and topped with a generous scoop of vanilla ice-cream and chocolate fudge sauce. It’s the kind of messy where everything drips down the side of the glass as you dig in and the kind of messy where you just know you’re about to get into something damn good. Let’s just say that it does not disappoint.
Finally there is the Lemon Meringue Pie ($10). It comes out topped with perfectly toasted and round shaped pillows of meringue worthy to grace the cover of any food aficionado publication. The creamy lemon custard filling also has just the right balance between sweet and tangy (just don’t forget to squeeze the lime wedge provided to bring out all the fresh citrus flavours).
