Aloette Preview The Art of Hospitality Food, Wine, and Cocktails - Alo Restaurant
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magazine 5 The Art of Hospitality IT’S ALWAYS NICE TO RECEIVE ACCOLADES. And topping Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants was a wonderful 8 Kitchen Footprint highlight this spring. Hitting our stride has allowed us to change it up a little in the kitchen, reflected in tweaks in the amuse-bouches, 12 Terroir: Portugal adding a course to the menu, altering others. These changes are not only refreshing for the guests, but also keep the staff engaged and 15 Behind the Bar excited, and that translates into the experience in the dining room. This year, as we continue to push the envelope of offerings at alo, 16 Around Town we will introduce our latest concept—right downstairs—with aloette. Aloette will open soon. It is set up as an American diner, replete 18 Emerging Toronto with light rosewood, a 14-seat counter, and camel-coloured banquettes. An arched ceiling implies cosy and tight. An open kitchen invites a creative spin on classic bistro food. Yes, it will be louder in there, with a lower price point and a fun wine and beer list. But the food will be elegant, light, and fresh as we maintain a relationship with the kitchen upstairs. Housed all in one building, we can streamline our operations a little with some shared spaces. In the following pages, you’ll learn about our take on hospitality with our General Manager Amanda Bradley and meet our staff as they share their experiences and programs. Enjoy—we look forward to cooking for you again soon at our restaurants. —Chef Patrick Kriss UNLOCK A WORLD OF ica Inc. merica UNIQUE TASTE EXPERIENCES. h Amer s North orth mer With its subtle bubbles and fine mineral balance, aters No S.Pellegrino brings out the best in every moment. é Water Water COMING SOON 201 Nesttlé 163 S PA D I N A AV E. Find your guide to good taste. © 2017 Visit sanpellegrino.com alo magazine 3
THE ART OF HOSPITALITY WITH AMANDA BRADLEY I t’s hard to imagine Amanda Bradley getting her feathers ruffled in a dining room. But she laughs, remembering a specific time in her life when working in a restaurant was anything but easy. “It was in France at Michelin-starred La Grenouillére. I didn’t have a great command of the language, which made working there the hardest thing I have ever done.” Rather than take on a defeatist attitude, Bradley embraced mastering the language. “You learn a lot about yourself when you aren’t in your comfort zone,” she admits. In her case, she stretched hospitality beyond the language barrier, compensating by turning up the charm and anticipating her guests’ needs. “When you can’t verbally express something, your smile always has to be there. You have to go out of your way to notice small details and be proactive, instead of waiting to be asked.” alo magazine 5
FRONT-OF-HOUSE SPOTLIGHT Quentin Meloff joined the alo staff when the restaurant first opened. He went to culinary QUENTIN MELOFF, SERVER’S ASSISTANT school and worked at several restaurants— including a stint at Michelin-starred Ristorante Andreina in Le Marche, Italy— before having a front-of-house epiphany. “I had always envied the ability of staff to engage with guests, and so I made a change from the kitchen into the dining room.” What’s unique about working at alo? The relationship among our staff. There is no wall between the front of house and the back of house. Alo is known for its impeccable, all made sense.” That innate ability their water, the colour of napkin, and pre-emptive service, and so it’s easy to process policies, coupled with a basically the kind of experience they What is a key personality trait you to see how Amanda translated this human interest in making people feel want. You can have as much or as little need in order to work in hospitality? life lesson into her current style. She good about their experiences in a engagement with us as you prefer.” Genuine excitement for your job versus a jokes about getting the staff T-shirts dining setting, naturally led her down sense of duty. It's the difference between Defying the industry’s high employee setting a beautiful table and actually wanting with the slogan “Better proactive than the hospitality path. turnover, 95 percent of its current to set that table beautifully. reactive.” Because she believes that It was in France, though, where she front-of-house staff has been with when someone comes to your house, Favourite part of the workday? dug deep to best connect with the alo from Day One. Bradley points you don’t put them in the position Whenever there's an opportunity to learn type of hospitality she wanted to to a well-written cover letter as of having to ask for something: “It about something new, whether it’s a new one day present in a place of her something that catches her eye, makes guests uncomfortable to be wine, menu item, or hospitality approach. own. “People think French service is as well as a winning personality: “I demanding, so we get ahead of that.” snooty, with white gloves. But what can teach you the processes,” she What do you consider your most She breaks down the entire dining I experienced there was completely smiles, “but I can’t teach you how important duty? experience into a simple process: “You different. It was cool, lively, and fun. to have a good attitude!” Because Paying attention to the details, from aligning require water, a napkin, food and wine, And what really rubbed off on the best tool she can give her staff is all the tables to determining which cutlery and perhaps a toilet break. We have me was this notion that service knowledge, alo offers monthly paid matches which dish—a surprisingly highly those items covered.” is not about bringing a plate wine or bar training for all. “Everyone debated topic! It's cliché, but all those little She didn’t learn her cordiality A to Zed to the table—it’s about being gets a chance to do tastings and duties are extremely important. at a fancy training facility, although get the broad strokes on the wine the person who is the conduit Favourite dish on the menu? she did study hospitality and tourism and cocktail offerings,” she explains. between the chef and the guest We currently serve a stew-style dish marketing at Niagara College. In fact, “Educated staffs makes for a better and learning to manage the featuring Saltspring Island mussels from most of her philosophy is grounded guest experience. There is nothing expectations of both sides.” British Columbia, with our pain au lait and in a basic understanding of the worse than having to say you don’t cultured butter. It's a bit of a break from a systems that need to be in place to Alo very much follows the rules. There know something.” No matter what “utensils only” dining style. There's no right work at any job efficiently. She got is an expected dance in the dining language it’s in! or wrong way to eat it. Guests get to use her first taste of this at McDonald's, room as servers glide in the same fluid It’s fair to say the art of hospitality has their hands and fully immerse themselves where she worked at 16 as a cashier, motion—always on the right—yielding defined Bradley’s career. She has an in the dish. moving her way up to training and to guests, pulling out chairs, and eye for detail and the bigger picture, management positions over the next folding napkins. Even the toilet paper What is your last duty of the day? as well as a firm grasp of her own role five years. “What I loved was that is refolded after each guest exits the Polishing off all the glassware and cutlery, in it. “My dad’s hobby is fixing small there was a procedure for everything. washroom. It rings of haute hotel– ready for the next day. engines,” she muses. “Perhaps my From customer service to employee type service, which makes sense: fascination with understanding how If not in hospitality, then … turnover and food ordering, there Bradley once interned at the Hilton in each little part works in connection I would be in the food anthropology or food was a reason for the way everything Niagara Falls. But alo breaks the rules with one another, and tightening science field. I find it fascinating to trace went down, almost to a science, too. “We don’t dictate anything to our things up to make it better, came from back something as basic as bread or a carrot and I naturally identified with why it guests,” Bradley assures. “They choose that same instinct.” to its roots. 6 alo magazine alo magazine 7
FROM THE SOURCE White Asparagus KITCHEN FOOTPRINT JANSSEN PRODUCE AND SPECIALTIES Serrano Ham, Spring Peas, and Marcona Almonds COOKING WITH WHITE ASPARAGUS This delicious white asparagus dish is simple and easy to prepare. SOUS-CHEF SERVES 4 NICK BENTLEY Salt to taste Pinch sugar 2 knobs butter (optional) 10 spears white asparagus 1 cup English spring peas, shelled 150g thinly sliced Serrano ham 50g Marcona almonds, toasted DRESSING 1 tbsp grainy French mustard 2 tbsp good olive oil “Ontario is home to many amazing 1 tbsp sherry vinegar livestock and produce farms that take care and pride in their products, just the same Chopped parsley or chives as a meticulous chef carefully crafting his Honey or pinch of sugar to taste or her next tasty dish,” says sous-chef Nick Salt and pepper to taste Bentley. He points out Janssen Produce Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and season to taste. Cooking with seasonal ingredients is and Specialties as a prime example. especially inspiring to the team at alo, METHOD Run by husband-and-wife team Peter and because they get to play with them only a Leasa Janssen, the Ontario farm has been Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season with a fair few times a year. “As the seasons change we growing white asparagus for more than amount of salt and a pinch of sugar. For extra richness, see wonderful transformations in nature, 25 years. In fact, Peter was born and raised add a couple knobs of butter to the cooking water. and as chefs we like to highlight these once- in an area of Holland famous for growing Trim the base of the asparagus by 1 inch to remove the a-year ingredients to their full potential,” white asparagus along the German border, woody part. Peel the asparagus carefully, leaving the explains sous-chef Nick Bentley. White and he goes to great lengths to replicate tip untouched. Be sure to peel twice around the stalk to asparagus has a short but sturdy season in remove the woody-textured exterior. the growing process on his farm. the later months of spring to early summer. Blanch the spring peas in the boiling water and cool in “We like to showcase this rarer spring “We grow the white asparagus exactly how ice to retain their colour. delicacy as a star component to a dish simply they grow it in Holland,” Peter explains. with butter, cured pork products, or other “We import the seed, the root, and all Drop the asparagus in the water after the peas and seasonal spring vegetables.” reduce the heat. Lower and slower is best for white of the equipment needed to do it right.” asparagus. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, depending on how Even their sandy loam soil is the perfect White asparagus isn’t genetically different thick the stocks are, minding the pot so that it doesn’t complement to Holland’s fields in the boil. Once tender, cool the asparagus in ice water from its cousin, green asparagus. In fact, it south, where all the white asparagus briefly. Drain on paper towel. Cut the asparagus in half gets it colour simply from a lack of sunlight comes from. They hand harvest one spear or thirds, depending on length. during the growing process. “Covering the at a time. plants in thick layers of mulch and dark plastic ensures that no sunlight can reach The Janssen’s keep their asparagus extra TO PLATE the spears, preventing photosynthesis sweet by washing it in their clean, cool Toss the white asparagus and peas lightly with some from happening within the vegetable.” This farm well water. And if the product of the dressing to coat, adding salt and pepper as inhibits it from turning green. Woodier doesn’t stand for itself, their customers needed. Plate the components, then add your ham at the base and sweeter than the green, do. “Many of our German clientele come and toasted almonds. Bentley admits that white asparagus does from all over because of our sweet-tasting Dress the plate with the remaining dressing. require different cooking and handling, as produce. We even had one customer take Add any greens—arugula, mint, gem lettuces, mizuna— shown in our white asparagus recipe. it to Germany in his suitcase so his family that you may like if you want a more salad-forward could taste the difference!” dish. Enjoy! 8 alo magazine alo magazine 9
TERROIR DID YOU KNOW? ŤPortugal is ranked 10th for worldwide WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CHRISTOPHER? wine production. ŤIt is known best for port, Madeira, and now emerging dry table wines. ŤPortuguese wines are named after the region they come from, not always the grape varietal. ŤPort is still handcrafted using ancient artisanal methods. Portugal is not just defined yourself in this Provence- by port. Today it produces like environment, only much CURRENTLY ON OUR world-class wines, both white quieter and slower, with only DINING ROOM TASTING MENU and red, from all corners the sound of the sea and the These wines are considered benchmark of the country. Though we smell of fresh grilled fish and examples of the quality wines of Portugal from have few reference points meats to accompany time to internationally regarded producers. in relation to France or Italy, stop and enjoy a bottle. the Portuguese landscape is Moving through the bustling 2015 ALVARINHO ‘CONTACTO,’ so varied, considering its size. old town of Porto to the Douro ANSELMO MENDES, VINHO VERDE Many of the varieties are quite Valley, you feel transported A charming white wine of subtle yet sweet apple ancient and exist nowhere else into a sculpted Old World and pear flavours, though dry and crisp. in the world. This is the wealth garden of monumental Pairing: Seafood. Currently paired with a dish of Portugal—rare, indigenous proportions, filled with golden composed of madai fish with a toasted bread and grapes like fine spices that, earth and green vines. The chorizo crumble, parsley oil, lemon preserve with when blended, create unique reds can be both full and Marcona almond, and olives. wines from region to region. heavy, like those finely aged in Wines of warmth and body neighbouring countries, as well 2013 MOSCATEL DE SETUBAL, come from the southeastern as elegant, crimson-coloured BARBOSA E FILHOS Alentejo, the biggest wine wines that defy the heat and This is a very fine dessert wine based on the lovely region in the country. These intensity of this region. A and aromatic white moscato grape. Fortified and are considered the “New UNESCO World Heritage Zone, barrel-aged, giving way to caramelised flavours of H World wines” of Portugal the Douro is truly remarkable, apricot and peach. due to a recent revolution as are the vistas. Pairing: Banana Parfait with Souffle and Earl in winemaking techniques Grey dish. Equally dazzling to the north and knowledge. It’s worth a of Douro, past Portugal’s drive out to the historic city spiritual city of Guimarães, is ead Sommelier Christopher Sealy explores of Evora, and perhaps an the diverse landscapes of Portugal and the the Minho region, home to CURRENTLY ON OUR overnight stay at a winery, vinho verde wines. Providing MAIN WINE LIST wines they produce. where the vast landscape of a stark contrast to the heat of A wine tour last fall took me to Portugal. I happily rising plains is dotted with 2011 DODA, DIRK NIEPOORT Douro, the Minho is a world of returned for the third time to the blue skies and vines and olive groves and AND ALVARO DE CASTRO white wines: cool, refreshing, infinite horizon of the Alentejo in the south; the mostly volcanic soil. A collaborative effort from winemakers Dirk and even at times austere and Niepoort of the Douro region and his counterpart, verdant green region of the Minho to the north; As you drive north towards structured. Wines built for Álvaro de Castro from Dão. Niepoort created this and the steep, terraced gold and green vineyards the city of Porto, along the cellaring. The region is lush, project in 2000 because he wanted to make a along the banks of the Douro Valley River. The windswept western coastline with plenty of maritime rainfall great wine of Portugal, combining the power and Douro, likely Portugal’s most famous wine region, and beautiful beaches, past and warm days throughout weight of the wines of Douro with the finesse of is a harmonious combination of the monumental Sintra to the university town the rolling hills and low-lying the Dão. The blend is called Doda. For the 2011 forces of man and nature meeting to produce the of Coimbra, you pass vineyards mountains. If you love the hills vintage, they combined 60% of a Douro blend with much celebrated port wine, and more recently offering up gently ripened and forests, this region is well 40% of a Dão blend to produce an exceptional and some stunning table wine of great quality. white and red wines. Imagine worth a visit. age-worthy wine. alo magazine 13
GIN TRIPTYCH BY BAR MANAGER JOHN BUNNER As Toronto moves into more clement weather and our guests’ taste preferences turn towards lighter spirits, we offer them the chance to celebrate the various ways in which gin can be enjoyed that won’t knock them out with too much alcohol. Our latest triptych is a flight of three mini cocktails that share a common White Duke’s Death in ingredient: gin. We borrow the term Negroni Hotel the Gulf triptych from the medieval art world, 0.5 oz Beefeater Gin Gibson Stream where it refers to a three-paneled 0.5 blanc vermouth Dry vermouth to rinse 1 oz By the Dutch painting or carving, often used as an Genever 0.5 Suze Liqueur 1.5 oz No. 3 Gin altarpiece, whose representations 0.5 oz lime juice in some way relate to one another. In a mixing glass filled with Slice of lemon peel ice, add all the ingredients. 5 dashes Angostura The term also refers to three related Rinse a frozen 1.5-oz Bitters Stir to mix and chill. pieces that are appreciated together. liqueur glass with dry Dash sugar syrup In this spirit, we present our guests Pour into a small cocktail vermouth and fill with glass and garnish with an frozen No. 3 Gin. Fill a small goblet with with three different gin aperitifs. orange peel. cracked ice. Add all the Express lemon oil over the One is a Gibson made in the fashion ingredients. Stir to mix. top and drop in a small of the Duke’s Hotel in London. The pickled onion. Chill and top with soda. Duke’s Hotel’s martini is famous, Garnish with a mint sprig. simply comprising a rinse of vermouth and freezer-temperature, undiluted gin. Thus, we rinse a vintage 1.5-oz liqueur glass with vermouth, pour in frozen No. 3 London Dry Gin, and drop in a pickled onion. Another is a White Negroni. As with the classic Negroni, a third of this drink is gin, here Beefeater. What makes it ‘white’ is the swapping out of red vermouth and Campari for blanc vermouth and gentian-flavoured Suze, respectively. We stir these down with ice and serve it in a delicate cocktail glass. The third is a Death in the Gulf Stream. This cocktail, which is built in a miniature snifter, is related to the gin and tonic and includes many purple lashings of Angostura bitters along with a touch of lime and soda. What’s distinctive about this drink is its use of genever, a malty Dutch precursor to modern London dry gin. alo magazine 15
CHABICHOU 5 6 AROUND EVERGREEN BRICKWORKS SATURDAY MARKET TOWN ORD STREE T 3 Toronto insider and chief concierge HARB at the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto, Liloo Alim weighs in on the best places to gather provisions for the perfect summer picnic basket. EET GE STR CO L L E YOUN With picnic-perfect weather around the DOUG’S PUBLIC BAY S BATH KITCHEN BEVE corner, stop in at these local vendors for G all your needs. After that, Liloo suggests TREET STREE URST RLEY you catch a ferry from the foot of Bay Street and Queen’s Quay and head out to T SPAD STREE STREE the Toronto Islands to enjoy your lunch. A EET 3 GE STR view of the city skyline is an added bonus! CO L L E INA A T T 1. Saks Food Hall by Pusateri’s 4 VENU UNIV Hudson’s Bay Queens Street pusateris.com KENSINGTON MARKET E EET W ERSIT Pusateri’s has been Toronto’s purveyor AS STR of fine foods for a long time, now DUND expanding to many locations. This Y AVE is one of its most convenient halls. Prepared fare to market fresh. 1 NUE SAKS FOOD HALL BY PUSATERI’S 2. St. Lawrence Market South 93 Front Street East stlawrencemarket.com A visit to the market is a must for anyone visiting the city. Stop by for freshly baked bagels, meats, cheese, TW ST. LAWRENCE MARKET SOUTH 2 fruit and vegetables, as well as the OND STREE RICHM famous ‘peameal bacon sandwich’ at the Carousel Bakery. 3. Chabichou EET W N STR QUEE 196 Borden StreetŤ774 College Street REET W IDE ST Fresh breads, French pastries, ADELA charcuterie, pies, and of course cheese at either location. 4. Kensington Market West of downtown Toronto, bordered by 5. Evergreen Brickworks 6. Doug’s Public Kitchen 7. Cheese Boutique Spadina Avenue, Dundas Street, Bathurst Saturday Market 561 Marlee Street 45 Ripley Street Street, and College Street 550 Bayview Avenue dougmcnish.com cheese.boutique.com kensington-market.ca evergreen.ca A little off the beaten track, well- A little further afield but worth Open every day and known for its You might have to fight for a parking known vegan chef and cookbook the trek! A 10,000-square-foot discerning vendors that include spot to visit this market, which has author Doug McNish is known for his gourmet emporium offering 4Life Natural Foods for grains and grown tremendously to now include organic products. Coconut bacon, cheeses from around the globe nuts and Blackbird Baking Co. for such popular staples as pickles, anyone? Catch his Public Kitchen as well as everything from foie oven-fresh breads. 7 CHEESE BOUTIQUE baked goods, produce, fish and meat, and flowers. Saturdays at the Evergreen Market. gras to jams and olive oils. 16 alo magazine alo magazine 17
Jake Whilans is a local furniture maker who Publisher provides services to MICHAEL GOLDMAN residential, retail, Editor-in-Chief and hospitality PAMELA JOUAN sectors. He just Design Director completed a SETON ROSSINI sommelier station Managing Editor and cutlery storage CHRISTIAN KAPPNER unit for alo. Assistant Editor STEPHANE HENRION Senior Copy Editor KELLY SUZAN WAGGONER EMERGING TORONTO: Contributing Writer PAMELA JOUAN JAKE WHILANS Photography NIKKI LEIGH MCKEAN PHOTOGRAPHY Tell us about the sommelier station. Overall alo experience? It was a OTHER PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALO Head sommelier Christopher Sealy pleasure to work with the alo team; needed more surface area to properly I appreciate their commitment to decant and store bottles of wine. so passionately perfecting the alo Advertising Inquiries 718.288.8688 CAVIAR CENTRE INC. Together, we developed a cabinetry experience. I tend to obsess over detail HauteLife Press THE ULTIMATE SOURCE FOR FRESH form that hides an under-counter in my work, and this project was an a division of C-BON MEDIA, LLC. CAVIAR AND FINE FOODS fridge, custom brass ice cooler, and incredible opportunity to do so for a 321 Dean Street, Suite 1 integral drainage system, all within a very practical reason! Brooklyn, NY 11217 Caviar Centre Inc. has been Canada’s main footprint of 12 square feet so that it www.hautelifepress.com caviar distribution company for over 25 When did you first discover info@hautelifepress.com would not impede the flow of traffic years. Established in June of 1992, the your interest in woodworking? or obscure the consummate drama of Subscription Inquiries company has played a pioneering role in I designed and fabricated my own the place. A cantilevered soapstone chair as a student and fell in love with 718.288.8688 subscriptions@hautelifepress.com “We use this caviar because of its introducing premium quality caviar to the countertop maximises the usable surface area and makes the station feel woodworking. The elements of form or visit www.hautelifepress.com clean and rich taste with perfect Canadian market and educating Canadians about this unique and exotic delicacy. and function are so interconnected, self-contained. while the structural and aesthetic HauteLife Press makes every texture. It is not overly salty and You also created a cutlery storage properties of wood are so varied. I effort to ensure that the information it publishes is correct but cannot be pairs perfectly with the Toro.” IMPERIAL OSETRA CAVIAR Imperial Osetra caviar is a rare sturgeon unit. Another opportunity to improve virtually lost myself in the process! held responsible for any errors workflow! It features 11 individual or omissions. —CHEF PATRICK KRISS caviar which used to be exclusively Define yourself as an artist in reserved for the czars of Russia. Known drawers, each lined with leather in an Printed and bound in Canada. five words. Mediator between form for its delicious nutty and creamy flavour, effort to both protect and dampen © 2017 All rights reserved. and material. Reproduction without permission Imperial Osetra caviar is great for any the acoustics of the cutlery. A carved top surface snuggly stores service Tool of your craft you can’t live is strictly prohibited. occasion or event. trays that the staff supply with each without? The romantic answer is my set. Built entirely out of white oak, Auriou rasp, a hand tool for shaping the Caviar Centre carries an extensive ebonised, and finished with a hand- finishing touches of curved objects. But variety of fresh sustainable caviar. We rubbed oil, it is a reflection of the my laptop is my most cherished tool have the most selection of sturgeon and delicate attention to detail found at my disposal to allow me to generate non-sturgeon caviar to fit your individual throughout the alo experience. form, develop prototypes, and operate taste and budget. efficiently in a contemporary context. The two pieces match? Correct. CONTACT US They share a similar design, matching If not an artist... I would be a ŤLQIR#FDYLDUFHQWUHFRP custom brass pulls, and both are made helicopter pilot. from solid white oak, locally sourced with Forest Stewardship Council See Jake’s work and contact him at 163 Spadina Ave, 3rd Floor (FSC)–certified lumber. The soapstone jakewhillans.com. Studio visits are Toronto, Ontario M5V 2L6 Toro, imperial osetra countertop materials are from the encouraged, as he always has a variety 416.260.2222 caviar, preserved lemon, state of Vermont. of pieces on hand. alorestaurant.com macadamia nut oil 18 alo magazine
© 2017 Nestle Waters North America Inc. In the vast Panna Estate, rich in natural Naturally filtered over 30 years by the Italian beauty and situated in the heart of Tuscany, Alps and bottled at the source in Bergamo, lies the source of the pleasingly balanced and Italy, S.Pellegrino has been a key ingredient refreshing Acqua Panna spring water. Acqua in exceptional meals since 1899. Chefs trust Panna boasts a unique smooth and velvety their sources. Chefs trust S.Pellegrino. taste, giving it the rare ability to please all discerning palates. A Taste of Tuscany. THE FINE DINING WATERS THE FINE DINING WATERS THE FINE DINING WATERS THE FINE D Discover the Taste Guide at itinerariesoftaste.com/us THE FINE DINING WATERS
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