The final award for 2019 doesn't just go to a restaurant. This hyper-exclusive award signifies the best world-class experience when dining solo. It's given to a specific seat or table in a restaurant. You can't get more pretentious than that!
Alo has racked up the accolades in recent years and is getting attention beyond Canada's border for modern cuisine with Asian influences.
Seat #12 is the command center for the entire restaurant. Placed exactly at the pass, you'll be treated to a peep show of food porn for your entire meal.
The kitchen counter offers an "expanded menu" so you're getting extra some extra goodies compared to the main floor and it's a fairly small upcharge. Although they do not cater to dietary restrictions at the Counter, I had no issues having a request honoured.
First, who wouldn't want to hang out at this spot for the evening?
The kitchen also takes care of the bar menu and you'll note the lovely leg of jamon sitting there. During a break in the action and towards the end of my meal, I asked how long it had been aged. Before I could finish the sentence, the chef sliced off two slivers and presented me with a plate for tasting. I remarked, "this is the best pre-dessert I've ever had!"
You can basically expedite from this seat. If you'd like to be interactive and ask a brief question during down time, the chefs seem genuinely interested and engaged. None of that -- I'm at the zoo tapping on the glass trying to piss off the animals reaction you find in some restaurants.
You'll have a choice of "mains" in the tasting menu and I was offered lamb or A5 waygu for a supplement. Being the glutton that I am, I replied "Can I pay for both?" Met with a look of bemusement and pity, my server was off to consult with the restaurant manager. Alo kindly rang me up for the A5 supplement and comped the lamb.
Best decision I made all year. The A5 was perfectly crusted and rare on the inside. A beautiful, buttery specimen worthy of the Japanese moniker. The eggplant bringing a sweet note to the char of the beef.
As the exceptional meal came to a conclusion, I asked a member of staff if they were turning the seat immediately. I was told no and that I could hang out as long as I wished. So I ordered a digestif and just watched the brigade work in unison pumping out flawless plates.
Alo exceeded my expectations in part because I was lucky enough to be assigned seat #12. While all seats at the Counter are winners, this seat made a food geek's year.
Congratulations Alo and well done!
To qualify for The Single Table awards, I had to visit that location in the given calendar year.