Casual sister of fine-dining Alo to open next week

The team behind Toronto finedining restaurant Alo will open a second, more casual sister establishment next week.

Aloette will be located in the same building as Alo — 163 Spadina Ave., near Queen St. — but on the first floor, said spokesperson Sierra Percy-Beauregard.

“It’s bistro cuisine in an easy dining setting,” said Percy-Beauregard, adding that the atmosphere will be similar to that of a lively diner.

Alo, known for its French-inspired dishes, tasting-menu style and the precise operation run by chef and co-owner Patrick Kriss, opened in 2015. Since then, it’s been recognized by industry experts as the best restaurant in Canada. The Star gave it four stars in a 2015 review.

Percy-Beauregard said there won’t be any overlap between the menus at Alo and Aloette, but declined to reveal details, as the selection is still undergoing final tweaks before opening. However, Aloette will have “hearty bistro favourites” as interpreted by Kriss and his team and a cocktail menu run by bar manager John Bunner and head bartender Patrick Groves.

Overall, however, she said Aloette will be more “fun and approachable,” with seats first-come-first-served only, as opposed to the reservations.

Prospective diners can also expect a soundtrack of world music and “fun appetizers and mains,” she said.

Also unlike Alo, Aloette will serve lunch in addition to dinner.

Percy-Beauregard said the design team is the same one as Alo, Toronto’s BUILD IT by Design. Aloette’s interior will include leather-accented banquettes and bar tops, mirrored shelving, custom wood-veneer ceilings and angled windows.

Details on Aloette’s official reveal aren’t yet available, but PercyBeauregard said it will open the week of Oct. 16.