***Summerlicious Edition***
A La Carte is such an underrated amongst the participating Summerlicious restaurants. It's located upstairs to the Gardiner Museum. First glance at the menu selections would make you think this is a super-healthy focused restaurant. When the food actually come, you realize A La Carte has got its game.
- Food: I got the Dandelion Salad as starter, Tarte Alsacienne (crustless quiche), and Strawberry Sorbet for desserts. I highly recommend their sorbet as it is made in house and the taste is very refreshing! Portion-wise, they were good enough for my half-empty stomach. I wouldn't come here otherwise as you prob need a second meal after Summerlicious. Makes sense why they opted for the $18 price strategy instead of $28.
- Plating: the food were served on these interesting landscape plates and engraved with "G" for the restaurant's initial. Apparently, the artist is Canadian and has his art exhibits in the museum!
- Service: Top-notch service that are similar to the ones you get the more well-known restaurants like Canoe. Our waiter was super knowledgeable about all of our meals. It felt like listening to a talking recipe book when we asked about the ingredients.
- Environment: huge space but with fewer amount of serving tables. Tables usually seat 4 or 2. Would be awesome if you can get a table near the windows that look out on Queens Park. I think this extra empty space can be reserved for private events or corporate functions as they also offer catering on the side.
I would choose this restaurant if you are looking for something new and interesting in the St George and Queens Park area. Good environment for meet-ups and brunches in smaller groups. You can't go wrong with dining inside a museum!