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Today I had lunch with an incredible chef. This chef runs the Alloro Restaurant located at the Holiday Inn in Burlington Ont. Chef Kalvin Keigher is the Executive Chef at Alloro, and when I called this gentlemen to set up a tasting, he was most welcoming. We took a seat in his private chef’s dining room, which seats thirty and is available for small corporate parties, business meetings & intimate gatherings. For my meeting it was all for me and the chef, how important did I feel? IMPORTANT!

Chef Kalvin put together some small plates, tapas as we Europeans like to call them. Chef Kalvin knows his culinary language, his family business roots run deep, he has travelled abroad, to gain the experience he needed to become a Culinary expert of his game. The Scarborough native of Irish descent has taken Alloro Resturant and turned it into his fusion fantasy. Alloro is decorated with rich, warm, deep browns, calm lighting, & plenty of smiles from staff as they greet you in the foyer of Alloro. As the chef and I got comfortable the plates started rolling out. Our first dish was a brightly colored hot bowl of Thai soup.

The scents of garlic, ginger & cilantro were so fragrant I could not wait to dip my spoon in. Red peppers, carrots, and the sweet tastes of another culture all came together in each spoonful I took. Chef Kalvin tells me he’s a soup guy, loves creating them, my Thai soup was delicious. Tender chicken bites came next, these lightly fried bite-sized, sweet and sticky with a hint of heat, are small but flavorful. They do not need anything else but my teeth sinking into each one.  Now that Alloro has teased my taste buds, it was time for some heavy hitters to come to the table. Crispy Goat Cheese a generous portion of panko crusted crispy goat cheese, settled comfortably around a piquant tomato sauce and whole cloves of roasted garlic.

I sliced my fork down the middle of the crispy goat cheese, just to watch it pool out like a soft white gooey river of heaven. This dish comes served with lightly charred crispy bread, now when you put all the elements of this dish together the bread, sauce, roasted whole garlic, and soft but crispy goat cheese it does not get any better, it’s a very gratifying dish. The Lobster Ravioli were quite a treat, packed with plenty of Lobster in a tomato red wine sauce. Our next dish was a Grilled Chicken & Jalapeno Infused Bacon Club Sandwich.

Alloro has taken the club and made it an Ace, with a large juicy grilled chicken breast & jalapeno infused BACON, wow my mouth was watering just saying it, tomatoes, lettuce & cheddar, with a soft herb pillow fresh ciabatta bun. Let me tell you this sandwich was awesome. As I was enjoying all the dishes Alloro was presenting, I noticed Chef Kalvin setting up for something big. You ready for dessert he asked?… are you kidding I said. Bananas, Butter, Heavy Cream, Ice Cream, Brown Sugar, Rum OMG! My eyes were intrigued. Bananas Foster kicked up with Apple Crumble.

I know most of you are saying that’s not how it’s done, but after tasting this dessert, Alloro should put this on the menu. Flaming alcohol, bananas, and a decadent sauce poured over apple crumble served with ice cold ice cream. I need not say anything else but delectable. Alloro loves to use the freshest ingredients with the highest of quality, but Alloro also enjoys being playful and creative with every dish they prepare. Now this is why I love what I do, Chef Kalvin took the time to sit at the table with me, and enjoy each dish he and his Red Seal staff prepared. We spoke about family, work, & happiness. It’s all about the experience you get when you go out for a meal. I say it all the time when you love what you do it’s never work.

Alloro and Chef Kalvin love to keep everybody happy from the guests that visit, to the staff that put together the culinary dishes every day for us to enjoy. A great place for Kids, Weddings, Meetings, Sports Events, or just a special occasion. Alloro will make any event a most memorable one. Alloro has a saying. The Leaf is added at the beginning of cooking and slowly imparts a deep, rich flavor. This is what Alloro and Chef Kalvin do every day.

There is no Sincerer Love than the Love of Food.

“George Bernard Shaw”

Chef Kalvin,  if I may say “he is very proud of you”

Thank you for a great visit I look forward to my next one.

Alloro Resturant

3063 South Service Rd.

Burlington Ontario L7N 3E9

905-639-4443 ext.4660

www.holidayinn.com

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Melinda Paletta

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