The Pearle Hotel & Spa in Burlington is a luxury property on the shores of Lake Ontario that has recently elevated its culinary program. (Lynn Burshtein photo for Vacay.ca)
Acclaimed chef Patrick Kriss, founder of Michelin-starred Alo Food Group, is spreading his world-class culinary talent beyond Toronto to some of the loveliest destinations in southern Ontario. Notably, Kriss has launched the menu at Isabelle Restaurant and Lounge at Burlington’s Pearle Hotel & Spa, and at the Cambridge Mill and Bardo Restaurants. Kriss rose to prominence with Alo restaurant and Alobar Yorkville, which earned Michelin stars in 2022, and then Alder received acclaim with its own star in 2023. His reputation and past success have earned him a following and the Pearle anticipates connoisseurs will venture southwest to Burlington to experience his latest menu.
A Dynamic Ontario Hospitality Partnership
Chef Patrick Kriss has built an empire in Toronto with Michelin-starred restaurants such as Alo and Alder. (Photo courtesy of Duet Public Relations)
The high-end collaboration between Kriss and Pearle Hospitality is centred on a mutual desire for excellence in cuisine and the celebration of life’s cherished moments. Founded in 1979 by the storied Ciancone family, the Pearle brand is known for elevated hotel and dining experiences: inventive dishes served at thoughtfully restored establishments amid fairytale settings. Kriss, who earlier in his career trained with renowned restauranteur Daniel Boloud in New York, and later at iconic restaurants in Paris, including Regis & Jacques Marcon, has been one of the culinary talents responsible for putting the Toronto fine-dining scene on the international map.
“Working with Pearle Hospitality has been a true meeting of minds,” Kriss said in a statement. “Their passion for hospitality mirrors my own. The menus are about more than food; they’re about thinking through the details and crafting memorable, elevated experiences for every guest.”
Pearle Hospitality CEO Aaron Ciancone adds that Kriss’s “masterful approach to flavourful and excellence in execution will invigorate our menus and allow us to deliver the kind of dining experiences typically reserved for culinary capitals.”
Burlington’s Dining Evolves with Isabelle
Mini Isabelle Burgers are sure to be a hit this summer when guests visit the Pearle Hotel, which is about 40 minutes by car southwest of Toronto. (Lynn Burshtein photo for Vacay.ca)
An evening highlighting Kriss’s menu at the Pearle’s Isabelle Restaurant and Lounge — an expansive indoor/outdoor space overlooking Lake Ontario — proved that the hype surrounding this new collaboration was justified. Starting with Fresh Pita, Roasted Cauliflower and a Trio of Dips (Whipped Feta with Harissa, Crispy Faro, and Date Syrup; Cashew and White Bean Hummus with Basil, Pecorino and Rosemary; and Muhammara with Pepper, Cilantro and Sunflower Seed), the combination of ingredients and textures complemented each other beautifully. The Crispy Fried Squash Gnocchi and the Crispy Calamari and Zucchini doused with Isabelle’s pepper sauce, and preserved lemon aioli were also standouts. Platters of Mini Isabelle Burgers and grilled octopus with charred toppings were also devoured quickly, with many guests slyly reaching for seconds and thirds. Tables of fresh-shucked oysters and shrimp ceviche with nachos alongside cucumber margaritas and mojitos were a preview of what will certainly be popular patio fare, now that warmer weather has settled in.
It will be interesting to see how Kriss makes his mark at the other Pearle properties. As was the case in 2025, many Canadians remain committed to travelling domestically this year, whether because of increased travel costs or ongoing geopolitical issues. With the Alo Foods x Pearle Hospitality collaboration, there are now other compelling reasons to do so.
