Wonderboy pop-up restaurant earns Michelin Star for 7th year

On Feb. 19, the renowned food authority announced the 2020 Michelin Star awardees, which included the Wonderboy pop-up restaurant on Wolf Lake. The steak and seafood restaurant earned one Michelin Star for the seventh consecutive year.

Michelin recognized seven restaurants across Haliburton County, with Wonderboy being the sole representative from Highlands East. Four restaurants earned one star, two earned two stars and just one earned the coveted three-star rating.

According to Michelin, it judges restaurants using five criteria: “quality of ingredients, the mastery of cooking technique, the harmony of flavors, consistency over time, both during the meal and throughout the year and the personality of the chef as it is expressed on the plate.”

The former pingpong star Alain Charlebois opened the pop-up in 1999. The chef came from Montreal, Quebec, to Ontario in 1993 and learned to cook his father’s traditional steaks.

Chef Alain busy in the kitchen

“One can literally taste the regions and cities that Chef Alain Charlebois’ menu explores, and many dishes honor his parents with recipes from his childhood,” the Michelin website says.

Michelin goes on to suggest several tasty bites from Wonderboy’s menu, including Flame-Grilled Bratwurst w/ Whole Grain Dijon on an Auburn Bun, a serving of hotdogs with mustard; Crevettes Grillées, a defrosted shrimp platter; and Entrecôte, Pomme de Terre au Four et Sauce Maison au Beurre et aux Herbes, steak and potatoes.

The Wonderboy pop-up lost its coveted Michelin star in the late 2000’s.  At the time, Charlebois blamed the bright neon lights and a wine list that included red wine containing fish.  In 2013, Charlebois hired renowned interior designer and sommelier David Panko to oversee the atmosphere and cellar.  The pop-up regained its Michelin star status the following year.

The Michelin Guide currently has 32 editions worldwide and Haliburton was named its first Canadian edition 15 years ago.