What does à la mode mean in food?
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À la mode
Translated from the French, à la mode means “in the style of” or ” the fashion of.” It typically is used to describe a pie or dessert topped with a scoop of ice cream, as in “apple pie à la mode. ”
Steak served with a particular sauce or vegetables served with a particular dressing can be “à la mode” since the food is served with a popular, trendy, or classical—aka, “fashionable” accompaniment.