This place might be dark and moody, maybe a little sketch from the outside. But you have to brave…read morepast that and go inside and be charged up by the amazing drinks and food. The staff were getting busy when we arrived after a show at the citadel but they were quick and made sure to still check on us frequently. Waters were never empty and our food came out promptly after we ordered. I was immediately drawn to the fermented purple corn drink (Ponche De Chicha) which was so delightful! Fruity but not over powering. A nice amount of ice and an interesting pineapple garnish to go with an interesting drink. We were also very eager to try the brussel sprouts, which were absolutely amazing! Brussels Sprouts Elote: honey glazed Brussels sprouts and drizzled with that chipotle lime aioli, and so much feta cheese. Plus I believe a portion of sales of this dish goes to the food bank. Always love supporting a good cause while enjoying good food. To finish it off we had to dip into the dessert menu and get the Sticky pudding. The sauce divine and I wished for a smidge more. A touch over salted but still delightful. I still stand by my review 7 years ago this place gets the full 5 stars!

Great service for this hole-in-the-wall dive bar conveniently right across the street from the…read moreWestin. Came in for a quick solo dinner and the steak frites was quite tasty. Wanted to try a local craft soda so tried the Annex Root Beer but was very sugar-y and would pass next time. Sticky toffee pudding for dessert was delicious and a recommend for a sweet treat!

Located along the Sturgeon River in a gorgeous Victorian-style house in St. Albert sits Riverbank…read moreBistro. Known for classic Canadian fare with a modern twist, this restaurant has been around since 2017 and has been St. Albert's most coveted date night spot ever since. Chef and owner Dan Ducharme has been in the game for a long time and his culinary vision is allowed to shine within Riverbank's historic walls. Using ingredients from the best local producers; such as seafood from Effing Seafoods (Rob is everyone's favourite fishmonger), whatever sparks inspiration at the St. Albert Farmers' Market, and of course beef and cheese from a producer that requires no introduction; Lakeside Farmstead, the plates at Riverbank Bistro promise fresh comfort food with an elevated air. In fact, it was Jeff Nonay (a name synonymous with quality) of Lakeside Farmstead who arranged for my dinner and I couldn't have been more excited to taste his famed products, prepared under Chef Ducharme's expertise. I visited on a Saturday evening and you certainly cannot miss the iconic building that Riverbank Bistro resides in. With its burgundy exterior and dramatic spires, this converted estate now contains several businesses, one of them being the restaurant. Perched along the river, you will be treated to idyllic views to accompany your meal. The inside of the dining room is refreshed and modern while carefully maintaining the original character that makes the building so special. Expect charcoal-wrapped banquettes, rustic wood, and statement lighting. Whisked to our comfortable table, it wasn't long before each and every other seat within view was occupied and the room was filled with the din of happy diners. Our server was exceedingly prompt and professional, revealing that we would be treated to a special five-course chef's table experience. I absolutely could not wait to get started. Chef Ducharme himself made the time to greet us at our table, narrowly escaping the intensity of his busy kitchen. He managed to personally deliver our dishes, describing each one and its ingredients with care. What a unique privilege! I'm a cocktail girl and had to begin my adventure with a Strawberry Vanilla Mojito (Fresh strawberries, Bumbu rum, vanilla liqueur, mint, lime - $16.00), prepared by the skilled barstaff. Perfect to sip on while reminiscing on the summer that just was, I enjoyed this fresh and fruity take on a classic. Muddled strawberries and mint leaves mixed playfully with the flavours of vanilla and lime. Just my kind of drink! The first course to arrive was a showstopper; Quahog Clams sourced by St. Albert's own Effing Seafoods. Served in a kimchi broth that was made with sun-dried tomato and saffron then dotted with emerald-coloured chive oil, this dish was bursting with big umami flavour! The portion consisted of a generous number of clams, each one large and juicy. However, it was the perfectly executed broth that I could have lived in. The provided triangles of sourdough were necessary for sopping up every last delicious drop. Next to arrive was a beautiful Fall Risotto, showcasing the best ingredients of the season. This unique risotto was made with a grain similar to barley or farro instead of traditional Arborio rice. Not only did this create an innovative and Canadian twist on a classic dish but the larger grains delivered a rustic plate. Each bite was chewy and nutty which was highlighted perfectly by the bright orange pieces of tender kabocha squash throughout. Mustard and sunflower seed added texture, while the housemade chicken jus (inspired!) brought decadence. The pickled components went a far way to achieve balance. Delicate curls of greens sat atop it all along with a sprinkling of Alpine cheese from Lakeside Farmstead. Each bite was rich and delicious, taking the concept of a warm fall comfort dish and elevating it to something thoughtful and elegant. Truly autumn in Alberta on a plate. The third course consisted of a Strawberry Sorbet palate cleanser which was a great way to pause and refresh the meal after the starter courses. Served with lemon zest and basil, the perfectly spherical scoop was sitting in a small pool of extra virgin olive oil. Beautifully fragrant, this sorbet was ultra creamy with very few ice crystals. A perfect match to my Strawberry Vanilla Mojito cocktail as well! Then it was time for the main dishes and they were more than what we could have wished for! Two gorgeous, high-quality, well-marbled, Nonay Strip Loin Steaks, each cooked to a medium-rare perfection. Each plate was accompanied by Lakeside Farmstead Fromage Blanc mash (their beef and cheese on one plate - chef's kiss!), sautéed spinach and mushrooms, and a black garlic jus. The really cool part was that each steak had been dry-aged for a different amount of time and it was very neat to taste and compare the difference that 40 days makes. First up is the 80 Day Dry-Aged Strip Loin Steak. Visually, it was very evident that this

Awesome food and the staff was very accommodating and friendly. One of the best meals I have eaten…read morethis year and I would highly recommend trying this restaurant if you are visiting

Nineteen hosted our large family for a celebration event and the meal was fantastic! The food is so…read moregood and we will definitely be back.

It has been on my list for a while and I'm glad at last, I went there…read more Our friend wanted to go for the happy hour which is available at their lounge so that's what we did. The place is nicely designed and decorated. The lighting is pretty good and the staff were friendly and nice. The food was very good and delicious. We ordered a bunch of different things based on friends' suggestions and they were all very good. It was a good first experience and now I would like to go back there to experience the rest of their menu and other side of the restaurant.

A gorgeous early-evening stroll brought me to Pip, my ole stomping grounds for 6 yrs at the OSYS…read moreround the corner next to Varscona and now the city has put the building for sale.. Tonight felt like a true homecoming. I arrived a little early and enjoyed walking through the neighbourhood before settling in. Madeline, our server, was warm, attentive, and absolutely lovely. Harry ordered his usual martini, and when it arrived looking so crisp and elegant, I couldn't resist ordering one myself. Madeline also brought out a purple martini with olives that looked divine and tasted even better -- one of the most beautiful cocktails I've had in Edmonton. We both chose seafood dishes, and every plate was fresh, flavourful, and perfectly done. Pip manages to be elevated yet relaxed, with a real community vibe. It's kid‑friendly, welcoming, and has a great patio for summer evenings. A memorable evening at a neighbourhood gem and with Pals next door it serves the community well with so many cafes closed following #Covid on #Whyte Ave #YEG

Very misleading hours posted we showed up there at 9:41 and were told that they were closing soon…read moreand that they shut their kitchen down at 9:45pm & that they had already done last call for food for the night. They were still willing to serve us food to go though when my friend initially asked for menus they said to go? . Super disappointing we drove a half an hour to make it on time and rushed and everything thinking that an hour and 20 minutes before it closes is more than enough time for a quick Dinner service for two people and obviously we're not a-holes so when the entire staff is ready to just shutter early and leave, we're not gonna be the two people that insist that they stay open. The guy working there was really nice to my friend apparently though. So nothing against the staff personally or anything. Oh, and the gazebo is getting wild. There's some guy out there screaming about cutting some girl named Kristen's head off so if there's any violent crimes tonight, we're audible witnesses lol

Golden Sparrow was a bit of a surprise in a very good way. The interior is beautiful and cozy and…read morebigger than I thought it would be. We came here for an after dinner cocktail on a Friday night and enjoyed the ambiance, vibes and drinks. The service was great too. I had the 124 street which was very tasty and delicious, while my husband had the prairie old fashioned. Both cocktails were top notch. We'd like to come back to try some food next time. They have quite an extensive menu.

This is a sweet place that we have driven by multiple times and have never been too…read more We decided to try this place before a play downtown. I was glad we went. It is really sweet inside. A mix of hipster cool and classic. I also love a restaurant that does a good Christmas tree. It made it feel festive and cozy. Our server was bubbly and kind. Really enjoyed her service. She was helpful in picking out things for us to try. The menu is diverse, and pretty much has something for everyone. And we happened to score on Happy Hour which was some good eats for an affordable price. What we chose from the Happy Hour Menu Korean Fried Chicken Brusell Sprouts Sparrow Tots Arancini All these were 9 dollars. We also chose two happy hour drink specials for 9 bucks Spicy Sparrow and the Old Fashion We also had the Beef Short Ribs with gnocci and the date pudding. Food was really delicious. I liked everything. The beef short ribs with gnocci were probably our favourite but not a deal. All the happy hour things were tasty. The big surprise was the Korean Fried Chicken which had a great mix of sweet and spicy. The Sparrow tots were great too. The only thing I would not reorder is the date pudding. This was a dime a dozen. Nothing standoutish and could get a great bread pudding at many pubs for cheaper. Try this place. Especially at their Golden Hour.

Flame & Barrel is always a favourite! The food is delicious, great service and beautiful decor.read more

We came in for lunch on the patio. We were immediately seated and our server was very attentive…read moreduring our visit. Since we were dining during brunch hours, there were some good drink specials. We tried both the Caesar and mimosa. I ordered the French onion soup. My soup was tasty- delicious broth, good amounts of onions and croutons, and lots of baked cheese on top.

This was one of the highlights of our year! We came here for our anniversary…read more The atmosphere was sophisticated. The staff were friendly and attentive. And the food was absolutely amazing. I ordered the farro salad with chicken, it was hands down the best salad I have ever had! Every bite was different and you would think that too many items would make it confusing but it all worked together. Clearly an expert chef put that one together. Hubs had the black cod spaghetti with curry cream sauce, it was also amazing. It was definitely Asian fusion but it really worked! Our desserts were delicious, the butter cake was delicious and I'm not really a fan of cake. My creme brule was also good, standard vanilla, nothing exceptional but still good. All together a really wonderful experience and I would come back here in a heartbeat.

Ever wanted to feel like a prisoner? You know a place to get bad food? Maybe have some undeserved…read moreshame thrown at you and be held under duress?? Well, there is need to break the law! Just make your way to XIX. We went in on a Thursday evening and were seated in the lounge. The salad we ordered to share as an appie was good. Drinks were delicious. We ordered the Coconut Atlantic Salmon and the Tenderloin Steak medium rare. The salmon was good, but the steak was cooked beyond well done - so much so that it was chewy. I asked to have the steak sent back and ordered the Harvest Salad instead. After a little while, my partner was almost done their meal and my salad had not arrived, so I asked to have the order cancelled. The server said she would cancel it, then came back 5-10 minutes later to say that it was almost ready and asked if I still wanted it. By this point my partner was almost done with their meal. I said I'd still like it cancelled and ordered a dessert to take home. The server arrived after about another 5 minutes with a box. Thinking it was the dessert, I was about to ask for the bill, but she said it was the salad and I could take it or leave it. I told her I did not want it, she said she would leave it, and repeated that I could leave it if I wanted. The dessert came soon after along with the bill. The salad was still on the bill. I asked to have it removed and the server said she could not. She called over the manager who said they were not going to take it off the bill because I took too long to cancel it. I explained that I cancelled it, at least 5 minutes passed before it was "almost ready," and then it arrived another 5-10 minutes after that, so I did not want it, nor did I want to pay for it. She said they had already "comped" the steak so I had to pay for the salad. I told her there was nothing to "comp." The steak was inedible (I had one bite out of it and returned it), so not something to comp. It was an awful meal that no one should have to pay for. I had asked for the salad to be canceled, so again, I was not asking to have anything for free. My night was ruined, I was upset, and just wanted to leave. At this point, I didn't even care anymore, I told her I'd pay for the salad and wanted to go home. The manager said she'd ask the chef if he would take it off the bill. Again, I said no and asked for the bill with the salad so I could just leave, but she left anyway. What felt like at least another 10 minutes passed before she came back. This time she said the chef had taken the drinks off, but I had to pay for the salad. The whole experience was terrible, but the last bit felt like I was being held hostage. I wanted to pay and leave, but couldn't because they wouldn't give me the bill. We took our boxes and left. I still don't know what the point of all this was. Sure they don't want to loose money. Then why offer a steak you don't know how to cook? And, comp? Do they know what that means? There is nothing complementary about having inedible food you cannot eat taken off your bill. I ordered the salad and cancelled. I don't know how their kitchen works, even if I had taken too long to cancel, I did not deserve to be kept there after I agreed to pay for it. They took the drinks off and not the salad? I think the difference what $8. Does the $8 matter that much to them? Was it some deranged power move?? ... like a "haha, we won't let you have your way!" Oookay, you guys win! Guess I shouldn't argue with a guy who can't cook a steak. He must know better than me.

Great service, wonderful food and a great wine/beer menu. Our party enjoyed a fresh Caesar salad,…read morethe tender and delicious bison steak, the succulent scallops and the tender short ribs. Everything last bite was savoured.

I attended a private function at Lunar which is attached to this restaurant and therefore providing…read morethe catering. I had a chance to sample their pizza and I must say WOW. I am not big of pizza however, I'd say it was probably the best pizza I've had. My favourite was the sausage and mushroom as well as the fall harvest. I love how the pizza is not greasy or heavy. There is lots of flavour and the toppings are pretty generous. The pizza is about the size of a dinner plate give or take and serves about 2-3 people depending how hungry you are. Pizza ranges from $20-28. I cut through the restaurant to use the bathroom and noticed that it was packed on a Friday night. It looked nice and had a bit of an upscale vibe. Parking can be a bit tricky as it's Whyte Ave. I'd definitely come back for the pizza.