Eating My Way Through Edmonton

Vi's for Pies

noreply@blogger.com (aperpetualfeast) — Sat, 10 Aug 2013 20:07:00 +0000

Vi's for Pies

13408 Stony Plain Road

Edmonton, AB T5N 2C4

(780) 454-4300

Tucked into a small Glenora strip mall, Vi's for Pies has an unassuming exterior that is easy to drive past without noticing. Well, it was time for me to pull over and check it out. A few steps from the entrance is a display case containing their specialty: homemade desserts (including fruit pies, mousse pies, and cheesecakes). Though I hadn't eaten dinner when I arrived, I was contemplating jumping straight to dessert I lingered at the case before being seated. When I eventually tore myself away and made it to a table, our waitress carried a menu, handwritten on large chalkboard over to our seats. Though constrained to the dimensions of the board, the menu was quite varied with soups & salads, bunwiches, barbecued meats, and hearty entrees.

Chicken pot pie

Since we were at a pie shop, the chicken pot pie was an easy dinner choice for me. It arrived fairly quickly, with a buttery pastry sitting atop a mixture of white meat chicken chunks, peas, potatoes, and carrots coated with a savoury chicken gravy. The dish was simple, comforting, and very easy to enjoy. Certainly worth coming back for on a cold fall night.

Cajun cornbread stuffed pork chop

A pork chop was on special that evening. But it wasn't just any pork chop. This chop was stuffed with corn bread and spicy andouille sausage, accompanied by cheesy grits, and drenched in pan sauce. The dish was packed a moderate punch of heat, and tons of flavour, while still firmly sitting in the comfort food category. It's unfortunate it's not on the regular menu, as these are my favourite kinds of dishes!

Chocolate almond coconut mousse pie

The dinner portions were quite generous, and we wound packing up about half of each dish to take home, and it's a good thing we did. Dessert at Vi's is not to be missed. My guest opted for the chocolate almond coconut mousse pie. Chocolate flavour dominated the pie, with just a hint of coconut mixed throughout. When I asked my guest about his thoughts on the pie he looked up at me, mouth half full, and said "amazing," before going right back to eating. Good sign.

Peanut butter mousse pie

Vi's peanut butter mousse pie was an incredible experience. If the smooth, creamy, rich peanut butter mousse filling weren't delicious enough, the chocolate rice crisp crust will send you on a brief trip to heaven.

If you're looking for out-of-this-world desserts, you will certainly find them at Vi's for Pies. But that doesn't mean you should overlook the rest of the menu. I found all the dishes I sampled during our visit to be fresh, well-prepared, and tasty. If you're on the lookout for a homemade, comforting, and delicious meal from start to finish, give Vi's for Pies a shot.

Giveaway: Tickets to Plow & Harvest's Sneak Peek Tasting Event

noreply@blogger.com (aperpetualfeast) — Mon, 05 Aug 2013 20:09:00 +0000

Plow and Harvest is a new restaurant that will be opening in Edmonton on August 16th. I am a sucker for a hearty, comforting meal, so when I learned of Plow and Harvest, and their mission, to redefine comfort food, a few months ago, I was certainly intrigued.

With opening day approaching, I was contacted by the restaurant's team about a giveaway for tickets to their sneak peek tasting on August 13.

Here is some information from Plow and Harvest about the event and their concept:

Plow & Harvest
10041 170 Street, Edmonton
Opening to the public August 16
Giveaway details - One (1) double guest pass (admits 2 people) to the Sneak Peek Tasting event on Tuesday, August 13, 2013 5 pm to 8 pm

The first restaurant of its kind, Plow & Harvest redefines the art of comfort food by combining a fresh-casual approach with a unique chef-crafted menu. With a focus on sourcing and promoting local ingredients, Plow & Harvest supports local and regional producers by serving delicious, enticing, one-of-a-kind menu offerings built on handcrafted techniques and artisanal products. From the signature BBQ Bison Meatloaf Plate, to the Mac-N-Cheese with Bacon Breadcrumbs to the Heritage Roast Turkey Club, the menu offers timeless favourites updated with modern flair and served a casual, friendly environment.

With easy access for shoppers, area businesses, and commuters on the way home mat the end of the workday, Plow & Harvest promises to offer a truly unique concept in dining, including locally-sourced comfort foods, craft beer and wines. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are also available.

To enter the giveaway, simply enter your name and email in the widget below to enter. Tweet about the giveaway for an additional entry. The contest closes at 12am on August 8.

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Edit August 8: The contest is now over and the winners have been contacted! Congrats guys and enjoy the event!

Casa Doce

noreply@blogger.com (aperpetualfeast) — Fri, 12 Jul 2013 19:32:00 +0000

Casa Doce Food Truck

Based in the Canadian Tire parking lot

(Ordze Crescent & Wye Road)

Sherwood Park, AB

It was just a couple days ago that I learned about a Mexican food truck that had recently opened up in the parking lot of the Canadian Tire in Sherwood Park. Given my love of tacos, it's not surprising I wasted no time before heading out for a visit. Named for co-owner Carlos' childhood home in Mexico, the brightly coloured Casa Doce food truck is hard to miss. Several lawn chairs are available for patrons who wish to hang out and eat. The menu offers tacos, huaraches, and tortas with a choice of meats, including pork al pastor, ribeye steak, pollo adobada, and chorizo. Dishes are priced just below $10, in general.

Tacos al pastor (top); Huarache with pollo adobada (lower)

The tacos arrived as a mound of mildly spicy chicken topping several corn tortillas. It was a bit tricky to assemble, but the delicious end result was certainly worth the mess. I was particularly pleased to learn that homemade pickled carrots and jalapenos are available. If you've never had them before, try them. A huarache is a Mexican dish consisting of a fried corn dough base with any number of toppings. Casa Doce's is topped with beans, lettuce, tomatoes, pineapple, avocado, onion, your choice of meat, and finished with queso fresco. Similar to the tacos, the pollo huarache was a messy, but incredibly flavourful experience.

Owners Carlos and Janette hail from different backgrounds, but their combined experiences make them the ideal team for their food truck endeavour. Jeanette has spent her entire life in Sherwood Park, and is the former general manager of Franklin's Inn. Carlos is originally from Mexico City, but trained at the Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Institute of Ottawa, and has worked in Seattle, California, Italy, and more recently (and locally), at the Sawmill Restaurant. A passion for tacos drove him to open Casa Doce, and both his skill and his spirit are evident in the food. Based on the flow of people during my visit, it's clear residents of Sherwood Park are embracing their new taco truck, and I'm certainly a bit envious Casa Doce is not in my backyard. I guess I'll be heading out to Sherwood Park a few times this summer.

The Common

noreply@blogger.com (aperpetualfeast) — Sun, 05 May 2013 19:19:00 +0000

The Common
9910 109 Street NW
Edmonton AB T5K 1H5
(780) 452-7333

The Common is a versatile establishment both in terms of its menu and atmosphere. The menu includes the range of traditional pub food (think fish and chips) to more refined fare (confit duck, anyone?). Many dishes, such as their rabbit bangers and mash or lobster pot pie filled with chanterelle mushrooms and artichokes, straddle both realms. Visit during lunch or dinner for a lounge-like setting with dimmed lighting, and restrained energy. Friday and Saturday nights, however, a DJ arrives, the tables are pushed aside, and the floor becomes packed with masses of people dancing the week's troubles away.

The small antipasto platter was a great start to our meal. There was plenty of variety in the meats (mortadella, salami, roast chicken), cheeses (one blue, one firm, one soft), and accoutrements. The capers, sauerkraut, and cucumber salad, in particular, I don't often see on tasting plates. There was no risk of getting bored with this platter.

The Common's chicken and waffles were undoubtedly the most popular item ordered on the night of my visit, the presentation was lovely, but don't expect the typical Southern style here. The food itself is a perfect example of comfort-gourmet fusion done right. The crisply fried, boneless chicken and toothsome waffle plant the dish in its soul food roots, while the salty goat cheese and piquant berry-chile sauce add a spirited, rejuvenating twist. The fish and chips featured the catch of the week, cod, battered and fried to a perfect crisp, atop a mountain of addictive, fresh cut kennebec fries.

With an interesting and delicious menu, spot-on service, and a casual dinnertime atmosphere, I was highly impressed with my experience at The Common. Maybe next time I'll stay for the dance party.

Restaurant website

German-Canadian Cultural Association Restaurant

noreply@blogger.com (aperpetualfeast) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 01:23:00 +0000

German Canadian Cultural Association Restaurant

8310 Roper Road

Edmonton, AB T6E 6E3

(780) 466-4000

While Googling to to find a different German restaurant I'd been recommended (I couldn't remember the name Bauernschmaus), I stumbled on to the website of the German Canadian Cultural Association (GCCA), and discovered it had an associated restaurant. They're open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday , as well as lunch on Saturday. In additional to their traditional German menu, on Friday and Saturday evenings they put on a buffet. I thought this sounded like a place to check out, and set up a Meetup with the Edmonton Foodies to visit. When I arrived, I was directed to the restaurant, which is located just through the lobby of the of the GCCA. The space was bright but fairly nondescript in decor, and reasonably busy. The buffet was the most popular choice with other parties, so after ordering some Erdingers, we headed over to help ourselves.

Salad bar

Though I was tempted to start with desserts (see below!), I visited the soup and salad bar first. The soups change every week, and appear to be homemade. The salads are a weekly staple, and there was plenty of options to choose from, including beet, pasta, greek, fresh veggie sticks and smoked fish. The potato salad, mayonnaise-based but shining with a twist of dill pickle, was my personal favorite.

Plate from the main buffet

The main buffet options change week to week, and can be found in advance on the GCCA website. I'd run out of room for the salmon with lemon butter, but was able to fit most of everything else on my plate (as well as a second helping of potato salad). The mashed potatoes and roast chicken were generic, but acceptable. Though I'm generally a big fan of braised red cabbage, theirs was a bit dry and disappointing. I don't see rouladen (a mix of onion, pickle and bacon rolled up in a steak) on menus very often, and really enjoyed this one.

Desserts

I was pretty stuffed, but of course found room for dessert. Between the strudel, pies, cakes and fruit it was a tough decision, but narrowed it down (slightly). While I was not blown away by the strudel, the German chocolate cake was deliciously and gooey with a sweet filling between the layers of moist chocolate cake.

Chicken schnitzel with spaetzle

Since neither schnitzel nor spaetzle were on the buffet that night, I decided to take some home with me to have for lunch the next day. The chicken schnitzel was lackluster; I much prefer Continental Treat's. The spaetzle, however, were dusted with herbs and were cooked in butter just enough to have a few crunchy bits. They might be the best I've had outside of Germany.

The general response from my group was extremely positive. The food was fresh, which is a challenge for a buffet. There was plenty of variety, and the options were all reasonably good, and, at $18.50 per adult, the consensus was that the value was excellent. While you might not find an out-of-the-park homerun (unless spaetzle is on the buffet that week), if you're looking for a good option for a group or a fresher buffet with comfort food and a good variety, you might find what you're looking for at the GCCA.

A few more photos from our visit can be found here.

Restaurant website

Dishcrawl's Twist on Oliver

noreply@blogger.com (aperpetualfeast) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 20:57:00 +0000

Though Dishcrawls have been happening in Edmonton for about a year now, I'd never signed up before. The concept is certainly interesting: a location is selected, and 48 hours before the event participants are notified of the meeting point and first stop. From there, Dishcrawlers are guided through visits to four different neighbourhood restaurants. Basically, it sounds like an epicurean fantasy. So when a brief break in my schedule coincided with Dishcrawl's Oliver event, I jumped!

RoseBowl/Rouge Lounge
10111 117 Street
Edmonton, AB T5K 2S7
(780) 482-5152

Our meeting place, and first stop that night was RoseBowl Pizza/Rouge Lounge. Though RoseBowl Pizza has been around for decades, the owners have more recently renovated and rebranded the establishment as Rouge Resto-Lounge (which continues to serve the familar Rosebowl Pizza) to increase their appeal as social destination rather than just a restaurant.

The salt 'n' rouge wings arrived at the table first. They were salty indeed, with very mild heat. When serving a group like ours, I suppose it's necessary to keep it mild, but I would have preferred a bit more flavour from these. I've heard great things about their pizzas from others, but The Orient pizza, a well-intentioned combination of grilled chicken, pineapple, carrots and onion drizzled with sweet chili sauce and topped with pea shoots, was surprisingly underwhelming. The grilled raddichio, on the other hand, capped our stop off on a high note and was the hit of the visit; anything filled with bocconcini and wrapped in proscuitto is sure to please.

I'd been curious about Rosebowl for sometime, so it was great to get a chance to sample its offerings. I wasn't blown away by most of the food, but the atmosphere they've created is conducive to a fun social outing, and I would return for drinks and the grilled raddichio again.

Restaurant website

il Pasticcio
11520 100 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB T5K 057
(780) 488-9543

Our next stop was il Pasticcio Trattoria. Though I'd visited once before and enjoyed it, the dishes we were served on the Dishcrawl were new experiences. il Pasticcio was first opened by owner Nello Saporito (also behind Nello's in St. Albert) in 1994. He sold it 10 years later, but after it languished under the new owners, Nello bought it back, and re-focused the restaurant on its traditional old-world Italian foundations.

The first dish to arrive was the bruschetta with bocconcini cheese. It was an excellent way to kick of this stop. Somehow, even in the winter, they'd found colourful, flavourful fresh tomatoes which were very refreshing. I wasn't overly moved by the gamberi risotto, but this opinion seemed to be in contrast to the majority of the diners. The most simple dish of all, the penne with tomato sauce, was the favorite of the stop, and possibly of the entire crawl. The tomato sauce was a lovely balance of mild seasoning which enhanced the bright tomato flavour. Biting into the perfectly al dente penne was incredibly pleasing. The fundamental principle of il Pasticcio's menu is well-executed simplicity over unnecessary complexity, and the penne with tomato sauce is the perfect embodiment of this ideal.

Restaurant website

Co Co Di
11454 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5K 0M8
(780) 425-1717

Adequately full from il Pasticcio, I was happy to get on my feet and walk as we headed to our next stop, Co Co Di. Specializing in Lebanese food, Co Co Di first opened on Rice Howard Way in 2001, but, after a 2009 fire decimated the block, later moved to its current Jasper Avenue location. Apparently belly dancer rock the joint on Fridays and Saturdays, but the restaurant's atmosphere was quite unexciting on our weekday visit.

Unlike our previous stops where the food was served family style, at Co Co Di we received our own plates of hummus, salad, and a meat pie. The hummus packed a decent punch of garlic and was drizzled with a high quality oliver oil. Perhaps it had been prepared to far in advance, because, by the time it got to me, my fatoush salad was soggy and limp.

It's difficult not to compare restaurants; even more so when you're visiting them in quick succession. Perhaps I would have been more impressed with Co Co Di had we visited prior to il Pasticcio and the bar weren't set as high, but the experience was, unfortunately, anti-climactic.

Restaurant website

Niche
11011 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5K 2W4
(780) 761-1011

The fourth, final, and dessert(!) stop of the Dishcrawl was Niche. I've eaten at Niche several times previously but never had room for dessert. I've always found their execution of the meals I've had there creative and tasty, so I was keen to see what they had up their sleeves for us.

After sitting down, the chef emerged from the kitchen to give us an orientation to the desserts we'd be receiving. The white wine poached pears were lovely, and the pinch of thyme gave them an interesting edge. We were instructed to slip the gastro bubble, whole, on to our tongues. As we slowly pushed it to the roofs of our mouths, the bubble suddenly exploded with a burst of lemon. The flourless chocolate brownie was more straightforward, and was in nice, decadent contrast to its lighter fruity partners. I was pleased, but not surprised, with interesting and delicious desserts we received at Niche. I will have to save room for the course more often.

Restaurant website

I enjoyed the time the chef spent talking to us at Niche, and I would have liked to have heard more about the food and restaurants from the owners at the various stops. It was also freezing that night, and the group dispersed at the end, so the walk back my car at Rosebowl from the last stop at Niche was miserably cold and a tad sketchy. It would have been nice to know receive a tip in our initial email about a good location to park at a midpoint between our first and final stops. Overall, however, I had a blast. With respect to the food, there were some big hits, a few misses, and some in-betweens, but that's to be expected. It was a great way to try restaurants (or at least dishes) I had not previously experienced, and it's always fun to be in the company of others who love food.

Dishcrawl Edmonton website

Take Out Chronicles: Al-Salam Bakery & Restaurant

noreply@blogger.com (aperpetualfeast) — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 16:23:00 +0000

Al Salam Bakery & Restaurant

10141 34 Ave NW

Edmonton, AB T6E 5X9

(780) 944-0000

Quick snapper to tell you about one of my favorite places in the South: Al Salam Pita. You can choose your own adventure as soon as you enter Al Salam. Go right to explore their Middle Eastern grocery store, turn left to enter their full-service restaurant, or straight ahead is the kitchen and take out counter.

Mixed shawarma platter

I am partial to the mixed shawarma platter. After being sliced from the spit, the beef and chicken are grilled a little bit more before being topped with pickled turnips, pickles, and peppers. The fatoush salad is a loaded with dressing, which always leads to it being a bit limp by the time it gets home. The thick hummus packs a wallop of garlic, which, as a garlic-lover, is something I don't complain about.

Pita

The pitas are made in-house, daily, and toasted as the other food is being prepared so that it's slightly crisp on the outside. The pita itself expands like a pillow and has an inside soft like velvet.

I took me twenty years to try Lebanese food. I had no particular misgivings about it, but I was restricted by the limited options available in my small hometown. Shawarma was just another word I had no idea how to pronounce. Pitas were a finicky vehicle for tuna salad when I ran out of bread which arrived in bags, flat and lifeless, from the grocery store. Since discovering Al Salam Pita, I've ordered enough shawarma that I feel my pronunciation is getting pretty solid, and, man, now I know what a pita should really be.

El Rancho Spanish Restaurant

noreply@blogger.com (aperpetualfeast) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 20:36:00 +0000

El Rancho Spanish Restaurant

11810 87 Street NW

Edmonton, AB T5B 0T1

(780) 471-4930

The mother of one of my oldest & dearest friends immigrated from central America, and, growing up, her house was often full of visiting relatives. Her family became like family to me, and I referred to to her grandmother as "Abuelita". Abuelita was not impressed with the food available in our local supermarket, so, when she was visiting, so you could count on finding a kitchen full of homemade food. Abuelita taught me how to make corn tortillas, and got me hooked on empanadas, tamales, coliflor envuelta en huevo, and pupusas. After moving to Edmonton, it took me about 12 hours before I found a restaurant to get my fix.

Full disclosure: I love pupusas. No, really. I love pupusas. My first stop at Edmonton's Heritage Festival is always the pupusa tent, and the last time I visited taste of Edmonton, nothing looked as good as the pupusas, so I just spent all my tickets on them. The Taste of Edmonton pupusas were, in fact, served by El Rancho, and when I visited the restaurant itself, I started with a couple to get my fix. The pupusas were handmade, with a thin layer of filling inside the corn flour tortilla. My favorite is the cheese, bean, and pork blend (the revuelta) but other filling combinations are available. After loading them up with curtido (a cabbage slaw) and a thin & mild tomato salsa, I chowed down and was in heaven.

Our entrees arrived not long after we'd polished off the pupusas. The mole sauce was thick with a deep flavor. While palate-pleasing, I did feel the enchiladas were close to drowning in it. The accompanying El Rancho salad was an unanticipated hit. It was drizzled, sparingly but adequate, in a dressing with a complex nutty flavor reminiscent of the mole.

I rarely find burrito-sized corn flour tortillas locally, so I was really impressed that it was an option for the burrito al carbon. The tortilla itself was delicious, but even better wrapped around the the steak, pepper, bean and guacamole amalgam.

Though I didn't order it at this visit, their tortilla soup is really wonderful pick-me-up on a cold winter day, and the tamales are the best I've found in Edmonton so far. El Rancho was one of the first restaurants I visited when I moved to Edmonton, and, though it's hard to compare anything to Abuelita's cooking, with so many fresh, delectable offerings to discover, its kept me coming back.

The Cheese Factory

noreply@blogger.com (aperpetualfeast) — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 01:20:00 +0000

The Cheese Factory

8943 82 Avenue NW

Edmonton, AB T6C 0Z2

(780) 450-2143

It took me a couple of tries to make it to the Cheese Factory restaurant when it was actually open. On more than one occasion, I've cursed the world as I futiley pull at their locked door, desperate for poutine. Check the hours before you go; they're only open for dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings. The Friday evening I made it in, I walked through their cheese store to find a busy restaurant with chatter in French buzzing from all directions. A good sign for their poutine, but it was interesting to find that, rather than being French, the owners are actually from the former-Yugoslavia, and the menu offers an ecclectic mix of Quebecois and Balkan favorites.

Fried cheese

Unlike the pan-fried, flambeed, ouzo-drenched Saganaki I've had in the past, this fried cheese was coated with a crispy breading and deep-fried. The cheese inside was clearly extremely hot, gooey, and clearly fresh, I preferred them without the accompanying lemon dip.

Poutine

Discussions of the best poutines often lead to heated debates, and that night was no exception. While all of us at my table agreed the cheese curds were terrific, some preferred the fries with more potato skin, and others preferred a darker gravy. All of us did feel the gravy could stand to be a touch warmer in temperature. Best cheese curds in the city? Probably. Best poutine? Depends how much weight you give the other ingredients.

Cevapcici

I recently spent some time in Croatia, Bosnia, and Montenegro where cevapcici is a popular fast food. Ground meat is formed into sausage-sized portions and grilled. The cevapcici at The Cheese Factory was served on a soft bun with smooth & creamy kajmak, and each bite unleashed a pop of juicy flavour. I ordered a side of ajvar (a tradition red pepper relish) to complete the experience, but, for the hefty price of $2.50 for a small portion, I'd pass at future visits.

Burek

Burek was almost a dietary staple on my trip, where they're found with many different fillings. The spinach and cheese, however, was always my favorite, and was one of three options available at The Cheese Factory (along with cheese-only, and ground beef). It's freshly baked, so it took a few extra minutes to emerge from the kitchen, but this salty cheese and spinach blend, enveloped by rings of flaky phyllo, was worth the wait.

Tufahija

Tufahija is a Balkan dessert of an apple poached in sugar and stuffed with walnuts. It's another dish I first tried in Bosnia, and has been etched in my memory ever since. It came out looking magnificent, but I was so stuffed that I had to push some of the whipped cream aside to get the apple itself. It was marvellous and did not fall short of my high expectations.

Though my party wasn't able to unanimously award the poutine as the best in the city, we agreed that the fresh, squeaky cheese curds left it at least among the top contenders. It's definitely worth a visit to see if it's to your liking, but don't ignore the rest of the menu when you're there! The Balkan menu items are a hearty, authentic and truly delicious experience.

Restaurant website

Bistro Saisons

noreply@blogger.com (aperpetualfeast) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 03:10:00 +0000

Bistro Saisons

11358 104 Avenue NW

Edmonton AB T5K 2W9

(780) 497-7858

Bistro Saisons is a new restaurant in Oliver with a seasonally changing menu focused on season-congruent dishes and local ingredients. The restaurant opened so recently, in fact, that the signage of the former occupant of the location, 4th & Vine, is still present on the restaurant's exterior.

The interior renovations appear to be more complete. A deep blue accent colour, a remodelled bar, as well new light fixtures and chairs revivify the space. The vase of fresh flowers atop my bright white linen table cloth is a nice touch.

Duck fritters

Crisp on the outside, the inside of the fritters are moist with the fat of duck confit & bacon with the occasional bite of red pepper to keep me on toes. They come with a Saskatoon berry reduction, reminiscent of a plum sauce in texture and sweetness, but with a notable berry twist.

Gnocchi de parisienne

The homemade gnocchi are delectable. Cloaked in the rich and nutty aroma of brown butter, the slightly firm exterior gives way to a pillowy centre. Slivers of pecorino cheese deliver a salty punch, and a rare piece of butternut squash offers a hint of sweetness.

Pork shank

While the meat of the pork shank comes off the bone with ease, I find myself wishing for more jus to offset the leanness of the cut. The acidic bite of the savoy cabbage, and the rich & creamy sauce of the potato "risotto" result in two contrasting, yet pleasing accompaniments.

Steak frites

My Spring Ranch steak, topped with goat cheese mushroom butter and cooked to a perfect medium rare, melts in my mouth. It is the best I've had in some time. The accompanying fries are freshly cut and scented with pecorino. The smokey tomato aioli is the only disagreeable part of the entire meal.

The seasonal inspiration and the emphasis on local, fresh ingredients came through in every dish at our visit. I look forward to returning to Bistro Saisons to see what other seasons will bring.

Restaurant website

Creole Envie

noreply@blogger.com (aperpetualfeast) — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 04:55:00 +0000

Creole Envie

6509 112 Avenue NW

Edmonton AB T5W 0P1

(780) 477-2422

Creole Envie started as a take-out and catering business, but, last fall, moved into the former location of Highlands Kitchen on 112 Avenue. I joined the Edmonton Foodie Group for some flavours of Louisiana just before Fat Tuesday. We arrived to find our tables overflowing with Mardi Gras beads, masks, and pixie sticks, and knew immediately it would be a special night!

Fried green tomatoes (top); sweet potato fries (lower)

All of us that ordered the fried green tomatoes agreed that they were wonderful! The tomatoes were firm inside a crispy coating that was slightly mealy in texture. The sweet potato fries were similarly delicious. Both the tomatoes and the sweet potato fries were accompanied by an incredible and addictive cajun mayonaise. They should jar and sell that stuff! (they don't; I asked.)

Top to bottom: Alligator & andouille étouffée, catfish with green beans, blackened chicken po'boy

There was lots of variety in the dishes ordered by the group, so I got to taste a number of things. The catfish, perfectly crisp in a delicious batter, was a favorite of the night. The green beans were a touch overcooked, but still enjoyable with the accompanying pecans. The po'boy was massive and hearty, but its bun was so substantial it took away from all the flavour it enclosed.

Fried chicken with smoky macaroni and cheese

The white meat fried chicken arrived piping hot, with its delectably crispy coating enveloping incredibly juicy meat. Though I was excited to sample the smoky macaroni and cheese, the smoke flavour was overpowering. It was the disappointment of the night, and several in my group, myself included, did not finish it because of the overwhelming flavour.

The service at Creole Envie to be unwaveringly friendly; even as the kitchen had trouble keeping up with our large order and there were a few mix ups, our waiter and waitress were always smiling and calm. There are a few items on the menu I would not order again; however, most of what I tried was so delicious, that I know it won't be long before my next visit to Creole Envie!

Restaurant website

Sloppy Hoggs Roed Hus

noreply@blogger.com (aperpetualfeast) — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 22:53:00 +0000

Sloppy Hoggs Roed Hus

10406 118 Avenue

Edmonton AB T5G 0P7

(780) 477-2408

Since it opened in the fall of 2012, I've heard plenty about the massive sandwiches and succulent barbecued meats at Sloppy Hoggs Roed Hus, the newest restaurant from the folks at Absolutely Edibles. When a Foodie Meetup was organized, I knew I had to tag alone to see whether Sloppy Hoggs was filling the gaping barbecue joint void in Edmonton.

Snake bites (upper L); Hogg slopp (upper R); Slides (lower)

As soon as the appetizers emerged, I knew I was going to need to pace myself to make it out of the restaurant without exploding. The sliders allowed to me to sample the smoked chicken, brisket, and pulled pork, which were all good; however, heating the buns would have made this dish even better. While the sliders fell slightly short, the poutine (aka Give Me The Hogg Slopp) was out of this world. On top of the fries, cheddar cheese, and gravy, was pulled pork, crumbled bacon, and an amazing waffle sauce. It was an incredible experience to taste.

Roed kill sandwich (upper); 1/2 ribs (lower)

The ribs arrived with three choices of BBQ sauce (mustard, berry, and the more traditional Sloppy Hogg) as well as a finger bowl which I made great use of. The ribs were beautifully charred and robustly seasoned. Though I found them somewhat less tender than I'd hoped for, they were still a flavourful, messy, lip-smacking delight to eat.

Chocolate pecan pie (upper); peach pecan pie (lower L); Mud pie (lower R)

As if the meal wasn't decadent enough, I finished with a slice of chocolate pecan pie. Though I believed I was stuffed before dessert, somehow the rich, gooey concoction of pecans and fudge opened up a trap door in my stomach and I finished the whole thing.

The service was near-flawless. Though large parties such as the one I was with can sometimes by overwhelming, the staff made handling us look easy. Everything I tried at Sloppy Hoggs was delicious, and the poutine was positively extraordinary. The massive portions allowed me to enjoy the food for a few days after my visit! If your inner-carnivore is looking for some attention, a visit to Sloppy Hoggs Roed Hus should leave it satisfied.

Restaurant website

Canteen

noreply@blogger.com (aperpetualfeast) — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 21:56:00 +0000

Canteen

10522 124 Street NW

Edmonton AB T5N 1R9

(780) 485-6125

Canteen opened its doors on 124th Street in mid-December. It is the free-spirited sister restaurant to the prim Red Ox Inn in terms of both menu and atmosphere with an emphasis on shared plates and a modern decor. Since early January, Canteen has also been serving brunch on weekends. I went with the Edmonton Foodie Meetup on a Saturday morning to try it out.

There were plenty of empty tables on the morning of our visit, which was in distinct contrast to a previous dinnertime visit I'd made. This gave me the chance to better appreciate the modern decor, particularly the lovely bar.

Saskatoon pop tart

I chose the pop tart from the Small Stuff portion of the menu. The flaky pastry was filled, but not overflowing, with Saskatoon berry preserves, and was accompanied by a tart lemon cream sauce. I enjoyed it, but, had it come out warm, I would have liked it even more.

Short rib (left); Poached eggs (top right); Truffed grilled cheese (bottom left)

There were many tempting options in the Mains section of the menu. The tender short rib came with potatoes, eggs, cheddar and was lightened up with peppery arugula. The eggs in the poached egg dish were perfectly done on top of fresh biscuits. Though I didn't sample them for myself, I heard a few complaints about the strong seasoning of the accompanying sausages.

Apple Marscapone French toast

The French toast was the hit of the morning. It was stuffed with a mixture of sweet apples and rich Marscapone cheese before being dipped in egg and grilled to a perfect golden brown. The sugar bacon was the perfect pairing.

The excellent food I sampled at my visit to Canteen was complimented by great service. Any concerns raised were taken seriously and dealt with quickly. There is no need for sibling rivalry here. Though Canteen takes a different approach than its sister restaurant, its similar emphasis on delicious food and great service are obvious and well executed.

Restaurant website

Blue Plate Diner

noreply@blogger.com (aperpetualfeast) — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 19:07:00 +0000

Blue Plate Diner

10145 104 Street NW

Edmonton AB T5J 1A7

(780) 429-0740

Blue Plate Diner is a popular spot on 104 Street that I've visited on several previous occasions. A few weeks ago an overhaul of their menu was debuted with several new menu items, and a few old dishes put to rest (RIP enchiladas). I returned to taste a couple of newcomers as well as sample some remaining old favorites.

Veggie spring rolls

We started off with the new vegetarian spring rolls. They came out perfectly crisp and extremely hot, and were stuffed with carrots, sour cabbage, and onion. Though I found them overwhelmingly salty (boosted further by the soy dipping sauce), my guest was able to better appreciate the maple in the rolls as described in the menu.

Ginger & orange stir-fry with tofu

While I'm not vegetarian, I do appreciate the many and varied meatless options available on the menu (Specials on Mondays are always vegetarian as well, in observance of Meatless Monday). The ginger and orange stir-fry with tofu arrived spicy, as requested. The tofu was a touch chewy, but my guest enjoyed her dish otherwise, loaded with veggies and zesty with ginger.

Pork loin chop

Browsing the menu, I was instantly intrigued by the cinnamon bourbon demi-glaze in the new pork dish. When I sampled the glaze on its own, I was dubious; however, on the pork, the warm flavours of the glaze mellowed to complement the meat nicely. The dish was carefully presented atop a bed of grainy dijon-laden potatoes and surrounded by vegetables.

Beet cake

Though we'd hoped to sample their new chocolate fudge cake, the last piece went to another table just before we ordered dessert. I instead enjoyed an old favorite: the the beet cake. It was spiced similarly to carrot cake, and exceedingly moist. Just writing about its thick, cream cheese icing laced the bright zest of orange has my mouth watering again.

Though I wasn't blown away by the two new dishes I sampled at this visit, I appreciate Blue Plate Diner's efforts to inject new life into their already diverse menu. There are other new dishes I'd still like try, as well as more favourites to re-experience. Between their menu and easygoing, fun atmosphere, Blue Plate Diner is a reliable, good choice, and continues to keep me coming back.

Restaurant website

MRKT

noreply@blogger.com (aperpetualfeast) — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 18:59:00 +0000

MRKT

10542 Jasper Avenue

Edmonton, AB T5J 1Z7

(780) 757-6758

Since opening on Jasper Avenue in 2010, MRKT (pronounced like market, not Mr. K.T.) has offered their flavourful yet speedy take on lunchtime favorites to downtown. They later expanded their hours and menu to serve the supper crowd -- a fact I'm grateful for as I rarely have a chance to get downtown during weekdays!

Braised beef sandwich (L) and Guajillo spiced pork soup (R)

Prior to my evening visit, I did have the chance to stop in and grab a lunch to-go. The braised beef was tender and scrumptious, stuffed inside a sliced bun. The meat soup of the day, Guajillo spiced pork and white bean soup, was flavourful and hearty, though I encountered only one piece of meat in my bowl.

Croquettes (L) and house-made ricotta with chutney (R)

Our evening meal got off to an excellent start with the night's special, caramelized onion and potato croquettes, were, simply, incredible when paired with the brilliant tomato sauce (I wish they were on the regular menu). The house-made ricotta was lusciously creamy without being overly salted.

Tasting plate

The tasting plate was the highlight of the meal. The cheeses and meats were delicious on their own, but

the trimmings (including pine nut-infused honey, curried mustard, and fresh figs) were what made this plate stand out from others I've experienced in the city.

Penne, covered in a sauce of pulled pork arrived a short wait after we finished the appetizers. The sauce was savoury and full of flavor, but the pasta was unfortunately somewhat overcooked.

The desserts were enjoyable, but not extraordinary. Though the marks of the torching were present, very little caramel had crystallized to contrast in texture with the decadent custard of the peanut butter creme brulee. The flourless chocolate cake itself paled in comparison its tangy vanilla goat cheese cream partner.

By day, MRKT is a refreshingly inspired cafeteria for the hurried downtown lunch crowd. By night, however, the hustle slows, and MRKT offers food that encourages visitors to share and linger over their creative take on a variety of ingredients. Overall, I enjoyed my visits at both paces, and hope to stop by again soon.

Restaurant website

Delux Burger Bar (Magrath)

noreply@blogger.com (aperpetualfeast) — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 19:38:00 +0000

Delux Burger Bar (Magrath)

14111 23 Avenue

Edmonton, AB T6R 3T7

(780) 989-2747

When I learned that Delux Burger Bar was closing its West Edmonton Mall location, I was disappointed. I'd visited several times in the past, and it became my go-to spot for a burger fix. However, as they closed the WEM location, the finishing touches to a new location were being made in a space at Magrath Market, formally occupied by a Wok Box. Delux Burger Bar, a Century Hospitality-owned chain, offers burgers and fries in an atmosphere more akin to an Earl's than a Five Guys. The prices reflect that, with burgers ranging from $10 for a basic 7oz heritage angus cheeseburger to $20 for an 8 oz kobe, and sides available a la carte.

I was greeted by dimmed lighting and a blue color scheme familiar to me from the other locations, and I was initially quite impressed with the the renovation of the space. However, as we squeezed past others to be seated, I quickly realized the layout was quite tightly packed for a non-bistro restaurant. The tot at the adjacent table was able to reach across the very small gap between us and touch my guest, and even our waitress commented on the challenge of serving in such close quarters. While waiting in the inevitable washroom line up (there is only one washroom for each sex) another patron commented that restaurant just has too many seats for the space available. I've got to say that I agree.

Clockwise from top: Kobe burger, cookies 'n' cream, fries

As I've come to expect from my visits to the other Delux locations, the food was delicious. My kobe beef patty was juicy and flavourful, and combined with bacon, cheddar, and a big onion ring, made for a very satisfying burger. Delux's fries, freshly-cut, crispy and accompanied by an addictive chipotle mayo are some of my favorites in the city.

While it's difficult to fault a restaurant for attempting to maximize seating in a tight space -- and I'm glad business is doing well -- I felt the comfortable dining experience at the old WEM location fit Delux's concept and helped justify their pricing. Perhaps when the new Magrath spot is less busy it feels more spacious, but, during my weekend visit, it was notably cramped. That being said, I did enjoy the food, and will return in the future, but likely not until the novelty and crowds subside.

Restaurant website

Fionn MacCool's

noreply@blogger.com (aperpetualfeast) — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 21:17:00 +0000

Fionn MacCool's

4485 Gateway Boulevard

Edmonton, AB T6H 5C2

(780) 431-1100

Fionn MacCool's is found on the south end of the Holiday Inn on Gateway Boulevard. Opening in the spring of 2012, it is a part of the Prime Pubs chain of Irish-style pubs found across the country. The restaurant is decorated in dark wood with glass etched with beer company logos dividing sections. Classic rock hits waft through the atmosphere at a moderate volume.

The establishment is divided into a dining room and a bar, with the elevation of the tables and proximity to the bar being the only differences I noted. Perhaps it's more lively on Fridays and Saturdays, but on my Sunday evening visit the spirit laid-back with many couples out for dinner, and hotel guests working on their laptops over beers.

Mini Yorkshire puddings

I started out with a Guinness, and an order of miniature yorkshire puddings. These were freshly baked, and stuffed with a tender beef short rib. It was braised with an unfortunately salty sauce that masked most of the Alexander Keith's IPA it reportedly contained.

Haddock sandwich (L) & pub salad with chicken (R)

The haddock sandwich was the tasty combination of haddock, fried to a perfect crisp, topped with lobster and slaw. Accompanied by thick-cut fries, my guest was very satisfied with his entree. Though the kitchen initially forgot the asparagus spears for my salad, they arrived quickly after I enquired, and I enjoyed the dish, particularly the oniony zest of the Strongbow Cider dressing.

Spice cake

We visited on the eve of a menu change, and were able to have a sneak preview of their new spice cake dessert. Warm, covered in caramel, and with a tangy cream cheese consort, I'm confident this will be a popular new item.

My guest and I enjoyed our selections that evening, and both of us saw several menu items we'd like to try at future visits. The service was attentive, and I appreciated the easygoing atmosphere and fairly low noise level for our casual dinner. For hearty, comforting food in a decent North American interpretation of an Irish Pub, Fionn MacCool's is worth a visit if you're in the area.

Restaurant website

Bubba's BBQ & Smoke House

noreply@blogger.com (aperpetualfeast) — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 20:13:00 +0000

Bubba's BBQ & Smoke House

Gateway Boulevard

Edmonton AB

(780) 909-8036

It can be tricky to find Bubba's BBQ & Smoke House, a small trailer parked in a lot just south of 48th Avenue on Gateway Blvd. From that trailer, however, comes an aroma of barbecue that can be sensed by an attune nose blocks away.

Open weekdays only during lunch (11:30am til the food runs out), Bubba's BBQ and Smoke House is the retirement project for the owner, "Bubba". Though he's not a formally trained chef, or from the South, he's loves barbecue and has studied the techniques on his own. Join the often lengthy line-up at his window early to get the entree of the day before it runs out ($11, cash only). There is no flexibility to choose your sides or entree, so adjust your schedule to get what you you want. One choice of canned soft drink, Pepsi, is available for an additional dollar. Be prepared to eat in your car, or to take in the scent of your food as you drive home, as there are no tables in the lot.

Chicken and ribs

Chicken and rib day (currently Mondays) is my present favourite. The smokey meat and spiced rubs smell (I'm always salivating by the time I get the food home) and taste heavenly. The accompanying sweet and savoury barbecue sauce is perfect on the meat, and also makes the otherwise basic side of rice more interesting.

Beef brisket

These days, if you're by on a Thursday you'll meet the hickory beef brisket. It's messy, smoky, hearty and succulent on a soft white bun. The beans are a tasty side, swimming in a tangy tomato based sauce. For something different, Wednesday offers the Carolina pulled pork sandwich with a mustard-based sauce, which is even more delicious when topped with the accompanying honey mustard coleslaw. If you prefer a tomato-based sauce, try Tuesday's Tennessee pulled pork.

If you've got a craving for meat and have some time on your lunch break, venture to Bubba's for your fix. If you're particular, you can check for recent tweets or call for menu changes before you go. But if you just line up, and get whatever's Bubba's serving up that day, it's unlikely you'll be disappointed.

MyEmpanadas

noreply@blogger.com (aperpetualfeast) — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 06:32:00 +0000

MyEmpanadas

10631 51 Ave NW

Edmonton, AB T6H 0K8

(780) 756-1345

Wedged between a laundromat and an abandoned deli on 51st Avenue is MyEmpanadas, a Argentinian empanada shop. In contrast to its dilapidated strip mall facade, the interior is clean, and alive with the aromas of spices and baking pastry. A couple of tables are available, but the business functions largely on takeout orders.

Empanadas

Though MyEmpanadas sells frozen empanadas (bake at home for 15 minutes), I had mine cooked in the restaurant. They arrived golden brown in color with a crispy, flakey crust, and were roughly the size of a pizza pop. I'd suggest 2-4 empanadas per person per meal, depending on the individual and their appetite.

Creamy spinach (L) and beef (R) empanadas

Ten varieties of empanadas are available to choose from, including three vegetarian options. I sampled the beef, creamy spinach, chicken, and cajun pulled pork empanadas. With the exception of the mild creamy spinach empanada, all had moderate--but not overwhelming--heat, allowing their rich and savoury flavours to come through. The cajun pulled pork, my favorite, burst with pulled pork and cabbage and featured a cajun spiced crust.

I thoroughly enjoyed my lunch from MyEmpanadas, I found their prices very reasonable, and I appreciate the option to buy frozen and bake at home. If you've driven by this place and wondered about it, I'd encourage you to next time stop, and head in for a delicious pocket packed with Argentinian flavour.

Restaurant website

Madison's Grill

noreply@blogger.com (aperpetualfeast) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 15:30:00 +0000

Madison's Grill

10053 Jasper Avenue

Edmonton, AB

T5J 1S5

(780) 401-2222

Located in the heart of downtown Edmonton, Madison's Grill offers Canadian cuisine in an upscale setting. It is a favourite business function spot of my colleagues, but, until now, I've never had the opportunity to visit. On the chilly December evening of my visit, the restaurant is tastefully decorated for the holidays, and is busy with many large groups celebrating the season. Despite the bustling atmosphere, my party is seated promptly, and offered a good explanation of their concept, seasonal features, and specials for the night.

Candied sweet potato bisque

The candied sweet potato bisque, a selection from the holiday menu, arrives first. A brulee meringue floats on top, which I find overly spongey and somewhat unpleasant. Small pieces of deliciously salty pancetta lounge in the bottom of the bowl. These, along with a twist of maple syrup, bring life to the smooth sweet potato soup.

Roasted beet salad

The beet salad is beautifully presented. The greens are coated in a mildly acidic mustard vinaigrette. The pungency of the stilton crumble is subdued by the rainbow of sweet roasted beets.

Crab ravioli

For a small charge, the homemade crab ravioli arrives split between two of my guests. The pasta is perfect in texture, and saffron imparts an earthy essence to the cream sauce.

Pork chop

The pan roasted pork chop is also a holiday menu item. The bone-in pork chop arrives perfectly cooked, the meat flavourful and juicy with every bite. A balsamic onion marmalade imparts more sweetness than acidity, and is lovely on the chop as well as accompanying wild rice and cranberry pudding.

Arctic char

My guest finds the seared arctic char and ratatouille similarly well prepared. The fish and velvety mashed potatoes thrive beneath a roasted garlic butter sauce.

Clockwise from the top: Saskatoon berry creme brûlée, egg nog custard, pumpkin bread pudding.

I break into my creme brûlée with a crack after a few taps of my spoon. The contrast of the luscious Saskatoon berry custard with the rigid sugary shell create a very luxurious dessert. The accompanying white chocolate peppermint bark is a delicious bonus. The pumpkin berry bread pudding, though light on pumpkin flavour, is lovely with the mascarpone quenelle.

We were not disappointed with our visit to Madison's Grill. As expected for the price point, the service is exquisite and the food prepared to a high standard. Marks of the culinary team's creative talents are notable in many dishes; however, I would welcome even more imagination to allow Madison's keep pace with other fine dining establishments in the city.

Restaurant website

Take-Out Chronicles: Papa John's

noreply@blogger.com (aperpetualfeast) — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 15:30:00 +0000

Papa John's Terwillegar

14030A 23 Avenue

Edmonton, AB

T6R 3L6

(780) 439-7220

Papa John's is a US-based pizza chain that's had a presence in Edmonton for about a year now. Though there was a period of time during my undergraduate days that I subsisted almost entirely on take-out pizza, these days, the pizza I do eat is usually made at home, so I haven't had the chance to try Papa John's since the chain came to Canada.

This Monday, however, a promo code combined with an exhausting day were the push I needed to order in and try it. The promotion I took advantage of is their NFL Monday Deal which offers a percentage discount (on regular priced items) based on the highest score in Sundays football games. The Seattle Seahawks smoked the Arizona Cardinals 58-0 the day previously, so my discount Monday was 58% -- I think I could really get behind this team!

From left upper corner clockwise: Chicken pizza, cinnapie, pepperoni pizza, cheese sticks; Buffalo wings (center).

Two pizzas, a pepperoni, and a chicken & tomato, were both topped with plenty of cheese and toppings. I prefer their pizza sauce to other chains, bright with tomatoes and the zest of garlic Italian seasonings. The Cinnapie and cheese sticks were on the same pleasingly chewy crust of the pizza. Surprisingly, there are no salads on the menu, so we opted for some buffalo wings to round out our meal. These were decidedly average.

This particular Monday's discount was the highest in the course of the promotion, so it wasn't surprising that the restaurant was flooded with orders. It took just over and hour and a half for the order to arrive (despite the email confirmation indicating 45 minutes), and, it's likely the delivery driver made several stops on the way to my place, as the food was only slightly warm by the time it arrived. This was understandable in light of the promotion, and my patience was greater on account of the discount. I was not expecting to be blown away by the food, and I wasn't, but I was adequately satisfied based on the price I paid; however, had I the additional 42% for regular price, I'm not so sure I would be.

Go Seattle?

Restaurant website

Fife n' Dekel

noreply@blogger.com (aperpetualfeast) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Fife n' Dekel

9114 51 Avenue NW

Edmonton, AB

T6E 5L8

(780) 436-9235

The founders of Fife n' Dekel started baking pies in the 1980s to supplement the ice cream at their business, which was then an ice cream parlor. A few decades and three locations later, the pies have become the main attraction at Fife n' Dekel with soups, salads, and made-to-order sandwiches available to go along with your desserts.

Arriving at their South Edmonton location shortly before noon on a Saturday, I found the restaurant moderately busy with a short line-up at its cafeteria-style food service. The initial stop is the sandwich station, which is the bottle-neck of the process. Skip it and sneak around to the pie if you're only in for dessert.

Montreal smoked meat & havarti on sunflower bread

We followed the line around and started with the sandwiches (priced at about $7). I chose their homemade bread option, sunflower, which turned out be extremely fresh, slightly dense, and loaded with sunflower seeds & their nut-like flavor. Any of their cold cut options would be excellent between a couple slices of it, and the Montreal smoked meat with havarti did not disappoint.

Soups: Wicked Thai (left) and chicken noodle (right)

We tried the wicked Thai and chicken noodle soups as we continued around to the soup and salad section. Though I was told neither were homemade, the wicked thai still was a flavorful explosion of mushrooms, peppers, and chicken with the richness of coconut and moderate heat of curry. The chicken noodle was disappointingly thin and generic.

Strawberry rhubarb sour cream pie

Before reaching the cashier, I pondered our many, many options at the pie case before selecting the strawberry rhubarb sour cream pie. The strawberries and rhubarb were in the right balance with the sugar to create the perfect harmony of sweet and tart. The creaminess lent by the sour cream added an additional richness and thick texture which worked especially well with the crumbly crust. Besides banoffee (which they don't have), strawberry rhubarb is easily my favorite pie, and Fife n' Dekel does it very well. I will need to return to try their traditional, sour cream-less variety.

Coconut cream pie (upper) and cow tart (lower)

Our opinion of the coconut cream pie, topped with a perfect creamy topping was similarly positive. The cow tart, a rustic miniature pie, was filled with their delicious apple pie filling, subtly sweet and warm with cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg.

Fife n' Dekel's tasty sandwiches and outstanding pies are the result of the quality and freshness that comes with being homemade. Though it's unfortunate that they don't pursue similar quality with their soups, the emphasis here is on the pies and the three we had were all truly delicious. Whole pies can be ordered and purchased, but I'm looking forward to returning to work my way through the varieties slice by slice.

Restaurant website

De Dutch

noreply@blogger.com (aperpetualfeast) — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 14:00:00 +0000

De Dutch

10030 Jasper Avenue

Edmonton, AB

T5J 1R9

(587) 520-8841

Everything about this Friday morning was better than Thursday. I wasn't woken up at 6am by my neighbour blasting music, my building had plenty of hot water, the weekend was only hours away, and I had plans to visit De Dutch before heading to work.

De Dutch, a Vancouver-based chain of restaurants specializing in Dutch pancakes opened its first location in Edmonton a few weeks ago. The location is on the North side of Jasper Avenue, in the construction zone between 100 and 100a Street, most convenient to the Central LRT station, or the Scotiaplace Parkade. While I'm sure the weekends at De Dutch are bustling, on our weekday mid-morning visit the restaurant was quiet and we were seated immediately. The restaurant is larger than it appears with from outside, with a back section as well as a board room. If you have the option, request a seat in the back of the restaurant in the winter months. I kept my coat for the duration of our visit because of the chilly draft from the entrance wafting through the front section.

Considering the restaurant is open only for breakfast and lunch (7am-3pm weekdays; 8am-3pm Sat & Sun), the menu is massive. Along with sweet and savory Dutch pancake options, I found more traditional breakfasts, omelettes, french toast, and bennies as well as burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and tosties (toasted cheesy sandwiches).

Amsterkoek

A Dutch pancake, or pannekoek, is larger and thinner than a typical North American pancake. The pannekoeken at De Dutch are 12" in diameter, and are served open and topped with your chosen accompaniments. My Amsterkoek, pictured above, was topped with Edam cheese, ham, two eggs, and hollandaise sauce. After pouring the sauce over the innards, I rolled up, and dug in! The pannekoek had a wonderful texture, closer to a substantial French crêpe than to a typical pancake. Edam, one of my favorite cheeses, contributed a mild flavour and slight saltiness that helped bring this hearty dish together. I was a bit disappointed not to find any gouda in their large menu, as I think its creaminess and ability to shred and melt so nicely would have made it an even better choice than the Edam on this pannekoek.

Strawberry cheesecake pannekoek

The strawberry cheesecake pannekoek was more like dessert than breakfast after the Amsterkoek. The pannekoek comes sprinkled with icing sugar as well as small cups of strawberries in syrup, a sweet cheesecake sauce, and whipped cream -- all the ingredients for a delectable sugar rush!

My experience at De Dutch certainly didn't derail my morning. Along with the tasty food, the service was friendly and swift, our entire visit lasting only 45 minutes. If you're looking for a variation of your breakfast (or dessert!) favorites, all rolled up in a pannekoek, De Dutch is certainly worth a visit!

Restaurant website

Dauphine Bakery & Bistro

noreply@blogger.com (aperpetualfeast) — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 01:11:00 +0000

Dauphine Bakery & Bistro

10129 – 104 Street

Edmonton, AB

T5J 0Z9

(780) 421-4410

Because of an unfortunate trademark infringement lawsuit, The Queen of Tarts, a burgeoning force on 104 Street, covered its old signage in January, and, quite quickly, was rebranded as Dauphine Bakery and Bistro. Fortunately business remained strong. By my mid-afternoon arrival, soups & sandwiches were sold-out, but a wide variety of baked good remained.

Carrot cake tulip

When it was still The Queen of Tarts, I'd eyed the carrot cake tulips through the glass, but always opted for tarts -- they were the specialty after all! No longer restrained by the name, I jumped at the chance to try the last remaining carrot cake tulip, delectably moist and topped with a perfect cream cheese icing.

White chocolate pistachio tart

The white chocolate pistachio was beautiful, with a perfectly crumbly crust. Its white chocolate innards contrasted beautifully with the pistachio.

Lemon curd tart

Lemon curd tart was a bit of a disappointment. Though I generally love the tartness of lemon, this tart tasted curdled, without the refreshing lemony balance.

Apricot square

The preserves in the apricot square were delicious. I found the crumble bits a touch dry for my tastes; however it may have been because I bought this later in the day.

What's in a name? Whether the Queen of Tarts or Dauphine, the treats here are just as sweet & tasty! It's evident that much care goes into the food produced at Dauphine, and there is plenty of selection. Indulge!

Fo Guang Tea House

noreply@blogger.com (aperpetualfeast) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 14:30:00 +0000

Fo Guang Tea House at the IBPSE

10232 103 Street

Edmonton, AB T5J 0Y8

Tucked in the basement of the International Buddhist Progress Society Edmonton (IBPSE), the Fo Guang Tea House, is not your typical downtown restaurant. Tuesday to Friday from 11am-2pm, volunteers run a vegetarian lunch service with the goal of sharing healthy, meatless, and flavorful dishes with to the general public. I entered the IBPSE from the street level, and purchased two tickets ($6 each, cash only) from a volunteer in the landing, and headed downstairs where I was next seated at a long, cafeteria-style table.

Green tea and picked cabbage & carrots

A glass of hot green tea and a small dish of picked cabbage & carrot was dropped off promptly as I browsed the menu. A good selection of mostly tofu-based entrees is offered with each purchased ticket good for one dish.

Peppered "steak"

I chose the peppered "steak", which arrived quickly along with rice & a side of veggies. Having endured bad imitation meat on too many occasions, my expectations for this dish were accordingly low. With one bite, however, my views on fake meat were shattered -- this is delicious! The sauce was light but savory, and the texture and flavor of the steak had me wondering if I was really at a vegetarian place. The language barrier dashed any hopes I had of learning their secret from my server; how they achieved such wonderful still eludes me today.

Spinach spring rolls

I ordered the spinach spring rolls at the same time as the steak, but these took a little bit longer to emerge from the kitchen. Five crispy spring rolls arrived piping hot, filled with spinach, cheese, and the same faux-meat that comprised my steak. It was a delicious combination, and a hearty portion for $6 -- certainly worth the slightly longer wait.

The savory, hearty dishes at The Fo Guang Tea House will leave visitors of all dietary practices satisfied. Certainly, the IBSPE has achieved their mission of providing tasty meatless meals, and, at such affordable prices, I wouldn't be surprised if even [previously] staunch meatetarians start suggesting visits to this true downtown gem.