The Common

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

Dishcrawl's Twist on Oliver

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

Bistro Saisons

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

Canteen

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

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

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

Madison's Grill

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

De Dutch

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