In a city that boasts more big box stores and restaurants than you shake a stick at, I have resolved to hunt out the foodie gems that must surely be hidden amongst the big American chains.
I resolve to embark on a program of tracking down excellent food shops, markets and restaurants and writing about them. A lifetime of loving food and 5 years of living in Melbourne has given me the gift of appreciation for excellent dining, and I'm sure there must be some good food in my future here.
Below is my preliminary list of intended restaurants, in no particular order:
Blue Lotus
Carole's
Culina
Four Rooms
Gino's
Ginseng Restaurant
Hemingway's Fine Dining And Spirits
Joey's Only Seafood
Kobe
Lingnan
Nagano Japanese Restaurant
Plantier's
Red Diamond
Spago
Thai Orchid Restaurant
If anyone has any other recommendations, I'd be pleased to hear them.
I just found your blog and now I'm all excited. I never thought I'd find a great food blog in Edmonton!
A few things... you can get edamame in the pod at T&T now, although be careful of which brand you get. And surprisingly enough, Safeway is selling it too now.
Have you checked out http://www.chowhound.com/canada/boards/canada/canada.html?
I'd recommend adding Wild Tangerine, forgetting about Lingnan and going to places in Chinatown instead, and adding Shogun (their bento boxes are a great value).
Posted by: anonymoose | April 21, 2005 at 04:41 PM
Yeah, I'd skip the Lingnan. It's mall-type chinese food. Go to Thanh Thanh on 101 Street and 107 Avenue. And for super-swanky, go to the Hardware Grill. Yum.
Posted by: Dulcie. | June 06, 2005 at 11:32 AM
Hi,
I like your list. I think the blue lotus doesn't exist anymore. I would add the Golden Ricebowl, it serves great Dim Sum every day for lunch. We liked Packrat Louies a lot, the homemade bread and a wonderful Bouillabaisse won us over. As a recent transplant from europe I'll go and try a few myself.
Posted by: Simone | June 15, 2005 at 08:09 PM
Forget Lingnan. I would recommend trying Rose Garden for chinese cuisine. Try to order authentic dishes from the Chinese menu and not from the set dinner for four wonton soup/ mixed green variety. The wait staff is usually very helpful with recommendations. They serve the most delicious chicken wings stuffed with sticky rice.
Posted by: anon | August 24, 2005 at 01:23 AM
I second the motion on Thanh Thanh. Unbelievably fast, efficient service and *incredible* food.
Posted by: Jena | August 26, 2005 at 10:52 AM
I would like to add another amazing place - Tropika on the South Side. Best Malaysian food in town.
Posted by: Karen | September 07, 2005 at 10:51 AM
Amigos Cantina & Marguerita Bar
Address: 6 Blackfoot Road
Sherwood Park, T8A 4P4, AB, Canada
Phone: (780) 416-5508
THIS PLACE IS WORTH THE 10 MINUTE DRIVE OUT OF THE CITY AWESOME "NON GRINGO" MEXICAN CUISINE. THE SALSA CRUDA IS OUT OF THIS WORLD.
Posted by: habanerogal | January 04, 2006 at 12:05 PM
Hi Lyn,
Just found your blog today, and am having a wonderful time reading through. You got brownie-points right away when I saw your post on Salt Spring Island cheese (that's home!).
Anyhoo, I have a few restaurant suggestions that I would be interested to see what you thought of.
The Red Ox Inn @ 9420 91 St
- I've been a couple of times and been impressed with the food, if not service & decor.
Khazana @ 10177-107 St
- never been, but interested as to whether it merits the hype: can it match New Asian Village?
La Shish @ 10106 118 St
- best lebanese I have found in the city
Unheardof @ 9602 82 Ave
- too much hype, not enough facts. What is it like?
And finally, I would like to warn you away from Koutouki Taverna, which has a big name in greek food in the city. The food is ok, but I have had poor service, and it is ridiculously overpriced ($3 for a small plate of pita bread. Oh, you want hummous? another $4 for a small bowl. It gets worse...).
Posted by: Aryn | February 22, 2006 at 03:36 PM
Noticed the comment on the Hardware Grill above and thought I'd give a warning- they gave me food poisoning and they didn't care. I didn't expect that from a $160 meal.
I ate there last week. The meal was great up until the point where I starting feeling ill immediately after leaving, a situation that only improved after throwing up everything I'd eaten a couple of hours later.
I had the lobster risotto and roasted duck breast, not sure which was to blame. I phoned the restaurant the following day and they took down my number, but never called back- obviously they didn't care too much.
I eat out at restaurants a lot and have no food allergies that I know of, I've eaten dishes with these ingredients many times.
Posted by: Al_m_d | September 18, 2006 at 09:42 AM
Of the restaurants on your list that I've visited, I'd have to say that Normand's is one of the best. The service is great and the dishes are top notch. Go before November is out and you'll be able to dine from their wild game menu (offered every October and November).
Posted by: Pam | November 19, 2006 at 09:20 AM