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| Salmon and Tuna sashimi |
Thursday, 28 April 2011
Sushi Wasabi Edmonton, AB - Best Traditional Japanese in Edmonton.. NOM!
Rating 9.5/10
Classically trained in Japan, the chef immigrated to Edmonton about 20 years ago, and has been crafting and creating Japanese dishes with heart and care since. Seeing an opportunity to run a traditional Japanese restaurant in landlocked Alberta, I'm very very thankful he decided to set up shop in Edmonton. By far the most consistent Japanese restaurant in Edmonton, as it has become more well known over the years, patrons have shifted from mainly Japanese families to a more mainstream clientele with a good sprinkling of Japanese customers amongst Chinese, Caucasian and Lebanese families and couples out on a date. Family members in traditional dress comprise of most of the staff, with the chef's wife never without a smile as she bustles around either checking on patrons or creating dishes in the kitchen. Service is always exceptional, and being a regular for years, they tease us if we don't order some of our usual items off the menu. Quality is of the utmost importance, and the chef grates wasabi fresh as he uses it - with a traditional grater thingy and a fresh wasabi root - it looks like a super ugly potato.
Sunday, 24 April 2011
Hakone Japanese Cuisine Edmonton - Japanese on the northside of the river
Rating 6.5/10
While most Japanese restaurants are typically found downtown, south or west of the city, its refreshing to hear that there's finally someone brave enough to set up shop north of the river - northwest to be precise - nestled at the edge of a residential neighbourhood. Run by a Vietnamese family who had lived in Japan for 6 years, we were intrigued but cautious with our expectations as we stepped into a nicely appointed restaurant with a welcoming water fountain and orchids in the doorway. White on white decor dominates the small restaurant space - with room for a few booths and a small private room where you can squish in a table of ten - just leave the sliding door open to keep the air circulating as its a very cozy room. Service was excellent, with the waitress checking in almost excessively at times. Staff were dressed in kimonos, friendly and enjoyed chatting with customers.
While most Japanese restaurants are typically found downtown, south or west of the city, its refreshing to hear that there's finally someone brave enough to set up shop north of the river - northwest to be precise - nestled at the edge of a residential neighbourhood. Run by a Vietnamese family who had lived in Japan for 6 years, we were intrigued but cautious with our expectations as we stepped into a nicely appointed restaurant with a welcoming water fountain and orchids in the doorway. White on white decor dominates the small restaurant space - with room for a few booths and a small private room where you can squish in a table of ten - just leave the sliding door open to keep the air circulating as its a very cozy room. Service was excellent, with the waitress checking in almost excessively at times. Staff were dressed in kimonos, friendly and enjoyed chatting with customers.
Sunbake Pita Bakery Edmonton - the ultimate cheese pie
Rating 9.0/10
At the forefront of a small Lebanese stripmall, you can follow your nose to the Sunbake Pita Bakery which usually has its ovens on super early in the morning till about 6pm at night. Friendly staff and the bakers always make time to greet customers while hand shaping made to order meat/cheese/vegetable pies for customers. On the side, they always have an assortment of sodas and drinks - both the mundane and some you just take a chance on as its only labeled in the sinuous Arabic characters. And if you're lucky, they'd just finished baking up a batch of fatayers - little dough pouches bursting with savory, tangy sour or cheese fillings. Freshly baked pitas, traditional breads and a nut counter rounds out the offerings. Catering is also available.
Friday, 22 April 2011
Delux Burger Bar Edmonton - An honestly tasty burger and bar
Rating 8.0/10
Shortly after watching an episode of Man vs Food (I reaaally need to stop watching that show), we developed a craving for an intensely decadent and sinfully indulgent burger. After ticking off a mental checklist of burger joints in the city that may fit the bill, we decided to stop by the Crestwood location of Delux Burger Bar. Tables were packed and the hostess politely told us it would be a 25-30min wait, took down our number while we left and browsed in the funky specialty baby/gift/soap/trinket shops nearby.
What looks to be a huge aqua upside-down couch done in bathroom tile concaves gently to frame the large darkwood bar on the side of the restaurant. Dark browns, stainless steel and some aqua accents along with comfy booths give Delux an air of sophistication while maintaining a comfortable atmosphere.
Service was polite, courteous and enthusiastic without being overly effusive nor intrusive. The exceptional service was a pleasant surprise and exceeded my preset expectations of a burger-bar joint. The service staff while dressed in forgiving black and the occasional jeans - It was also honestly refreshing that the female staff were not required to have the plunging necklines ubiquitous at many bars and restaurants. Thus a more level playing field for staff - tips are based on actual service and the food rather than how much of a peek of cleavage you get served with your meal or how lecherous the customer.
Shortly after watching an episode of Man vs Food (I reaaally need to stop watching that show), we developed a craving for an intensely decadent and sinfully indulgent burger. After ticking off a mental checklist of burger joints in the city that may fit the bill, we decided to stop by the Crestwood location of Delux Burger Bar. Tables were packed and the hostess politely told us it would be a 25-30min wait, took down our number while we left and browsed in the funky specialty baby/gift/soap/trinket shops nearby.
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| Pic shamelessly taken from Delux website |
Service was polite, courteous and enthusiastic without being overly effusive nor intrusive. The exceptional service was a pleasant surprise and exceeded my preset expectations of a burger-bar joint. The service staff while dressed in forgiving black and the occasional jeans - It was also honestly refreshing that the female staff were not required to have the plunging necklines ubiquitous at many bars and restaurants. Thus a more level playing field for staff - tips are based on actual service and the food rather than how much of a peek of cleavage you get served with your meal or how lecherous the customer.
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Tau Bay Restaurant Edmonton - Awesome Pho.. when its open
Rating 8/10
One of the best places in Edmonton to grab a hot, comforting bowl of Pho (pronounced "fff-uh" not "foe"!)- beef noodle soup with shaved steak, slices of tender beef flank, bouncy meatballs, crunchy crisp bean spouts all floating in a savory anise flavored beef broth. The catch? You can get a bowl of this wonderful stuff... if they're open. This resturant is so popular, they axed all other menu items other than their Pho years ago... and they only open about 3-4 months cumulatively out of the entire year. Yup, they're so successful, they only open for a few days or a week or so at a time, and remain closed the rest of the year. There's even a website devoted to whether they're open at istaubayopen.com so foodies craving the Vietnamese version of soul food can check ahead without being faced with the disappointment of a closed restaurant and empty tummy.
Service is prompt and courteous with the waitstaff scurrying between old tables and wooden chairs. Decor is minimal, a Vietnamese painting here and there - the focus is definetely the pho here. So much so, that if you ask for take out, all the ingredients are separated and you'll get a lesson into how to put it together so the pho will taste right.
One of the best places in Edmonton to grab a hot, comforting bowl of Pho (pronounced "fff-uh" not "foe"!)- beef noodle soup with shaved steak, slices of tender beef flank, bouncy meatballs, crunchy crisp bean spouts all floating in a savory anise flavored beef broth. The catch? You can get a bowl of this wonderful stuff... if they're open. This resturant is so popular, they axed all other menu items other than their Pho years ago... and they only open about 3-4 months cumulatively out of the entire year. Yup, they're so successful, they only open for a few days or a week or so at a time, and remain closed the rest of the year. There's even a website devoted to whether they're open at istaubayopen.com so foodies craving the Vietnamese version of soul food can check ahead without being faced with the disappointment of a closed restaurant and empty tummy.Service is prompt and courteous with the waitstaff scurrying between old tables and wooden chairs. Decor is minimal, a Vietnamese painting here and there - the focus is definetely the pho here. So much so, that if you ask for take out, all the ingredients are separated and you'll get a lesson into how to put it together so the pho will taste right.
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