Niche Edmonton, AB - missing seasonings, ingredients and lacklustre food

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Rating Service 8/10, Food 6/10

Touted by some as the best new restaurant, we stopped by with some friends for dinner. Niche is set in a dim dark dining room with a bar dominating the room, and a touch of rustic charm with a red brick wall running up the other side. Avoid the tables close to the windows unless you like it cool and drafty. Our waitress was friendly and efficient. Sadly, Niche was a major disappointment as the kitchen did not deliver... they forgot some of the ingredients and forgot to season most of the dishes. More on that in a bit...

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Urban China Edmonton, AB - scrape yourself out of bed for dimsum!

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Rating Food 8/10, Service 7.75/10
I'm totally not a morning person.  Try to scrape me out of a nice warm pile of blankets and pillows early on a weekend and your head may have a sudden affinity for high velocity flying objects and be entertained with whatever half coherent snarled creative phrases my neurons can scramble together.  Thankfully, since the last few times I've been to Urban China, they are kind to those that don't wake up at the crack of dawn with energy and pep.. as they serve freshly made dimsum till 2pm... hallelujah!
The glass etched anime characters are fun along with classic cream, black and gold accents in the warm woods colored decor. Service remained efficient and quick, with relatively short wait times for tables in the packed joint. If you arrive closer to 2pm, the dim sum carts are no longer circulated, but you can order whatever you want for dim sum and the kitchen makes them to order.  We showed up around noon, so the dim sum ladies were still adding to the loud and lively atmosphere.

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Palestinian Bazaar Edmonton, AB - Palestinian cultural riches: food, art and music!

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Al Jabal Dance Troupe performing dabke folk dance form  

Last weekend, we headed to Edmonton's first annual Palestinian Bazaar, celebrating the cultural richness of Palestinian people and helping raise awareness for Humanserve.org. Held in the Atla Arts Barn close to Whyte, we joined the crowd in looking for elusive free parking spots and headed inside out of the chilly March winds, eager to take in some cultural dances, a fashion show, artwork, shopping and of course, can't forget the food!

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The Free Press Bistro, Edmonton, AB - Tasty chip butty - french fry panini!

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Rating Food 7.75/10, Service 8/10
With a craving for a homestyle and yummy sandwich, we dropped by on a weeknight to try out the Free Press, as they're well known for having some of the best sandwiches in the city. Dropping by for supper was a great idea, as its not as crazy busy as it is during lunch hour. The soft browns and warm woods set an inviting and cozy atmosphere, and several regulars stopped by to order sandwiches (some which weren't on the menu anymore, but Chef Natalie was more than happy to whip up). On to the food!

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Beijing Beijing Dim Sum and Seafood Restaurant Edmonton, AB- back again for a tasty family dinner

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Rating Food 7.5/10, Service 6/10
At a recent family dinner, noone in the right mind wanted to cook for that many people, so we headed down south to Beijing Beijing Dim Sum and Seafood Restaurant. Modern red, gold and black accents brighten up the large cream dining room divided in half tonight as they were hosting a 1 month babyshower/celebration on one side with the other saved for regular guests.  Service is a bit harried and abrupt compared to the last few times we've come to eat, but its mainly due too few staff trying to run to the party being hosted over the partition on top of regular dining guests.

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