564226 Sun Oct 12 13:19:06 -0700 2008 10 57 Western Canada 0 4099504 Going to be in Edmonton next Thu/Fri staying at the Hotel MacDonald. Looking for fine dining in Edmonton, never been. Ate at Rush here in Calgary, enjoyed it. Was at Capo last night; OK Willing to pay the price Anybody willing to stick their neck out? Sun Oct 12 13:19:06 -0700 2008 98706 Alberta Cowboy 1 4099768 The long standing candidates for top restaurant in Edmonton would be the following (note that this isn't my personal list so much as a summary of what will be mentioned by various people on this board): Hardware Grill Red Ox Inn Characters Unheard Of Jack's Grill (which seems to be a more controversial one...I enjoyed it but apparently there are many who feel it's gone downhill) Union Bank Inn Blue Pear Sage at the River Cree Resort and Casino is a recent addition that has gotten a lot of good reviews Ruth's Chris (again, somewhat controversial, and they're really only for steak) Do a search for any of those names and you'll get more details including a variety of opinions. Sun Oct 12 15:57:04 -0700 2008 4099504 32141 egon61 1 4101222 I think that is a very good list. I would add the Harvest Room right in the Mac. It is very good and probably the nicest ambiance. Good wine list too. I think the service at Madison's in the Union Bank Inn is hard to beat. Mon Oct 13 10:41:21 -0700 2008 4099504 169994 pengcast 2 4102942 that list sounds about right. I will expand on it a bit (the ones I have been to), and put them in order for me, starting with best... 1. The Blue Pear: innovative monthly tasting menu with different levels of wine pairings available. knowledgeable sommolier, fantastic service. downtown location, sparse, small contemporary space, can be loud if it is packed (this would be the one go to place if I had to choose, I love the tasting menu/wine pairing) 2. Red Ox Inn: Fabulous innovative food, cozy contemporary ambiance, out of downtown, good service 3. Sage: Best steak in the city. Okay service (they are struggling a bit with this), decent wine list, ask for a table away from Casino doors, 30 min drive west of downtown. 4. Jack's Grill: Good service, great food, crowded bistro style space, 15 minutes minimum from downtown 5. Characters: great service, good food, beautiful warm contemporary space, great wine list, knowledgeable sommolier, downtown core location 6. Hardware Grill: great tasting food, Huge portions, huge prices, massive wine list, okay ambiance, very corporate, downtown core location, okay service Reservations would be highly recommended at all of these, and right away too! Tue Oct 14 07:12:21 -0700 2008 4101222 105701 cleopatra999 1 4104650 Oh yeah, another recently opened place that I forgot in my original post is the Wildflower Grill, located in the Matrix Hotel. Tue Oct 14 17:46:08 -0700 2008 4099504 32141 egon61 1 4105299 If you're willing to pay the price, go to the Blue Pear. Wed Oct 15 00:57:17 -0700 2008 4099504 11206 yen 2 4106313 The Blue Pear's tasting menu is significantly less expensive than the ones I have seen at the high end places in Calgary. Not sure about number of course comparison though. That being said I just checked and I think that their prices went up AGAIN. I have not been for a year, and it is now at $85/person. When we first went there it was a steal at $59/person. I guess market trends! Wed Oct 15 11:44:19 -0700 2008 4105299 105701 cleopatra999 3 4106371 They went up to $85 a while ago. In the original fare newsletter she said they raised the price so they could buy higher quality ingredients. I've had way better and much cheaper tasting menus in Vancouver but for Edmonton it is my favorite. I've been the last 3 months and some of the dishes are the best tasting things I've ever had while others were not good at all (all 4 of us hated the steamed sturgeon last month). Wed Oct 15 12:10:26 -0700 2008 4106313 194130 rob1234 1 4113174 Alberta Cowboy...where did you go? I am curious. Hope you enjoyed whatever it was. Sat Oct 18 13:10:24 -0700 2008 4099504 105701 cleopatra999 1 4123562 Went to Jack's Grill last Wednesday night. Tried Blue Pear; earliest reservation was 20:30 (we called at 18:00), then tried Red Ox, they were closed for a private wine tasting. Jack's was good enough. Would try Blue Pear and Red Ox before going back Thu Oct 23 07:22:56 -0700 2008 4099504 98706 Alberta Cowboy 2 4126558 Sage is the winner hands down. Went there for dinner last night and it is THE best restaurant in the City right now. Service was excellent and the food is to die for! Best steak I have ever eaten. The chef was brought in from Las Vegas. Fri Oct 24 11:16:45 -0700 2008 4123562 213229 Hugh Jass