Dinner near Edmonton Delta South

[ctl98]

Hi! I'm going to be in Edmonton for a conference and have 1 (maybe 2 dinners). I'm staying at the Delta Edmonton South and was hoping for suggestions for dinner. I've never been to Edmonton and would like to try something unique to the place. I'm willing to take a short cab ride.

I'm from Toronto and I'm open to any kind of cuisine and any budget. I'd love to hear some suggestions so that hopefully I won't have to eat in my hotel!

Thanks!!

[ctl98]

Thank you to all who gave their input. I just wanted to come back and let you know that I ended up in Corso32 and had a very nice dinner. I started with the grilled cheese with egg, truffles and roasted green onions. Wonderful combination of flavours! I loved this so much I'm now thinking of duplicating it at home.

I had the bucatini all' Amatriciana for my main and sad to say it was not as good as my appetizer. My pasta was a tiny bit too al dente and the sauce was good but not great. Looking at what the other people ordered, maybe I should have done the pumpkin ravioli.

Had no more room for dessert :( With a glass of prosecco and a glass of red, my total came to $58 before tip. I would happily come back if I were in town again but only after trying some of the other suggestions on this board. Thanks Edmonton hounds!

[felix the hound]

Good choice. Corso 32 is one of the very few restaurants in Edmonton comparable to good restaurants in Toronto and Vancouver.

[chefathome]

I agree. It is one of my favourites - another is the Red Ox Inn. Oh, and Wildflower can be very good, too.

[Neumanic]

I would second the recommendation for Creations, which has some excellent bison dishes. Koutouki, dim sum at Golden Rice Bowl, and the aforementioned chains are your only real local bets, but the cab ride to Whyte is worth it for more selection. If you're in a cab, keep going north to Culina on 99 St and about 89 Ave.

[aasg]

There is Koutouki near there, which is decent Greek food, although a bit over-priced.

Across the Whitemud, there is Creations, which has interesting choices and very good food.

Lemongrass Cafe is a little further away, but has good Vietnamese food.

[ingloriouseater]

where in Toronto do you normally eat out? I live in Toronto but have family in Edmonton and visit often.

nothing in the immediate area of the EDS is notable as it is an industrial urban commercial strip-although edmonton does boast a chili's location nearby and a red robin and an olive garden-something we don't have in toronto.

cab rides are quicker in edmonton.

maybe heading a bit north to jack's grill it is sort of a nota bene kind of place or you may want to wander whyte ave...sort of like a mix of queen west and college...

[ctl98]

I was hoping for something like black hoof, beast, marben, foxley, Acadia...nota bene is one of my go-to nice places so something along that line works too!

[egon61]

Hi, just to clarify, the area where you are staying would be like staying at Eglinton and the DVP. Or maybe by Yorkdale mall. It's not exactly an urban neighbourhood, the area is really an expressway with major big box shopping across the street from the hotel, car dealerships, etc. Look at Google Streetviews and you'll see what I mean.

Anyways if you are talking about restaurants of the same "calibre" as black hoof, foxley, etc. You will definitely have to leave the immediate area of the Delta South.

As mentioned, try the Whyte Ave. area or downtown (across the river from Whyte). A few downtown options would be:
Moriarty's (wine bar, serves dinner)
corso 32 (rustic southern Italian, can be tough to get a table without a reservation)
The Marc (French bistro)
Jack's Grill (as already mentioned)
Culina (already mentioned)
Wildflower Grill
Madison's (although I heard they have changed chefs recently, haven't been myself since)

I have to disagree with Koutouki. I find Greek food consistently overpriced and underwhelming in Edmonton compared to Toronto. No need to charge 18 bucks for chicken souvlaki with rice, potatoes, and salad - you can get the same thing for like half that price.

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Jack's Grill
5842 111 Street, Edmonton, AB T6H 3G1, CA

[ctl98]

Thanks for the input! Funny because I actually live near Don Mills/Eglinton so I know what it's like to have to travel for good food :)

I'll take a cab to the Whyte Ave area and venture there, I think. I'll check all the recs and will report back when I get home!

[Bob Mac]

egon61:

I am originally from Montreal [having been here for now over 30 years, Edmonton is now "home"] and I have always been somewhat astounded by the price of Greek food here in the West. That does not mean that I stay away from it because when it is good, I do not begrudge the cost. Not sure why it is expensive for things like you describe, traditional basic fare like souvlaki, mousaka, spanokopita and the like as compared with more "exotic" [?] courses which may involved flying in fresh seafood.

I know when I tell my Montreal Greek friends the prices, I can see them doing the mental gymnastics of how they can come out here and set up "shop".

[egon61]

Right near the Delta South, most of the choices are chains: Earl's/Red Lobster/Olive Garden/Montana's.

Sorrentino's is an Italian place that is a local mini-chain with about 5 locations around Edmonton. They are good but not great, located a block south of the Delta. Thai Orchid is a nice thai place actually located in the same building as a motel a couple blocks south from the Delta where you'll be staying. Very casual but friendly staff and good food.

But really, to get something a little more interesting I encourage you to take a cab ride up to the Whyte Ave. area, probably 10-15 minutes away/$10-15 cab fare. There you'll find some more independent choices like the following:

Da-de-o: southern cajun diner, casual, specialize in po' boy sandwiches
da capo: wood oven pizza, some really nice interesting choices & nice wines by the glass (109th St. and 87th Ave.)
phobulous: Pho (109th St. and 87th Ave.)
Accent: a European style lounge/pub, very cozy, good schnitzel & some nice European beers
Packrat Louie (83rd Ave. and 104th St.)

Hope this helps!

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Packrat Louie
10335 - 83rd Ave, Edmonton, AB T6E 2C6, CA

Sorrentinos
4208 Calgary Trail South, Edmonton, AB T6J 6Y8, CA