··Red Ox Inn
One of Edmonton’s premier fine-dining establishments, the Red Ox Inn offers a simple menu with exquisite and elaborate presentations. The dishes offered change seasonally, and reservations are required, as it’s a small and busy place. 9420-91 St., 780.465.5727, theredoxinn.com, $$$$$
··Rge Rd
Chef Blair Lebsack was one of the early adopters of the local food movement, and this rustic but modern restaurant has been bringing diners local produce and meals using the whole animal since it opened. The food changes constantly based on what’s inseason, but if you’re adventurous, try something from the “questionable bits” menu, which features off-cuts and offal. 10643-123 St., 780.447.4577, rgerd.ca, $$$$
··Solstice Seasonal Cuisine
As the name might imply, this modern restaurant’s menu changes with the seasons, using local and in-season ingredients. The food is beautifully prepared and served in a warm, modern dining room. 10723-124 St., 780.488.4567, solsticefood.com, $$$$
··Vintage Fork
Located in the old brick mansion that the Rutherford family moved into back in 1911, Vintage Fork hopes to carry on the family recipes. The menu features some of the items the Rutherford’s would have enjoyed
such as organic salmon to the era’s most popular dish, the chicken pot pie.
11153 Saskatchewan Dr., 780.427.4113, $$$$
··Wildflower Grill
While Wildflower’s lunch menu is a little more traditional, for dinner this sleek, modern restaurant gets a little more avant garde with foam-topped scallops and artfully arranged entrées. A popular spot for special occasions or dates with someone you’d like to impress. 10009-107 St., 780.990.1938, wildfloweredmonton.com, $$$$
··XIX Nineteen
With two locations—one in Terwillegar and the other in St. Albert—XIX Nineteen offers high-end dining in a casual atmosphere. The dining room menu is internationally inspired, with hoisin-glazed short ribs, chimichurri lamb and scallop caci e pepe. The lounge offers elevated pub fare (try the Irving farm pork belly bun) and craft cocktails. 5940 Mullen Way, 780.395.1119, dinenineteen.com, $$$$$
··Zinc Restaurant
Part of the Art Gallery of Alberta, Zinc offers a modern dining experience meant to complement the museum’s art collection. Chef David Omar’s elevated classic menu offers seasonal dishes made with local ingredients and beautiful presentations. 2 Sir Winston Churchill Sq., 780.392.2501, zincrestaurant.ca, $$$$$
- French ··Almanac
Located on Whyte Avenue, this intimate spot offers a blend of French cuisine and pub classics, drawing heavily on the traditions of down-to-earth “peasant” dishes. Try the beef daube stew or mushroom ragu for a warm pick-me-up on a cold day. 10351-82 Ave., 780.760.4567, almanaconwhyte.com, $$$
··Café Bicyclette
This café-style eatery is part of Edmonton’s La Cité Francophone, and offers fully-bilingual service alongside French-style tartines and crèpes. Try the croque-monsieur, a traditional French grilled cheese sandwich served with ham, Gouda and topped with béchamel sauce. 8627-91 St., 587.524.8090, $$$
··Chartier
Along Beaumont’s main street is Chartier, a restaurant that takes visitors on an elevated, rustic tour of French-Canadian favourites. 24
The tourtiere is divine and their beef bourguignon warms the heart. If you become addicted to their bread (and you will), Chartier offers a bread window year round.
5012-50 St., Beaumont, 780.737.3633, $$$$
··Gini’s Restaurant
Gini’s offers French fine dining in a casual atmosphere—try counting the number of Eiffel Towers you can spot on the walls while you’re there. A fine place to give escargot a try, or order the three-to-six-course menu. 10706-142 St., 780.451.1169, ginisrestaurant.ca, $$$$
··La Boheme
Occupying a historic 1912 building, La Boheme offers a romantic atmosphere—plus elegant rooms upstairs, since it’s technically a bed and breakfast. The lounge and dining room have separate menus—give both the charcuterie platter and lamb stew a shot. 6427-112 Ave., 780.474.5693, laboheme.ca, $$$$$