Tasty Bites Around Town

By Diana Stabel

Chop Steak Fish Bar
Attached to the Sandman Hotel West Edmonton, chop Steak Fish Bar, with its earthy, neutral tones and timeless, uncomplicated design, is an upscale yet approachable new restaurant with a menu that adds flair to familiar favourites using only the freshest of ingredients. In fact, as much as possible, all ingredients are made in-house including the bread, salad dressings and even the ice cream. All seafood is imported fresh, all meat freshly ground, and all chop steaks are hand cut, aged a minimum of 28 days and selected only from Certified Angus Beef. To accompany the fabulous menu, which includes the ever popular Stuffed Gorgonzola Filet, chop features one of the finest and most reasonably priced wine lists in the city. Some wines are exclusive to Alberta, such as the Dr Loosen Riesling from Germany. Not to be missed is the Eighteen Layer Chocolate Cake!

New Asian Village
Providing traditional Indian cuisine, New Asian Village has been a mainstay on the Edmonton restaurant scene since its beginnings over 20 years ago. Now with a third new location on the city’s south side, featuring 6,000 sq. ft., one of the largest Indian buffets in Edmonton, and attractive antique furniture, kitchenware, and decorations all brought over from India, New Asia Village has proven that it is here to stay. The large menu now features a selection of vegetarian options on top of the many variations of lean meat dishes. Marinated in yogurt and spices, the trimmed portions of beef and chicken are then placed on five foot long skewers and slowly cooked at 700 and 800 degrees in a Tandoor oven, causing any residual fat to be seared off. One of New Asian Village’s most popular dishes is the Shahi Butter Chicken, but bear in mind that no meal is complete without sampling at least one of the 20 varieties of Nan bread, including the flavoursome Coconut Nan bread. If beer is something you desire, you will struggle choosing just one from the approximately 200 types of bottled beers offered. And of course, Marsala Chai Tea is a highly recommended and delicious addition to any meal.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Brand new to Edmonton, Ruth’s Chris Steak House is located in the heart of downtown on the main floor of Edmonton’s World Trade Centre building. A sizzling American franchise, with more than 80 locations worldwide, a visit to Ruth’s Chris will leave you satisfied in more ways than one. Not only do they specialize in fine steaks, U.S. Prime Steak to be specific, but this highend restaurant also prides itself on its market fresh seafood, its vegetarian options and an uncompromising quality of service.

Best New Restaurant of 2006
If you’re in the mood for some comfort food, but still want to try something a bit different, Delux Burger Bar, winner of WHERE’s Best New Restaurant of 2006, is known for approachable yet inventive fare as evident in such culinary treats as the lobster nachos. The house specialty is the Delux Burger and can be enjoyed with a selection from the fabulous drink menu which features beer from 17 different countries, wine from seven different countries, along with original martinis and cocktails. For children, or simply those who are young at heart, french fries, sweet potato fries, and Stella Artois battered onion rings are served in miniature grocery carts equipped with wheels, a concept that plays on the French notion of “à la carte.” Also the delectable Delux Donuts, fresh mini donuts, dusted with cinnamon, and served with a duo of dipping sauces are ideal for the kid in us all.

WHERE Listings Editor Diana Stabel regularly dines out in Edmonton, her frequent and varied culinary travels throughout the city, as well as Europe and North America, having turned her into somewhat of a food, wine (and coffee!) connoisseur.