This is a bit off of what I'l usually cover on here, but I feel it has to be mentioned as anyone who wants to explore the culture of the city may be interested.
Last night C.A. and I decided to go out to a roller derby match. It was not what we expected but still very interesting. I recommend anyone who reads this look it up!
There are 2 leagues in Edmonton that I know of, and I recommend getting in to a match some time.
E-Ville Roller Derby seem to do most of their stuff in the spare hanger at the Aviation Museum.
Oil City Derby Girls Do their thing at the Edmonton Sports Dome.
Only went to the sports dome, and they had the traditional small event stuff. Hamburgers, hot dogs, and beer. There was also a sweets table, and one full of merchandise. We did zero research before going and thankfully there was a kind woman to explain the finer details that we were missing.
Feeling like something different, C.A. and I decided to head over here, he had been a few times before and I'll admit I'm fairly uninitiated when it comes to Mediterranean food and hookahs.
Relax. I said hookahs, not hookers.
For those as out of the know as I was, they are essentially fancy water pipes (nee water bongs) originally meant to burn flavored tobacco, however federal regulations prohibit this luckily for me, so they use a tobacco free mix. My first try at a hookah was at Sahara just the other day with B., C.A., and a work mate of his. The taste is light and pleasant and compliments anything you happen to eat or drink.
On the note of eating and drinking, the first time I was here I think we ate everything on the menu, or something near to that. Everything was great, including the coffee and tea.
At one point B had dropped his fork, and before he could bend over and pick it up they had placed a new cutlery set on the table.
I'd recommend the place for group gatherings, and maybe dates.
Great Cocktails, a few common draft beers, and a different DJ for every day of the week. Went here on January 2 2015, a few hours after going to The Hat. Will visit again to try the food.
This is unfortunately a bar I didn't take detailed notes on, however I did have a few glasses of Whiskey Sour here. This was made the classic way, right down to the egg white.
The place has low light creating an intimate or subdued atmosphere to match its small dance floor and low impact music. Apparently on Thursdays they play rock and swing music. One thing that occurred to me is that Red Star may work well as a foil to the dance club next door, would be functional as a cool down area.
C.A. being the mixologist explained the various drinks he had, as being very good, almost the same quality as those from North 53. Unfortunately at the time neither of us planned on reviewing these places for anyone else but us, thus the details are lost to time. I can how ever say he was able to order an excellent Dry Martini.
The only staff we interacted with at the time was the bartender, and man did he know his stuff. He was even kind to a cocktail newbie like me. See I don't often drink cocktails, I've always been one for beer. Unfortunately I seem to have recently lost my taste for beer, and quite frankly wanted to develop a buzz that night.
The bartender was happy to aid in our quest to find new and exciting bars in the city, telling us a few places to go, and giving us the run down on a few places we mentioned interest in. Since the night was slow he hung out around us and joined in on our story telling. I'd say he'd make a good bar hopping companion.
They have food but the kitchen was closed by the time we arrived.
This is a case where the date may be a major player in our experience, we went Friday January 2nd 2015. Also the staff seemed pretty green.
I would like to note that we intend to visit again at another time.
Upon entering the bar we were quickly the only customers there, sitting at the far end of an extraordinarily long bar were the waitress and bartender, neither looked old enough to drink.
Our stay was rather brief and built a less than stellar opinion of the place.
Things looked bad almost right off the bat as the bartender seemed to have no interest in tending bar and told the waitress to look up and make the drink herself, promptly taking a smoke break (despite us being the only people in the bar). The drink ordered by C.A. was a Manhattan which he admits he failed to specify was not made the same as the house Jasper Ave. Manhattan made with Crown Royal Black, bitters, sweet vermouth, and Cragganmore Single Malt. We are willing to chalk this mistake up to the waitress not being a bar tender, and in general seeming new to the job.
The menu was pretty similar to what you find in all of the newer pubs, full of fusion food and quirky names. The only thing we actually ate was Mac & Cheese Maki Rolls which I could go into detail about but instead will describe as jalapeno poppers cased in deep fried Kraft Dinner. That's literal Kraft Dinner. I would have found them to be a delight at home, but not for $13.50 on a night out in downtown Edmonton.
The kitchen and service was rather slow, all the staff we saw spent all of their free time sitting at a table, eating, and buried in their cell phones.
This is the bar that actually inspired me to start writing notes on places I go to. That's how impressed I was with this place.
It has some of the best staff I've seen in Edmonton, and some pretty excellent service. The atmosphere is that of class, but they seemed accepting to less civilized people such as my friend C.A. and I.
I've been here twice. The First time on January 30th 2014 to scope it out for new years; C.A. and I had a rather pleasant conversation with one of the bartenders, who was glad to talk to us about the establishment and the owner. He seemed particularly enthused to find out that C.A. knows a thing or two about classic cocktails.
Most of the following started on the night of January 31th 2014
The place was packed except for a few seats at the bar, which worked well for us, we wanted the social experience.
I'm not much for cocktails, C.A. however had informed me at the time that North 53 may have served him some of the best drinks in the city. He sampled a number of their signature drinks however the one that stood out to him was the Smoke and Oak Fashioned, which involved oaken gin, maple syrup, orange bitters, orange oils, and legitimate wood smoke. I loved it when they made that, because we got the smell of burning wood with every order.
As the designated driver I can say that I was pleased to have something decent to drink for once, the Siberian Pineapple Express, at the time I didn't plan to start a blog so I didn't take notes, but I can tell you it was a very pleasant drink that I would get again on any night. Earlier on in the night I did allow myself a bottle of Analogue 78 which may be described as a very refreshing lager beer that comes from Phillips Brewing in Victoria, B.C.
When it comes to food, well the entrees seem a tad expensive, but for the most part the prices seem on par.
We were given a bowl of bar nuts due to some delay that we didn't even notice, don't let the name fool you these were unexpectedly delicious. After that our food arrived at just before midnight due to us ordering so late. C.A. received Rutabaga & Oxtail Tart and was kind enough to allow me a bite, lets just say that $13 seems very reasonable. I however got a Whole Fried Chicken for $50 and still consider it worth it. This may have been the best fried chicken I have ever eaten, I even ate all of the delicious garnish.
To describe the bar, it is a tiny place that has an excellent atmosphere for people who are looking to get out of the pub scene, unfortunately it seems to attract hipsters but they didn't seem feral, the staff dresses well, most of the customers are certainly not blue collar, and one thing I think more bars should have is a mirror over the bottles so you can see what's happening behind and around you (much better than starring at a wall of liquor). The music was kept at a sociable level and the songs were mostly of a soft steady beat which I can at best describe as chill-step, however the playlist seems to be a bit limited as I heard the same couple of songs I think twice over the night.
I was surprised to see a child or two there earlier in the night, but they weren't running around or screaming, I feel it is safe to say that this is not the norm.
I don't think this is the place for everyone, but I'd recommend those of you looking to change things up to head on over, maybe bring along a date?
