Congratulations to Tu Le of Jack’s Burger Shack on winning Flavour Network’s Big Burger Battle! We were biting our nails watching it all unfold, but in the end Le brought the heat (and the beef) all the way to the finish line. Representing Edmonton and St. Albert against some serious competition from Montreal and the US, he kept his cool and brought his serious burger brilliance to impress judges Andrew Phung, Connie DeSousa, and George Motz, taking home the $25,000 prize, an all-inclusive vacay — and of course serious bragging rights. Le's already crowned ‘best burger in Edmonton’, and now the title is official: Tu Lee is Canada’s Burger King!
Calgary’s JinBar is revitalised and reinvented, with a new evening menu, new drinks list, and brunch at weekends. GM Amane Kanai is heading the team, so there’s now a sake list and sake cocktails (beautiful Rose-Ume Sake-Mosa at brunch!), and Head Chef Hyungjae Lim and Sous Chef Seulchan Eom are killing it in the kitchen with their expanded menu of modern pan-Asian cuisine. Fan favourites Fried Chicken, and Korean pizzas are still on offer, along with new must-try plates of Crispy Chicken Skin Chips, Salt & Pepper Crispy Mushrooms, Roasted Black Cod, and now sushi too, with a terrific salmon, ahi tuna, and tempura prawn Flame Roll! More treats await on the new weekend brunch menu: the excellent Bulgogi Rice Bowl, very generous Chicken Cutlet & Croffle (croissant waffle!) drizzled with honey butter and a side of potato wedges, and a craveable Smoked Pork Belly Benny. Hungry yet? 24 4 Street NE, closed Mondays, jinbar.ca
Edmonton Chef Andrew Fung has opened his newest restaurant! After launching sister restaurant XIX just last year, Fung has now unveiled Juu Ku — an intimate and refined space just steps from XIX, yet worlds apart in atmosphere and experience. Expect contemporary Japanese-, Chinese-, and Korean-inspired cuisine, with inventive dishes of Truffled Lamb and Prawn Shumai and Thai Red Curry Coconut Wontons, or try a few small plates - Crispy Sushi Bites and Sunrise Spicy Tuna Rolls – yes please! Seven days for dinner, and Friday-Sunday lunch. 5946 Mullen Way, juuku.ca
Edmonton’s Downtown Farmers' Market now has Entertainment District designation—meaning you can stroll along 104 Street with a drink in hand! With summer weather on the horizon and red tape finally unwinding, you can purchase beverages from participating businesses and sip while you shop and browse the market. Just a heads-up: any sealed liquor purchased from stores or vendors must stay sealed while you're on the block. Cheers to sunny strolls and local finds!
Roy’s Korean Kitchen is back! And very welcome it is too, particularly for those in and around Calgary’s Heritage Square. Tucked away in a peaceful corner of this beautiful, plant-filled, public atrium, Roy Oh, Anna Jeong, and their team are cooking up many of our fave snacks (those famous Fried Brussels Sprouts and Oxtail Tortellini!) as well as rice and noodle plates of Bibimbap, Mushroom Ramen Carbonara, and Mozzarella Kimchi Fried Rice, grilled short ribs… all outrageously good value, to sit and eat in this garden oasis or to take back to your desk. And there’s more – a market where you can buy freshly made soups, salads, kimchi, and banchan to eat at home. It’s a gorgeous space for corporate and private events – and it’s licensed too! 8500 Macleod Trail SE, 10-8 closed Sundays.
Bar Trove has opened in Edmonton! This passion project by Lauren Kyle—wife of Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid—is designed to transport you to the streets of Paris or London. Located in the Canada Permanent building downtown, Bar Trove is an elegant escape from the hustle and bustle, featuring expertly crafted cocktails, fine wines, and premium spirits, complemented by a selection of elevated bites. 10126 100 St NW, Tuesday-Saturday from 5 pm, bartrove.ca
Aura Cocktail Bar makes a bold debut on Edmonton’s Gateway Boulevard, with its confidently stylish interior and luxurious details — including a 600-pound gold ceiling and a shimmering jaguar mural. It’s perfect for late-night dates or post-dinner cocktails, with an expertly crafted menu featuring drinks like the “Japanese Heat” with togarashi-infused vodka, dry vermouth, and yuzu juice, and a decadent Tiramisu Cocktail. They clearly know how to mix something memorable. If you're feeling peckish, a variety of elevated small plates - fried Brussels sprouts, beef tartare, lobster dip, and more, are on offer. 3759 Gateway Blvd NW, 4–late, closed Monday. aurathecocktailbar.ca
Bodega Tapas Bar by Sabor has headed south, and opened a new Calgary location. And not before time – lucky Edmonton, until now you’ve had Christian Mena and Lino Oliveira and their seven northern properties all to yourselves! Now it’s Calgary’s turn to wonder at the eclectic, signature white wall and take a deep dive into the flavours of Spain. Choose from the extensive list of tapas (try Seared Scallops, Patatas Bravas, Boar Cheeks, Bacon-Wrapped Dates!) or one of many excellent rice dishes (the fabulous paella is huge!), grill plates, charcuterie, and beautiful fresh-baked baguettes. Daily features include six complimentary oysters on Sundays and three tapas on Tuesdays with a bottle of wine, and eight tapas and a bottle of wine for $88 on Thursdays! From 2 pm at 2204 4 St SW, closed Mondays. Resos recommended. bodegabysabor.ca
Calgary’s exclusive Sushi Jun is open upstairs at Ryuko South, and it’s an experience for all the senses. Omakase is one of the most special and memorable ways of dining, and it’s the focus of this new eight-seat, detail-oriented, restaurant concept. Watch Ryuko culinary director, Chef Jun Young Park, and Chef John Lee craft the 18 plates in front of you - it’s like theatre! Five delicate and beautifully prepared appetizers are the opening act, followed by nine precisely sliced sushi – some aged, dried for weeks, hay smoked, torched… it’s a mesmerizing performance – and you’ll learn, like we did, to eat them in one bite for the perfect proportion of fish to rice and seasoning! Then futomaki (gigantic sushi roll), a noodle dish, Ochazuke, dessert – and maybe surprise dishes added too! A timed playlist and optional curated sake pairings complete the experience, also in a smaller format for weekend brunch. Thursday-Sunday 5 and 7:30 pm, and weekends noon and 1:30 pm, reservations essential, 13200 Macleod Trail, ryuko.ca/omakase
Classic meets contemporary at Calgary’s new Lusi. Broken Plate owners, Ervin and Michelle Bushi, have opened this gorgeously refurbished restaurant (named for their children Luca and Sila) in the former Sauce space at 1772 33 Street SW. Along with Executive Chef Michael Scarcelli (ex-Vintage, Teatro, Modern Steak) they’re doing things differently with their deliciously modern takes on Italian classics. Whether an everyday meal or a special occasion in their 18-seat semi-private room, you’ll love this upscale, yet casual, menu, house-made, bronze die-cut pasta (gluten-free pasta too!) and the OO flour, minimum three-day ferment Napolitana-style pizza (crispy outside and soft centre!). Don’t miss the warm burrata with mostarda di Cremona, crispy battered calamari (so good it’s on the Broken Plate menu too!), and boar dishes (pappardelle and chop). 11-10pm, closed Mondays. lusiyyc.ca
Fine dining is back, and it’s kicked up several notches at Calgary’s new Gatsby’s. Exclusive and intimate, this tiny 24-seat, 20s-era restaurant, whispers opulence (you’ll be speaking quietly too) in The Oliver’s former Treno coffee/prosecco bar, at 524 10 Avenue SW, now decorated in black and gold. Stepping through the curtain you’re transported to a place of elegance, evident in every detail, from Kintsugi-style plates to the superlative personal service from GM sommelier, Jay Likely, and his team. Choose the 6-course (also offered vegetarian) or 9-course tasting menu, and a carefully curated Premium or Elite guided wine pairing – and prepare for an unforgettable culinary experience of the highest level. Chef de Cuisine Asher Wilson, ably assisted by Sous Anton Ksondzyk, take you on a sensory journey of exquisite regional specialties and optional add-ons too. Gatsby’s is also the only House of Hazelwood Keyholder in the country with a choice of two ultra-exclusive bespoke whisky flights to add to your luxurious experience! Reservations Recommended, Tuesday–Saturday 5–10pm, gatsbysyyc.com
