REVIEW | PICCOLINO BISTRO | EDMONTON

** This restaurant is now closed. **

Piccolino Bistro is a beloved neighbourhood institution. Located in an unassuming Parkview strip mall, Piccolino's has been slinging out Italian comfort food to a consistently packed house for years and years.

Because it's so popular, reservations are definitely a must, lest you risk being turned away or waiting for far too long. Bearing that in mind, we made a reservation a week in advance for a 6:00 seating on Friday for four. The only stipulation that they gave us was that we needed to vacate by 8:00 for the next table.

The reason we chose Piccolino's was to celebrate AL's birthday since it's her favourite restaurant. With Christmas and travel plans spreading our group in different directions, we had to celebrate rather early. Nonetheless, HAPPY BIRTHDAY AL!  (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

After about an hour's car journey through rush hour traffic and slick roads, I arrived surprisingly on time, quickly followed by AL who literally lives down the street (lucky her!). We were seated promptly in a booth, with KN and SC sliding in shortly after.

Though the dining area is loud and bustling, the dim lighting and small confines of the restaurant make it a cozy and intimate affair. Our waiter was friendly and personable, often making jokes and teasing us as if we were old friends.
 
(Also, please excuse the photo quality! We made do with lighting from our phones but it was still horrible shooting in such a dark setting. #firstworldproblems)

A plate of olive oil and balsamic vinegar was already set up on the table beforehand. A bread basket soon followed, featuring slices of a crusty French loaf. Since we were quick to polish it off, we were also given a refill of the bread.

AL, the birthday girl, ordered her favourite dish at Piccolino's, the fettuccine alfredo ($19.95). The dish is comprised of homemade fettuccine pasta and smoked chicken served in a cream sauce. I didn't try any, but AL was perfectly happy and content. No complaints here.

SC had a hard time choosing but ultimately ordered the fig pizza (12" for $24.00). The thin crust was topped with mascarpone, prosciutto, figs, shaved grana padano, a drizzle of honey, and lemon dressed arugula. SC really liked the addition of the creamy mascarpone, but thought that the combination of fig and honey made the pizza a bit too sweet for her taste.  

KN decided to get the stuffed chicken ($25.80), which was a chicken breast stuffed with prosciutto  ham, provolone cheese, and spinach, then topped with a green peppercorn demiglace. KN also decided to get a side of pasta in cream sauce in lieu of vegetables and potatoes. Overall, KN thought that the chicken was rich and tender, almost duck-like, with a nice crispy skin. The pasta however was average and a bit too heavy; she said she would have preferred getting the vegetables next time around. 

As for my dish, I ordered the pollo parmigiana ($24.80), which was a breaded chicken breast, topped with ham and mozarella cheese. I also got the side pasta, but with tomato sauce. First impression: holy batman, that's a lot of food! The picture really doesn't do the portion size justice, as I had more than enough leftovers for lunch the next day.

I thought the chicken had good flavour, but I wish the breading retained some crispness as the liberal serving of tomato sauce made things quite soggy. Overall, it was a decent meal, but nothing mind-blowing.

After our plates were quickly cleared away and packed into boxes, we decided on a couple of desserts to share. Although there's a small booklet of frozen gelato options, there's not really a formal dessert menu, as most of the choices were quickly rambled off by our server.

I doubt that any of the desserts are made in-house, except for maybe the tiramisu ($7.00). I'm not a huge fan of tiramisu, so I'm not the best judge, but I can tell with my bite that it was creamy and generously strong on the coffee. SC thought it was nothing special. 

We also decided to share a slice of the red velvet cake ($7.00). The cake was alright, a bit dense but not too sweet. We can't really judge a restaurant based on its restaurant supplier, can we? 


Despite being family-run and serving wholesome Italian comfort food, I didn't feel like Piccolino's is the type of restaurant that you can sit back and relax in. Even though I was notified over the phone that we had until 8:00, the whole dinner felt very rushed, almost like we were cattle being herded through. Before it was even 7:30, we were told that the next table had already arrived and that we would need to vacate. It wasn't that big of an issue as we were finished with our meals, but it just meant having to open birthday gifts and say our goodbyes relatively quickly.

If you're looking to spend quality time and savour your meal, I wouldn't suggest Piccolino's, but if you're just looking to carbo-load (like many an Oiler who are rumoured to frequent the restaurant), then you're definitely at the right place.

Piccolino Bistro

piccolinobistro.ca

9112 142 St NW

Edmonton, AB

(780) 443-2110 

- CT

REVIEW | SWISS 2 GO | EDMONTON

Swiss 2 Go is probably the quintessential definition of "diamond in the rough." The humble sandwich shop first opened in the Beverly neighbourhood before moving across the city to the west end. Flash forward to April of this year, they have teleported again, re-opening in their original stomping grounds on 118 Ave.

The neighbourhood can deter some from making the trek (just put on a brave face), but there's actually a lot of hidden gems to be found! With rave reviews and a 4.7 out of 5 rating on Zomato, expectations for Swiss 2 Go were unexpectedly high.

I actually drive past Swiss 2 Go regularly on my commute home during the week, as my workplace is just a few minutes away. On one Friday after work, I decided to stop by to pick up a late lunch. Unfortunately when I walked in, I was told that they were all out of bread, and that it'd be a 30 minute wait before a new batch of bread was done. Disappointed to say the least, but I made a vow to return.

I decided to try my luck and stopped by again on a Friday. This time, SUCCESS!

The store is quite big, with a large display case and counter where you place your order. There's a few tables and chairs on the perimeter of the restaurant, but I'd say it's more of a grab-and-go type of establishment. '2 Go' is in their name after all.

I decided to order two sandwiches, one for a late lunch and another for lunch the next day. Before I came, I knew I had to get the Italian bride, one of Swiss 2 Go's most popular creations (pictured is the regular for $7.99; a large is $9.99). Deemed one of Avenue Magazine's '25 Best Things to Eat in Edmonton' in 2013, the Italian bride has layers of Italian prosciutto, roasted red pepper, sun dried tomatoes, sliced Bocconcini, and fresh basil, all sandwiched between a homemade pretzel bun. The ingredients are finished off with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette.

The ingredients tasted fresh and the flavours indeed worked well together. My favourite inclusion was probably the basil, as it gave the sandwich a fresh, herb-y element amidst all of the other ingredients which were predominantly cured. The homemade pretzel bun, flecked with kosher salt, was also a strong showing, as it was dense and chewy with a nice, hard crust. By the middle of the sandwich, I did have to scrape off some of the kosher salt, as it was overwhelming the rest of the ingredients.

My second sandwich choice was the Thanksgiving (regular $7.99; large $9.99), which had smoked turkey, French Brie, romaine hearts, red pepper, mayonaisse, and mustard, again sandwiched between a homemade pretzel bun. This one was a bit more basic (I couldn't say no to brie!), but it was still well-prepared. I had it the next day and the ingredients still held up well.

I also couldn't leave without trying one of Swiss 2 Go's homemade desserts. There was a decent assortment in the display case, but I ended up choosing the green tea and mint cheesecake.

The cup was hefty and filled to the brim with a green tea cheesecake mousse and what I believe were biscuits, soaked in a mint-flavoured syrup. The green tea flavour was quite subtle, but the cheesecake mousse was creamy and smooth. I wish the biscuits were there to give some contrast in texture, but they softened up while soaking in the mint syrup I presume. 

Expectations were high going in, and I'm happy to say that expectations were met! The Italian bride is probably your best bet, but there's a ton of other sandwiches, soups, and salads to choose from, all crafted and hand-made with care. If you haven't already, go to Swiss 2 Go and get a sandwich (to go)! (A+ dad jokes. I'll be here all week.) ˘◡˘

Swiss 2 Go 

swiss2go.ca

4306 118 Ave

Edmonton, AB

(587) 520-9400

 

- CT

REVIEW | IHOP (NORTH) | EDMONTON

 

International House of Pancakes (more affectionately known as IHOP) is a slice of true Americana. The beloved chain made its way to Edmonton quite a while ago now, but until recently, I had never been. To me, it seemed like an overglorified Denny's, slinging out breakfast classics and simple comfort food.

That it is, only with a longer line to get in.

IHOP has two locations in Edmonton, one in the north and one in the south. The northside location is located in a newer strip mall extension in the Oxford neighbourhood. We went on a lazy Sunday, right after the Santa's Little Helpers Market, mid-afternoon between 3-4. There was no wait for us, but believe me when I say there would've been one if you had arrived a few hours earlier.

The dining room is large and clean, with an even mix of booths and tables. Despite the awkward dining time, there was still quite a number of customers also having "breakfast for dinner."

The menu is expansive, mostly focusing on a variety of breakfast classics and combos. Pancakes, waffles, french toast, you name it. Breakfast is served all day, with some lunch and dinner options to round it out. During the holidays, they're also featuring a seasonal menu with the likes of turkey dinner and pumpkin spice waffles.

My sister had a craving for mozzarella sticks ($7.99) so we got an order to share. Served with a side of marinara sauce for dipping, the mozzarella sticks were most likely frozen and from a package, but they did the trick anyhow.

Despite being in the international house of pancakes, I'm really not a huge fan of them (shock, horror!). I'm team waffle all the way.

As such, KN and I both decided to get one of their limited edition offerings, the chicken and pumpkin spice waffles ($13.99). The waffle is apparently made with real pumpkin, and it comes topped with pumpkin spice sugar, whipped cream, and candied pecans. The pumpkin batter gave the waffle a warm orange hue, but it didn't contribute much to the taste. It was more like a regular waffle with a hint of cinnamon if anything. The waffle also had a slight crisp to the outside, and a fluffy middle.

My plate was given two smaller portions of crispy chicken (as seen above), while KN's plate had one larger piece. The chicken was boneless white meat, and encased in a thick batter before being deep fried. Served with a container of honey mustard, the chicken was very crunchy since it was more batter than meat. Overall a hearty (and very beige...) meal.

KN also added on a side of hashbrowns ($2.99). The potato was shredded and then grilled on a flat-top until it was slightly browned. KN ate them up, but said she prefers hashbrowns of the cubed variety.

LT was apparently really hungry and decided on the  breakfast sampler ($12.99), which came with two eggs (over easy), two bacon strips, two pork sausages, two pieces of ham, hashbrowns, and two buttermilk pancakes. It's a good option if you wanted to try everything on offer. No complaints here.


Overall, IHOP is IHOP. The food is average, prices are okay, and service is friendly enough. Just don't expect too much, and you won't leave too disappointed.

IHOP (North) 

www.ihop.com 

15130 127 St NW

Edmonton, AB

(780) 371-3654

- CT

REVIEW | TASTY NOODLE | EDMONTON

 

Tasty Noodle is a large, modern Chinese restaurant located in the strip mall area off of Calgary Trail. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Tasty Noodle used to operate under the name Noodle Noodle, which was previously located in Chinatown across from Garden Bakery. I remember going to that restaurant when I was much younger, and my uncle even held his wedding reception there. Despite this newer location being open for a fair number of years now, I've never been due to the driving distance. It's hard living on the northside when everything seems to be on the opposite end of the city.

I've actually been sitting on this review for a while now since I felt very uninspired by my experience at Tasty Noodle. Summed up in one word, it was just very meh. There was certainly no urgency on my part to write about it; I prefer being positive, rather than a cynical critic.

The blue skies and lack of muddy snow is indicative of how long this post is overdue...

While my parents were away in Vancouver, effectively abandoning us to look after ourselves, my sister and I decided to go for dim sum at Tasty Noodle since we were in the neighbourhood checking out furniture at IKEA anyways.

When we walked in, the restaurant was bustling with activity. I'd say it was pretty much a full house, with an army of push-cart ladies and waitstaff with trays weaving through all of the tables and traffic. Always a good sign. Although on our visit, I did notice that we might have been only one of the handful of tables with actual Chinese people sitting down... maybe not a good sign after all?

A check sheet was placed on our table along with our tea of choice (chrysanthemum) while we waited for one of the push-carts to come by. Since it was only the two of us, we were limited in how many items we could order without pushing our gastrointestinal limits.

A staple dim sum item is har gaw, or imperial shrimp dumplings ($4.95) as it's listed on the menu. Taking up only half of the steamer, the dumplings were pretty small. The translucent wrapper was also a bit too thick and gummy for my taste.

The sui mai or minced pork shrimp dumplings ($4.95) are another dim sum staple. Looking back at the picture, they appear to be strangely pale. Other than that, it was probably the most decent thing that we ordered that day.

One of my favourite items to get is the chinese donut rice roll ($??). This version was quite disappointing as the rice roll was way too thick and gummy. The chinese donut was also over-fried and rock hard, where in an ideal world, I would be describing it as crispy outside and slightly chewy on the inside.

The deep fried shrimp dumplings with mayo sauce ($5.25) was next to come by. These were okay, but again, they came out looking a little pale. Most places also give a portion of four dumplings for a similar price, when these just came with three. I guess times are hard.

Last but not least, we got the shrimp rice roll ($??) for my sister since it's her favourite dim sum item. Similar to the chinese donut earlier, the rice roll wrapping was overly thick and gummy. The shrimp were on the small side, and while soy sauce was drizzled over top, the whole thing was a bit flavourless.


Closing notes: The decor is clean, which is rare for a Chinese restaurant, but it's not much of a redeeming quality if the food and service is subpar. Prices are also on the higher side (which I wouldn't mind paying) but sadly, the quality just wasn't there to justify it. Maybe their dinner menu is a different experience? Regardless, I'm okay with the fact that I live across the city, since I wouldn't go out of my way to come here again.

Tasty Noodle

tastynoodle.ca 

3203 Calgary Trail NW

(780) 422-6862

 


- CT

REVIEW | CONTESSA FRENCH MACARONS | EDMONTON

I have a love-hate relationship with macarons. Basically, I love to eat them, but I hate to make them (emphasis on the hate, clearly).

Since they're so delicate, they're super finicky to make, relying on precise measurements, skilled technique, and a whole lot of patience. Thankfully, there are more talented people out there who have perfected the art of macaron making, and all I have to do is open my mouth and enjoy them.  

Contessa French Macarons is a home business run by a local Edmontonian, Angelina Contini. Her macarons are available by order, for pickup at her west Edmonton residence.

When I found out she was going to be selling her goodies at the Santa's Little Helpers Market at River Cree Resort & Casino, I jumped at the chance to go. The event was held on November 15 from 10am to 5pm. Over 140 vendors were spread across two ballrooms, offering a selection of homemade art, clothing, jewelry, crafts, etc. For me, the main draw was definitely the food. Admission to get in was $2.00, with half of the proceeds going to the Christmas Bureau of Edmonton. 

Angelina had a selection of 12 different flavours on hand that day: pumpkin spice latte, London fog, pistachio, french toast, cinnamon bun, coconut cream, captain crunch, eggnog, caramel apple pie, chai tea, pear & pecan crumble, and bubble gum. She's constantly coming up with new flavours and rotating them in her repertoire! 

Macarons were $2.00 each, so a half dozen was $12.00 and a full dozen was $24.00. I ended up picking 6, which was a difficult task since all of the flavours sounded amazing.

Caramel apple pie

Chai tea

Pear & pecan crumble

Cinnamon bun

Captain crunch

Pumpkin spice latte

None of the macarons were overly sweet, which I appreciated. The shells were more delicate than the ones at Duchess, exhibiting a softer crunch and a more crumbly interior. I actually prefer these shells since they're not as chewy or stick-to-your-teeth like the ones at Duchess.

All of the flavours were also pretty spot on, with the Captain Crunch and caramel apple pie being my favourites of the bunch!

If you wish to make an order, you can check Angelina's Facebook and Instagram for more details, and email inquiries/orders at contessamacarons@gmail.com. She is such a sweet and amazingly talented lady who deserves your business!

- CT

REVIEW | OHANA-YA | ST. ALBERT

There are a grand total of three Japanese restaurants in St. Albert, those being Ohana-Ya, Yuzen, and Sushi Park. I've been to Sushi Park twice now (reviews here and here), and thought it was time to try something new to compare.

Ohana-Ya is located in a little strip mall, flanked by Booster Juice and Little Caesars. It's conveniently located off of St. Albert Trail, pretty much right after you enter the suburb from the city. It's also quite close to one of its competitors, Yuzen, who is pretty much a stone's throw across the street.

Since they're celebrating their sixth year anniversary, there's an online coupon on their website that you can print off for 10% off a $25 purchase (take out or dine-in) until the end of December.

My sister and I arrived on a Friday evening around 5:30, and the restaurant was about half-full with couples and families. It began to fill up more as the evening went on. 

Service was really eager and welcoming from the get-go. In the span of 5 or so minutes, one server sat us, another offered us drinks to start, and then another came by to take our order. A couple of them checked in with us during our meal, but as the restaurant got a bit more busy, service became a bit absent as we waited for our bill and the credit machine.

We were seated in a small two-top, tucked right in the corner of the sushi bar. Embarassingly enough, we may have ordered a bit too much food, prompting the waiter to combine our table with the neighbouring two-seater. No shame though.

The first dish to arrive was the prawn tempura ($11 for 5 pcs). A decent renditon, though the batter was a bit too thick for my taste. I would describe the batter as more gloopy (perhaps too much flour mixed in?), rather than flaky and crispy, two characteristics that I look for in a good tempura.

My usual litmus test at a Japanese restaurant is their ika yaki ($11.00) or bbq squid. Ohana-Ya serves theirs whole, with a ginger sauce and a lemon wedge. I was a bit disappointed as the squid had no char flavour; it was just overcooked and rubbery. The ginger sauce also had no flavour, making the whole dish pretty bland.

The next item we ordered was the chef's choice sashimi ($27.00), which comes with 18 pieces. There was a good variety of fish on offer. Clockwise from bottom left: tuna, salmon, toro, sockeye salmon, hamachi, surf clam, scallop, and red snapper. This was probably the highlight of the meal, as all of the different cuts were decent and fresh.

Onto the rolls! Ohana-Ya has three pages of their menu specifically dedicated to rolls. There's even a section dedicated to fully cooked rolls, for those uninitiated into the raw side of things.

We decided on the kamikaze roll ($11) which is a spicy chopped scallop roll with tempura crumbs sprinkled around the outside. The scallops were quite good, packing a nice heat, but the rice lacked the distinctive vinegary taste of sushi rice. It was a bit strange considering that they're known for their rolls.

We also ordered the fire dragon roll for my sister (half order $11.00) which had salmon, onion, and red pepper. The whole roll is fried in tempura batter, and then topped with a spicy mayo sauce and fish roe. Not my sister's favourite rendition either, as she didn't like the sharpness of the raw onion. Most sushi restaurants use green onion which lends a more fragrant taste.

Overall, Ohana-Ya was just okay. It wasn't terribly offensive, but it wasn't amazing either. Somewhere in the middle of the road. Their prices are also on the higher side, with the meal for 2 coming in around $70+, which wasn't reflective of the quality at all.

Unfortunately I don't think I'd return, unless I was in the area during the weekday to try their ramen lunch special which people seem to dig. But until I get to try Yuzen, Sushi Park has my vote in St. Albert.

Ohana-Ya

 www.ohana-ya.com

2 Hebert Rd #224

St. Albert, AB

(780) 459-8355

- CT