Alta Bistro, Whistler

Near the heart of Whistler, this skinny restaurant is a popular location. Reservations recommended.

Alta Bistro

#104-4319 Main Street, Whistler, BC

Date: July 31, 2011
Occasion: BC road trip

Ambiance: long and skinny restaurant with limited dining space. The definition of moderne.

Service: attentive and hilarious!

Drinks: Great house-imagined cocktails served with flair. Mr CDW enjoyed Endless Summer while Mrs CDW enjoyed a bit of liquid Bergamot- yummy.

Ordered (and shared) two of the three-course set menus plus dessert.
1st course:
Soup - butternut squash with coconut and ginger. Velvety, with potent ginger - very good.
Charcuterie - cured duck breast, lonza, block garlic saucisson, bresaola. Chutney was awesome. And an amazing pate with cranberry crustini.
2nd course:
Prawn cocktail with advocate-lime sorbet - interesting texture, like gelato. Shrimps were fantastically prepped. Cocktail sauce matched perfectly. Luscious.
Beef carpaccio with frizze salad and cheeses. Cheddar almost overwhelmed the beef but it really stands up.
3rd course:
Chicken - cooked perfectly. Right balance of herbs - didn't overwhelm the chicken. Paired well with mini ratatouille and mash.
Lamb ribs - lovely with a nicely salted pomme. Salad was extra.
Dessert:
Chocolate cake - cherries were good. Very flavourful, nicely poached. Homemade ice cream and toasted almonds.
Creme brulee duo - 2nd is chef's crazy idea(!) was a mini mint. Tasty. Shallow brulee - more sugar would've been good.

Price: $$$$.

Overall: Another recommendation if you're in the region. Or drop in for a cocktail made by their fabulous staff!



alta bistro's menu when we visited



corso 32, Edmonton

An exciting new restaurant - on Jasper Ave by 104th Street - the hottest area downtown.

corso 32
10345 Jasper Ave., Edmonton

Date: May 29, 2011
Occasion: family birthday dinner

Ambiance: Long and skinny makes for interesting table arrangements. From our angle we could see into the kitchen. Enjoyed watching Chef Costa in action. Interesting yet simple decor and lighting.

Service: Decent; although it wasn't busy as we were on the early side.

Drinks: the 2007 Sur de Los Andes malbec reserve was tasty and complemented.

Appies: Shared the special house cured Proscetto de Parma - subtle flavouring, figs were so gorgeous and brought out the flavour of the meat. Arugula Fennel salad - light dressing, maybe needed a little more fennel.

Mains:
Mrs CDW had to try the Rabbit Special - beautifully breaded, juicy with grilled spring onions and fresh lemony sauce. Mr. CDW gave into the hand made Pagatelli with Short Ribs - nice, rich and tasty.  Guest 1 raved about the Halibut - tasted fresh and light. Guest 2 found the Flat Steak flavourful.

Dessert: How could we say no to fresh Zeppole with limoncello (always can use more limoncello...) - so yummy. The guys enjoyed Pistachio & olive oil cakes but also wanted a share in the ladies' zeppole.

Price: $$$. Not outrageous and appropriate from someone with a passion that shows in the food.

What more should we say. Was a curious mix of guests, from the regulars/ maybe off-duty staff? at the front table, to the young couple in jeans, to the older table with a tie. Good food for everyone... using local ingredients... means Top 5. Reservations needed.

Wildflower Grill, Matrix Hotel, Edmonton

We are always searching for that ultimate fav restaurant. Found a few top 5s over the years. Found one to add to the Top 5 last night. Great service, amazing food, lovely atmosphere. All around 4 thumbs up.

Wildflower Grill
http://wildfloweredmonton.com/
location: At the Matrix Hotel
10009 –107 Street NW   Edmonton
Executive Chef: Nathin Bye (Also of L'Azia, formerly Harvest Room) This guy is 27 and seriously ambitious. Stop at tables demonstrated his passion about food.

Date: Saturday, November 21, 2010
Occasion: Mrs. CDW and Guest 1 birthdays
We made reservations for 4 earlier in the week and found they were pretty booked, only 5pm and 8:30pm open. So we booked at 5pm and were asked if it was okay that they had another booking at that table at 8pm. Thinking 3 hours would be more than enough, we reserved. Were out of there with 20 min. to spare - nothing to do with service, we took our time deciding as so many choices sounded good.

Love it when you feel like you're in good hands at a restaurant. Friendly service and seeming camaraderie between staff made you feel like you were among friends. Knowledgeable friends. Server, Ryan, took care of us.

The food:
Comps: Amuse-bouche to start. Then homemade brioche (wow, talk about melt in your mouth!)
Mr. CDW: Tomato Chipotle Soup (substitute for special) - made mistake of tasting tomato on own which was fantastic, stiring pepers in it made it spicier and while really good, was thinking tomato on own would have been even better. Entree-Bison Tenderloin - cooked perfectly, savory bread pudding was amazing. Dessert- Berries briar patch cheesecake - so light, which was good after a rich filling dinner, incredibly fresh berries to garnish.
Mrs. CDW: Appy-Pork Belly (special) - pureed parsnips were incredible, glaze on pork was tasty and pork was ridiculously falling apart in my mouth. Entree-Lamb $40- didn't notice pomegranate glaze, but lamb cooked lovely med-rare, kitchy but yummy mini fondue was a nice touch to dip accompanying veg. (No carrots! Love chefs who branch out). Dessert-Lemon Souffle Pudding - also light and not overly sweet, little additions were great, fantastic sorbet and love the meringue (left it till the end - the perfect way to finish the meal). Coffee - ok - I don't say a lot about coffee, but for $4 I expect good - didn't anticipate personal french press with raw sugar and warmed cream.
Guest 1: Tomato Chipotle Soup. Beef Tenderloin & Lobster. Pain Perdu.
Guest 2: Potato Gnocchi. Chicken Supreme. Lemon Souffle. Coffee.

The wine: Malivoire's Lady Bug Rose from Niagra region, Ontario. Crisp and fresh for a blush - very drinkable. Summerhill Brut from Kelowna, BC. Deep bubbles and pale gold colour.

Specials: Try their specials. Have had for lunch - fantastic. Had special appy - awesome.
Food issues: Overhead Exec Chef chatting with other diners with specialty food needs and was very accommodating.

Price: $$$$ So without drinks/coffee and considering there were 4 of us. Before tip: $245.

Not something for everyday; however, highly recommended for a special occasion. We will be bringing guests here in the future.

Manor Bistro, Edmonton

This has been a long time favourite of CDW. We have returned several times over the years; however, the info below is from visits in 2002 and 2005.

The Manor Casual Bistro
http://themanorbistro.com/
10109 125 Street, Edmonton

July 30, 2002; September 28, 2005
Occasion: anniversary dinner, before show at Winspear Centre

Ambience: Large house behind Jasper Ave/124 St. bend. Gorgeous balcony in the summer. Cozy inside and upstairs.
Wine: house white, Australian Chardonnay, 6/10. Cocktails - martinis are fun and tasty, 7/10.
Appy: CDW shared crab & shrimp risotto cakes - yummy! 7/10. Mr. CDW-butternut squash soup-deep flavour, good 8/10, Mrs. CDW-risotto cakes-have had before, fantastic! 9/10.
Entrees: Mr. CDW-Pork tenderloin (a speciality = always excellent choice), Mrs. CDW-lamb (too much!). Mr. CDW-Schnitzel-ok, nothing to write home about but tasty spatzle overcooked 7/10, Mrs. CDW-pork roast-maybe a little overdone, potatoes in cake, variety of veggies 7/10.
Desserts: Mr. CDW-cheesecake. Mrs. CDW-creme brulle

Price: $$$. Casual but fine.

2002: Happy the food and service was as good as we remembered. Will come back on a nice summer evening for dessert and coffee on the patio. Cozy corners upstairs are a fun option. Look forward to returning.
2005: Good service as alwasy. Food was overall okay, disappointed entrees not up to regular level.