It’s been a long wait. For months, the signs have been posted that Eleven Eleven was coming soon. The Instagram account told us we just had to hang on a little longer. (Opening restaurants in Edmonton is not easy — I have yet to speak to a restaurateur who hasn’t spoken about long delays with inspections, paperwork and approvals).
But the doors are finally open, and Eleven Eleven promises a menu that is not a “show-off,” but that the dishes on offer are “flavourful and honest.”
I arrive on a December evening, and there’s already a couple of long tables that are packed, as co-workers are enjoying pre-holiday cheer.
The menu is expansive, with choices of pizzas, burgers and all the things you’d expect while you’re enjoying a beer or a cocktail.
Eleven Eleven has a list of spirits, wine and beer, but there is no cocktail menu. I am assured that the bar knows all the basics — so I order an Old Fashioned. I am nervous, because I’ve been to a lot of bars where the staff assure me they know what they’re doing and then I end up with whiskey and crushed ice, or something where the sugar overpowers the whole drink. So, I was surprised when I saw the torch at the bar, and the Old Fashioned came beautifully smoked, and really just the best way to start a post-work meal.
I decided to skip the vast pizza and burger menu and look at the entrees: And, feeling no remorse for pigs in general, I went with the pork medallions wrapped in bacon. If you’re going to eat the pig, you may as well go whole hog. (The person editing this piece is thinking about killing me right now, I assure you.) The medallions come nicely grilled, and are served on a large bed of apple-onion jam. You know how, when you have a turkey dinner, you find that the stuffing is the best part? Well, the jam is really good here… it’s a great accompaniment to the earthiness of the pork medallion and the salt from the bacon. The sides of roasted vegetables and garlic mashed potatoes make this feel more like a Sunday dinner than pub food.
Eleven Eleven
Downtown | 10309 100 Ave NW, Edmonton | 587.997.3311 | eleveneleven.bar
