1. CORSO 32
What is there to say about Corso that hasn’t been said already – by the Edmonton Journal, by Air Canada’s enRoute, even by Avenue when we crowned Corso the top Edmonton restaurant of 2012? The intimate seating, the minimalist decor, the dedication to fresh ingredients and the devotion to simple, homestyle cooking have all become rote in food blogs and foodie conversations alike. More amazingly, the menu hasn’t become stale because Corso has managed to maintain a balance between consistency and change. The change comes from an ever-shifting menu based on head chef and owner Daniel Costa’s experimentation with simple taste combinations, while its consistency comes from knowing that no matter the dish, it will taste like something you’ve never tried before. And so, like seasons that shift but remain the same year after year, Corso remains as refreshing as a summer in Tuscany. It also has made its way into our Italian category, which should go without saying, as well as our service category. The reason Corso can find itself at the top of a list of disparate styles of food (how does one really compare an Italian bistro with a steakhouse or fine French dining?) is because it confidently explains how we should be eating. And, after two years at the top, I think we’re all listening. –Caleb Caswell
10345 Jasper Ave., 780-421-4622, corso32.com
Runner-Up: THE MARC
The Marc merges both casual and formal. With the clean, black and white decor and attentive-yet-not-stuffy service, it’s both a place you can go with coworkers after a tough day at the office, or a great spot for a long, romantic dinner. You can wear a suit, or you can wear jeans. But the attention to detail and technique is what makes dinners at The Marc so memorable. Duck breasts are perfectly cooked; the scallops with the potato and cauliflower puree are decadent, and no one makes a better order of steak frites in the city. The steak tartar is tangy and rich all at the same time. Servers are knowledgeable about wine pairings. Somehow, owners Patrick and Doris Saurette managed to keep all of the French flair, but conveniently lost the hubris that usually goes with it.-Steven Sandor
9940 106 St., 780-429-2828, themarc.ca