Two years ago, this St. Albert pizzeria, launched by the Rago family of Sorrentino’s fame, finished second overall in our Best New category. The pizza is still top-notch (and what family doesn’t love to share pizza?), but Buco has also added a family-style Italian brunch on the weekends. The portions are large and are good for sharing, but my 10-year-old son did not want to share the Italian French Toast, as he raved about the blackberry/raspberry sauce and the vanilla chantilly cream. Eggs Benedict – with such options as salmon and short rib – are served on pizza crusts, an original take on a staple. And, to make the kids feel extra special, there’s a great fancy “mocktails” selection, including the Virgin Bellini that features peach puree slush with added cherry flavours, or a lemon sorbetto and soda mix. The Buco experience will soon move inside Edmonton’s city limits. Look for new locations in EPCOR Tower and Windermere. -Steven Sandor
As this is the family-dining category, I’ll do the proper parenting thing and look to my kids for advice, rather than playing the role of an adult telling another adult what their kids should like. We went for a family dinner at Ragazzi for my birthday, and this worked out well because my son says this is his favourite pizza in the city, a fact backed up by Ragazzi’s many past appearances in our former Best Pizza category from years past. My kids swear by the simple margherita or the Godfather’s Choice, with capicola and prosciutto. – Steven Sandor
When one evening’s bill of the Edmonton Folk Music Festival was cancelled last year due to inclement weather, the owners of Juniper kept their doors open late for those suddenly without plans – after all, their customers are like family. The room is spacious with large tables and lots of room for strollers, and there are unfussy menu options for little ones like grilled cheese, a “charcuterie” plate with veggies, crackers and cheese, and waffles. Adults can indulge in upscale cafe fare like eggs Benedict with homemade Hollandaise on a Portuguese bun and a steak sandwich on homemade focaccia bread. -Breanna Mroczek
