It’s hard enough to do one thing really well in life, let alone two. But Fu’s Repair Shop’s prowess both behind the wok and the bar prove it’s up to the challenge.
The recipient of heaps of praise for its god-given gastronomy, the dim sum and noodle house is also a guru when it comes to mixology. With 12 signature cocktails on the menu, including the chili-infused Return of the Dragon and the wasabi-rimmed Wasabi Sazerac, the menu is steeped in all the style and flair on which Fu’s has built its rapidly rising reputation.
For me, it’s the Fist of Fu followed by a Soju bomb that really gets the night started. — Jesse Cole
Fu’s Repair Shop
Downtown | 10524 Jasper Ave, Edmonton | fusrepairshop.ca
My first experience with Baijiu was with the liquor, not the restaurant. My godfather gifted me a bottle of Wu Liang Ye, and taking shots with my cousins has been a family tradition. So, when I walk into Baijiu the restaurant, I know it’s going to become a tradition, too.
The cocktail bar and its speakeasy sister, Little Hong Kong (IYKYK), are the dominant chill spots for boozy imbibing, drawing crowds from across demographics — from Vans-wearing hipsters to the jersey-clad Rogers Place goon squads and everything in between. And its neon-hued, hip-hop-infused barroom is where, with over 200 bottles from which to choose, servers conjure up some of Edmonton’s most unique drinks with a mixology adeptness that borders on the alchemical. My go-to is always Baijiu’s signature shot, Remy Martin and green tea, followed by the Last Days in Vietnam, a bold mix of Remy, Korean Soju, Fino sherry, soursop, lime, lemongrass and Thai basil. — Jesse Cole
Baijiu
Downtown | 10359 104 St. NW, Edmonton | baijiuyeg.com
Our office isn’t far from Clementine. When it first opened, I hoped it would do well enough to remain open but stay under the radar enough to feel like our secret spot. But, the secret’s out, and we probably take some blame for that.
And while the food menu has expanded over the years, you come to Clementine for the cocktails.
The happy hour menu’s divided into “Shaken” and “Stirred” categories containing all the classics (Martini, Old Fashioned, Negroni, Margarita, Daiquiri). And we’re currently partial to the Zookeeper (Bengal tea-infused scotch, Amaretto, banana, lemon, orange and egg white) on the main menu. But it changes too. So, now that the secret’s out, come find out what they’re mixing. We’ll see you there. — Cory Schachtel
Wîhkwêntôwin | 11957 Jasper Ave, Edmonton | 780.756.4570 | barclementine.ca
This article appears in the Mar/Apr 2024 issue of Edify
