For a long time, 101st Street north of 104th Avenue has been screaming for love. There’s lots of vacant spots, and, for the few businesses that are open, we have to bear the unwelcome-but-necessary sight of iron fencing and roll shutters, advertising the fact that you’re not in Edmonton’s most walkable area.
But it is changing: Next to the EPCOR Tower, the Station Lands development is taking shape, and residents are expected to move in later this summer. Rogers Place is so close, you’d be able to hear the cheering fans in the ICE District. And, at the corner of 105th Avenue and 10st Street, you’ll find One01 Bistro, which opened about a month ago. It has a lounge on one side, restaurant on the other, and it serves entrees and snacks influenced by cuisines throughout Asia. Snack on squid, Taiwanese popcorn chicken or fried tofu bits and drink beer while watching the game in the lounge, or go there for a noodle or rice bowl for lunch. And, yes, it’s got bubble tea, too. But, this is a restaurant opening that’s more than a restaurant opening; it could be the bellwether when it comes to the hopes and dreams many of us have for this neighbourhood — that new businesses will thrive, that the area north of Rogers Place will eventually fill in with new residents and and offer those residents many things to do and eat.
I ordered the Japanese Curry Udon, and it’s a hefty bowl of rice noodles with a curry that’s not too spicy. It comes with either pork cutlet or chicken — I chose the latter. It’s sliced up, covered in panko and then served atop a bed of noodles and green sauce. And, there’s some cooked-just-right carrots and potatoes to make it even more substantial. It’s a filling lunch, and there was enough left over for a snack later in the day.
As someone who wants to see our city thrive, I hope One01 succeeds. It’s got the food, it’s got the menu — and, if you’re moving into Station Lands, you may have your first local.
One01 Bistro
Central McDougall | 10508 101 St NW, Edmonton | 780.760.7788
