May was really picking up steam as one of the go-to places on the Edmonton food scene when the news came at the end of 2022 that it was pulling up the stakes on its location inside the Art Gallery of Alberta.
Well, May is back — on 124th Street, in the spot formerly occupied by Canteen. We decided to take a staff field trip to May for brunch, which is served Wednesday-Sunday till 3 p.m.
And, wow, were the three of us impressed.
Let’s start with my order — I got the Maple Rosemary Sausage, which is sourced from Fuge Sausage. It’s served with the house potatoes, which are dusted in paprika (which spoke to my Hungarian sensibilities). The sausage is earthy, dense and isn’t overpowered by the flavourings. The maple and the sage are subtle — and the potatoes perfectly soak up the little bits of grease I leave behind when I cut into the link.
Our editorial intern didn’t shy away from the chance to live large (I think he has a future). He got the “Cornbread,” which is the menu understatement of the year. It’s cornbread covered in poached eggs, peameal bacon and hollandaise. He said the accompanying chimichurri sauce was excellent, and complimented the creaminess of the hollandaise sauce more than once.
The assistant editor went with one of three sandwiches on offer. He could have gone for the bison or the sweet potato options, but he chose the Buttermilk Chicken Thigh, which is topped with candied jalapeño peppers. He said that the chicken was tender, and boy, is it a big sandwich. He left half for “lunch tomorrow.” So, don’t think that just because May wants to elevate the level of the cuisine, you’re going to get small portions with just a smear of sauce here and a side that’s done in one bite.
When the server brings our tab, it’s clipped to a packet of wildflower seeds. She explains that the restaurant wants customers to take them home so they can grow more habitats for the bees that are so important to our ecosystem. I see it this way — that May will do anything to generate some buzz.
Yes, I ended an article with a dad joke.
May
Westmount | 10522 124 St NW, Edmonton | 780.438.6880 | restaurantmay.ca
