Page 36 - Demo

BEST
BEST OVERALL
3.
UCCELLINO
There is something both hip and harmonious about eating at Uccellino. Even on an unremarkable working Wednesday, the dining room is at capacity before 6 p.m. as people sitting at the rows of several dozen tables all clink glasses, plates, and chatter in unison.
The vibe is urban and cosmopolitan — the staff wear cool sneakers, the speakers chime out chill jazz music, and the lighting is soft and muted.
While I meditate on the ambience, I hardly notice the server deliver my food, but the aroma of fresh parmigiana and black truffle vinaigrette from the Beef Carpaccio demands my attention. And in the spaghetti, every flavour — fresh mint, zesty chillis, and pink prawns
far too fresh for landlocked Edmonton — is heard loud and clear. —LIAM NEWBIGGING
● 10349 JASPER AVE.
● 780-426-0346
● CORSO32GROUP.COM/UCCELLINO
When describing chef Andrew Fung, it’s hard to pigeonhole him with a specific style or cuisine. XIX’s menu, in either the St. Albert or south-side locations, take from Italian, Japanese, French and North American comfort foods. The menu is like a tour of the world, where your table can share arancini featuring kimchi and finished with a sweet wasabi gel.
Or, enjoy pressed salmon sushi and baked escargot. We’ve seen many restaurants try for wide-reaching menus, and fail. But Fung pulls this off seam- lessly; XIX was on our Best Overall list in 2023, and defends its spot in ’24. —S.S.
● 5940 MULLEN WAY; #104, 150 BELLEROSE DR., ST. ALBERT
● 780-395-1119; 780-569-1819
● DINENINETEEN.COM
5.
THE BUTTERNUT TREE
According to the The Butternut Tree website, Chef Scot Downey spent
10 years on a global food-seeking adventure before returning to Edmonton in 2017. We don’t know exactly where he went, but the flavours he brought back are delicious — and come entirely from Canada.
The Ahi Tuna, with avocado and cucumber on ginger tapioca chips, makes a great appetizer. The Brome Lake Duck Breast, swimming in wine- soaked cherry jus, is more hearty.
But our favourite part is the Crème Brûlée (with Canadian alpine berry tea). A bit of a cliché dessert order? Maybe. But as we crack the crust and scoop up the flavourful filling while gazing out the windows to a wintery Constable Ezio Faraone Park, it’s the perfect palate cleanser to cap off a wonderful night. —C.S.
● #101, 9707 110 ST. NW
● 780-760-2271
● THEBUTTERNUTTREE.CA
36 EDify. MARCH•APRIL.24
RESTAURANTS
4.
XIX
NINETEEN