Late Valentine's Date @RGE RD
T-minus two weeks till Valentine’s Day: my girlfriend and I were browsing through Avenue Edmonton magazine, Best Restaurants 2015, trying to find the perfect Valentine’s Day restaurant to go to. Ranked 2nd in best steak (as we already been to The Marc already), we decided to give RGE RD a go. Unfortunately, for Valentine’s Day, two weeks booking wasn’t enough notice, we went for the closest Friday instead.
We got half lost on our way to RGE RD, the exterior of the building did not look like a restaurant at all. It was located kind of near Duchess Bake Shop (which we also went to on the same trip), RGE RD was hidden in plain sight with only a small billboard above its restaurant.
We got there a bit early (well 20 mins early and we just sat in the car), but once we decided to go in, my girlfriend and I were greeted by extremely friendly staff members and we were intrigued about the distinct aroma in the air as we were seated at our table. Everything, the food smelled amazing. When I booked the table online, we indicated that we wanted to try out the RGE RD Trip, it is a multi-course meal and according to our server, it changes almost every day (it was $79 each person with the option of beverage paring for $50+ each more). We opted out of the beverage paring but I ended up getting Wards Picker’s Hut cider. I didn’t read the beverage menu too closely, so when the drink came, the cider bottle was actually quite big (650 ml) and the taste was very light - I enjoyed it.
Starter
The first course that came out was bread with a chicken liver mousse spread on it and some mushrooms on the side. I don’t remember what type of mushrooms it was, but it was small and tasty. The liver was actually a big surprise to my girlfriend. She hates liver… but after eating it, she wanted more. It was a very good starter.
Appetizer
Scallops, blood sausage and grilled zucchini with melted butter (I believe?) and drops of hot sauce was next. The scallops were very soft and it just melted on your tongue, I would almost say, it is the best scallops I have had to date. You have to try it.
Salad
Honestly speaking, I do not remember what our third meal is (well besides the picture). I believe it is fried kale with (fish balls?) and some type of spread. The kale was fried perfectly with no excess oil, and I loved the fish balls? with the spread, it was a perfect combination.
Pasta
My girlfriend, egg lover, as in, all she ever eats is egg, loved the soft-boiled egg that came with the pasta meal. I need to learn how to boil egg like that to impress her.
Palate Cleanser
Next came some rye bread and a sorbet as a palate cleanser before our main meal and desert.
Entrée
Our main and fifth course featured elk steak. This was our first time trying elk, it was cooked rare and was a little bit bloody in the middle. Not as tender or juicy as beef steak, but the elk was still very tender and surprising delicious, especially with that sauce.
Dessert
Last of all is the dessert! The apple crumble with ice cream and jam was sweet, very sweet, but it worked, the balance between all three elements came together and balanced each other out.
Overall, RGE RD’s atmosphere, great staff and of course food, made our belated valentine’s date very pleasurable. Was the price worth it? I think it is something everyone should at least try, the multiple small portions do fill you up quickly. I would love to go back and try their regular menu items one day, such as their renowned beef steaks.
RGE RD
http://www.rgerd.ca/
10643 123 Street Northwest
Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1P2
(780) 447-4577
Note: All opinions expressed here are my own. This post is not sponsored.
