Edmonton's brunch culture outside of buffet-style service was never hugely popular until last year. I've been noticing more restaurants jump on the brunch train, the latest being a popular Mexican spot right in the heart of Old Strathcona.

El Cortez Mexican Kitchen + Tequila Bar - 8230 Gateway Boulevard

As a place I frequent for tasty tacos and guacamole on the patio in the summer time, I was excited to see El Cortez offer brunch starting the weekend of March 19 & 20. Every weekend from 11AM - 2PM the restaurant offers five brunch dishes at a great price of $14.

I dropped by with my sister for brunch on opening weekend at 11AM and the restaurant was bright and inviting. We were shocked to find how quickly the restaurant filled up, as every seat was occupied by 11:30. Edmontonians love their brunch!

Chef Lindsay Porter designed this menu to reflect traditional Mexican elements, while staying true to the LA inspiration that the dinner menu draws upon. While all the options sounded fantastic I couldn't pass up the Chilaquiles, which featured peppers, onions, verde cream, queso, chorizo, and two eggs with sauteed corn tortilla chips. Arriving piping hot (and on a beautiful plate to boot!), the chilaquiles had a punch of flavour and a kick of heat with every bite. The oozy egg yolk really brought all the ingredients together in this filling dish.

My sister went for the Huevos Rancheros with rojo sauce, 2 eggs, queso, pulled pork, pico de gallo, and crema on housemade tortillas. The fresh pico de gallo went well with the smoky pulled pork and rich rojo sauce. It's another filling brunch dish, but who can say no to tacos early in the day?

To accompany brunch plates, El Cortez offers a variety of sides ($4) to mix things up. While thick cut bacon, cornbread, and fresh fruit are great options, I had my eye on the Fried Patatas. I just can't say no to crispy potatoes seasoned with smoked paprika and drizzled with tangy aioli!

El Cortez is a strong contender in the Edmonton brunch scene. Although the menu is small there is something for everyone at a very affordable price. Service is great, food is tasty, and the lively environment is perfect for fun, casual brunch. If you don't feel strongly about any dishes in particular the regular menu is available too, so swing by on the weekend and let me know what you think!

When a restaurant has a popular menu and dishes that customers rave about, it can be hard to make a change to the menu that people love. But with time comes inevitable change, and seasonality of ingredients often dictates what you can and cannot have on a menu.

Rostizado is one of the popular Mexican restaurants in the downtown core and was recently a contender for enRoute Magazine's Best New Restaurants for 2015. Rarely is there an evening where the seats in the restaurant are empty, and for good reason: Rostizado houses an upbeat environment and the food is tasty. Good Mexican food can be hard to come by in Edmonton, so when Rostizado asked me to taste some of the dishes on their new menu, I was more than willing!

The evening started out with the Scallop Aguachile ($21), where diver scallops were lightly cured and served in a cucumber-lime bath, then topped with a combination of thinly shaved pear, red onions, cucumber, jicama, tomatillo, radish and a light sprinkle of habanero chiles. The fresh scallops had a delicate flavour enhanced by the pear and cucumber, while the other elements offered a crunchy texture. Scooped up onto a tortilla chip, the components work harmoniously to bring a refreshing dish to your palate with a punch of heat. This light dish was my favourite of the evening and I could have eaten just it all night.

The Costillas en Salsa Verde ($19/gluten free) are a nice change from the typical BBQ ribs that you'll find in Alberta. This substantial dish featured Alberta baby back ribs simmered in salsa verde until tender, and were garnished with pico de gallo. Although the meat didn't fall off the bone, it was flavourful and spicy!

Next to the table was the Camarones al Mojo de Ajo ($21), a dish where prawns are sauteed with a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil and lime juice. The prawns are then topped with slowly caramelized garlic and toasted guajillo chile. A cucumber-based guacamole is served on the side to cut the heat, and thick cut toast is intended to soak up the rich, fragrant oil. The meaty prawns were spicy and garlicky, and I really loved the refreshing guacamole!

The Sope de Rajas ($16/vegetarian) was the most popular dish at the table that evening. A dough of corn and smoked potato is baked into the shape of a tart and filled with a combination of poblano chiles, onions, butter, kale, and white truffle cream. The raised edges keep all the ingredients in, resulting in a sope that is creamy and decadent. The crust is wonderfully crisp and the heat is strong, but makes you want more and more!

It may just be me, but I believe that every dinner at Rostizado should include a platter of their rotisserie. While the chicken and pork are classics, the new menu is introducing slow roasted Sterling Silver AAA New York striploin to their protein lineup. The beef is slow roasted to a beautiful medium rare and is available as an option for all of the platters.

As an accompaniment to your meal, Roasted Fennel ($8 Half/$16 Full) is a great side which almost acts as a palate cleanser between bites. The fennel is grilled on the flat top and served with a honey-serrano glaze, serrano chiles, and olive oil.

Vegan dishes are uncommon in Mexican cuisine, but after many people have asked for a vegan option, the Vegetables Rostizado ($8 Half/$16 Full) are now on the menu. Roasted portabella mushrooms, zucchini, poblano chiles, garbanzo beans, fennel and onions are roasted and served on Sikil Pak, the Mayan answer to hummus. Sikil Pak is a puree of pumpkin and sesame seeds, roasted tomatoes, fresh habanero, and cilantro. It's smooth, nutty, and creamy like hummus would be.

One of the major changes to the Rostizado menu is to the rotisserie platter, which now comes in multiple sizes. The platters can be portioned for groups of 2, 4 or 6, or 1/4 size platters can be ordered for a single person. This is a great change, as I remember the previous platter for 2 being impossible for two people to finish given all the accompanying sides (roasted potatoes, tortillas, pickled veg, salsa). The updated price points for the platters are very reasonable too.

Although the churros at Rostizado are a must-have, the new Pastel de Tres Leches ($10) is a strong contender. Slices of butter sponge cake are soaked in a mix of three milks: evaporated, half and half, and condensed milk. The resulting cake is rich, moist, and not overly sweet. The dessert is made even better by chunks of pineapple soaked in the honey, made specially for their coffee, and dollops of corn ash whipped cream.

Although some old favourites have left the Rostizado menu, the new dishes have proven that they were worth the switch. Rostizado continues to bring modern Mexican dishes to the Edmonton food scene and keeps us excited with new flavour combinations. Stop by the Mercer Warehouse for a taste of the new menu - and say hi when you see me eating plates of the scallop aguachile!


*Disclosure: I was invited to by Rostizado to sample the new menu. Views expressed in this post are solely mine. This post is 100% my opinion, and as always, my priority is to you, the reader, to present an unbiased, thorough review.

The cooler weather these past few days has basically been mother nature's way of saying fall is right around the corner. But before the brisk fall weather is here to stay, I've been spending more time on patios before it's too late!

El Cortez Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar - 8230 Gateway Boulevard - Edmonton AB

Ever since Chef Lindsay Porter took over the kitchen at El Cortez a few months ago, I've been meaning to stop by for eats on the patio. With the restaurant's proximity to Whyte Avenue, and the fact that it was a venue for Fringe shows, there was no better time than during the festival to have some pre-show dinner and drinks. Given the amount of shows I was taking in this year I actually made not one, but two stops at El Cortez.

There's always been a lot of buzz about the unique design and decor at El Cortez. Chandeliers, neon signs, and graffiti-inspired murals adorn the walls, and once you're inside you forget that you're in the heart of Old Strathcona. On my first visit, my boyfriend and I arrived at about 4PM to a fairly empty restaurant, but given that the restaurant doubles as a bar I would assume business picks up as the evening goes on.

El Cortez has a fairly extensive menu, but there's a big focus on tacos and street-inspired eats. We happened to be there during happy hour (3-6PM daily) and ordered off the menu which features chips and dips, and a variety of small plates for $7.50 each. We started off with the 2 Feature Tacos ($7.50/2 - flavour changes weekly) off the happy hour menu, the tacos for the week were mahi mahi with a pineapple salsa. The fish was moist, well seasoned, and all the flavours in this taco worked well together. But what I really enjoyed was the house-made tortillas. These tortillas are thicker than most, but they have a nice crisp and slight chew, making them a solid base for all the tacos on the menu.

Next up was the Swordfish Ceviche ($13) with tomatoes, peppers, avocado, chile and pico de gallo served with a side of spiced tortilla chips. The dish was full of fresh ingredients and had the right amount of acidity to bring out all the flavours. The dish could have been a tad more seasoned for my liking but otherwise was quite refreshing, and great for a hot summer day with a cold drink in hand.

On the regular menu the Fried Queso Tacos ($14/3 tacos) caught my eye. Who can resist fried cheese? Not me. The taco was quite substantial in size given the amount of ingredients and the excellent house-made tortilla. Chewy cheese, combined with mushrooms, lettuce, onions, beans and guacamole made for a pretty standout taco that I wouldn't hesitate to order again.

I was pleasantly surprised by this first visit to El Cortez. The food was great, service was attentive, and it was a great environment to be in just to relax and enjoy the summer afternoon. A few days later I stopped by again for some sunshine and eats on the patio.

You would never know by standing outside of El Cortez that there's a great patio in the back of the building. A spray painted mural is accompanied by mosaic tiled tables and coloured accents throughout the space. It's an inviting atmosphere where small bites and cold drinks are perfect under the warm sun.

Again our visit was during happy hour, so we ordered the El Cortez Guacamole ($7.50) off the happy hour menu to start. The kitchen's version of guacamole comes as a substantial portion and is pretty close to perfect for me. It's chock full of tomatoes, has great acidity from fresh lime juice, is well seasoned and has a slight kick of heat. The guacamole is quite addicting and I almost couldn't stop eating it.

Next up we ordered the feature Cajun tacos ($7.50/2 tacos) made with sauteed prawns, chorizo, and a corn basil salsa. The prawns were perfectly cooked and there was a great balance between salty, sweet, and spicy. With a quick squeeze of lime juice these flavour-packed tacos became my favourite of the meal.

I had my eye on the Crispy Pescado Tacos ($16/3 tacos) off the regular menu, so they became our last dish that afternoon. A crispy fried piece of fish was served together with shrimp salad, slaw, sweet chili Valentina glaze, crema, avocado, and cilantro. While the ingredients tasted great together, I felt that the tacos were lacking in substance. There wasn't much in terms of ingredients, and the tortilla looked quite bare with the spare number of toppings. A bit more fish and this one would have been great!

With two visits to El Cortez in a week, this is on my list of my go-to spots for quick bites! It's a great option for Mexican food south of the river, and I would definitely recommend stopping in during happy hour for some very affordable eats. Chef Lindsay Porter has done a great job with the menu overhaul and I'm definitely looking forward to trying other dishes on the menu. Unfortunately for me, I only ever have cravings for Mexican food in warm weather, so I'm going to have to get my fix before fall comes. If you're anything like me, head on down to El Cortez for some tacos and cold drinks before saying goodbye to summer until next year!

This summer I was really looking forward to the opening of a new restaurant headed by the Tres Carnales - Daniel Braun, Chris Sills & Edgar Gutierrez. After Roast Coffeehouse + Wine Bar suddenly shut down at the end of 2013, the three business partners took the opportunity to seize the space in the Mercer Warehouse and open up Edmonton's newest Mexican sensation: Rostizado.

Rostizado - Suite 102, 10359 104 Street - Edmonton AB

During my trip to the Mayan Riviera in April I managed to learn a couple things in Spanish. One of the phrases was "pollo rostizado," as it was on the menu of every single snack bar on the resort. I figured out that rostizado meant "roasted," so you can imagine how excited I was when I learned about the name of the Tres Carnales' newest venture. Roasted meat, Mexican style. Yes! Ever since my return from Mexico I've been craving good Mexican food and this was the answer to my prayers. I've probably eaten my weight in guacamole and pico de gallo since coming home, so it was time to switch things up a little.

My boyfriend and I decided to drop by for dinner a couple days after opening. Just as I had expected, the restaurant was packed on a Friday evening at 5:30 PM. We managed to snag the last two seats facing the open kitchen and had some housemade bar snacks while perusing the menu. The little dish consisted of a spicy, tangy mix of chickpeas, yam chips, corn nuts and tortilla crisps. It was salty, crunchy and super addictive. I could eat it everyday.

Although not mentioned on the menu, we ordered a black coffee ($3.50) and we were surprised to get coffee with a Tres Carnales twist. The coffee had an addition of a housemade syrup with notes of cinnamon, cloves and orange, among other things. Definitely something unique to try. 

Between the two of us we decided to split the Rotisserie Platter for 2 ($55) which featured their rosti-pollo (chicken) and rosti-puerco (pork) with a side of rosti-papas (potatoes), tortillas and salsa verde. This platter was one glorious pile of meat. The roasted chicken was tender but the breast was a little drier than I would have liked. The clear winner on this platter for me was the pork, as it was juicy, tender, and well seasoned. The potatoes were roasted with the drippings from the meats, making them absolutely delicious. The spicy flavour kick, crisp skin and tender interior made these potatoes the perfect accompaniment. The meats combined well with the fresh kick of the salsa verde, but we wished more tortillas were provided on the platter given the amount of meat.

Worried that we wouldn't have enough food, we decided to order a side with our platter. It was a tough choice but we picked a half size of the Charred Cebollitas ($7): grilled spring onions marinated in soy sauce, salsa maggi, lime juice & black pepper. The description of the onions really stood out to me and the first bite into one confirmed that we had made the right decision. The charred outer skin gave these onions a great smoky flavour, but biting into the crisp, sweet flesh was the best part. The soy-based marinade really soaked into the onions and every bite was a juicy flavour explosion.

To finish off the night we had to get the made-to-order Churros Con Dulce de Leche ($8). When I was in Mexico I always slathered my churros with dulce de leche, so these ones had a lot to live up to! The churros at Rostizado came piping hot to our table, coated in cinnamon sugar and ready for dipping into the dulce de leche. The first bite was so satisfying! The crispy exterior gave way to a creamy, chewy centre, and the caramel flavours of the dulce de leche paired perfectly with this deep fried treat. I found some pieces to be heavily coated in sugar, but that was easily remedied with a light tap. I do wish the consistency of the dulce de leche was a little thicker, but only so that I could get way more coated onto my churro with each bite. Mmm.

Rostizado is definitely a hit here in Edmonton and a very welcome addition to the downtown dining scene. The space is modern, staff are friendly, and the food is fantastic. I really enjoyed the upbeat environment, but the dim dining room allows for intimacy as well. In terms of pricing, the rotisserie on the menu does run on the more expensive side of things but they offer some great sandwich options at a lower price point that feature the roasted meats. So what are you waiting for? Get on down to Rostizado, and quick. They don't take reservations!

Six months ago, if you asked me whether I would ever eat pig head, I would tell you that you were out of your mind. Of course not. Then came Tres Carnales.

Tres Carnales Taqueria - 10119 100A Street - Edmonton AB

Where do I even begin? Tres Carnales is one of the most popular restaurants in Edmonton - the food is good, authentic, and affordable. It was named the best new restaurant in Edmonton for 2011 by Avenue Magazine, and they're scheduled to be featured on the Food Network show You Gotta Eat Here. What's not to love?


A couple months back, before the taping of You Gotta Heat Here (this review is so overdue!! My apologies.), my pal Andrew and I headed to Tres Carnales for a quick lunch. We arrived around 1:30, which is past the lunch rush, but the restaurant was still busy and full of people. When you enter the restaurant, you get a sense of an upbeat vibe, and can't help but be excited about where you are, and what you're about to eat.


After taking in the environment, you find yourself standing before a board decorated with menu options and a feature for the day. All offerings can be served in the form of tacos, quesadillas, or tortas depending on your appetite. There is quite a range of options available, so there's definitely something for everyone. Order away, then find a seat at an empty table and wait for your food to be delivered!


To start, we went with the Guacamole Y Totopos which I had heard so many good things about! The creamy mixture was well seasoned, and really hit the spot. The chips were quite crisp, and perfect eaten with the guacamole.


Andrew loves fish. When we go out, ahi tuna is his fish of choice. Naturally, he had to go with the Pescado: lightly battered and fried fresh Pacific Red Snapper. The portion size of the tacos was huge! Beyond what we both had imagined, and very tasty. The battered fish had a crisp exterior, while the inside was perfectly cooked, and without that seafood flavour - we knew the fish was fresh. Even though I'm not the biggest fan of fish, I enjoyed the fish tacos.


Now, let's talk about that pig head again. Arriving at the restaurant, the feature, Cabeza de cerdo, caught my curiousity, but my stomach wanted to run in the opposite direction. Slow cooked pig head served with pickled veg and salsa mexicana. The words echoed through my mind repeatedly, when suddenly Chris (one of the owners) pointed me out! Uh oh, now I HAD to eat something crazy to meet expectations. Just kidding. I had faith and ordered my dish, hoping for the best!

My dish arrived at the table a couple minutes after Andrew's and Daniel (another one of the owners) brought it to the table. It took a little while longer, because he did not like the plating of the first dish that was meant to be mine - this is what I like. Care and attention put not only into the taste, but into the presentation of food. As I closed my eyes and took my first bite, my mouth exploded because the flavour and texture of the dish was amazing. The pig head had a nice crisp skin, while the meat was juicy and tender. The pickled veg and a bit of squeezed lime juice added a nice tangy kick, hitting the dish out of the ballpark for me.

The three carnales here put so much thought and passion into what they love - and you really can tell. With trying to keep ingredients as local as possible, and producing all their salsas, guacs, and marinades daily, it's no surprise that they've found their place in the hearts (err.. stomachs?) of many Edmontonians.

Never would I have thought I would eat pig head. Well played, Tres Carnales, can't wait for what you serve up to me next!