The next stop in my gluttonous birthday adventures was to one of the newest dining spots in Edmonton: XIX Nineteen. Nineteen is the latest culinary venture of Chef Andrew Fung, who has been a chef at Blackhawk Golf Club, and is most recently known for his gold medal win at the 2011 Gold Medal Plates culinary competition.

XIX Nineteen - 5940 Mullen Way NW - Edmonton AB

This restaurant is located fairly close to my home which is convenient, but for anyone living anywhere else in Edmonton, it can be a fair bit of a drive south. Located right off the Anthony Henday and Rabbit Hill Road, it really isn't hard to find, and you don't have to drive all the way out to Blackhawk anymore to try out Chef Fung's dishes.

When I first stepped into the restaurant, the first thing I noticed was the concept of an open kitchen - large windows giving a bird eye view of the kitchen and the hustle and bustle going on inside. Stepping back and taking everything in, the dim lighting of the restaurant gives it a warm, inviting feel, while the decor and artwork add a touch of class.

On this particular night, I was lucky to be joined by many of the wonderful people that I've had the opportunity to meet and get to know this year. We're a huge bunch of foodies and I couldn't imagine a better way to spend the night! While everyone tempted me to drink the night away, I had to be up early the next morning, so a Caesar was the perfect choice. Nineteen makes theirs nice and spicy, just the way I like them.


{Ahi Tuna & Scallop Ceviche}

Here we are... at Monday again. With my final exams right around the corner (1st one tomorrow!) I've been indoors all weekend "studying" - I get SO distracted, it is disgusting. Hoping for nothing but the best!

This week, I finally have OPI's Skyfall shade to share with you! Named after the latest in the Bond series, I actually got to see the movie about 3 weeks ago and really enjoyed it. To keep on trend, this colour matches one of the most popular shades this season - oxblood. No, not the colour of the blood of an ox, but oxidized blood!

I was a little skeptical when the oxblood colour showed up in fashion trends - I personally didn't really enjoy the shade, but overtime it's grown on me and I really love the colour now. Skyfall in this collection is the perfect oxblood shade - a red with heavy brown undertones that can flatter all skintones. The formula was smooth, and application was a breeze. Two coats are necessary for full opacity and it wears well on the nails for up to 5 days! I'll definitely be wearing this one again when I get the chance.

Two weeks ago I celebrated my 22nd birthday with my amazing family and friends. If you know me well enough, you know that I would celebrate with non-stop eating for days on end.. which is exactly what I did! I literally ate out for six days in a row, four of which were for the purpose of celebrating my birthday, and even though I am now nursing a small food baby, every bit of it was worth it. First up was a lovely dinner date at The Marc.

The Marc - 9940 106 Street - Edmonton AB

To me, The Marc is almost like a hidden gem. Tucked away from major streets inside Sterling Place, you open the doors and find yourself in an environment where you can just wind down from a long day. The dim lighting gives off this cozy feel, while the contrast between the light and dark decor is simple and clean. Perfect for date night or going out to celebrate with friends over great food.

Our server for the night had no idea that I was there to celebrate a special occasion, regardless, she was so attentive and had a great sense of humor! After taking our order, she brought us some bread and it was perfect. I need to find out if they make the bread in house, cause the crisp outer crust revealing the soft, pillowy interior was a great way to start the night.

To tease our tummies, we shared the Seared Scallops & Bacon ($13): fava bean, cello radish, celeriac puree & maple cider aigre-doux. Look at that variety of colour! It was definitely a beautiful dish to look at. I've recently developed a hankering for scallops, and these certainly hit the spot. I only wish there were more on the plate! The scallops were tender and perfectly cooked, while the bacon added a hint of smokiness - all of it was tied together with the delightfully tangy sweet and sour sauce. Our server even brought us more bread to soak up the delicious sauce. Mm.

When our server described the feature dish of the night, she only had to say the first couple words and I knew it was going to be a hit. Rack of lamb with a garlic, parsley & dijon mustard crust, served with duck fat fried potatoes and carrot puree ($29). See what I mean?! The presentation was beautiful and the lamb cooked to perfection - very mild game flavour and the crust was so flavourful! My dinner date loved the carrot puree!

When I first set my eyes on the menu for the Marc, I knew exactly what I would be having for dinner. Seared duck breast ($26): puy lentils, Grand Marnier reduction. Whoa, this might possibly be the best birthday dinner dish I've EVER had. The duck was phenomenal. A huge portion cooked medium rare - it was seriously melt in your mouth good and I enjoyed every bite. The reduction was slightly sweet and the lentils were a great way to change up the texture. The carrots and fennel served with the dish were quite salty though, which was the only thing I could find wrong with this dish.

Like always, I was tempted by the desserts to finish off the evening. It was time for a sugar coma, so the beignets were the way to go. Freshly made, served hot, and coated in sugar, I had to try them out with the accompanying caramel and creme anglaise. They really shone on their own, but the light, airy dessert paired with the creme anglaise was a flawless finish.

Having part one of my birthday eats at The Marc really set the bar high for the subsequent dinners. I definitely recommend coming to visit for special occasions or dinner dates - the staff treat you well and you're sure to leave with a happy stomach!