Nineteen XIX - Edmonton

I always judge a good restaurant by their consistency ... XIX is very very consistent, their dishes are amazing both in terms of flavour and presentation. I've... read more I always judge a good restaurant by their consistency ... XIX is very very consistent, their dishes are amazing both in terms of flavour and presentation. I've been here many times and have probably had every dish on the appetizer and entree menu and I've never been disappointed. Whether you want a high level meal in a romantic setting or a relaxed couples setting, XIX has few peers in Edmonton. So why might you ask did I only give it 4 stars? Price ... I find this to be maybe the most expensive restaurant in Edmonton and I've eaten at most of them. Will I go back? That is a resounding yes but I suspect some people may have a serious issue with the cost. Our group of 4 had a drink before dinner, a $70 bottle of wine, 4 appetizers, 4 entrees, 3 desserts and it cost $450 with tip. Yikes!!!

Ah nineteen, long ago in birthdays and wedding anniversaries but right now for two delicious meals. A double-smoked bacon-wrapped scallop starter set the tone.... read more Ah nineteen, long ago in birthdays and wedding anniversaries but right now for two delicious meals. A double-smoked bacon-wrapped scallop starter set the tone. The two scallops were perfectly cooked and the dollop of decadent, tomato-bacon marmalade almost made a dessert of it. My lady did not partake because she ordered the black garlic scallops mains and had the same result of perfectly cooked scallops with appropriate vegetables. The third seafood test of the kitchen was my order of peanut crusted Chinook salmon. No cooked to cardboard texture salmon here. Two stick-butter sized pieces with the skin slightly crusted and the flesh deliciously moist. Again, resting on an appropriate sub base. Unfortunately, the New Zealand sauvignon blanc house wine was not available but a California chardonnay was an acceptable substitute. My lady could have passed on her crème brulée dessert, as my apple cinnamon tart was large and decadent enough for two. Server Liam was friendly and efficient. The room is pleasant as there are enough soft surfaces to keep the din to a manageable level for personal conversation. Another attraction was that all of the males wearing ball caps went to the lounge!

We were excited to try this restaurant to celebrate our 5th anniversary. It was just ok. The service was very alright but not amazing - there was no asking how... read more We were excited to try this restaurant to celebrate our 5th anniversary. It was just ok. The service was very alright but not amazing - there was no asking how our night was, asking if we were celebrating anything, etc, just to the point asking what we'd like to order. We were expecting the food to be amazing, the prices are quite high but we're alright with that for a special occasion. However the food wasn't worth the price they were asking. Portions were very small. We ordered the bacon wrapped scallops to start - they were very bland with very little flavor. My husband had the duck duo for dinner, he said it was alright but nothing special. I had the steak, again it was alright but I've definitely had better at other restaurants. The beans that came with my dish were rubbery tasting and tough to eat. I wouldn't go back to this restaurant again, there are much better restaurants in Edmonton for the same prices or even less expensive.

Last Saturday, we visited XIX for drinks and appetizers since the dining room was fully reserved. We were fortunate to secure a booth after a short wait. The st... read more Last Saturday, we visited XIX for drinks and appetizers since the dining room was fully reserved. We were fortunate to secure a booth after a short wait. The staff were excellent, very accommodating and attentive. We indulged in six appetizers, with the lettuce wraps and short rib tacos standing out as particularly delicious. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, perfect for enjoying drinks. We look forward to returning for dinner next time we are in town.

While sipping on impeccably presented old fashioned cocktails, we perused the menu and ultimately decided on the Lobster Dan Dan Ramen. Despite not being a fan... read more While sipping on impeccably presented old fashioned cocktails, we perused the menu and ultimately decided on the Lobster Dan Dan Ramen. Despite not being a fan of peanuts, the combination of lobster and ramen intrigued me, and I was pleasantly surprised by the flavorful broth and delicious mix of ingredients. However, the Black Garlic Scallop dish ordered by my dining companion fell short of expectations, with messy plating and a lackluster taste. Overall, our dining experience at Nineteen was satisfactory, but there were some missed opportunities, particularly with the scallop dish. Despite this, my love for Nineteen remains strong, and I may opt to visit their St. Albert location in the future for a consistently excellent experience.