January 23, 2007
EDMONTON: My favourite brunch
Posted by are you gonna eat that? under Eating / Food, Edmonton, Restaurants | Tags: brunch |I love everything about Culina - the cozy atmosphere, the sleek painted walls, the artwork, the mismatched coffee spoons, the toothpick bird, the red and gold mirrored women’s bathroom, and of course the food.
It’s a great place for a romantic dinner but it’s my favourite place for brunch, especially with a good group of girlfriends and the weekend paper.
Culina calls itself a neighbourhood bistro that makes comfort food with a twist. The brunch specials change every weekend so I’m always torn about what to order.
I usually fall back on the bacon and eggs: slow braised pork, mushroom frittata, potato hash and rye toast. The “bacon” is to die for especially dipped in the side of spicy ketchup. The frittata is topped with a creamy mushroom sauce laced with blue cheese.
There are some mouth-watering sandwiches like the ham & cheese (honey ham and edam on grilled raisin bread), the house sandwich (grilled zucchini, spinach, cream cheese, pickled peppers and chickpea spread), or Steph’s favourite egg, bacon and cheese panini.
On the lighter side are grilled cornbread and blueberry butter, an amazing fruit salad with marscapone cream, or the always delicious soups from sister company Soul Soup.
A new addition to brunch is the gingerbread French toast with apple sauce, marscapone cream and butterscotch. Jeannie loved it but said it was quite sweet and probably better as a shared dessert next time.
Brunch was limited to only Saturdays but I think Culina might be expanding to Sundays too. If you’re planning a busy weekend, try the gourmet TV dinners.
Culina, 9914-89 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta, (780) 437-5588. Reservations recommended.
January 24, 2007 at 5:10 pm
I love Culina too. It is SO hard to get into, tho, without a reservation a week in advance. Is the same true for brunch?
It is the best place for a romantic dinner. Their molten chocolate dessert is to absolutely die for. I dream about that stuff.
Why can’t they replace all the Kelsey’s and Applebee’s with Culina’s in Edmonton?
January 24, 2007 at 5:20 pm
Because then Culina wouldn’t be our little wonderful secret anymore… :-)
Definitely call ahead for Sat brunch. If it’s true that they’re opening up Sunday for brunch, then at least there will be more opportunity.
January 25, 2007 at 7:18 am
it is true! doubt no longer.
April 5, 2007 at 1:01 pm
oh wow, i really must plan a trip up north for this breakfast spot alone! those tv dinners look fabulous too, love the aluminum trays, very fun.
July 5, 2007 at 4:31 pm
have you tried “Bacon” yet? near La Boheme..I’m wondering what other people think…haven’t tried it yet myself.
July 5, 2007 at 6:38 pm
That’s top on my list next time I’m in Edmonton. I’ve only heard that it’s “interesting.” I promise to report back soon.
July 25, 2007 at 8:15 pm
Bacon is AMAZING! And everyone should check it out. It is like a blue plate atmosphere but with the amazing food of Culina’s. I think that they might even be cousin restaurants.
The brunch is delicious…the wait a little slow but worth it.
November 11, 2007 at 9:17 pm
For brunch, Culina is pretty good but was not very accomodating of groups larger than 4 the last few times I phone to make reservations. The bacon at Culina is incredible. They have this obsession with frittata though: why does everything have to be a breakfast quiche? Eggs benedict would be nice.
For brunch, Bacon was horrible. Rude staff, bad food, slow service. The staff tend to use some rather strong language when addressing each other. Not a place I would go back to. Really cool tea pots though.