XIX Nineteen

First time at XIX two nights ago. I ordered the $ 15 bacon wrapped scallops for an appetizer not realizing how literal the title was… I got two scallops on my plate. One less and they would have had to call the appetizer bacon wrapped scallop…
They didn’t even individually wrap the scallops in bacon… they squeezed both together and wrapped them in one tiny piece of bacon…
My entrée as well was on a bit of a diet…$ 38 only delivered about a 4oz piece of tenderloin
It’s really a shame because the food was quite good. Unfortunately the price to quantity was unjustifiable and I will not be a returning customer

This was our first time at Nineteen. we chose it due to the chef training at Nait, close to our house and it received rave reviews. Love to support local businesses. we decided to do a brunch for Valentine’s Day to avoid the kaos and were so glad we did. we booked our reservation on OpenTable which was quick and easy. Walking in the place is fresh and clean and immediately made me smile. we then got placed in a private booth in the corner right where I could see all the action. the sever was very friendly professional and polite. we ordered coffee, a cinnamon bun, eggs Benedict and the paella. the coffee is wonderful I love coffee! the meals arrived quickly fresh and hot. the cinnamon bun was first it was hot and fresh and I loved that it didn’t have the icing on it. it was ok but I feel like I wanted more flavour from it. the bene was a decent size and the sauce was perfect. it wasn’t too salty or thick! perfectly cooked eggs. the paella hands down was the best flavour and sauce. I mean how wonderful to have for breakfast mushrooms mussels and avocado 3 of my most favourite items. the risotto was perfectly cooked. I have had the luxury of trying to cook it by a chef and it’s not easy!!! after finishing the chef offered us a courtesy scoop of ice cream. we were so full but can’t deny ice cream! this will certainly be our brunch away from the kids from now on. Now to try dinner!!!

Had a brunch date with the gal pals. Food was underwhelming. Everyone’s dish was over salted or over sauced. Definitely had a better experience at the west end location.
Décor is modern and casual. Staff were friendly and helpful.
Not sure if I’ll go back.

Our experience at XIX was hit and miss. We were sat under a speaker so it was loud. Blaring Buble is not as romantic as some may think. Our server was very good and so accommodating. The Gorgonzola mussels and frites were delish, I would go back for these, but the bartender makes a terrible ceasar, and the Clamato they use was very sweet… it was weird tasting– to top that off, when I stirred my drink it turned brown. Way. Too. Much. Worcestershire. The short rib risotto was very good, the meat melts in your mouth. The lobster ravioli was not good; someone was trying way too hard when they came up with this dish– a Very confused dish: too many bold flavors and the lobster is lost in it all. Should be pork or cheese filled ravioli instead. My husband found most things too salty. A large group came in as we finished our entrees and the noise level was so high we couldn’t hear each other, (why they were sat in the center of the restaurant is beyond me) so we did not stay for dessert. Overall, the things that were good were so good, we’d give it a second chance, but if the next experience is like the first, we wouldn’t bother with a third.

First time dining, was very impressed with the service and the food. You get what you pay for these days. Spend your money there, you won’t be disappointed.

Came here on a Saturday night, the dining room was packed so we sat in the lounge. We decided to order 4 appetizers instead of mains. We had the short ribs and mushroom risotto, sriracha octopus, pepperocini octopus and pork belly fung buns.
The risotto was inedible, it was super salty. The octopus was drenched in sriracha and that’s all you could taste. Calamari was okay, the marinara sauce tasted canned, calamari was bland on its own. Pork belly buns were mediocre, need more bun to balance the saltiness of the pork belly.
We ate half of the three spoonful portion of the risotto and they charged us the full amount. The only positive is our server was very nice and the sangria special kept me happy. Definitely not coming back, not worth the $ 50/​person bill.

Nice casual ambience. Fresh local inredients. Salty. And decent brunch offerings. Underwhelming in flavour.
This is the second restaurant for nineteen. Newly opened in st Albert where the old holes greenhouse used to be. The décor is modern with a more casual feel than their terwilliger location. Neutral beiges and whites with a more open bigger space. Its not as cramped in here and i felt like the dining space was more roomier than their other location.
Reservations are easy here via opentable. A nice touch to make last minute dinner plans without the hassle of calling in. We were seated in a private booth in the corner. Which was very comfortable and secluded. It was definetly prime seating.
Our waitress was the only person around for weekend brunch service. So service was a bit lacking. But she was friendly and did the best she could. Although she came to check on us a bit long after being served our mains when we did have minor issues that needed resolving before we could eat our meals.
Drinks were served promptly after ordering. And the cocktail menu is great with lots of unique options. For the mains we decided on the paella risotto served with mussels, a sunny side up egg and fresh avocado. The dish was very very salty. Which overwhelmed the dish. But the eggs and mussels were great and helped balance the meal. The risotto was a tad mushy and texture was like gunky and did not look appetizing. the dish sounded better than it tasted. But it was still decently good. There were two orders of this and one dish had tons of sausage and the other had only 1 piece. Pretty inconsistent in portions. So i minused a star for this because one person was basically like where is the sausage??? She literally got only 1 piece while the other person had like 6 pieces. I would not be happy if i only received one piece. Since the sausage was the main meat in this dish.
Another person had the pork belly sandwich with mushroom soup. She claimed the sandwich was overwhelmed by the jam and pickled vegtables that she could barely taste the pork belly. She didnt love it or hate it. But it was definetly not anything to rave about and was not worth the $ 16 she paid for it. Her soup was great though. Luckily i had a salad and felt like soup. So we swapped our sides so we both got what we wanted. The soup was filling. A cream of mushroom with tiny chunks of mushrooms in every bite. It added alot of texture and the soup was very good. There was some truffle oil in there floating around. But it was not enough to actually taste it. You never would of known if the waitress never mentioned it. It was an above average soup but not outstanding. My friend found the salad a bit underwhelming and boring.
I had the bison burger. Only because the brunch menu did not really scream out to me. The offerings were similar to any other brunch served anywhere else, but with a bigger price tag. Every dish was over $ 16. Even the standard pancakes and eggs. A bit overpriced for what you get. So i decided on the lunch specials. Which were just mentioned to us by the waitress without any menus being provided.
The bison burger was decent. The burger was juicy and tasty. Which is quite hard to do since bison is so lean. So they actually did a great job with this dish. But It was overwhelmed with pickled vegtables which took over and hid the taste of the bison. So I ate some of the veggies seperatly as i could not eat the burger with them since i couldnt taste the meat at all. The vegtables definetly overpowered the burger to the point where it did not complement the dish. This happened in two dishes during our visit. In the burger and sandwich. So i had to minus a star for this. As it was disappointing that the dishes did not wow us at all and actually were described better than they were to only disappoint us when we tasted them.
The waitress did mention my burger was served with a salad. But was served with fries when received. But this was quickly fixed after she was notified. But she did not check on us after we were served our meals until we were pretty much done our mains. Resulting in our salad being served after our main dish was almost finished. Our soup and salad swap didnt happen until everyone was basically done their meals. In reality this normally would make me minus a star. But i didnt bc this food does deserve at least 3 stars. Because it is slightly above average at best. But is definetly overrated in my opinion. I did enjoy supper better at the terwilliger location. So maybe supper is where its at.
With this experience. We opted for no desserts. Despite always ordering dessert with our meals. We skipped it. Bc we were just underwhelmed too much to be be disappointed even more. Its an ok option for an expensive brunch (our meal was $ 100 for 4 people without tip). But i wont be running back. Maybe dinner is where its at.

Brunching it up at XIX Nineteen for the first time. I’ve been to the Terwillegar location for dinner before, so I definitely was looking forward to the brunch.
The brunch menu is small, but has something for everyone, even a small kids menu ($ 9 meals). The brunch items range in price from $ 14-​$ 20.
While I was very tempted to try the banana bread French toast, I opted for the eggs Benedict with back bacon, «fresh» berries, and roasted potatoes. The bearnaise was delicious, as I expected. My eggs were perfectly poached, and it was nice to have an English muffin I could actually cut through. I was so not impressed with the mouldy raspberries on my plate. Come on Nineteen, you’re better than that and as soon as my plate was placed in front of me I could tell the raspberries were past being «fresh». My SO ordered the pancake stack which was 5 mini pancakes, which he said were soft and fluffy, bacon, and fresh berries.
Apparently they also have a lunch menu? Would’ve been nice to be given that option as well as I know another diner who was there at the same time had lunch.
We ate in the lounge, right at the bar. Our server was great, very friendly, and food came out quickly.
I definitely give the brunch food 4/​5, ignoring the slip up of giving me mouldy berries. I’ll be back to try that banana bread French toast.

Amazing. The food here was so good. We loved every part. It is on the more expensive side, but worth it and the portions are not small! We will DEFINITELY return.

My fiancé and I came here for brunch on the first Sunday after the New Year. No reservations were required when I called ahead to check as both sides of the restaurant are open (lounge and dining room)
Other than one large group seated in the dining room, and a couple seated in the lounge plus us, that was the extent of the clientele when we arrived. I think not many people are aware this location serves brunch. But only on weekends I believe
The menu consists of either a page of brunch related items and a page of lunch related items (see the photos I posted of the current menu options)
I opted for the breakfast sandwich which came with sides of roasted potatoes and some fresh berries. I found the breakfast sandwich just mediocre — although cooked well — the fact that it came with two scrambled eggs made it too «eggy» for my tastes. But I loved the potatoes which were seasoned and roasted to perfection.
My fiancé ordered the bison burger off the lunch menu which came with fries. I never tried it but he enjoyed it immensely. Both locations of Nineteen make excellent burgers it seems as we really enjoyed the burger too at the Terwillegar location.
Our server was pleasant and came to check on us at appropriate intervals.
The space has been designed to look somewhat similar to the other location but with its own differences. The size itself is smaller than the Terwillegar location but attention to detail is excellent at both sites. Love the new complex it’s in as it reminds of being in LA for some reason!
Overall I would recommend Nineteen to those looking for a solid and consistent meal as the price, although may seem slightly higher to some, is worth it in quality in my opinion.

I have been there twice for Brunch. The food is delicious and the service is lovely! Strong coffee too is a bonus!
Their Brunch begins at 9am on the weekends.

XIX Nineteen is a popular destination for diners in the Terwillegar/​Windermere area of Edmonton, and for good reason: the food and service are always top notch. After three successful years in Edmonton, Nineteen has expanded to a second location at the Shops at Boudreau in St. Albert.
The restaurant space in St. Albert is similar to the location in Terwillegar, where a brightly lit (and incredibly clean!) open kitchen allows diners to watch the kitchen team expertly prepare plates for service. Modern accents complete the décor, giving the restaurant a chic, upscale feel.
So how does St. Albert differ from Terwillegar? Aside from a slightly different menu, diners are in the hands of Head Chef Rino Lam, a graduate of the NAIT Culinary Arts program and certified Red Seal Chef with over 15 years of culinary experience. I had an opportunity to preview the menu, and I was excited to see what Chef Rino had in store for us.
The evening kicked off with the Irving’s Farm Pork Belly «Fung Bun» ($ 14), where citrus soy-​glazed pressed pork belly, pickled red onions, cucumber and green onions are folded into a Chinese-​style, soft steamed bun. The acidity from the onions cut the fattiness of the pork belly nicely, and the sweet and salty balance in this dish was perfect. I really wish more restaurants would serve buns!
The Garlic Quebec Duck Wings ($ 15, lounge menu only) can be done two ways: with spicy honey garlic sauce or fried garlic, shallot, scallion, and chili flakes. Our wings were done with the latter, and they were delicious! The crispy coating gave way to fragrant confit duck wings with a kick of heat.
An individual portion of Nineteen’s Spicy Miso Albacore Tuna Tartare ($ 17) came next, dressed with avocado, tomato, deep fried garlic, shaved radish and a spicy miso dressing. The tuna was fresh and well seasoned, but I think what I loved the most was the beautiful pops of colour on the plate!
When it came time for the mains, a delicate Miso Marinated Sablefish with wild mushrooms and rapini made it’s way to the table. The buttery fish was cooked perfectly and would be fantastic for anyone looking for a lighter main dish. Unfortunately it isn’t currently on the menu, but I hope it makes it there!
Everyone was in for a treat when the Alberta AAA Beef Tenderloin ($ 38) hit the table. Sous vide and seared to a beautiful medium rare, the premium cut of beef was served with a vibrant beet risotto, Quebec goat cheese crusted zucchini, walnuts, and baby arugula.
We were absolutely spoiled when it came to desserts as four different offerings were placed on the table. First up was an apple pie complete with a deliciously crispy, flaky crust and a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. The pie wasn’t overly sweet and would be a great finish to a meal!
Next up came a warm brown butter cake, again with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. This is for those that love digging into a slice of cake while it’s still warm! The cake is warm, moist, and tasted great combined with the ice cream and caramel sauce.
Since it doesn’t quite feel like «real winter» yet, Nineteen’s dessert menu features a light pumpkin cheesecake dusted with graham crumb. The pumpkin is subtle, but what I liked about this cheesecake was the lighter texture. Without the density, it ends up being a cheesecake that isn’t too rich after a heavy meal.
Last but not least came the Pizookie — Nineteen’s pizza cookie! Served straight from the oven in a sizzling hot skillet, this is everything that a chocolate chip cookie should be! Warm (read: hot!) from the oven, gooey, chocolatey, and served with ice cream. It’s a sinfully rich dessert that is definitely worth all the calories.
It’s great to see local restaurants succeed and it’s awesome that Nineteen has been able to open up a second location. I can’t even count how many times I’ve heard people complain that Nineteen is too out of the way for them to visit, so hopefully this new spot in St. Albert can entice some Edmontonians to finally have their first taste of their Asian-​inspired Canadian cuisine. The menu is definitely on the pricier end of things, so while Nineteen isn’t a restaurant to visit everyday, it’s a great spot for celebrations and special date nights. For those looking for something more budget friendly, Nineteen’s lounge offers happy hour specials from 3 – 6 PM daily, so you can try cocktails and appetizers at a fraction of the cost.

Mid-​November marked the grand opening of XIX’s (Nineteen’s) second location, the Terwillegar eatery expanding to St. Albert’s Shops at Boudreau. I had the amazing opportunity to taste the menu alongside Edmonton’s media last week and I can honestly say that Nineteen will bring a much needed dining experience to Edmonton’s north as well as to the residents of St. Albert.
I will be upfront about this: I have not dined at Nineteen before. Ever. I remember when they first opened, I had just started food blogging. I remember thinking, «I’ll make it down there one day. Some day. When I’m in Terwillegar.» Yeah, hasn’t happened. What kills me is that I hear nothing but good things about Chef Andrew Fung’s food. In fact, every time I’ve tried his dishes (at events, festivals, etc), I’ve had very positive experiences. It’s mind boggling that I haven’t tried Nineteen, I know. Apologies!
I’m told that the design of the space is similar to its Edmonton location, an open and comfortable space. Nineteen’s lounge accommodates both kinds of crowds, those who want to sit at a table and lounge in comfort or sip on cocktails at bar height. The dining side is warm, sophisticated and features various artwork in a gallery format. The best view in the restaurant is hands down the full glass window into the open kitchen. It’s not uncommon to see a lot of spaces feature open kitchens, but there’s something about Nineteen’s that really makes it a winner. Well lit, spacious, and a full on view of the team in crisp uniforms and aprons and working in the cleanest possible environment — you know you’re in good hands.
Chef Andrew Fung welcomed our group and right off the bat told us that we were in the hands of St. Albert’s Head Chef Rino Lam for the night, a graduate of the NAIT Culinary Arts and Red Seal program with over 15 years years of culinary experience.
Our night started off with martinis, the Pear-​Jito (Grey Goose La Poire vodka, Bacardi Limon rum, muddled mint, lemonade, lime juice, cane sugar reduction, and Q sparkling water) was right up my alley; and the (unphotographed) Blue Lavender (Grey Goose Citron vodka, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, muddled blueberries, lavender), a subtle flowery drink perfect for summer. Not only were the cocktails impressive, but so was the wine list at Nineteen. It’s a good thing I work in St. Albert. Something tells me this will be my new hangout spot to catch up with north Edmonton friends.
Proscuitto and bread with espresso aioli was our first of many appetizers for the night.
The ‘Fung Bun’ features a citrus soy-​glazed pressed pork belly from Irvings Farm, nestled with pickled red onions, cucumbers, green onions in a soft pillowy steamed bun. Love!
Nineteen’s ‘Garlic Quebec Duck Wings’ can be be done two ways: a spicy honey garlic sauce or fried garlic, shallot, scallion, and child flakes. The latter was our bite for the night, the wings wonderfully confit and perfect for those on the lounge side. God, I love duck. The crust on this was amazing!
A ‘Spicy Miso Albacore Tuna Tartar’ was well-​balanced and just a hint of heat, the spicy miso dressing not overpowering the taste of the fish. The plating on this dish was fantastic, huge bursts of colour!
Dinner featured a dish that I couldn’t find on the menu, although hopefully one that would return! The ‘Miso-​Marinated Sablefish’ with wild mushrooms and rapini was beautifully done and one of my favourites for the night. I’m always a big fan of lighter seafood dishes.
Our second entrée: ‘Alberta ‘AAA’ Beef Tenderloin’ on a bed of bright beet risotto, Quebec goat cheese crusted zucchini, baby arugula, and crushed walnuts. My tenderloin was moist and cooked to perfection, the risotto rich and creamy.
As if our table wasn’t already stuffed to the brim, an array of desserts came out to end the night. A couple of my tablemates proclaimed they weren’t «dessert people». This is about the equivalent of me saying, «I’ve never been to Nineteen.» Borderline offensive. Just kidding. But seriously. Nineteen’s dessert selection will turn anybody into a «dessert person»! A scrumptious apple pie (with a crust that will make you ponder how they got it so flaky), a «Pizookie», that’s pizza cookie for those wondering, a brown butter bite and cheesecake, if I remember correctly. I was in a dessert coma, I’m sorry.
Describing Nineteen’s food is hard. I suppose it is considered fusion, Canadian cuisine done with hits of Asian flavours. But to be frank, I think they’re spot on with describing it as simply great food. And that’s more of a rarity than you would think. Prices are moderate-​high (with all mains between $ 30 – 40) and I would hope that the portions reflected that evening were tasting portions only. I hope to be back for dinner (and brunch! FORTHELOVEOFGOD, they have brunch on weekends) before the end of the year and I am excited for more refined cuisine for those who live close to the area.

We quite enjoyed Ninteen considered it’s only been open for a few days. Lounge is awesome happy hour great with good beer on tap choices. Food was good a tad bright for fine dining. We will be back and I’m sure it will get better. Nice to see more classy restaurants in St Albert.

The service we received was sub par. Food seemed to be over salted. The décor was confusing and seemed to be old style, but it’s a new style fusion restaurant… We were excited to go to a new, higher end restaurant in St. Albert, but left wanting more and would return to Edmonton for finer dining. Nineteen was like an «Earls» trying to be a «Wildflower Grill». It’s the best reference I’ve got, but I feel like it’s putting down Earls…