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Madison's Grill
Categories: Restaurants Canadian (New) Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Canadian (New), Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
10053 Jasper Ave NWEdmonton, AB T5J 1S5
(780) 401-2222
- Hours:
Mon, Thu 7 am - 10 pm
Sun 5 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
11 reviews for Madison's Grill
11 reviews in English
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Review from Tess R.
5/21/2011
I've been to Madison's more in the last month than I have since it opened. I remember giving it a try when it was still new, and found that the menu read really well, full of very tempting and unique sounding combinations, but the meal never met the promise of those descriptions. A great chef may have planned the menu, or a great writer wrote it, but it seemed that neither stayed on to ensure their vision made it to the table.
More recently I've been there quite a few times for work, both a breakfast and several lunches. Sadly they didn't impress at breakfast, my basted eggs came sunny-side up, with the undercooked snot that is the reason I avoid ordering that style. They also gave me hash browns, which were easy enough to avoid eating, but were not what I ordered when I asked for eggs and toast. They didn't have either soy or almond milk for my coffee, which I know can be a stretch for smaller establishments to have on hand, but if you are going for superior service you should be prepared to accommodate guests avoiding dairy. One of my breakfast companions had the eggs benedict. They said it was good, but a grey hollandaise isn't particularly appetizing looking.
Lunch fortunately has been much much better. They were able to accommodate a group that was much larger than our reservation and this time the menu read less inspiring than the tastes that were a delightful surprise. The Gull Valley tomato salad is amazing, with arugula, 3 or 4 varieties of tomato, goat cheese and a stunning smoky sweet onion relish that I couldn't stop adding to every bite. The soups I've tried suffered from not meeting the promise that the servers gave from exquisite descriptions (the writer must be on staff), but were ok, just not so great that I needed to devour them like that salad. other dishes I've sampled have been very good, and I've put this place back onto my lunch list.
My rating is lunch only, as this is my main reason for coming here. I'd only give them 2 stars for breakfast. -
Review from Brianne K.
Victoria, BC
1/14/2012
During a stay at the attached Union Bank Inn we dined at Madison's twice.
Dinner had decent if slightly cold service, the food was mediocre and for $200 I would expect to be wow'd but certainly wasn't. Everything served was pretty subpar and left a lot to be desired. I had the scallops and my partner had the quail. Upon tasting the sauce on my dish he commented that it tasted like the sauce from frozen pizza and I had to agree... certainly not worth the $42. The desert also tasted like a pudding cup with marshmallow fluff on top, generically and overpoweringly sweet without much actual flavour. My companion did seem to enjoy his quail though and I would have been more generous with 2 or 3 stars if it hadn't been for breakfast.
Breakfast had service so bad I had to wonder if we'd stumbled into a Denny's. There was only one other table in the restaurant but the server was so rushed that he walked away before I could finish telling him my order. He did come back to take the rest (looking highly annoyed that I dare interrupt his time) but when our food came he had brought me the wrong thing anyway. After the fix (ie: going to the garbage can to toss the portion I'd asked to omit) the meal was delicious. I just couldn't believe how this man treated me.
Overall, I would avoid Madison's. The Union Bank Inn is a gorgeous hotel but the restaurant totally ruined the experience for me. Paying more for underwhelming meals than for my hotel room itself is very disappointing. -
Review from Adam R.
5/7/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I come to Madison's for breakfast about once a week, and I've never been disappointed. The food is excellent, and service is nearly impossible to beat, and they even bring you your own mini-caraffe of coffee -- a great thing to have if you love to drink coffee as much as I do.
Most recently, I opted for an omelette. You can pick three different ingredients, so I chose spinach, tomato and goat's cheese. It was like a glorious explosion of eggy flavour in my mouth. I smoothed out the tang of the goat's cheese with a few pieces of toast and some pan-fried potatoes. This meal left me full until beyond lunchtime.
Madison's seems like a super-upscale place -- and it is -- but that doesn't mean you can come here dressed a little more casually. I definitely recommend you book reservations, which you can do easily online since the restaurant uses OpenTable.
Madison's has breakfast down pat. I'm really looking forward to trying dinner here. -
Review from Melanie L.
Edmonton, AB
2/16/2011
The best thing Madison's has got going is atmosphere and service. The ambiance was romantic and comfortable (right down to the furniture) and the service was prompt and (mostly) helpful but unobtrusive.
The food is good. Nothing mind-blowing here, but solid. I ate a six-course fixed menu for Valentine's Day and was alternately indifferent and impressed. The tomato basil "pistou" was essentially a minestrone; I didn't enjoy the chunky texture and could have used a creamy accoutrement. The bread rolls were schmeh and I suppose it's one of those background things but details say a lot about overall direction in menu. I don't like eating seafood in Alberta: it comes from too far away. Not that Madison's billets itself as a localvore haunt but considering the category (I'd say it's bordering on fine) and price, you'd expect there to be something that pops out.
The beef and salad courses were fantastic. All the flavours and ingredients were well balanced and executed well. I also enjoyed the sablefish, even though I know it came from faraway. But I couldn't get behind the other seafood courses and feel that Alberta has a lot to offer in terms of meat options.
The only knock I have on the service was the wine recommendation. I asked for something fruity but not "in your face, like Australian shiraz". We were served a French _____ (sorry, can't remember the region) and it started off pleasantly enough (light, aromatic fruit, zippy acidity) but as it had a chance to decant, it became downright sour, almost vinegary. Not the nicest last few sips.
I will probably go back but due to the cost, not anytime soon. So close Edmonton, so close. -
Review from Antonella C.
Edmonton, AB
1/25/2011
I was curious to return to Madison's Grill in the Union Bank Inn since the renovation. To be sure, the new colours do add light without needing any actual light, a plus :-]
We had a bit of an early dinner since 7pm seating was full, however, we were assured we wouldn't be rushed out and we weren't. We had a nice table for 2 at the windows and from there we started eyeing the menu.
First off, the meals we ordered were quite good and aside a few VERY little things, I must say, this is one of the few places that I hope I can count on to be consistent in ALL its features; from the friendly and attentive staff to the good food we did have.
I had as an appetizer the Baked Portneuf Brie which was quite good, however, and it is really my first only "ding" on my meal; the candied nuts were a bit too much and it would have been more pleasing to the palate to have the bread slices that accompanied the brie toasted. From there, I ordered, per the recommendation of it being less gamey than the bison, the Hog Wild Boar. It was VERY good and tender, NOT gamey at all. With our meal, as we do when it is available, we ordered champagne :-] which also went nicely with the creme brulee, unfortunately, my second little "ding"; the top was a more burnt than crisp, however, once I got the top off, the "creme" was very nice, light and perfect with the last drops of champagne.
I am not ready to give it a 4/5 simply because I would like to return to "confirm" this experience. However, rest assured, I am very confident in recommending Madison's for a lovely and tranquil, AND delicious night out. -
Review from Roman K.
Edmonton, AB
5/31/2011
When you dine out in downtown Edmonton, you often run into the problem where cost battles pretension in a war between the rock and the hard place. My first trip for lunch at Madison's solved that problem nicely. Upscale yet comfortable, classy but inviting, the Coco Chanel-like black and white theme mixes with a 1930s hotel interior to say "You're in a nice place, but you won't break the bank". I tried the Mac n Cheese, intrigued because the menu description made little mention of either, and enjoyed the meat topped dish very much. My fellow lawyer guests loved their salmon. As for atmosphere, they wore suits, I wore shorts with a collared shirt, and I only wished that I had time for a scotch at the bar. Not quite the Hotel Mac, but that can be a good thing at times. A great find.
-
Review from Robyn W.
1/29/2011
My husband and I went to Madison's Grill to celebrate his birthday, along with my Aunt and Uncle who were celebrating my Uncle's retirement.
As soon as we arrived, we were seated by a very friendly waiter, unfortunately, he was not the one waiting on our table.
My aunt asked for the tasting menu, and our waitress informed her that its not recommended if only one person at the table wants it because then the timing of the dishes is off, and she will be getting dishes while everyone else doesn't. We all agreed that we didn't mind, but then the server scrambled and said that its actually too much work for the kitchen to compile a tasting menu for just one person. That is understandable, and that is what we should have been told in the first place rather than a fib about it being for "our convenience". It also does not say on the menu that the tasting menu is only available for an entire table.
With our appetizer and entree orders placed, our server brought out buns and butter - I asked that she bring extra butter, which she did, and threw it on the table in front of me with a roll of her eyes.
For appetizers, we had the pork belly ravioli, the shortrib & gnocchi soup, and the twice baked goat cheese souffle. All were delicious, though the soup seemed like the worst value at $12 for a bowl.
For entrees, we got the bison, the arctic char, the lamb shank and the pheasant breast. Again, every single thing on each plate was delicious. The meat was all perfectly cooked and fall-off-the-bone tender. The sides (mashed potatoes, potato pave, mushroom risotto, and potato strings) were tasty, and we each got a nice selection of veggies.
The service, however, continued to be somewhat disdainful, bordering on being outright rude.
We should have ended the meal there, but we made the mistake of ordering dessert. Obviously, desert is not Madison's strong point.
We got the upside-down blueberry cake, the apple tart, and the ice cream sandwich. The only really yummy thing was the blueberry cake. The apple tart was overly spiced with cinnamon (and I love cinnamon), the crust on the tart was very tough, and it came garnished with almond brittle that was impossible to eat. The biggest let down was the ice cream sandwich. We got a a 1"x1" square of chocolate cake with a minuscule layer of ice cream inside, this was accompanied by a 1 oz cup of "milkshake". This tiny dessert cost us $10 (the same price as the other 2, relatively large portions), and what little there was had no taste at all. When the waitress came to retrieve our plates (not asking how it was), we made sure to tell her that not only was the price point ridiculous for such a tiny serving, but that it didn't taste like anything at all.
Then she never came back. We waited at least 20 minutes for the bill, and it was finally brought by another server.
I would love to give Madison's more than 3 stars, because all of the appetizers and entrees were spectacular, but unfortunately the service was average at best, and we were actually made to feel quite uncomfortable by our assigned waitress. And our last taste of the meal was that awful, overpriced dessert (which was not removed from the bill despite our obvious displeasure).
I would recommend Madison's, but stay our of Seria's (I think that was her name) section, and don't waste your money on dessert. -
Review from Cori L.
Calgary, AB
2/28/2011
We stayed at the Union Bank inn and had a couple meals at Madison's. For being a higher end restaurant It was right up there with being one of the better experiences in this class of dining experience.
We didn't arrive during peak times so it wasn't busy for us which adds to my experience of the food being extremely quick but very good. Service was polite and friendly. The prices were on par with other places of similar class. Decor was nice.
I'm a vegetarian (vegan at home) and usually restaurants of this scale don't carter to me. Sometimes they are willing to "whip" something up for me because it's not on the menu and generally get whatever the chief will make me which isn't always to my taste and sometimes they offer to serve me a double portion of salad with most of the distinguishing features missing. Either way I rarely consider that an easy or special dining experience and sometimes open food at a place of this scale can be extremely expensive because they charge whatever they want when the bill shows up. Madison's has at least one suitable and good choice per menu which always pleases me because I can eat multiple courses with my companion and feel like a normal customer.
I particularly liked the chocolate tasting plate for dessert (dinner menu). The price was reasonable ($10) and portions were decent for "tastes" so it felt like I had 3 very good desserts. -
Review from Johwanna A.
Edmonton, AB
2/16/2010
We had such a great Valentine's Day meal. Our, waiter, Joel was fun and knew his stuff. Our wine tasty and oh the food! Course 2 consume was a great set up for the Fig and Fois Gras salad and OH MY GOD
Gnocchi with crab, lobster, Comte and a chardonnay cream sauce! It was one of the nicest meals we've had in Edmonton in a long time and the best meal we've had a that price point in a long time. Totally work it. -
Review from Katcho M.
Edmonton, AB
1/15/2011
Possibly the best eggs benedict we have had in Edmonton. Surprisingly inexpensive brunch menu, pleasant and attentive service, lovely decor. It's divine! Wish Edmonton had more eateries like this one.
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Review from Jennifer P.
Edmonton, AB
11/9/2008 1 photo
Madison's Grill is the top-end restaurant at Union Bank Inn. It's well-known as one of the best dining places in the city. As expected, it is expensive. I went there and had a $20-plus salad with a lobster tail on it that was absolutely delicious. I also had a $40 bison steak that wasn't that good. I found it a bit tough. But in fairness to the chef, I didn't order it rare which you're supposed to. It's a very nice, smaller and intimate space. If you're waking up at the hotel and having brunch here, the coffee is wonderful and the breakfast menu is fabulous. The staff and servers are more mature, respectable and present well. My boyfriend was a bit embarrassed when he asked what they had for beers on tap and the waiter replied, "We don't have a tap here, sir." The wine list is lovely and you will have a memorable meal, but be prepared to splurge.
