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Niche
Category: Restaurants Canadian (New) Canadian (New) [Edit]
11011 Jasper AveEdmonton, AB T5K 2W4
(780) 761-1011
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am - 12 am
Fri 11 am - 2 am
Sat 4 pm - 2 am
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
17 reviews for Niche
17 reviews in English
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Review from Andrew H.
3/6/2012
Edmonton Dining week is upon us and now is the perfect time to check out some what the downtown core is cookin'.
I've always been trying to check out Niche. Just sitting off 109, it's actually kind of easy to miss. The exterior is quite nondescript but once you step inside, it's an intimate artsy restaurant with a bar that can't be missed.
I really enjoyed the décor as it reminded me of a New York style restaurant complete with brick walls.
My friend and I ordered the "Beef" dip and the grilled cheese. What was interesting was there was no beef in the beef dip but it was slow roasted lamb. I'm not a big lamb person myself, but it was pleasant to try it again after an absence of eating it. The greens that came with it were very tasty. I think it was the combination of the dressing and ground pepper which brought out the extra "oomph".
The grilled cheese was something of a surprise. I didn't read the description but when it came out, it was essential a cheese and tomato baguette with an over easy egg sitting on top. For me, it was a fresh approach to lunch where something so simple as cheese and tomato went so well with the egg.
The dessert. Oh boy. Where do I start. Simply put, it was probably one of the best things of my week when I had it. It was a flourless brownie with a salted caramel drizzle with whip cream. The whip cream was light and fluffy and the brownie was deliciously moist and chocolatey. I think the caramel was one of the nicer touches and it brought the dessert to a standing ovation in my stomach.
I do admit though that with one server running the show, the lunch did take longer than expected. Price point wise, it wasn't anything that screamed deal but it wasn't too outrageous either.
For me, it was worth paying $15.00 to try something new because I'd like to return. -
Review from Lea A.
My hubby and I decided to go to Niche for our wedding anniversary. We kept passing it by on our jaunts downtown, but the timing was just off. Still, it intrigued us enough due to Yelpers recommendations and its location to try it out.
The interior is nice and cozy, and Rob and I really enjoyed the brick wall. The only downside was that because the space is small and we're just a reservation for two, our table was kinda squished at the corner and if my husband wasn't careful, he'd have hit his head against some old fashioned temperature switch. Speaking of temperatures, it gets cold sitting by the front window. Perhaps more heating to be directed in that area?
However, we thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Our server was very cordial and I was mildly tickled she called my husband "sir" when it was clear we were all the same age (or thereabouts). We ordered the torchon of foie gras with some berry sauce and buttered crostinis to start -- omg, so yum! I enjoyed this much more than the foie gras I got at Bistro La Persaud. Though, I was thinking that it would be nice to have a half-price option with half the portion. Foie gras is rich enough that I just needed a few nibbles -- that being said, I did polish off the plate. ;-)
For mains, I had the special of the evening, pork loin in a sweet & spicy sauce with proscuitto wrapped asparagus and fingerling potatoes. Rob had the coffee crusted bison on barley risotto with a couple of beets. The food was tasty and very well executed (the bison, in particular, was the right amount of doneness!). I liked it, though I have to say I didn't have the same "mind blowing" taste experience as the aforementioned Bistro La Persaud. Everything tasted good, but nothing that made me go: I have to have to have this again.
That being said, everything tasted ORIGINAL and again, the execution and service was good enough that it makes me want to visit it again.
My husband was also impressed the by their bathrooms. Haha. :) Apparently, it is uniquely decorated.Listed in: Drop A Pretty Penny
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Review from Monica I.
Edmonton, AB
10/4/2011
Niche is a nice relaxing place to dine or go for a drink on a Monday night. I can say, that some nights are very busy - call and see how it is if you aren't ready to wait or willing to sit at the bar.
Menu will be changing October 10, 2011 - so go soon if you want to try these dishes.
My girlfriend ordered the Tuna on Spinach salad with chick peas (garbanzos) The tuna was impressive - delightfully fresh. Obtained from Ocean Inland Oddessey at the Downtown farmer's market, it was so delicious we could have eaten much more. It's been some time since I've had tuna that tasted like tuna should.
In the end I chose the Pork and Cabbage soup. I did mention to our server that I was celiac and that the special of the day with Duck confit and a lovely mushroom barley risotto wouldn't be compatible - (barley isn't considered gluten free) and she inquired with the kitchen if they could make it with rice instead. It wasn't busy, and they did offer to make it, but warned it could take some time longer as it wasn't prepared for service. I didn't mind the wait, but I've been craving a tasty soup as fall has brought a chill in the air.
In the end, the soup was definitely the right choice. Served with toast crostini (had to send it back for a new bowl) and alfalfa sprouts, it was meaty, and very tasty, with a hint of heat.
As it turns out, dessert happened to be a gluten-free brownie with salted caramel. We hemmed and hawed about dessert - we were plenty full, and really, I didn't need the extra calories - but we were celebrating. Emily the Sous-Chef said we really had to try it. The name of this dish does NOT describe how delicious it is. The whip cream on top wasn't sweet, and there was a light dusting of lemon rind on top. The brownie was squishy and dense (from Queen of Tarts on 104 Street) served with an in-house made caramel and large crystal salt. Beautifully balanced sweet, creamy and salty. I would never have thought this combination would be this delicious. I finished it all... with only a little help from my friend. I think there's some extra walking and yoga in my future, so I can come back for more. This item is not leaving the menu Oct 10th, so ask for it anytime.
While we were having supper, a neighbouring table ordered the cheese platter...and it was sorely tempting to order one ourselves. It looked like quite the taste adventure.
The wine special was a nice price at $10, however served a tad bit warm. The Pinot Grigio was very smooth and would pair well with almost anything on the menu.
If you are looking for gluten-free dining, Emily (Sous Chef on site 6 days a week she says), is well acquainted and able to provide safe meals for you, with a goal of having more items that are celiac friendly in the future. -
Review from Nitin B.
Edmonton, AB
3/3/2012
We went there for dinner on a hubby-wife date night and found it to be below our expectations. I was hoping for a stand out meal but everything from the appies to the dessert came with disappointment. The Duck Parfait was not very good to look at and it didn't taste any better. The Sea Bass entree looked great but it was tasteless. The dessert was a crepe with oranges, and it just had no punch to it. I really wanted to like this place because it has a great decor, nice drink menu and is situated just outside the core. Maybe I went on a bad night, but I'm def not motivated to go there again anytime soon.
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Review from Antonella C.
Edmonton, AB
8/12/2011 ROTD 2/27/2012
After having tried to get to Niche once, earlier in the spring, it was nice to get there in June :-]
Not sure of what to expect when we walked in; it is quite small, but cozy, we enjoyed the easy vibe and also were greeted by a very personable waiter.
They have a bar at which folks can eat as well as enjoy an "aperitivo". We were seated at a high table. Having read the specials, I chose to be daring and order something completely new for me: Halibut cheeks. My friends from NF may be laughing about now, however, an Ital-Amer gal from Detroit City...well, enough said ;-]
I was happily surprised and very satisfied with my selection: Halibut cheeks with Prawns, Scallops on a fresh herbed risotto with bacon, corn and grana padana gremolata. I started my meal with the cheese plate (no worries for blueberry based coulis here ;-] ), whereas my companion had the tomato and bocconcini salad. My companion had the Tuna which he too enjoyed very much as it was very fresh tasting. We ordered a bottle of champagne, however, I spied the sangria pitcher at the bar and would like to return to have it since I have read how delicious it is.
Dessert didn't disappoint either: Coconut lemon tarte with kiwi strawberry salsa....VERY nice and perfect for a summer evening.
In all, it was a really good experience and would return here again, easily and with no hesitation :-] -
Review from Janine E.
Edmonton, AB
1/29/2012
I really enjoyed Niche when the boyfriend and I decided to go in the summer. The portions were what I thought to be a better size and the fish was really good! I enjoyed the the small space of the restaurant making it quite quaint. My only complaint was that it was too hot inside... they should definitely get better AC. Baring that there was nothing wrong with our meal it was actually quite delicious. I can't wait to go back when they open the patio!
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Review from Amanda K.
Edmonton, AB
6/3/2011 ROTD 6/15/2011
Last night my boyfriend and I went to Niche to celebrate his birthday and we really enjoyed ourselves!
When we arrived for our reservation the table wasn't quite ready, so we grabbed a seat at the bar. As everyone has mentioned, this is a very small restaurant but we found that as soon as we oriented ourselves to the space it didn't feel cramped or crowded.
We ordered the beef carpaccio to start and I would categorize it as 'okay'. It was definitely tasty but didn't wow me (it may have been better if we'd ordered our wine with the appetizer instead of with our entrées).
Speaking of wine, they have a great and diverse wine selection. I'm looking forward to going back, grabbing a seat at the bar, and delving a little deeper into the wine list.
For entrées, my boyfriend went for the beef cheeks with wild mushroom cream on egg noodles and I went for the duck leg on golden mashed potatoes with lemon thyme gravy. Both were excellent. My bf said that the subtle flavour of the mushrooms really shone in the sauce and, while the egg noodles were a little toothsome, it didn't prevent him from polishing off his entire plate. As for my duck, I thought it was delicious. The richness of the duck leg combined with a tasty, crispy skin was great with the mashed potatoes and especially the gravy. My only complaint was that there wasn't enough gravy - it greatly enhanced the flavor of the duck and my last few bites were gravy-less and thus a little dry.
For desert we ordered the flourless brownie with lemon whipped cream and the chocolate-hazelnut bread pudding. The bread pudding wasn't extremely noteworthy - it was fine but I wouldn't order it again. The brownie, on the other hand, was excellent. Dense and chewy, every other bite featured a crunch of salt, which was awesome. The lemon whipped cream was what made the dish though - my bf doesn't like whipped cream (which is very weird I know!) and he couldn't get enough of it! He said it was the best whipped cream he'd ever had and he enthusiastically recommended the brownie to a nearby table that was debating whether or not to order desert.
Overall, we had a really great evening. Our server was both laid back and attentive and did a great job, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the food was delicious.
The menu was very reasonably priced - one reason for this may be that the servings were on the small side. I see this as a virtue though, as I was able to finish both an appetizer and desert, something I'm almost never able to do! In the end our bill came to $130, including an appetizer, two entrées, two deserts, two pints, and a bottle of wine. Very reasonable in my opinion!
We left with big smiles on our faces and happy, full bellies. We'll definitely be back! -
Review from Quoc H.
Edmonton, AB
5/9/2011
Summary:
- Simple menu that focuses on a few dishes
- Food is excellent - well-made with good flavours
- Service was attentive at times but very slow (2 course meal service took 2 hours) and there were a few service fumbles (see details below)
- Unlikely to return
Detailed trip report (Sat May 7):
Rough start - My party of 4 arrived at 830pm for a Sat night reservation. We were asked to wait by the bar as we were told that the people who were eating at our table were "just finishing up". After about 15mins, the resto offered us a taster of their new summer wine along with some apologies. After 30mins, the resto offered us a round of drinks and said they were about to ask the people to leave (although they never had to because the people left right after they said this).
While we were waiting, we got to admire the intimate space with cool touches like the exposed brick wall and the picture frame in the corner that has nothing in it.
Once seated, we immediately ordered our mains (no apps) - 2 orders of the beef cheek with egg noodles, 1 order of the duck, 1 order of the salmon. I thoroughly enjoyed the beef cheek dish - the egg noodles were perfectly cooked, sauce had just the right amount of cream and truffle oil, and the beef melted in my mouth. I had a taste of my friend's duck and it was perfectly cooked - a bit crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. Everyone was very happy with their mains.
Once everyone was finished with their food, it took quite a while before we were offered dessert menus (first service fumble). We all ordered the salted caramel brownie and 3 coffees. Our desserts came about 10mins later but there was no sign of our coffee. Brownie was excellent and I believe the slight "dryness" being reported by many Yelpers is due to the fact that it's gluten-free. The coffee came in a large press after the quick eaters finished their desserts. Not sure why it took so long or if they just forgot as it wouldn't take much time to grind coffee, add hot water and wait the 4mins or so to make coffee in a press (second service fumble).
The server brought the bill promptly after we finished desserts; however, it seemed like forever until someone came by to get our credit cards (third service fumble). When I looked at the bill, I noticed they didn't take off the drinks but that was quickly dealt with when I asked about it. Once paid, it was over 2 hours for our 2-course meal.
In the end, I enjoyed the food and space but there were a few too many service issues for my liking. I don't think I'd return unless my peers can convince me this is a one-off. -
Review from Adam R.
8/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
My first time at Niche was for lunch on my birthday... Or rather, a belated lunch birthday. In any event, I had high expectations for this place, since so many people have told me it's excellent.
They weren't wrong.
The main room is cosy and lovely. Dark richness, with a great view of the bar, and everyone else. The washrooms are great - two separate toilets and a common "powder room" area for boys and girls, as close to unisex as I've seen in Edmonton.
These guys poor Yellowhead beer, so I had a pint of that, along with a deconstructed salad roll which included pork and shrimp. So delicious, and with a portion size that leave you full, but not stuffed. I was able to enjoy dessert as well, which included a flourless chocolate cake with some fine caramel.
I'll be coming back to Niche, without question. Their simple menu, normal portion sizes and great service made them one of the best new restaurants in downtown Edmonton. -
Review from Lasha T.
6/18/2011
I really enjoyed my experience at Niche. The seating arrangements reminded me of restaurants in France where it feels like you could be eating dinner with your neighbours.
Even though we were eating inside it was really nice out so we ordered a pitcher of sangria. It was made perfectly, was really fresh and looked delicious. So delicious in fact that after we ordered it the four other tables in the restaurant did as well.
Since I'm on a big duck kick right now that is what I ordered for dinner and it was really good. It wasn't as flavorful as some other places I have tried, but it was still really good. I wish I had left room for dessert as it sounded delicious, but maybe next time!Listed in: Favourite Upscale Joints
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Review from Jacqueline S.
Edmonton, AB
2/2/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Niche opened about a month ago along my route home from the grocery store, and after some tasty sounding tweets, some friends and I decided to check it out.
From the outside, we didn't really know what to expect. The windows were dark and aside from the "Open" sign and a small menu next to the door, it didn't look like there was anything going on. The inside was a bit of a surprise, in a good way. The place was much smaller than I expected, with the bar dominating the room and a row of tables along the brick wall opposite. The lighting was low, but not too low, and we agreed we were all big fans of the ambiance. Classy and casual.
The menu here is small, which I like because I feel like it lets them focus more on perfecting each dish, and I find it easier to decide between 4 options than 40. I guess I should be more specific. The food menu is small, but the wine and drink menu is more substantial. The prices for food were lower than we expected ($20 for each entree), and the drinks were not as cheap, but still about what you'd expect from a fancier restaurant.
We started with the charcuterie plate, which ranged from pretty tasty to awesome, and the bison meatballs, which were also very good. Our server helped us pick out a nice wine to share that went fairly well with everything on the menu.
For the entree, my friends had the duck and the pork, which they thought were amazing. I had the beef cheek, which was pretty tasty, although I thought that the noodles and the sauce, while good, kind of overshadowed the beef. But it definitely satisfied my craving for beef cheek that had started when I first checked out their menu online.
The service here was great. There was only ever one other table there while we were eating, but our server was the right balance of being attentive without hovering. Things were timed nicely, and we were certainly never rushed.
Niche would be a great place for a date or for drinks if you don't want to deal with the crowds (and clientele) at some of the other nearby Jasper Ave bars.
Also, I think Niche is a fine name and all, but I would have totally called this place 27. A big nerd high five to anyone who knows why.Listed in: Downtown Tastiness
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Review from Edda O.
5/17/2011 4 photos
Went for an early dinner to kick start a Bachelorette evening. We originally had reservations for 5.30 pm but got held up and called them before 5 to see if we could change it to 6. We were told that they couldn't.
So we rushed and made it there by 5.50 and saw there was a couple empty tables... (err....) I was just happy to have a table. Sat down, and it took a long while before drink orders were taken and even longer for us to get our drinks. Not only did it take over 10 minutes after ordering to get our drinks, my beer was warm.
We then ordered:
Bison Short ribs on crostini - Pretty tasty, the bison was so tender and very flavourful.
Beef cheeks - Bland. The beef was nice & tender with silky egg noodles but it was just bland. With predominant taste of cream and nothing else.
Duck confit - great crispy skin on the duck but it was really dry inside.
Salmon - The maple glaze was unappetisingly sweet...
Our appetisers got to us about 15 minutes after ordering, and it took over 20 minutes between the two courses. I was surprised at how slow the food took since there is only about 5 tables there...
Overall, and ok experience w decent food but nothing amazing. Service is a little slow & lacking, we were not even asked how the food was until we were paying the bill. -
Review from Alex L.
Calgary, AB
3/15/2011
My hope and dream is that one day all restaurants in Edmonton will have food as well made as Niche.
Considering they have only been open since January, the kitchen has clearly shown that they are here to make simple food in the best manner possible.
Went on a Friday night at 7 and the place was packed. Sat at the bar and the bartender brought a complimentary glass of wine, very nice touch.
Had the lentil soup, duck and the salted caramel brownie. All of them were slightly different spins of simple food.
The lentil soup had some braised pork that added a nice hint of texture and flavor to balance the sweetness of the lentils.
The duck was cooked perfectly with the moistness locked in while still maintaining a very clear duck flavor. The chef was clearly trying to show off the duck rather than trying to bury it is seasonings. It came with a good portion of mashed potatoes and asparagus.
The salted caramel brownie was a little bit dry on its own but when eaten with the delicious lemon cream topping, balanced perfectly.
The only caveat was that the servers still look to be working out some of the organizational issues so it may seem a little hectic when it gets busy. Once these minor items are worked out, I will be happy to come back and give a 5 star review for this intimate and delicious restaurant. -
Review from Robyn W.
3/11/2011 ROTD 4/4/2011
A group of us checked out Niche during downtown dining week. We had a reservation for 7:30pm, and when we arrived, they were just clearing the table for us. While we waited (for all of 3 minutes), we were each presented with a glass of Persecco for our troubles.
Free alcohol is always a great way to start the evening.
The place is tiny, and nicely styled. The raw brick wall is a nice touch and the bathrooms are pretty cool.
We each opted for the 3 course option, and gave our orders. I had also ordered a mojito which, when delivered, was very bitter. All it took was a mention to the waitress and she took it to the bartender to sweeten it up.
The first course was the quinoa salad with roasted vegetables. It was very good - the perfect amount of dressing and big chunks of goat cheese. You just can't go wrong with big chunks of goat cheese. My husband had the lentil soup and also thought it was very good.
For an entree, I opted for the beef cheeks & egg noodles in a mushroom sauce. I have never had beef cheeks before and was delighted with what was plated before me. The beef was ridiculously tender and the sauce was rich and tasty. My husband had the pork loin, which was also good, but really benefited from the blackberry sauce.
Dessert was a salted brownie with a lemon cream. The brownie itself seemed dry, while the lemon cream was delicious. If you happened to get a bite with a hint of the salt, it was very tasty, but often the salt was overpowering.
Overall the food at Niche was impressive and a great value during downtown dining week (I think still a good value otherwise). My only real complaint was the speed of service - which was incredibly slow. It was a good thing that we had such good company because to complete 3 courses took over 2.5 hours. -
Review from Jennifer C.
Edmonton, AB
5/2/2011
I went to Niche for the first time last week and it was delicious! I had the braised beef crostini's and roast beef carpaccio to start and pork tenderloin as my main dish and it was all so yummy! I will totally be back!!
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Review from Liv V.
Edmonton, AB
3/9/2011 2 photos
A subtle, moody room that boasts locally sourced ingredients prepared with attention and aplomb. I highly recommend the duck, bison meatballs and anything that is featured for dessert. The salted caramel brownie is the stuff of legend.
Listed in: The Green Mile
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Review from Isabel S.
Edmonton, AB
9/15/2011
Love this new little gem we found! Great food...love, love the duck...decor adorable, and can hardly wait to return....lovely staff too!
