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Packrat Louie Kitchen & Bar
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11:30 am - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 11:30 am - 11 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:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Upscale, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
14 reviews for Packrat Louie Kitchen & Bar
14 reviews in English
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Review from ron e.
Edmonton, AB
5/23/2012
flavor=9 $=8 service=$9 atmosphere=6 menu=9
avg=8.2
now this place.... looks can be deceiving. when my wife and i
walked by this place it looked like a place with a bad taste. the two
marquees are totally different and the one in the patio should definitely
be changed! the one by the entrance is fine and looks like its more
trustable. hahaha.
once you get in, its great. the ambiance. the liveliness. it has a certain
warmth to it. despite the fact that it was a tuesday, the place was pact!
unbelievable. too bad there was construction going on outside totally
killing the atmosphere and the mood.
but their menu looked full. i mean you'd have to visit here a couple times
to fully enjoy their cuisine. and i think i would. since my wife and i had a
late huge lunch we just ordered some pinot noir an appetizer and an entree.
the bruchetta was ok for me. it was good not surprising. refreshing. my
wife liked it. but their lamb chops....yes! finally! my search is over! i have
been looking for lamb chops for 3 yrs now ever since i've moved to edmonton.
love the idea that they stamp the dessert menu on the table but it was
illegible so the waitress ended explaining it. i found that funny. we closed our
meal with a maple creme brule and it was a beautiful night.
hope the construction would be over next time! -
Review from Lasha T.
12/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
What a little gem. You really cannot tell what kind of restaurant this is going to be from the outside. The interior is very nice and not overdone. If anything it looks a little corporate yet still maintains an intimate feel. I do agree with one reviewer that a lot of high end restaurants in Edmonton focus around red meat, but at this restaurant they have a lot of different fish dishes. I tried the halibut and it was delicious. The service was great and the pricing was fair.
The only thing that would have pushed this 4 (really 4.5 in my mind) up to a 5 would have been a few more options on the menu that I really want to go back and try. I think if I am in a fish mood then absolutely, but if not the other meat dishes didn't really catch my attention. Maybe I should also come in to try the pizza. It looks like a lot of people are recommending it.
Either way I will certainly be back and keep it near the top of my list. Great for boyfriend/girlfriend or just going with friends or work associates. -
Review from Kelsey F.
Edmonton, AB
5/22/2012
The location and decor can't be beat. The menu was what was lacking for me. The crusted halibut was tough and flavorless, the stuffed chicken was unbearably over cooked, and the desserts left much to be desired. The sticky toffee pudding was probably the best part of the meal for 6 people. We are family and all shared each others plates to sample the food. I would love to return if the food would improve. The ambiance is nice and I love to support local businesses. I have contacted the restaurant with my review and hope it will help.
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Review from Carol K.
Packrat Louie is nestled in the theatre district just off Whyte Ave. When you first look at it, you wouldn't expect it to be as nice as it is inside. You would be pleasantly surprised like I was when I first walked in. The decor is modern, and the dining area is huge!
I came here for lunch hoping to get in and out in 30 mins. Ambitious, I know. But I was the only one here and all of the staff members were VERY accommodating. I ordered the Catch of the Day; tilapia maybe? To be honest, I don't remember because I was in a huge rush. It was paired with some sort of creamy sauce, orzo and veggies. The fish was nice and tender, the orzo was good but a think a little heavy for my appetite, and the veggies were unique and yummy.
So, did I get in and out in 30 mins? I sure did. The kitchen staff prepared my meal perfectly in 10 minutes and my server was very prompt with my bill. The only issue I had was that I found a scale on the fish skin. It's not that big of a deal, but it shouldn't be there. I wish I could have spent a bit more time here. Maybe next time, Edmonton.
14/30Listed in: Exploring Edmonton's Eats
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Review from Peggy L.
10/22/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This was the first 'fancy' restaurant that I went to with my boyfriend (or anyone other than family..) and it did not disappoint! I love that it's a higher end restaurant, but it still feels casual. I think a lot of the ambience was due to the open concept of the restaurant, and most of all, our waiter. He was really helpful and engaging.
The food was really delicious too. I had the pork chop with grilled veggies and stuffed potatoes, while my boyfriend had the ostrich with spaetzle and braised red cabbage. My chop was juicy, tender, and perfectly spiced. It was so tasty, but I have to say, my favourite thing on the plate was the mini bell pepper. Too cute!!! My boyfriend's ostrich and spaetzle were also really good. The ostrich was seasoned with Chinese five spice, which really complimented the richness and slight gamey taste.
My only regret is not ordering dessert, but that will be remedied on our inevitable next visit!Listed in: Favourites!
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Review from Adam S.
7/25/2011
I don't quite understand the popularity of Packrat Louie. It gets rave reviews from everyone I know, but I find it pretty underwhelming. Don't get me wrong, it's a decent restaurant -- it just doesn't live up to the hype.
The food is good, but perhaps not quite worth the price. The pizzas are well-priced, but the entrees are a touch more expensive than they should be, given the quality. It's not the the prices are really high or that the food is not good, but the price point and the food quality just don't align as well as they should, in my opinion.
Having said that, there are some really good items on the menu. The Prawns Louie are absolutely fantastic and well worth the $17 you'll pay for them. They are probably the best appetizer I've had in an Edmonton restaurant.
The service at Packrat Louie is excellent. If I could rate the food and the service separately, I'd probably give the service 4-stars. There were a few hiccups during my most recent visit, but overall the service was great. Our server was attentive, friendly, and seemed to be able to read our minds in terms of (almost) always being at the table when we needed her.
I think Packrat Louie is a nice place to go for a sort of "upscale casual" dinner in Edmonton. I just don't think it's quite as amazing as many people seem to think, and the prices are a tad higher than they should be. -
Review from Aditya R.
1/31/2011 ROTD 2/24/2011
Packrat Louie's is a high end restaurant with an understated feel to it. The interiors are very nice, but from outside it's very low key - just the way it should be.
The menu is tremendous, actually. It seems quite French inspired, of course with a lot of American and fusion like components. I like that they've got options for all kinds of people. I've noticed that menu fine dining restaurants in Edmonton tend to be a little too red meat-centric. However, Packrat's list of entrées has an eclectic combination of all awesome things, from steaks, tenderloins, ostrich, lobster, pork, chicken, fish and vegan option etc. I think they've really made an effort to come out with a small, yet option-filled, menu.
The wood-fired pizzas are also quite good. I've had a couple and can certainly remember the chicken tikka pizza because, coming from India, I do know that crappy chains like Pizza Hut serve a chicken tikka pizza there and was thinking to myself - "boy, this chef probably thought he was coming up with something quite authentic".
They have a full bar with a good wine list. Of course, it's not as great a loungey place as people might think. I would consider it a dinner place for sure, but not so much of a drinks and apps kinda place. Do come here - the food is good, slightly expensive, but worth the price. The ambiance is private.Listed in: Whyte Ave, Beyge places, 3rd Dates
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Review from Matt B.
10/6/2011 ROTD 4/1/2012
The food here is great, but its a little pricey. They definitely have a talented chef and use quality ingredients. If you like high end places, you will like this place. I haven't yet tried the pizza, but they've got one of those huge fancy pizza ovens in the middle of the restaurant, so I assume the pizza's are amazing. As with all restaurants on or near Whyte Ave, trying to find parking is a pain.
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Review from Garnett S.
Edmonton, AB
3/3/2011
I've been to Packrat Louie's twice. The first time was soon after it opened, the second was very recently. Both times I was there the main course took way too long to arrive.
Packrat's has the prices of a high end restaurant but the food quality is just not at that level. The menu is a confused array of non-associated items.
I suppose that Packrat's occupies an Edmonton niche in catering to the pretentious crowd, the type who need to pay a certain amount for a meal just to feel important about their status and sense of worth. -
Review from Quoc H.
Edmonton, AB
6/12/2011
Summary:
- wonderful mushroom soup that was light with bright flavours; perfect for summer
- attentive service that is expected for the price point
- satisfactory value for money
Detailed review:
My wife and I returned to Packrat Louie after a long cooling off period. My past meals here, dating back a few years ago, were always pricey and never memorable. However, we returned due to a group buy coupon we got and were glad we did.
Started with a mushroom soup which I assumed was going to be creamy and rich. Was pleasantly surprised by the bright flavours and how light the soup was while still having a solid mushroom flavour - perfect considering it was a beautiful summer day!
Main was a white fish that was lightly breaded and served with spring/summer veggies, including asparagus. Enjoyable overall.
Throughout dinner, the service was very attentive but not overwhelming or pushy. The check was still substantial despite the group buy coupon but I thought it was fair value for money. -
Review from Alexandra T.
11/22/2010
We went to Packrat Louie's on Friday for my best friend's birthday. We had amazing service, our server was very well informed on the menu and went out of his way to make recommendations to improve our meals. The mussel dish was out of this world, though definitely a share item because it was huge and served in extremely large martini glass! We all very much enjoyed our main courses and managed to clean our plates! We had the ostrich, the bison and the veggie dish and everything was great! Normally, we wouldn't order dessert but we did and didn't regret it!
I had told our server that it was my friend's birthday and they put a nice sparkler on one of the desserts for us which was a nice touch! Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our meals and are sure to return sometime soon! -
Review from Kat B.
Edmonton, AB
2/23/2011 ROTD 8/6/2011
The perfect blend of healthy, and fat.... and cheese.
Holy man of awesome! I have wanted to go here for years after hearing about how well they treat their staff, just never got around to it. So, to celebrate some stuff that is none of your business, we walked in. No reservation, but they had room for us, as it was Monday night. It was quite busy, but our service was phenomenal. The right mix of leaving us alone and yet be there for every moment we could possibly want anything.
I had some pork chop grilled thing with onions and, well, wait, let me copy and paste it from the menu, or else it will sound like diner food. Well, copy and paste won't work, but it had goat cheese, caramellized onions, and things that looked like mushrooms but were potatoes. It is still on the menu, go look. So much yum.
The dinner was great, so great in fact that we went 3 times during the 4 days both of us had off together.
The morning after the dinner, I woke up regretting not having ordered a bowl of soup. I hadn't because i wanted to indulge my sweet tooth, so we went back for soup. Cream of mushroom soup with 4 different mushrooms in it, Easily the best thing I had put in my mouth that week.
And a spinach salad with goat cheese and beets and yum in it. My man had a pizza, which was the reason we had to go back and get pizzas the next day. I am concerned for my waistline if this Packrat Louie obsession. Yum -
Review from Katie F.
6/20/2010
This place has been around for years and it's nice to come back.
Came here to catch up with some girlfriends - it's perfect for all kinds of weather since it has a nice patio and lots of indoor seating as well. Great treat to spend some time in the gorgeous Alberta sunshine now that I live in Vancouver!
Prices are reasonable and lots of options for people to choose from - salads, appys, sandwiches, and pizza. Almost everything is under $16 for lunch.
Food is about a 3 star for quality and service is about a 4 star.
Definitely a great casual place to hang out with friends. Convenient location just off Whyte, across from the farmer's market. -
Review from Adam G.
Edmonton, AB
9/29/2010 1 Check-in Here
Fantastic fine dining option in Old Strathcona. I've been here three times and I've always been treated like a king. Upscale but not uppity; proficient but not precious. Though their baked brie is no longer on the menu, I still haven't forgotten about it. Same goes for their mushroom risotto and their Moroccan chicken. OK, so it's time for me to sample the new menu; all the more reason for me to come back.
