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Zinc Restaurant
Categories: Nightlife Bars Restaurants Canadian (Traditional) Bars, Canadian (Traditional) [Edit]
2 Sir Winston Churchill SqEdmonton, AB T5J 2C1
(780) 392-2501
- Hours:
Tue-Fri 11 am - 2:30 pm
Tue-Wed 5 pm - 9 pm
Thu-Sat 5 pm - 11 pm
Sat 10 am - 2:30 pm
Sun 10 am - 2 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Thu
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
15 reviews for Zinc Restaurant
15 reviews in English
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Review from Kelsey F.
Edmonton, AB
4/14/2012
Fun for our girl's night out. Staff was friendly. I will be back. Love the concept of being able to sample everything on the menu!
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Review from L M.
Edmonton, AB
10/28/2011
I loved my meal - tapas style.
The waitress wasn't very knowledgeable about the menu - she said it was new; but no matter; the food was great and interesting.
Also I thought the bartender mixed a brilliant urban version of a Singapore sling ( I ordered the syrupy mess and got an interesting and yummy version of the cocktail - so i had more than 1).
highly recommend, but give yourself time to enjoy.... more than 1 hour needed if you are going to a show! FYI -
Review from Joel P.
Grande Prairie, AB
10/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Only stopped in for a glass of wine and an appy, but my wife's 13 dollar glass of wine was only 3 ounces (she insists it was no more than 2). Would rather have been warned by the waiter that it was a chintzy amount of wine, and been given the option to get a regular sized glass for a few dollars more. The cheese platter was equally chintzy - we felt quite ripped off. A single person could easily have finished the whole cheese plate in about 3 minutes. I get that it must be a blindingly expensive location to pay rent in and maybe they're just trying to cut costs, but charge a couple bucks more and give us a fair amount!
The service was very good though, and the room was neat - but not intimate - felt like we were on display.
Would not recommend their specialty martinis. -
Review from Tess R.
5/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
A good place to go before an evening at the Winspear, but let them know you have tickets so they don't assume the meal is the evening out.
The entree that I had included vanilla scented cherry tomatoes. They astounded me. Words cannot describe how surprising and -----. Seriously I don't have the vocabulary for that wonderful taste.
The panzanella, if inventive, was not worth a second try in my opinion.
I need to go back to try the food again. Those tomatoes blocked out the other appetizer (scallops - the chef's speciality), and the rest of my entree or anyone-else's for that matter. I think it was good, but my memory suffers from that shining taste the blinded me to what else was on my plate.
The wine selection is excellent, the atmosphere more New York than Edmonton and the service impeccable.
The menu was a bit confusing for our party, but maybe we were having too much fun to get it at first. The prices are given for both one bite or a full plate to allow for a tapas style evening. Scallops 6/18 means one scallop for $6 or a full appetizer plate for $18. A few thought it meant 6 scallops or 18 scallops (that would be a lot of scallops!). Our waiter was very patient and helpful and we elected to share full plates for the appetizers and chose our own entrees. -
Review from Paula K.
9/26/2010
Zinc is the upscale restaurant located in the Art Gallery of Alberta. The small menu, which differs between lunch and dinner, focuses on local ingredients and original creations. The dining space is huge and bright, with high ceilings and a view out towards Churchill Square - not the most scenic view, but I like how you never forget that you're in the downtown core no matter how swanky the place may be.
Now, on to the food. I have to admit I don't do fine dining very often. It's out of my price range and I am not knowledgeable enough about food itself to know whether or not I'm paying for presentation, procurement, or just plain puffery. However, I was not going to refuse the opportunity to try out what is turning into one of the hot spots in Edmonton's dining scene.
I started my meal with the gazpacho, which was a cold soup of yellow tomatoes, garlic, and other seasonings, finished with some chopped vegetables and yogurt. The bowl was brought with the yogurt and vegetables already spooned out, while the soup was poured from a kettle into the bowl right in front of me. Score points for presentation. The soup was extremely thick (I jokingly thought a few tortilla chips were in order) and had a mildly spicy kick. While I enjoyed it, its richness ultimately defeated me. I had to stop or else I would not be able to eat anything else. However, if I were ever to visit Zinc for lunch, I could easily order this and be satisfied for the rest of the afternoon. On the other hand, the Gallery salad of heritage greens was light but amply portioned to be shared, if so desired.
The complimentary freshly-basked brioche and garlic butter was also a rich way to begin the meal. Compliments of the chef came an amuse bouche of seared tuna crusted with poppyseeds. I am someone who likes my food cooked all the way through, and I was expecting the rare centre of the fish to taste like sushi, but it didn't. It was firm and the poppyseeds added an interesting crunch.
For my main, I had the steak, which was Spring Creek Ranch flank with mushrooms, asparagus, carrots, and new potatoes. Again, I like my steak done well, but my server warned me that due to the cut of the meat anything more than medium rare would be tough. I settled for medium well - and she wasn't kidding. The meat was delicious but an effort to chew. The potatoes and vegetables were perfect.
I also had the opportunity to try the Cheek to Cheek, which consists of halibut and Madiera braised beef - and yes, the cuts of meat and fish are literally from the cheeks of the animals. The duo was served with mashed potatoes, asparagus, wild mushrooms, and tomato butter. The beef was so tender it was almost falling apart and the halibut was unlike any I had ever tried before (and I know my halibut). Served in interlocking teardrop plates, it was a sight to behold.
Even though I was pretty stuffed by this point, I made the effort to try dessert. The vanilla espresso creme brulee featured strawberry foam and praline hazelnut gelato, making the long plate look like a trio of desserts. Other choices included fresh fruit, a cheese platter, tiramisu, and a flourless cake made with Callebaut chocolate.
The menus change regularly. Appetizers cost in the $9-16 range, mains from $20-$35, and desserts are $12. There is a huge wine list as well as non-alcoholic drinks like the chai iced tea that I had, which was mixed with orange juice and incredibly spicy and delicious. Although there did not appear to be a dress code, I did feel out of place in jeans and a hoodie. However, this is a great place for special occasions or to impress a client. If I am ever in the mood to treat myself right, I will definitely head back. -
Review from Ken N.
Edmonton, AB
12/5/2010
My wife and I had our anniversary dinner here about a month ago, and everything was spectacular. The service was awesome, the wine was perfect, but the best part was the menu, and the chef's decision to put everything on the menu in bit size format. We tried 10 items between us, and then the desert was fabulous.
Great room, although make sure you get a reservation as it caters to a lot of the Winspear/Citadel crowd. Even on a Tuesday it was packed! -
Review from Edda O.
5/20/2011 8 photos
Went over to Zinc for some appetisers and dessert right after having appetisers & desserts at Niche.
We ordered the :
Fritters and Featured appy (Something w Perch). Both could have been the same dish for all I know. Served w the same sauces and both deep fried with so much dough/breading and barely any seafood. The perch skin was deep fried but extremely fishy.
Wanted to try the Lamb main but they were all out (at 7.30 pm on a Friday - not cool...)
Bread pudding - it was delicious. reminds me of Starbucks banana walnut loaf that is just soaked in cream and baked.
Creme brulee - the creme brulee was delicious but the gelato that accompanied it was grainy and unpleasant.
Coffee was starbucks coffee so meh...
Cocktails were delicious. Had the Serendipity that was $7.50 on the menu but we were charged $10 each. AND the riesling that was $6 on the menu was $8 on our bill. (I didn't notice till I got home and this is a pet peeve of mine, when prices on menu and bills do not align!!!)
Service was actually the highlight of the evening. Symon was gracious and attentive without being in-your-face. Great cocktails n service but the food did not live up to the price they were charging.
p/s: the brioche is made in house and delicious!!! Then the bar tender whipped up a Caesar w fresh oysters that was quite delicious! -
Review from Liv V.
Edmonton, AB
4/24/2011 5 photos
Zinc is a rare find: creative food with uber-artistic presentation against a modern-artistic backdrop. I've sampled many menu items at Zinc. Standouts include the alpaca burger. Yes, you read correctly - alpaca! The meat is greyish, like milk veal, and incredibly juicy. Their brunches are the classiest in town. I recently indulged in lobster benedict, which presented two buckwheat blini topped with large pieces of claw meat, delicate poached eggs and mild-yet-rich Hollandaise with a sprinkle of fish roe. Brilliant. Their cheese platter is small, only presenting three varieties paired with preserves and crackers, but includes unusual varieties like "letensia". Beware - their mimosas are very potent, which I found out the hard way. Nothing like looking at the works of Lawren Harris and Emily Carr when you're a bit sloshed...
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Review from Lasha T.
3/15/2011
Zinc is a very unique upscale dining experience. Upon arriving to the restaurant (and being a tad confused about parking) there were only a few other tables dining, but I suppose we did arrive late (around 9pm) on a Saturday. The first thing you will notice is the bar highlighted in blue lights, very chic. I would come back to Zinc just to sit at the bar and have a drink.
We had a table by the window and just a word of caution in the winter these tables tend to be a little chilly. The drinks we ordered were very just as well made as the food. We started off with a full order of the panzanella which seemed to be a mixed bowl of what you would find in bruschetta. Afterward we decided to try the menu out in 'bites.' The restaurant has the option to order a few different selections as bites or as single plates. We both decided to try the fish, beef, duck and pork. My favorite was between the beef and fish. I found for the portion of duck I had received that it was too fatty and the pork was out shined by the bed of lentils it rested on. The beef was perfectly cooked which can be hard with such a small portion. The fish was interesting because of the sauce that was used. I can't even say what the sauce is because the menu on their website either just changed or has not been updated yet. We finished the meal with the Tiramisu which was delicious!
I would return to the restaurant to try their Brunch since the menu looks interesting and certainly to have a drink at the bar. The dinner was very good, but very expensive. -
Review from Kelly Z.
2/9/2010 5 photos
I will preface my review by saying I ate here on the first night this restaurant opened. To say things were shaky is an understatement, so I'll stick the major problems and the things I liked. The prices were high and I was expecting food and service to match. I found both lacking.
The major problems were the inexperienced servers and the food being hit or miss. I'll elaborate by saying the amuse bouche left me cold (literally), but the house made butter and brioche were great. My beet salad, re-imagined, looked beautiful but was not well executed. Some beets were raw and others meant to be steamed were too. My dining partner's foie gras sounded bizarre on the menu but came out a winner, even if the serving was small.
For a main, I got the pickerel with pickled mushrooms, edamame and potato espuma. On the menu, it worried me, but on the plate it was great. The seemingly more predictable Taste of Alberta (a trio of bison short ribs, caribou and Saskatoon berry sausage) my partner got was a mess: dry and under seasoned. It was just impossible to tell what we were going to get.
The good: there is a lot of time to grow. The kitchen will find its groove and so will the servers. My fish main was outstanding, as was the foie gras ballotine, and I would return to eat that if I could be promised consistency. They have big hopes for the space (which is truly stunning) and will change the menu with the season, and offer up specials and beer and wine pairings.
There is a beautiful bar and the architecture of the exterior carries through the dining room. Large glass windows make Churchill Square the highlight of the room, and it makes downtown look grand. This would be a great place to enjoy one of their classic cocktails before touring one of the exhibits, or even to grab a late night dessert if dinner is too spendy for you.
I will return for brunch, and another dinner before I make any final judgments on the space. I hope they give me something great to amend my review with! -
Review from Joel K.
Vancouver, BC
2/14/2010
As mentioned above, Zinc is still brand spankin' new, and they have a few things that they're still figuring out. I went for brunch today, and the exectutive chef himself, Dave Omar, came out and explained that they had only decided how to plate the menu this morning!
I had bison short rib Eggs Benedict, which came with Saskatoon-berry Hollandaise and Swiss Chard. Other people in my party had the artic char Huevos Rancheros, an Artichocke frittata, and the Lobster Eggs Benedict. I really enjoyed the short ribs; almost like pulled pork in an alternative take on Eggs Benedict.
The meal, which was a fixed $39 per plate, also came with a starter of fruit and baked goods (the madeline was very well done) and a crepe stuffed with marscapone and fruit for dessert.
The service was friendly and competent, although since they are so new it felt like everyone who served us was a bit unsure how it was supposed to be going.
My only complaint with the new food options at the AGA is the crappy Starbucks coffee. Why couldn't they have put just a little more effort in and got a local roaster to supply the beans?
I do, however, think this is a much-welcome and exciting addition to Edmonton's downtown. I look forward to trying out their dinner menu! -
Review from Jack G.
Edmonton, AB
6/15/2010
Zinc is an extremely new restaurant that I didn't even know existed but I have to say it impressed.
It is located in the Art Gallery downtown and offers a fine dining with it's elegant design and urban atmosphere. It was really refreshing to see a restaurant like this one in downtown where most of the places are interchangeable. Zinc definitely stood out. The menu is also good and the ziti pasta was delicious. From what I understand they change up their menu for lunch and dinner.
I recommend that you try coming here sometime it's really refreshing. -
Review from Evie T.
3/7/2011
Had brunch here with the family during a visit to Edmonton from Beverly Hills. Maybe I'm spoiled by the great restaurants in my area, but I thought this place was only okay. I tasted the poached eggs with lobster salad served on a potato pancake. The eggs were perfectly cooked, the lobster salad was okay but skimpy, and the potato pancake had a odd texture - almost like they had been made from mashed potatoes and too much flour. I yearned for some crispness. The pork tenderloin and eggs were tasty. The sauce napping the meat lacked complexity but the meat was beautifully tender and nicely cooked. The cheese plate - meh, nothing special at all. One would expect more interesting cheeses for the price and when asked if we could have some bread rather than the supermarket crackers, we were told there was only brioche and they'd charge us extra. Really? That's just silly when you are charging over $20 for the egg dishes. We waited quite a long time for the excellent coffee. When my waitress knocked over my pelligrino onto the neighboring table's baby carrier, I didn't hear her apologize. And, she didn't offer me another pelligrino. There was also some confusion with the bill. We paid at the table and on our way out the waitress stopped us and asked if we wanted the bill - as if we were leaving without paying. Zinc needs to get its act together and add a layer of graciousness and sophistication to the service to match the beautiful design of the restaurant and the Frank Gehry inspired building. The paying customer - and Zinc is not shy about charging Beverly Hills prices - deserves that.
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Review from shawnna p.
Edmonton, AB
5/1/2011
I took my gal pal out for a drink at Zinc after our blitz through the art gallery. This was our first vist to Zinc and will probably be our first of many. On a quiet Thursday night, we sidled up to the "swish" bar and we were instantly in heaven. In casual attire, we did not feel out of place. Our bartender patiently answered our questions and served up a nice, signature "Zinc" cocktail for Mich and a B.C. Cab for me. As we chatted about boys , we noticed that there were tables dining with their children as well as senior citizens enjoying a dessert and coffee. There really is something for everyone. If you are really honest, the price point is no different from the hash served up at "Earls". At least at Zinc, you are getting an interesting, seasonal menu with a great view in the heart of our fine city. I parked across the street under the city hall for $1.00 per hour in their coin meters. On my next visit, I will try try the lobster eggs Benny.
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Review from Xtine B.
North Vancouver, BC
8/19/2011
I was very excited to go to Zinc restaurant because it's located in the gorgeous Art Gallery of Alberta. The restaurant visually is very impressive, it reads as though the food will satify a gourmand like me. The wine and cocktail list was enticing with many interesting drinks and some very good wines. Unfortunately that was as good as it got. For my starter I had the most horrible salad I have ever eaten in a restaurant. The panzanella salad was simply diced tomatoes in a oil and vinegar dressing with store bought bread crumbs! I have never so badly wanted to march into a kitchen and ask the chef, why??? For the second course I had pasta with meatballs which were made of flank steak. I understand the concept of using flank steak for more flavor, unfortunately they were unbearably tough. I would rather have tender juicy instead of hard and dry meatballs. For dessert we shared the flourless chocolate cake which was fine. Needless to say the dinner was not what I had hoped for and definitely not what I expected.
