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We recently had a date night at Avenue Restaurant and Bar after sneaking into the city for an appointment. We have been wanting to get here for over a year now but it hasn’t worked out for us. After a year of anticipation, our expectations were high. Delightfully, we were not disappointed!
Avenue opened last June on the corner of Cornwall St. and 11th Avenue in Regina. It is owned by Grassroots Restaurant Group which also runs Ayden Kitchen and Bar, Little Grouse on the Prairie and Sticks and Stones in Saskatoon. Avenue was recently voted one of the Top 100 restaurants in Canada and we quickly understood why.
We love this space because of its high ceilings and massive windows and were curious to see what the Avenue team had done with it. What we discovered is a classic dining hall experience where the décor suggests a fine dining restaurant but the atmosphere is casual, friendly, and bustling.
We started out the evening with a cocktail from the extensive and creative cocktail list. Despite the impressive variety, I went with my usual classic lime margarita on the rocks and my husband chose the Mint Condition #1. They were both very satisfying on a hot and humid summer evening. Avenue would be a great spot to sit up at the bar and sample a number of the unique and classic cocktails on the menu created by GM and Co-Owner Christopher Cho.
The house specials on the evening we were dining included tempura shishito peppers with aioli dip as a starter so we gave that a try along with the baked brie and fried asparagus. Truthfully, we wanted to try every starter on the menu. They all looked amazing. All three starters were delicious but I would have to say the crispy fried asparagus was definitely my favourite.
We chose a 2015 Argiano Non Confunditur Rosso Toscano to pair with our meal. This Super Tuscan is a high-quality wine that is affordable and flavourful. We knew it would pair well with the rich entrées we had chosen. Ahhh…that first sip of great Italian wine in a lively restaurant always takes me back to Firenze.
It was a difficult decision when it came to selecting our entrée plates. Everything looked so mouth-watering. My husband chose the tagliatelle with beef ragu, one of our favourite pastas, and I chose the saskatchewan walleye with parisian gnocchi. They did not disappoint.
I was able to sample my husband’s luscious tagliatelle and it was exceptionally flavourful but not too rich or heavy. It was perfect.
I am never disappointed when I order Diefenbaker walleye which Avenue serves on top of fluffy pan-fried gnocchi with a sherry beurre blanc and pureed spinach. This dish is delectable and the perfect mix of flavours. Delicious!
By the time the dessert menu was presented to us we were full from our delicious meal and still enjoying the wine so we opted to pass on dessert although the selections were difficult to resist.
Chef Dale McKay, Top Chef Canada winner and Co-Owner of Grassroots Restaurant Group, has brought a unique and enjoyable dining experience to Regina that was desperately needed. It’s the perfect spot for a date night or a night out with friends. Dining at Avenue Restaurant and Bar is a superior experience without the pretention. We will return.
