Last winter, Century Hospitality Group took over the old Piccolino’s bistro last year, gave it a complete (and necessary) makeover from top to bottom and opened as Rebel Food & Drink. In December, I joined a group of fellow food bloggers and writers for Rebel’s media night. At that time, CHG long-timer, Tony Le, was running the kitchen.
The food was fair but not as innovative and rule-breaking as the company touted. The room was certainly comfortable and with no other restaurant for blocks in either direction offering quality wine, cocktails, beer and good food, I thought Rebel would serve the people in the Parkview and Crestwood neighbourhoods well enough.
Half price wine on Wednesday and a promise of “bad ass dishes that taste amazing” is an attractive feature in any neighbourhood.
So, when I returned this month expecting them to have found their groove, I was shocked at how lousy the entire experience was.
I found out later that Tony Le had left four months prior. I also learned that the particular night I dined, most of the regular staff—first string, as it were—had taken the night off for a team building event.
My rotten luck, I suppose.
Despite a bad experience that Monday night, I returned the next day hoping the cheeseburger would at the very least, leave me with less regret. Thankfully, it did. That burger was solid.
For all the details, have a listen to my on-air review or click this link for the CBC web article.
By the way, props to the company’s Director of Culinary Operations, Justin McGloin, for contacting me after my review to apologize, explain and professionally discuss how, where, and why things went wrong. I appreciate that action and also his promise to rectify the situation.
Scroll for visuals:
STK + EGG CARPACCIO – Thin sliced wagyu eye of round, sunny side fried egg, pickled mustard seed, wild arugula, buttered toast points [17] (That’s an honest-to-god photo with no filter applied.)
HOW WE ROCK & ROLL – Rock lobster, mini sourdough rolls, garlic mayo, green onion [19]
L: GARDEN GNOCCHI Sauteed wild mushrooms, tomato gems, arugula, herbs, fresh grated parm, EVOO [20] R: THE QUEEN (Margherita pizza) – crushed tomato, fior di latte, fresh basil, EVOO [14]
REBEL CHZ BRGR (with chicken chowder soup) Ground chuck patties, classic American cheese, all the groceries, caramelized onions, mayo, baked brioche bun [17]
Juicy burger with all the toppings.
Find Rebel at 9112 142 St, Edmonton.