Cactus Club Café

1946-8882 170th Street

Edmonton, Alberta T5T 5X1

(780) 489-1002

http://www.cactusclubcafe.com/locations/ab/edmonton

By: Daria Belseck

Walking into Cactus Club is an experience in itself. Chef Rob Feenie's deep grey stone flooring and dark wood is used in an architectural, gallery-type feel which floats through the entire restaurant and lounge giving a seeming never-ending luxury and greatness of space. Combine that with the stunning white modern chandeliers, sultry mood-lighting and the enticing aromas of great food on the grill, there is an unmistakable downtown-Vancouver meets Edmonton vibe.

It was a beautiful +25C night and we were seated in a large booth on the patio. This was no ordinary booth: the patio furniture consists of high-end pieces composed of dark wicker frames and full, fluffy red cushions, with additional accent cushions to lean against. No plastic white chairs or rough wooden tables here! The patio is also enclosed with a rolling glass canopy that can be raised or lowered depending on the weather, keeping you sheltered from rain but still open enough to let you enjoy the hot summer breeze.

Cactus Club is known for their world-famous peach Bellini. Take a look around and you will see these addictive hot orange and fuschia pink drinks surrounding you. The description on the signature drink menu describes the Bellini as “better than sex! Peach schnapps, champagne, appleton white rum & sangria”. Starting with your first sip, you will understand why – you will be hit with the most intense mouthful of bursting peach flavor you will have ever encountered before. You will be hard pressed to find someone who does not agree that this is the best Bellini they’ve ever had!

Perusing the menu is just as enticing. With mouthwatering appetizers like Tuna Tataki, Ravioli and Prawn Trio or Crispy Yam Fries, you know you’re in for a treat. Alluring entrees include Rob’s Hunter Chicken (button, portabello, shiitake and crimini mushroom demi-glace, green beans, and herb fingerling potatoes ), the Portobello Mushroom Fajitas (black beans, salsa fresca, grilled cajun vegetables, sour cream, cheese, lettuce) and the BBQ Duck Clubhouse (bbq duck, pan seared chicken and prosciutto on pecan fruit bread) as delectable options. With a full range of creative starters, fresh greens, steaks, mains, casual favorites, sandwiches and burgers, there is no way to make a wrong choice. Additionally, the menu is Celiac-friendly and has twenty-two items that can be created gluten-free with minimal substitutions – there is no ‘just a salad’ here.

We ordered the Creole Steak & Prawns and the Cedar Roasted Salmon. When our plates arrived, it was all we could do not to just jump right in while the server was still standing there. My dish consisted of a 9oz certified angus sirloin rubbed with cajun spices, with spicy creole butter, white wine sautéed creole jumbo prawns, mashed potatoes and freshly grilled asparagus. The food was so intoxicating that I slowly savored every bite to enjoy each flavor explosion to the max. The salmon was no different - with its pine nut parmesan crust and cedar plank flavoring, every taste was fresh and flaky. Crisp green beans and tender herb and feta fingerling potatoes topped off the dish. Our plates were licked clean.

And then it was time for dessert! We had heard about THE Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bar and decided to share (this is definitely not to be missed!). This dessert was the most perfect combination of soft, sweet chocolate mixed with gooey, savory peanut butter and a light and crunchy chocolate base. Combine that with the side of Tahitian vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce and crunchy chocolate pearls the dish is served with and you have an absolutely outstanding, addictive, luscious dessert - one that will live on in our memories until we return for more!

The service was excellent, the atmosphere enticing and the food and drinks absolutely outstanding. With the menu priced generally in the mid-teens to mid-twenties for each entree, this was excellent value for quality. Other than the fact you cannot make reservations after 5:00pm, Cactus Club is without a doubt one of the finest dining experiences in our city.

Written by :

dbelseck

 

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