I have one piece of advice to impart to you the next time you decide to go out in search of a new restaurant: don’t overlook a place just because its looks don’t look as fancy as the next place. I’m sure all of us at some point have walked past one or two restaurants in favor of one at the end of the block that is part of a chain or has a brand name. Why do we consistently walk past these hidden gems?
I came across one place I would easily call a diamond in the rough. I had been eating at some of the best and most well-known restaurants in the two cities I visited. But I also took advice and suggestions from the locals, after all, who better to know about the areas’ best-kept secrets? During my trip I repeatedly heard about a restaurant called The Foxlie, so I decided to give it a try.
I got directions and upon arriving at The Foxlie, I was a little taken-back. It was in a rough area of the city and in all honesty looked a bit shady, but it had taken me a long time to get there and I wasn’t prepared to turn around. After I entered the restaurant through its curtain-covered door and was seated in one of only about 30 seats, my impression did not change very much. I figured I would just eat something fast and quickly be on my way.
But wow, was I wrong! The moment the server approached me, my mood, impression and respect for this restaurant improved. Not only did the server have a fantastic attitude, outlook and friendly appearance, but she also offered knowledgeable wine considerations and fully prepped me on the restaurant’s Asian-inspired menu. The wine was a fantastic Pinot Noir, dark and bold with light fruit tones. A light noodle dish with Kobe beef and grilled vegetables was spicy, tasty and perfectly cooked, leaving me wanting more. It wasn’t like anything I had never eaten before, but the flavor was what won me over.
What I had thought would be a shady and uninviting restaurant turned out to be one of the greatest experiences of my trip. My trip included nine different restaurants, five of which were well-known and world-renowned, while the remainder came by recommendation from locals. The lesson for me, which I am happy to pass on to you, is that you should never count any place out just because it doesn’t look as appealing or as fancy as the next one or because you have never heard of it.
Next time you are traveling or simply going out for dinner in your city I challenge you to take a chance and try something new. You might just find a new favorite.
Happy dining!
Shane Chartrand is the Chef de Cuisine of Fantasy Grill in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
