LOCAL Public Eatery Jasper Ave — Restaurant in Edmonton

My wife and I dined here about a month ago. We actually came here because we had a very long wait for a table at the Cactus Club just up the street, So we came here for some drinks while we waited because my wife, who is vegan has very limited options here to eat. It was a Saturday night so Jasper Ave was very busy.

When we walked in the door we were greeted immediately and they said they would have a table for us right away. We sat down in the lobby and they had a table for us less than 5 mins later.

The restaurant was packed and we were sat at a booth big enough for 5-6 people but we felt really bad because we knew we weren't going to have a large bill and we were taking up space for a large group of people.

We had about 3 rounds of drinks each and we split an order of sweet potato fries for an appy. We were only at the restaurant for a little over an hour in total. The sweet potato fries were yummy and the drinks were also very good.

The service though... was absolutely unbelievable. We had 2 servers constantly checking on us every 2-3 minutes. Our drinks were never empty. The servers recommended us some fun drinks to try (which we really enjoyed). My wife had some questions about certain items on the menu and the waitresses were quick to seek clarification from the kitchen.

We were so blown away by the service we got that we really wanted to stay here and cancel our reservations at the cactus club but there was not enough options on the menu for my wife to eat so we did end up moving on. I also noticed while we were at our table that the hostess at the front door greeting people was running around helping tidy off tables while there was nobody up front to seat. She was keeping herself busy while also allowing more time for the wait staff to be more attentive to their tables.

My wife ended up calling over the shift manager Hailey (turns out she was one of the ladies helping take care of our table already) to compliment them on how incredible the service was. Hailey went on to tell us about how there were some more vegan options being tested in other parts of Canada so we are very excited to return in the future when we have more options to eat. Additionally, she even paid for one of our rounds of drinks before we had even ordered any food. We felt bad because we knew we weren't going to have a huge bill.

The other server who was taking care of our table that night was also incredibly attentive and she was doing an amazing job but I did not catch her name. Major shout out to her as well.

Over a month later we are still telling people about how amazing the service here was. Service like this would be an expectation on a slow Tuesday, but on a Saturday night when the restaurant is completely packed to still recieve this kind of service was amazing.

Well done everybody. We are very excited to come back in the future when there are more options available for us. My wife and I have both worked in the restaurant industry and we would both like to extend our thanks again for the exceptional service we...

This review is given on July 23rd, 2023, with an impartial perspective and without solicitation from the owner or its staff.

I appreciate all the hard work and the sweat and tears it takes to manage a business and sometimes I feel everybody now-a-days is a critic but that is not the intention of my review. I feel when you open an eatery, every time the customer walks in, they should have the same experience. That makes a place exceptional.

I have been to this establishment many times, I felt like reflecting on my last visit to this establishment the evening of July 13th, 2023, where I dined with a friend. There was no one to great me, which left something to be desired; however, my friend who was already seated inside texted me and I proceeded to a cozy booth, eagerly awaiting our dining experience.

Fortunately, our server warmly greeted us "at the right time", and our drink and food orders were taken promptly. We were not in a hurry for the meal, we opted for a selection that seemed well within the kitchen's capabilities. I would recommend the local beer brew from this establishment, which never disappoints. The lighting was just perfect. The floors looked cleaned and the seating was comforatble. The background music, though slightly distracting, managed to coexist with our conversation. It might be worthwhile for the staff to check-in with guests from time to time and adjust the music volume to maintain an undisturbed dining ambiance.

As a discerning foodie, I must acknowledge that all the dishes are delectable and manages to tantalize the taste buds with its delightful flavors. The food presentation that evening lacked the chef's personal touch. The expression “eat with your eyes” did not come to my mind that evening. I felt like the kitchen was rushing to put out the meals. The pictures speak for itself.

One aspect that deserves commendation is the exceptional service provided by the diligent staff. Across my numerous visits, I have encountered nothing but exceptional service from the servers, a testament to their dedication to creating a positive customer experience, reflecting effective training and leadership.

Despite these minor shortcomings, my friend and I thoroughly enjoyed our time at this establishment. The pleasant atmosphere and friendly vibe fostered a welcoming environment. Notably, the parting greeting from the manager added a personal touch that left a lasting impression.

In conclusion: This restaurant undoubtedly satisfies in crafting a pleasant and comfortable atmosphere for patrons to unwind and savor their time. Whether it's a date night, a gathering with friends or colleagues, or simply a desire for a couple of drinks and a meal, this establishment with its spacious booths and well-maintained restrooms, has certainly secured its position as a go-to spot for those seeking a delightful...

The more I think about my most recent experience at LOCAL, the more frustrated I become. I would consider myself a regular. Have been frequenting this establishment for perhaps a decade. It has been my “go to”. After this last visit, that is likely to change. Service was great, everything came in reasonable time and the server (Ali) was really good. Had chicken wings and a sweet heat pizza. The wings were an embarrassment for LOCAL. No lie, the smallest wings I have ever seen from a chicken. They were ALL tiny but some were so small and skinny they weren’t worth serving. Just accepted it, chuckled and moved on. Then the pizza came. I have had, probably, 30 sweet heat pizzas over time. This had a really bad burned crust, a bit of heat, very little sweet and apparently there is a shortage of olives. On a pizza featuring olives, there should be at least one on every slice?? I’m not sure if the chef is trying to save money? My comment to the server was that “you did a great job but it breaks my heart that you have to tip out to the kitchen, because this was awful”. When you pay $75+tip for a couple of beers and really lousy pizza and wings it makes you think about doing it again. I guess, I the end, my bad for accepting that food at my table. As much as I think of this as my “go to”, I’ll be moving down the block or across the river for at least a while and I won’t be in a big hurry to get back to LOCAL. I work hard for my money and when I spend it I expect a certain level of value. Kinda makes me sad to end a tradition. There are so many options for F&B and “vibe” in this city, don’t...