2023 has been a year where war stretches across the Northern hemisphere, inflation dominates the economy and global political uncertainty is causing unease.
But in the middle of all this chaos, the 2024 New Year brings hope. And it starts with the warmth of friends simply meeting at someone’s home to watch a movie while eating a bowl of popcorn or joining a raucous crowd for fireworks displays.
And if you enjoy dining out, St. Albert restaurants and bars are reigniting the traditional New Year's Eve dazzle. There’s a wide selection from pub food to gourmet-inspired dishes running the gamut from Cajun, Italian and Ukrainian to Irish, East Indian and Asian fusion. Check out this list and let your palate dictate.
Cajun House
7 St. Anne St., Professional Bldg.
780-460-8772
This Cajun-Creole restaurant offers their regular Christmas a la carte menu where selections are priced individually. Several suggested seasonal feature include orange and cranberry salad, dill and cucumber salmon, chipotle red snapper, cinnamon pork tenderloin, eggnog cheesecake or chocolate pecan pie. Settings are at 5 p.m. 7:15 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.
Central Social Hall
#28 - 525 St. Albert Trail
780-569-5044
Central Social Hall is keeping it casual, offering a regular open menu and a special three-course menu for $35. Expect an appetizer, entrée and dessert. DJ plays Top 40 hits provides music for the countdown. Reservations recommended.
Century Casino St. Albert
24 Boudreau Road
780-460-8092
Century Casion features a three-course chef-inspired gourmet dinner followed by Damm Near Famous’ energizing dance music. Tables range for two to six people. Dinner starts at $109.95. Only a few seats left.
Crown & Tower Pub
11 Bellerose Drive
780-459-3393
The favourite local pub is simplifying this year with only a regular menu and entertainment by Sparrow Blue. The gritty St. Albert rock band just released their latest single, Hold Me Down, and will be part of their set. Cover charge is $20. Music kicks off at 9 p.m. The six-piece is also collecting for St. Albert Food Bank and they hope fans will bring non-perishable food. Champagne and party favours served at midnight. Reservations recommended.
Dicey Reilly's
#104 - 398 St. Albert Trail
780-569-4774
The Irish pub offers three options: a roast beef dinner, a chicken dinner and vegetarian pasta. This year Dicey Reilly’s entertainment is Lorraine Godfrey’s six piece. The band will play a combo of classic covers and Irish music. Tickets are $50. Pub closes at 5 p.m. and reopens for ticketed guests at 6:30 p.m. for dinner. Reservations recommended. Tickets can be picked up in person at the pub.
LB’s Pub
23 Akins Drive
780-460-9100
LB’s Pub dishes up a roast beef dinner and a roast chicken option for $49 per person. This year’s entertainment features Loose Change, a band with a repertoire of classic rock covers. Doors open at 5 p.m., dinner served at 6:30 p.m. and entertainment at 9 p.m. Party favours at midnight. Dance tickets only are $20.
Luisa Risto
8 Perron Street, Unit 104
780-458-6749
The Italian restaurant will serve dinner from its regular menu as well as one special: an Italian seafood stew with prawns, scallops, mussels and bass. The restaurant has limited seating. Reservations recommended.
XIX Nineteen Restaurant
780-569-1819
104 – 150 Bellerose Dr.
XIX Nineteen rings in the New Year with a la cart options borrowed from the regular menu – baby lobster, ravioli, Atlantic salmon and blue cheeses crusted tenderloin. For dessert the selection varies from crème brûlèe and gingerbread cake to sour cream cheesecake and Nineteen’s signature cake. Reservations recommended.
Riverbank Bistro
8 Mission Ave.
587-290-1655
Chef Daniel Ducharme has created a set menu centered around a choice of three appetizers, three entrees and a vegetarian option on request. The sweet finish is a choice between a milk chocolate semifreddo or a Meyer lemon pavlova. The dinner is $109 per person with additional wine pairing for $33 per person. Reservations recommended.
Sorrentino’s Cucina & Bar
595 St. Albert Trail
780-459-1411
This staple of Italian cuisine offers its regular menu along with several chef specials – salad, lobster, salmon, osso buco, cod and spaghetti. The special dessert is raspberry cream mousse. All items are individually priced. Reservations recommended.
Tandoori Fuzion
1115 St. Albert Trail
780-459-4808
This East Indian restaurant sets up its grand buffet with two seatings at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. The buffet includes eight main dishes, three appetizers, bread, rice, salads and several desserts. Dishes include butter chicken, chili fish, vegetable korma, black pepper chicken, kadai paneer and aloo gobhi. The cost is $39.95 per person. Children five to 12 years half-price. Reservations recommended.
Taste of Ukraine
516 St. Albert Trail
780-458-5444
Owner Orysia Wozniak has created a special three-course dinner, which can be upgraded to a four-course dinner. Chicken in a champagne cream sauce, a 10-inch triple A-strip loin, pork tenderloin with a three-cheese sauce and a seafood skewer are part of the special choices. In addition, three desserts are on the menu. Three-course dinner is $59.95 and four-course dinner is $69.95 per person. Reservations advised. Takeout offered.
The Ridge Social Eatery
4 Versailles Avenue
587-290-3463
The eatery’s New Year’s Eve special choices will be an eight-ounce sirloin steak with a peppercorn sauce or chicken cordon bleu with rice and vegetables. Dinner will be served from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. The cost is $25 per person plus GST. Book tickets.
