The Sawmill Cuts It

Sawmill – The Original
4745 Gateway Blvd.
Edmonton, Alberta

The Diner
Neither of us had been to the Sawmill Restaurant for over 20 years. David’s staff bought us a gift card to the Sawmill for Christmas -- we had to go! Our first time back was on the day before Valentine’s Day. We were greeted immediately and seated in a room that looks like a sun room. The server was polite and conversant without being chatty. The food was done to perfection; the wine was a winner. Why shouldn’t we go back?
We have been back four times since then. Each time we have enjoyed our visit; in fact, on the first return several weeks later the first waiter recognized us and asked us how we were. The service has been great and the manager is very conscientious about checking that all his guests are enjoying their meals.

The Dinner
Tonight wasn’t a special occasion. We just wanted to go out. We gave our order to the waiter and she brought us a basket with two hot sour dough and two whole grain rolls. There was enough butter accompanying the rolls to cover all four.
Colette ordered a lobster dinner and I ordered the “undecided” platter which has steak, ribs and grilled shrimp. We were able to share it all! The steak was a top sirloin; it was done to perfection (rare), tasty because of the grilling and spices albeit a bit chewy. The ribs looked like they were previously cooked then basted in the barbecue sauce and baked as we ordered them. The shrimps came 5 to a skewer and were cooked perfectly. The lobster had been cut in half, and baked in the oven. The meat came out of the claws and the tail shell easily and in one piece. Someone knew what they were doing to that lobster! The clarified butter for the lobster went well with dinner rolls, potatoes, shrimp, lobster, more dinner rolls…..
Colette asked for the potato of the day, fresh fingerling potatoes. They were not ready when our meal was ready so they brought her a baked potato to enjoy while they continued to cook the fingerlings, which they brought to us not long after. Other than baked, garlic mashed and fingerling potatoes, the vegetable accompaniments were grilled zucchini and asparagus spears, and a roma tomato baked with parmesan cheese. The tomato was cooked to perfection – the cheese was melted and browned but the tomato did not lose any of it consistency. Everything was done well and delicious.
Colette ordered a glass of white zinfandel from Montevina Winery in California. It was the most balanced white zinfandel I have tasted—think strawberry on the nose, and raspberry grapefruit on the palate. It was off dry, with a tangy finish. I ordered a cabernet merlot from Peller Estates in B.C. It had depth on the nose and the palate that went well with the beef. The zinfandel complemented the seafood nicely.
There was no room for dessert this time….but try their chocolate bread pudding with port if you go. We went back last night just for the dessert. The chocolate bread pudding lived up to our expectations and the Pecan Flan was divine.