At the west boundary of our community, 101st Street divides our neighbourhood from the heights of Rogers Place and the Ice District. Just across the street from where McCauley ends, One01 Bistro matches the physical heights of those tall towers with some high-end flavours!

For the last year, the new One01 Bistro has made itself a destination on the corner of 101 Street and 105 Avenue, or kitty corner from the EPCOR Tower, with parking hidden behind. Stepping through the doors you’ll discover a sleek long space with modern booths to the left, and a room for bigger groups to the right. Windows hint at the buzz around Rogers Place, suggesting this might be a great spot to meet before a big concert or sporting event.

Our group of four were quickly seated at a booth, and handed not one, but three different menus to describe the sheer range of dishes offered. We learned from our friendly server that most of the kitchen staff hail from Hong Kong, an international crossroads. So, they’re skilled in a fusion of both Hong Kong Chinese and European techniques, with touches of Japanese and Thai cuisines.

While trying to make up our minds from such a variety, we ordered a couple of appetizers which arrived promptly and piping hot. The Golden Tofu was crispy, opening to a silky texture inside, while the boiled Wontons with Chili Sauce were pillowy little parcels packed with flavour and just the right amount of heat. We were impressed with the high-end presentation too: each dish had distinctive plates and dishes that made it as visually appealing as it was tasty.

Since our server had mentioned the cultural fusion, I had to try the Beef Bourguignon. “Now, that’s a classically French dish, so what would the Hong Kong version be like?” I wondered. Oh my: big fall-apart-tender hunks of beef, in a rich spicy gravy and with large sweet carrots bringing to mind Vietnamese Bò Kho stew. And, with a mound of rice to soak up and not miss a drop of the aromatic sauce, I was in heaven.

Next up was Duck Breast Ramen, which was magazine-photo beautiful: slices of meat beautifully fanned out, shimmering on curly wheat-based noodles. My spouse selected Mapo Tofu Donburi, which felt like a childhood comfort food - satisfying and familiar even though we’ve never been there. Cubes of tofu and a bed of ground beef topped a rice bowl, mixing Chinese home cooking with Japanese style. This would be a meal we’d crave on a cold day. And to try to the Thai side, a classic Pad Thai was flavour-filled, with the citrusy brightness of tamarind balanced by plenty of egg, shrimp, and chicken among the flat noodles and crunchy roasted peanuts. You won’t be hungry after such a substantial feast!

To finish the evening, we only had room to share one dessert. While ice cream sounded pretty basic, this assumption was wrong. It was presented like a five-star restaurant, swirled with sauces and accompanied by a fudge and chocolate lava cake that was rich enough to satisfy all four of us sharing a few spoonfuls each.

For a meal that felt this high-end polished, prices were more than fair: about $40 per person, including imported beer and a fancy dessert. Not bad for a place that could just as easily be charging downtown premiums.

One01 Bistro reflects the fusion of cultures, stories, and traditions that define this part of Edmonton. Whether you’re heading to a concert or just craving something a little different, One01 is worth your visit.

Alan Schietzsch lives in McCauley. He is the former Chair of the paper’s Board of Directors.