When the vibrancy of Old Strathcona collides with the economic uncertainty that comes with a petroleum-based economy, it's tough to keep up a business. Signs, storefronts and shingles change all the time as numerous nightclubs, retailers and eateries have come and gone from the trendy neighbourhood.
But not Vons Steak House and Oyster Bar, which has weathered the storms through thick and thin since it was launched in 1988 by David Vaughan, who named the spot as a play on his last name. Several owners later, Barry Sparrow – who also owns country bar Cook County Saloon less than a block away – sold it to Himmy and Gurchawan Daliwhal, who loved the restaurant so much they made no plans to change a thing. And who would? The notion of making a profit out of creating steaks from Alberta beef, envied worldwide for its quality, seemed like a no-brainer at the time and has since become a rewarding investment.
Alissa Hildahl, the restaurant's manager, credits the quality of the food and dedication of its workforce for its durability. "We focus highly on service," Alissa says. "Our guests are the most important part of any restaurant, and we pride ourselves on our return business." The Steak Oscar – an upgrade from the Steak Neptune of old – still ranks among the most in-demand entrees, thanks to its toppings of asparagus, crab, shrimp, scallop and a garlic cream sauce. Ditto for Vons' prime rib and goat cheese fillet dishes. "All the old favourites are still here," Alissa says. "The core of our menu remains the same."
Soup of the Day
Choose one:
Caesar Salad
Caesar balsamic dressing, mini crispy pita croutons, herb oil.
Beet Salad
Whipped goat cheese, Rosemary olive oil, toasted cashews, artisan green, balsamic glaze.
Choose one:
Slow Roasted Dijon Crusted Prime Rib
Cooked to medium rare with Yorkshire pudding, garlic mashed potatoes, market vegetables.
Filet and Garlic Prawn
Filet Mignon cooked to order. Market vegetables and red-skinned mashed potatoes.
Fish of the Day
Chef’s creation.
Roasted Game Hen
Gorgonzola demi-glace, market vegetables, garlic mashed potatoes
Choose one:
Chocolate Cake
Featured Cheesecake
Crème Brûlée
$65 PER PERSON
Plus tax and 18% gratuity.Coffee and tea service included.
Lobster Tail to any entrée
King Crab to any entrée
Oscar Sauce
Jumbo shrimp, asparagus, crab meat, scallop, garlic cream sauce.
One side serves 4 persons.
Asparagus Tips with shaved Reggiano
Sautéed Mushrooms
Choose One.
Bacon Wrapped Scallops
With wasabi cocktail sauce.
Coconut Shrimp
With pablano chutney.
Caesar Salad
Caesar balsamic dressing, mini crispy pita croutons, herb oil
Choose one:
Slow Roasted Dijon Crusted Prime Rib
Cooked to medium rare with Yorkshire pudding, garlic mashed potatoes, market vegetables.
Goat Cheese Crusted Filet Mignon
Red wine demi-glace, garlic mashed potatoes, market vegetables.
Roasted Game Hen
Gorgonzola demi-glace, market vegetables, garlic mashed potatoes.
Porcini Crusted Ribeye
Honey chipotle adobo sauce,cilantro emulsion, tequila butter, asparagus, fingerling potatoes.
Rack of Lamb
Pumpkin seed crusted, dark cherry and mint sambal, garlic mashed potatoes, market vegetables.
Fish of the Day
Chef’s creation.
Choose one:
Featured Cheesecake
Chocolate Cake
Bread Pudding
Crème Brûlée
$95 PER PERSON
Plus tax and 18% gratuity. Includes Artesian bottled water service and coffee or tea.
Lobster Tail to any entrée
King Crab to any entrée
Oscar Sauce
Jumbo shrimp, asparagus, crab meat, scallop, garlic cream sauce.
One side serves 4 persons.
Asparagus Tips with shaved Reggiano
Sautéed Mushrooms
Assorted Artisan Breads
With horseradish butter.
Tuscan Greens
With pomegranate dressing
Caesar Salad
With balsamic Caesar dressing
Olives and Pickle Trays
CARVING STATION
16 hour slow-cooked Prime Rib to medium rare throughout
Grilled Chicken Pesto Cavatappi
Pulled Pork
With roasted corn, cilantro,tequila dressing. Served over stewed white beans.
In-house Cherry Wood Smoked Salmon
Lacquered with miso garlic sauce. Served over brown rice.
Olive Oil-Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
With parsley and lemon.
Asparagus
With shaved Reggiano.
Steamed Market Vegetables
Red-Skinned Mashed Potatoes
Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
With stuffing.Add $10 per person
Assorted Cakes and Cheesecake
Fresh Seasonal Fruit Platter
$60 PER PERSON
Plus tax and 18% gratuity.Coffee and tea service included
Perfect to add to your Prix Fixe Menu or Buffet.
Jumbo Bacon Wrapped Scallops
With wasabi spiked cocktail sauce.
Bruschetta
Coconut Shrimp
With poblano chutney.
Jumbo Chilled Shrimp
With wasabi spiked cocktail sauce
Baked Oysters Rockefeller
With spinach, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, sambuca
Baked Crab Shack Oysters
Garlic cream sauce, parmesan cheese, bacon, crab.
Prime Rib Sliders
Vegetables and Dip
Fresh Fruit & Cheese Tray
Charcuterie Tray
Chef’s choice assorted meats, pickles, sauces, crostini, cheese
FRESH SHUCKED OYSTERS
Served on shaved ice with house-made
condiments and lemons.
Chefs Premium Select West Coast
Serves 20 persons (1 each_
Chefs Premium Select East Coast
Serves 20 persons (1 each)
Includes: Cracked King Crab Legs,Snow Crab Legs ,Cracked Lobster Tails, Herb Marinated Mussels, Jumbo Shrimp, Tuna Sashimi
Regular Tower
Cracked King Crab Legs
Snow Crab Legs
Cracked Lobster Tails
Herb Marinated Mussels
Jumbo Shrimp
Tuna Sashimi
Large Tower
Cracked King Crab Legs
Snow Crab Legs
Cracked Lobster Tails
Herb Marinated Mussels
Jumbo Shrimp
Tuna Sashimi
Caesar Salad
Caesar balsamic dressing, mini crispy pita croutons, herb oil.
Choose one:
Slow Roasted Dijon Crusted Prime Rib
Cooked to medium rare with Yorkshire pudding, garlic mashed potatoes,market vegetables.
New York with Peppercorn Sauce
Garlic mashed potatoes and market vegetables.
Fish of the Day
Chef’s creation.
Roasted Game Hen
Gorgonzola demi-glace, market vegetables, garlic mashed potatoes.
$55 PER PERSON
Plus tax and 18% gratuity. Coffee and tea service included
Choose one:
Chocolate Cake
Featured Cheesecake
Lobster Tail to any entrée
King Crab to any entrée
Oscar Sauce
Jumbo shrimp, asparagus, crab meat, scallop, garlic cream sauce
One side serves 4 persons.
Asparagus Tips with shaved Reggiano
Sautéed Mushrooms
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AMAZING STEAK AND OYSTERS:) We arrived at 530pm, no reservations, and were led to our table with no wait and met our waitress Amanda. We ten proceeded to get a bottle of red carbonate wine, amazing:) After which we were informed of buck a shuck, and proceeded to try a total of 48 oysters ( 12 different types, both Atlantic and Pacific) the were phenomenal. We then followed this up with some escargot. Perfectly cooked. For our main meal we had Caribbean lobster tail and steak ( silver aaa ) medium rare; cooked to perfection, the candles that heated the butter and the ambiance in the restauraunt, felt like we were the only two there. We tried tequila shots with and without oysters, and two different martinis with pink sugar along the rim, like the food , they were awesome:) I wanted to show the girl I was with a good time and it was amazing, when i seen her earlier that night, she took my breath away and to see her smile at Vons, made it all worth while:) It was our first time eating there and we were there to after 10pm, last ones in the restauraunt:) amazing time, something neither one if us will ever forget:) best meal I ever had, and Im glad I got to share the experience with her:) great food, great service, and seeing her happy - amazing:) highly recommend this restauraunt to anyone to any couple, its something you wont forget:)
Amazing! My favorite steak restaurant in Edmonton. The food is alway superb and service is great. Great menu, nice wine list.
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Vons might be a steak house, but the seafood here is so plentiful here, it’s all about sharing. Dishes such as mushroom Neptune bake, seared red tuna and crabshack oysters are just for starters. How about a seafood platter for two, or a crab dinner? You’ll think you died and went to the east coast. They also have a buck a shuck special Monday to Friday from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and all night Sundays in their oyster bar.
View this Smart ListWell-known for its oyster-shucking (a buck a shuck most of the week), Vons also makes a mean steak anyway you like it, with a reasonable variety of cuts and abundance of sides. Oh, and to help the conversation along, there’s a swath of drinks, including a bacon caesar. That counts as a vegetable, right?
View this Smart ListChef Mike Doppler will create an elaborate three-course meal for lovers this Valentine’s Day. The regular menu won’t be available, and the restaurant will only be open to adults on this special day. Each seating will be for two hours, giving diners plenty of time to enjoy a fantastic meal. Von’s is known for their excellent steak and seafood, so guests are guaranteed an exquisite, high-quality meal that they won’t soon forget.
View this Smart List