LAC LA BICHE - A trio of Lac La Biche-area restaurants have emerged as the top winners of the Lakeland’s Best 2024 Food and Drink Edition - Fat Unicorn Tap and Grill, Pasture+Market, and Oslo’s Eatery and Lounge.
The Reader’s Choice awards were hosted by Lakeland This Week/LakelandTODAY.ca and featured eating establishments from across the Lakeland region, including Bonnyville, St. Paul, Cold Lake, and Elk Point.
Poutine is a very popular dish in Canada, and locally, great poutine can be found at Fat Unicorn Tap and Grill. This dish was one of 17 categories that the first-place winning restaurant was recognized for.
When asked why Fat Unicorn Tap and Grill has the best poutine, as well as what makes it special, general manager John Mondal said it is in the ingredients and passion to make quality food. Also, this poutine comes in a few different varieties.
“Not only do we have generous servings, we also offer a variety of poutine from classic to barbecue pulled pork, to Mexican, to butter chicken,” Mondal told Lakeland This Week.
Mondal continued by saying that it feels good to be recognized, however, receiving these accolades does not come as a surprise. The poutine - and other dishes - are the eating establishment’s best sellers.
Fat Unicorn Tap and Grill also made the list for having the best burger and best beer selection.
“Everything cooked in the kitchen is made with a very careful selection of ingredients… our burger is a prime rib burger and we serve a variety of locally brewed beer at our location,” explained Mondal.
Pasture+Market
With a hilltop view offering gorgeous vistas of the Lac La Biche Country Club and Lac La Biche, it’s really a no-brainer that Pasture+Market received an award for best patio. An unparalleled view of the golf course and lake, says owner Stephanie Shreenan, is what sets her patio apart from others.
“This breathtaking scenery provides the perfect atmosphere for a relaxing and enjoyable meal,” she said.
Pasture+Market received awards for several of its menu items, including best salad.
So, why do they have the best salad?
“We believe that the freshest ingredients make the best dishes,” Shreenan said, explaining that is why the local eating establishment sources its produce from local farms that provide high-quality, fresh ingredients.
As the second-place winner, Pasture+Market won awards in 12 different categories.
Shreenan said the restaurant takes immense pride in all its menu items, each being crafted by the talented kitchen crew. However, she said, if only one of the items that made it onto the winning list was to be chosen as the best, it would be the “Butcher’s Burger,” which she says stands out as a favourite among both staff and patrons.
“The key to this exceptional burger is our very own ranch-raised bison, thanks to the dedicated work of Len Benson, Elaine Benson and Keyano Whiskeyjack,” she explained. “Our level of care and commitment to quality is in every bite, but our bison offerings are a true highlight.”
Oslo’s Eatery and Lounge
Oslo’s Eatery and Lounge won awards in seven categories, including best dessert. When asked why Oslo’s has the best dessert, owner Jenna Kilby said these sweets, which change every week, are all homemade and created in-house.
They’re also quite popular with patrons.
“Some do stop in just to have dessert at night,” she said.
