When people think of
steakhouses, they often think of two things: One - an older business clientele.
Two – you only go for the steak. I believe those are both false assumptions
because there are places that are more welcoming and have a greater selection on
their menu than the typical prime rib or tenderloin. An excellent example of
that is the new LeVilla Restaurant on 4th Street, the sister
restaurant of the original LeVilla in the west side of town.
Atmosphere: A lush
and posh interior with the classiness of old steakhouses mixed with the
contemporary styling’s of the new.
Price Range: Mid
$10s - $30s
Food & Wine: We were given delicious nutty slices of bread with a light whipped butter to start the meal. I love bread in general, but this one was warm, soft and chewy, I wanted more but had to remind myself that there was a whole meal ahead of me. As an appetizer we ordered the Parmesan Frites with a side of truffle oil and roasted garlic aioli for dipping. I’ve always preferred mayo over ketchup with fries, so I was glad they offered an aioli as a dip. There was a pleasant garlic flavour highlighted with hints of acid but both my friend and I didn’t quite notice the truffle in the mayo. The fries themselves were nice and crispy without being overcooked or soggy. They were nicely seasoned and could have stood alone on their own if presented that way.
Food & Wine: We were given delicious nutty slices of bread with a light whipped butter to start the meal. I love bread in general, but this one was warm, soft and chewy, I wanted more but had to remind myself that there was a whole meal ahead of me. As an appetizer we ordered the Parmesan Frites with a side of truffle oil and roasted garlic aioli for dipping. I’ve always preferred mayo over ketchup with fries, so I was glad they offered an aioli as a dip. There was a pleasant garlic flavour highlighted with hints of acid but both my friend and I didn’t quite notice the truffle in the mayo. The fries themselves were nice and crispy without being overcooked or soggy. They were nicely seasoned and could have stood alone on their own if presented that way.
For our mains I decided to go with the Pan Fried Steelhead Trout topped with a
side of lobster risotto and topped with a seared scallop, a creamy citrus hollandaise sauce and lots of arugula. The dish was a perfect balance between healthy
and decadence. The trout was seared just right, each section of the fish flaky
off with just the touch of a fork. It was beautifully seasoned, enhanced with
the velvety hollandaise sauce and the bitterness of the arugula. The lobster
risotto was extremely rich and creamy featuring large chunks of lobster meat. It
was nice going back and forth between the trout and risotto, each bit enhancing
the next, so my palate wasn’t overwhelm by the risotto. The scallop on top was
perfectly seared, with just enough of the opaque centre. I had some of the
scallop with the hollandaise and some with the risotto, allowing me to play a little
with the different flavour combinations on my plate.
My friend ordered the Roasted Honey and Chipotle Glazed Pork Chop served with yam fries and sautéed haricots vert. The chop was a very decent size perfect for those who have a good appetite. It was cooked to a perfect medium well, with just enough pink to keep the chop tender and juicy. The honey chipotle glaze was incredible. Sweet, tangy, smoky and robust all at the same time, it was a nice change from the traditional pork accompaniments such as apple or leeks. The green beans were crunchy and tasted great with the mix of onions and almonds. The yam fries were sweet and crispy. Who doesn’t love a bit of yam fries on the side of every dish? Since they were covered with the honey chipotle sauce, it was a nice flavour kick for the fries.
My friend ordered the Roasted Honey and Chipotle Glazed Pork Chop served with yam fries and sautéed haricots vert. The chop was a very decent size perfect for those who have a good appetite. It was cooked to a perfect medium well, with just enough pink to keep the chop tender and juicy. The honey chipotle glaze was incredible. Sweet, tangy, smoky and robust all at the same time, it was a nice change from the traditional pork accompaniments such as apple or leeks. The green beans were crunchy and tasted great with the mix of onions and almonds. The yam fries were sweet and crispy. Who doesn’t love a bit of yam fries on the side of every dish? Since they were covered with the honey chipotle sauce, it was a nice flavour kick for the fries.
As a side dish, we ordered the Sautéed Kale and Spinach for
some added greens to our meal. They had a nice tanginess to them, which made
for a lighter side. I imagine that they would also be great with one of the
many different steak options available at LeVilla.
For dessert, we had to order the Apple Tart with Praline Crumble and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream (with extra ice cream on the side, we’re ice cream fiends). The tart was divine! The pastry was buttery and flaky, coupled with the sweet and tart apples, it was the perfect apple pie. Especially when served with creamy vanilla ice cream, it was inevitable that we had to get an extra scoop.
For dessert, we had to order the Apple Tart with Praline Crumble and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream (with extra ice cream on the side, we’re ice cream fiends). The tart was divine! The pastry was buttery and flaky, coupled with the sweet and tart apples, it was the perfect apple pie. Especially when served with creamy vanilla ice cream, it was inevitable that we had to get an extra scoop.
My Picks: Chipotle Glazed Pork Chop, Apple Tart
Overall: Blending together the best of the old and the new,
LeVilla offers both traditional plates for those that are looking for a great
steak or amazing seafood and entrees for those searching for something
different. All that and they’re able to do it in a space that’s both elegant
yet trendy.
LeVilla
Chophouse on 4th
150 1800 4
Street SWCalgary, AB
(403) 453-3670
Website: www.levilla.ca
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