One One Eight

Strange place. Their menu is a few photocopied pages stapled together. Menu items have very little description which makes it hard to want to try something outside of the box (which seems to be what they want you to do). The burger I ended up ordering wasn’t horrible, but not great either.

When we we first walked into this place it seemed promising, but it ended up being a complete disappointment. First off, the menus were very vague. Most of the entrees were pretty unique but they had no description as to how they are prepared besides listing three or four ingredients, so we decided to play it «safe» and share some spring rolls and get the macaroni and cheese and the steak sandwich. The steak sandwich was the smallest I’ve ever had at a restaurant, which was pretty surprising considering it was $ 18. The menu listed sourdough as an ingredient, so I was excited to have it served in a big sourdough bun. Instead, it was on a skinny, toasted piece of bread (possibly sourdough, but after toasting it into a giant croûton I couldn’t distinguish any sourdough flavour). I stuck my fork into it and it split into three pieces. The macaroni and cheese was fairly tasty though… definitely a better value than the steak sandwich. Our spring rolls, the appetizer, was served after our entrees, which was pretty displeasing… especially since they were terrible. They didn’t seem homemade at all. They were filled with an orange mush that was unrecognizable… seemed fresh out of the grocer’s freezer. I’d say the only good things about this place were the unique selection of microbrews on tap ($ 5 each on Thursdays), and the decent music/​atmosphere.

Great place for drinks, with many different unique beers (on tap!) to choose from and has a nice atmosphere. However, the food was not very tasty and highly overpriced. The portions were not large enough either for entrees. However, I would definitely come back for drinks only!

I really wish I could justify more than two stars to One One Eight. They have a beautiful space that can easily become a top notch cocktail lounge. I’ve been here twice and while I appreciate the relatively gutsy list of beers on tap (ALL microbrews), I find the food to be terribly subpar.
The high points: seven taps — all of which are pretty respectable micro brews (including local breweries, Alleykat and Yellowhead). The list of cocktails look swanky and modern, which is exciting too. I enjoyed the beers I’ve had here, for sure.
The kimchi sliders are decent but not outstanding. At first glance, the food menu looks promising with impressive phrases like ‘goat cheese fritters’, ‘jambalaya poutine’, ‘duck confit’ etc. dotting it. However, overcooked macaroni in mac ‘n cheese where one cannot taste the cheese either, is quite unacceptable, I’m afraid, for a place like this. To be honest, that’d be unacceptable at home too — it would go waste.
While the mac ‘n cheese is unforgivable, it is not the lowest point. I had the jambalaya poutine yesterday. I take it the chef was presenting a creole-​style Jambalaya (or red Jambalaya). Regrettably though, with the obvious look, feel and flavor of canned tomato paste smothered with a mix of celery, onions and peppers, it reminded me of something I would make at home if I was famished and only had a can of tomato paste with me. I would eat it, but would definitely not toss it on top of fries or serve it to a friend. The fries didn’t taste fresh either, so all in all, it was just a disappointing experience.
I want to like 118 more. I really hope that, if anything, this review will help them reorganize their menu a bit. I feel like they’re trying too hard to push a nuanced menu without much talent in the kitchen to hold it.

Yellow Snow Ale?! Hello, I am totally all over trying a draft with a name like that! It ended up a bit bitter and complex for my (extreme novice beer palate) but I sure love the name. Oh and the tap handle is one of the best I’ve seen! One One Eight has some really really impressive beers on tap, as well as in a bottle. I definitely think any beer aficionado is going to enjoy this deconstructed, airy, comfortable atmosphere.
Now onto the food… I feel like there should be grace period a new establishment receives (especially when independently owned) where they can experiment with the menu and find what works and what needs to be reworked. Yes, the mac N cheese needs some help, The batch Joshua M and I tried was not great. But, the Bulgogi sliders, oh wow, I have had them twice now and think they are just amazing. Although a little side of sirachi could really kick it up a notch. I like my Kimchi to bring me to a state of spicy nirvana!
The reworked room is excellent. They ripped out the bar and made it quite a bit narrower which really opens up the space. The horrible carpet was removed and in its wake are fabulous hard wood floors. And my favourite part; I love the graffiti wall! The back wall is a canvas that is available every few months to a different local artist to create what ever they want on it, and It truly is an art form that can be quite beautiful and poignant. The attention that One One Eight is giving to this discipline by providing a safe and legal means for Edmonton graffiti artists is art in itself.

If you haven’t tried pork belly… you’re missing out!
I came here for the opening night. There are a lot of unique drinks and food items on the menu that make use of some fun ingredients you don’t see everywhere… pork belly being one of them! Also a cool selection of aioli’s and high quality cheeses. I’m a sucker for condiments and sauces.
I’m not one for beer, but I do notice there are quite a few beers on the menu I haven’t seen before, which is another unique feature. The cilantro drink is different and if you like tequila it’s pretty good. I really liked the fallen rain and raspberry blur, I have yet to try the blackberry mojito but I am looking forward to it.
It’s kind of a clean cut layout with lots of space to stand around and mingle, similar setup to Suede but the bar seems a big wider (further between you and the bartender) and it’s more of a relaxed, laid back set up. When we went, it was pretty busy but the service was great and the music was good. I am excited to try more menu items, and appreciate the high quality and unique menu ingredients at a very reasonable price.

I’ve been to One One Eight a couple times now, and I think I’m really going to like having them in the neighbourhood. They’ve got an awesome beer list, tasty cocktails, an interesting looking menu (the kimchi sliders are delicious!), and so far they seem to keep the volume at a conversational level.
So far they seem like they will fill in that chill-​but-​classy bar shaped hole in my Oliver heart.

Awesome place, great hip vibe, once you’re here you won’t want to go any place else. The staff is attentive, and the crowd is fun. Be sure to try their fallen rain martini