A Seafood Dinner Worth the Drive from Edmonton
Most of our guests on a seafood night have driven a while to be here. Many come from Edmonton and St. Albert. Two hours on the road for dinner might sound ambitious until you leave the city behind, settle into the drive, and find yourself crossing the Athabasca River as Fort Assiniboine comes into view.
This is how the evening tends to go.
Leaving the city
Fort Assiniboine is about 160 km northwest of Edmonton, a little under two hours away. Leaving around 3:30 p.m. gets you here comfortably for dinner. The route carries you through open farmland, small communities, and stretches of countryside that feel increasingly removed from the pace of the city.
By the time you reach Highway 33 north of Barrhead, the drive itself begins to feel like part of the experience.
If you come early
Many guests arrive before dinner to explore.
The Fort Assiniboine Bridge spans the Athabasca River just outside town and remains one of the community's most memorable landmarks. The nearby Sand Hills offer walking trails and views along the water. Fort Assiniboine itself began as a fur-trade post in 1823, and traces of that history still shape the character of the hamlet today.
It is a place where people tend to slow down without trying.
At the table
For many guests, the destination is seafood.
While the Seafood Platter has become one of our most anticipated Friday offerings, seafood can be found throughout our menu in different forms throughout the year. Wild salmon, cod, shrimp, scallops, and seasonal features regularly appear in the kitchen, prepared with the same attention we bring to every plate.
Guests who reserve the Seafood Platter enjoy a selection of seafood prepared several different ways and served for sharing in the centre of the table. Others simply settle in for dinner and choose from the menu. Either way, the experience is less about rushing through a meal and more about enjoying an evening that unfolds at its own pace.
Most Fridays, live music fills the dining room, conversations linger a little longer, and nobody seems to be checking the time.
The road home
Eventually the evening comes to an end and the drive home begins.
For much of the year, the return trip is under a dark prairie sky. The roads are quiet, the traffic is light, and there is time to reflect on the evening before city lights reappear on the horizon. During winter months, it's always worth checking road conditions before heading out.
Some destinations are worth the drive.
If you're looking for seafood near Edmonton, a relaxed evening of live music, and a chance to step away from the city for a few hours, Fort Assiniboine might be closer than you think.
To book, visit book.gemscafeandbistro.ca. Guests wishing to enjoy the Seafood Platter or Meat Platter should reserve by Monday of the week they plan to visit.