Breakfast for Lunch: Steak and Eggs at Santo's

Steak and Eggs at Santo's #yegfood, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

Santo's, a mainstay of Little Italy, has an all-day breakfast menu with a few new additions not currently listed on the print version: pancakes, French toast, and steak and eggs.

I love steak and eggs, even when I am not suffering from a hangover. My steak was perfectly cooked to order and had a great grilled taste. My eggs were also done to my liking. I ended up with both garlic toast and plain toast - the garlic was a bonus courtesy of the kitchen, I am assuming. I only ate a little of the bread anyways - the mountain of hash browns fulfilled my carbohydrate quota for the afternoon!

Breakfast for Lunch: Little Italy Breakfast

Little Italy Breakfast, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I have had the Little Italy numerous times at Santo's but when I had it again this past Sunday, it was different.

I have decided to diversify and am now enjoying my eggs sunny side up. The toast was much lighter - most of the time it has been nearly burned. Best of all, the hash browns are these small, flat, fritter-like creations that are lighter and crispier than the dense, cubed ones previously used. My only criticism is that they could stand a little more seasoning, as the flavour is quite bland on its own.

At only $5, the Little Italy is big value.

Moment of Truth: Ten Inch, Two Topping Pizza at Santo's

Ten Inch, Two Topping Pizza, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I have been visiting Santo's on a regular basis ever since it re-opened under new ownership and management this year. During these visits, I have tried numerous items representative of the new menu, from pasta to steak to breakfast.

It was finally time to stop and taste the pizza.

Santo's has always been famous for inexpensive, delicious pizza. Indeed, this is one tradition the new owners are keeping. Most of the 13 inch pizzas are within $10-$12 in price, and there are a few new additions amongst the choices.

As I was dining alone, I did not want to consume a 13 inch pizza, nor was I in a position to take any home. Fortunately, a 10 inch pizza is now available. And for only $7.95 (for two toppings) it is a value indeed.

My mushroom and black olive pizza was hot, loaded with toppings, and had a tangy sauce. Neither a traditional flat crust nor a puffy North American style, it was crispy. and stayed crispy throughout the meal. Crispy, and a little dry and hard, especially around the edges.

Still, for the price, I can't complain too much. The pizza is not quite the same as it was before, but I don't think customers will be disappointed either.

Breakfast for Lunch: Little Italy at Santo's

Little Italy Breakfast, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

One of the major changes at Santo's Resto-Lounge is the addition of a breakfast menu. Breakfast is served all day.

Today, I had the "Little Italy": two eggs any style with hash browns and toast. For only $5, this is the least expensive item on the menu, but what a portion! My two eggs cooked over easy were large, served with so many hash browns I was still eating them long after the eggs were gone.

Not pictured here are the two pieces of thick toast, as they were delayed getting to my table. I slathered them with marmalade and peanut butter.

I rounded out my meal with a latte. My entire bill came to less than $10. This is one of the least expensive breakfasts in the area and definitely a reason to visit Santo's again.

Chicken Fingers at Santo's

Chicken Fingers, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

It was a dreary, snowy, mid-April day, and I was in Little Italy on business. Not wanting to walk any further than I had to, I lunched at Santo's.

Santo's has draught beer and appetizer specials every day of the week. A small (12 ounce) glass of beer is served with one of the restaurant's appetizers, for one low price of $9.95. Today's special happened to be what I wanted to eat anyways: chicken fingers.

Chicken fingers is my favourite bar comfort food. The three fingers were thick and juicy, served with a heap of crispy fries. What really made the meal was the honey mustard sauce - it was creamy and had grains in it. I found myself dipping my fries in it and ran out before I was finished my meal (note to self: next time, ask for more). The addition of pickled hot peppers on lettuce was an interesting way to liven up the plate a little.

My small glass of Stella was refreshing, and just enough beer for me at this time of the day (yes, there are jokes that can be told here by those who know me, but we'll just ignore those for now).

A full listing of Santo's' appetizer specials are on a board inside the main lobby, and also listed on their website.

Ribeye Steak Dinner at Santo's

Ribeye Steak Dinner, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I stopped by the newly renovated Santo's Resto-Lounge a couple of evenings ago for supper. The new owners are working wonders with the place.

I had one of the evening's specials, which was a ribeye steak coated with sauteed mushrooms, and served with a choice of side and garlic toast. I had to hold the garlic toast (I'm bread-free this week for Passover), and I think the kitchen made up for that by piling the french fries high! And they were crispy, nicely seasoned, and delicious.

My ribeye was juicy and flavourful. I ordered it well-done, and although it was served to me more like medium-well, I still found it nicely cooked. I was quite happy that the flavour permeated throughout the juicy meat. I had a steak upon occasion in the past, and found them to be rather bland and chewy. I am glad the new owners and kitchen staff know how to cook a steak. And at only $10, this was a steak dinner that was definitely affordable.

My next adventure at Santo's will be trying the pizza. I am incredibly curious to see how it compares to the past.

Coffee Break: Cappuccino at Santo's

Cappuccino, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

If you read my previous blog post, you will know that Santo's is now under new ownership and has undergone a radical transformation.

Santo's has always offered coffee beverages - it is, after all, an Italian restaurant - but has not really been a place I would hang out at and have an espresso while reading a book or having a meeting. Until now.

I needed a caffeine fix, and Spinelli's across the street was packed full. Since I planned to have supper at Santo's anyways, I headed there a bit early. I was perfectly comfortable enjoying my fresh, rich, hot cappuccino while I waited to order supper. The chocolate on top added some sweetness. In addition to the classier atmosphere, the espresso drinks are reasonably priced - the cappuccino was only around $3 and a single shot of espresso is a mere $1.

Santo's Reborn - Gnocchi with Bolognese Sauce

Gnocchi with Bolonaise Sauce, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

Breaking news in the dining scene of northeast Edmonton is that Santo's (10821 95 Street) is under new ownership. The family that had run the place for decades, after whom the restaurant was named, sold the place to new owners who renovated top to bottom. The dining area is far bigger, brighter, and classier than ever.

However, the biggest concern was over the menu. Would Santo's remain a place for delicious, inexpensive pizza and pasta? I am happy to say, the answer is yes. Reprinted in a much nicer form, the menu is almost identical to the previous one. There are a few new pizza toppings (like donair meat) and the smaller sizes of pasta are gone, but otherwise the burgers, sandwiches, steaks, pizzas, and pastas that have made the place famous remain intact.

I checked it out last evening and after I got over the initial shock of how the interior has changed, I ordered gnocchi with bolognese sauce for supper. The portion was deceptively large, served in a deep bowl. The gnocchi was suitably chewy while the sauce was rich and full of meat. I would say it was a winner. And at only around $10, quite affordable.

Santo's is a place some people have avoided because of the atmosphere. Yes, the horse racing and VLTs are still in the back, but much more separate than before. Now, it is a restaurant I would definitely go to more often and bring friends.

Penne with Meat Sauce

Penne with Meat Sauce, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

The pasta at Santo's (108 Avenue and 95 Street) is hearty. I especially enjoy their sauces, which are fresh and flavourful.

I had a full serving of penne with meat sauce for supper yesterday evening. It was hard to go wrong with it. The penne was cooked perfectly al dente and the sauce was rich and meaty.

Santo's may not be the prettiest place in the world, but the food is excellent.

I Just Needed A Burger and Fries

Burger and Fries, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I find it difficult to eat when I am dealing with personal issues, and this past week has been very challenging on a number of levels. Despite my lack of appetite, I went to Santo's (108 Avenue and 95 Street) and instead of pizza or pasta, decided to try one of their burgers.

I have been a fan of their crispy fries for some time now. The burger itself was large and juicy, with a generous amount of sauce (sort of like a Thousand Island dressing), lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles. It was very filling and very obviously a homemade patty.

Santo's is more than Italian food - the burgers are great!

Santo's Encore: Gnocchi in Tomato Sauce

Gnocchi in Tomato Sauce, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I'm in post-Viva Italia Viva Edmonton afterglow and still feeling Italian. As a result, I headed back to Santo's today and indulged in a plate of gnocchi in tomato sauce.

The sauces at Santo's are totally homemade, and the tomato is one of the best I have ever had: not spicy, but rich and thick and full of flavour. The gnocchi is also special - the tiny potato dumplings soaked up the sauce and were perfectly chewy.

At around $10 the portion was excellent and kept me satisfied all afternoon. When it comes to Italian food served right, Santo's is hard core.