Let’s Go Local

Let’s Go Local ~ Our Favourite Restaurants Near SLR

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One of the questions we often hear from people considering a move to Spring Lake Ranch is “What sort of restaurants are nearby?” It’s a question we love, because there are so many great options within a 15 minute drive!

Whether you’re looking for family-friendly dining or the perfect date-night spot, we’ve got you covered. Each of these 6 restaurants are in Spruce Grove and offer fantastic food. If you’d like to visit SLR to check out the community and/or available properties, consider making a day of it and grabbing lunch or dinner nearby!

Porta Romana

This family-style eatery features authentic Italian food made with fresh, local ingredients. Co-owner Pepeo grew up in Milan, where his father ran two successful restaurants. Together with Pepeo’s wife Karren and chef Aaron Smentek, the team at Porta Romano creates not only delicious food but a really beautiful, inviting ambience.

Recent Yelp review:

“Service is the best. Food is amazing . . . best place for a date or special occasion in Spruce Grove hands down.” ~ Joel A.

Tandoori Grill

If you like Indian cuisine, don’t miss this spot! The lunch buffet is amazing, with so many dishes to sample. If you’re coming to Tandoor Grill for dinner, allow extra time to peruse the extensive menu ~ and be sure to share with your fellow diners so you can all try a few things. Every single dish has so much flavour.

Recent Trip Advisor review:

“Spruce Grove, I hope you know what a gem you have! Tandoori Grill is amazing! Delicious, authentic Indian food which is well priced and always enough to take home some leftovers. They will adjust the spice level for you (mild, medium, hot). The beef vindaloo is absolutely divine.” ~Lara S.

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Pizza lovers, look no further. Famoso knows what to do when it comes to cheesy, delicious pies of the savoury kind. All the pizzas are hand tossed and feature an airy Neapolitan crust that we can’t get enough of. Also on the menu is everything from soups, salads and sandwiches to charcuterie to pastas. Famoso is always a crowd pleaser and their Spruce Grove location is bright and welcoming with cozy seating.

Recent Trip Advisor review:

“Famoso is my go to pizza place! Although there are many pizza outlets in the Parkland County area, there are none that can accommodate my allergen needs like Famoso does.
Although they cannot claim to be safe for celiacs, they are very accommodating in preparing my pizza in a separate space with careful service due to my gluten and nut allergies. I have never had a problem after eating what they serve me.
The food is delicious and the staff are very friendly. It’s great food for a decent price if you want a local treat!” ~Canadi-Lynn

Sakai Sushi Bar

Sushi is one of our favourite things to eat, and when it’s done well, there’s nothing more satisfying. So we were so happy to discover Sakai Sushi Bar, which offers a phenomenal variety with fantastic presentation. (One Facebook reviewer calls it “artwork on your plate.”) The restaurant’s sleek, modern decor and friendly service makes for an all-around awesome dining experience.

Recent Trip Advisor review:

“We have been here many times since they first opened. It is always excellent. Super, SUPER fresh ingredients and the service has always been excellent . . . if you love sushi this is THE place to go. So glad we no longer have to travel into Edmonton for great Japanese food.” ~Deidre K.

Something Else Restaurant

Featured as a “Worth the Drive’ eatery in Edmonton’s 2018 City Guide, Something Else offers contemporary Greek dishes, pasta and seafood. Which means it has something for everyone! Bring the kids, bring the grandparents, and enjoy delicious family recipes inspired by Chef Louie Balomenos.

Recent Facebook review:

“The food was amazing and cooked to perfection. The flavours were on point! I had the calamari, mousakka + hummus, and the lamb souvlaki… sooo delicious. Great service! Can’t say enough about this place.” ~Anneluzelia Hernandez

Red Chili Leaf

Serving authentic Vietnamese and Thai food, Red Chili Leaf has a ton of tasty vegetarian, meat and seafood options to choose from. We love all the soups and noodle dishes, with rich, deep flavours that are especially perfect on a winter day.

Recent Trip Advisor review:

“Always amazing. Excellent service, fast, and the price was right! ~Tammy S.

Do you have any other favourite places to dine in Stony Plain or Spruce Grove? Let us know in the comments ~ we’d love to hear!

Let’s Go Local: 5 Fantastic Home Decor Shops

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We are excited to introduce our new blog series: Let’s Go Local!

There are so many wonderful local businesses in the Spring Lake, Spruce Grove and Stony Plain area, and as a community that supports them, we want to start highlighting them for YOU, our readers. From shops and restaurants to wellness services, entertainment, and family activities, we are will be sharing our top picks in the coming months. Supporting local businesses is so important to helping a community thrive. We hope that through spreading the word on some of our favourite spots, we’ll help you discover what makes Parkland County (and beyond) such a special place to live.

First up: Home Decor. The SLR team is deep into the design process for our 2018 builds, and we LOVE talking all things decor. Whether you are renovating, thinking of sprucing up your home for the holidays, or on the hunt for gift ideas, these 5 local home decor shops are an excellent source of inspiration.

Whimsical Vintage Creations

Described as “an amazing gem in Stony Plain”, “unique and charming”, and “my favourite store ever” by customers, this beautiful shop features a variety of furniture and home decor pieces. Owner Kyla Tetley also offers sign making and other classes β€” a great group activity (and gift idea)! If you love browsing vintage-inspired items in a welcoming, elegant space, Whimsical Vintage Creations is a must-visit destination.

Bay 101 3919 49th Ave, Stony Plain

Reside Furnishings

Reside is a bit further afield β€” with locations in west and south Edmonton β€” but it’s such a phenomenal furniture store, we had to share it here! This family-run business has been around since 1978 (formerly known as Leather Elite) and features a gorgeous selection of modern furnishings. Many of its pieces are made with reclaimed and sustainable materials like wrought iron or solid wood, and you’ll find everything from bedroom sets to dining tables to leather sectionals. Reside prides itself on its relationships with customers, so you can expect excellent service that has that personal touch.

West Edmonton location: 10434 Mayfield Rd NW

Grove Decorating Centre ~ Benjamin Moore

Known for producing the highest-quality paints and finishes in the industry, Benjamin Moore is a favourite among interior designers, including us at SLR! (Our newest home for sale, The Lakewood, features Paper White on the walls.) Grove Decorating Centre in Spruce Grove is the company’s local retailer, and the place to go when choosing paint colours. Honing in on the right palette for your home build or reno can be intimidating for anyone, so we recommend taking samples home and trying them out (be sure to notice the variation at different times of day!) before committing. The store’s helpful staff is on hand to answer any questions and help guide you in the right direction. 

 The Barn Owl

Part country decor, part woodworking/craft classes, The Barn Owl is one of Stony Plain’s most unique businesses. Customers rave about the decorative treasures, friendly staff, and peaceful environment. You can’t help but feel happy approaching the bright red exterior, and once inside, you’re immersed in a cozy world filled with charming pieces designed to being character to your home. A perfect stop on a weekend afternoon, or for a craft class with friends. (Check out their Everyday Wreath Classes offered throughout December!)

4912 52nd Ave., Stony Plain

Luxury Blinds

With more than 400 fabrics and styles to choose from, Luxury Blinds offers residents of the Spruce Grove area (and beyond) an amazing selection of blinds and more than 20 years of experience. 

At Spring Lake Ranch, one of of our trademarks is big beautiful windows that show off lake views! So we understand the importance of “the right” shade or blind to maximize all that natural light. Luxury Blinds does free in-home consultations, so you can have a professional help determine the best choice for your windows, style, and budget. The world of blinds has evolved SO much over the last decade β€” it’s really helpful to have experts break down all the options and share their expertise!

29 Linden St. South, Spruce Grove

And that’s our Top Five Home Decor picks! Stay tuned for more “Le’s Go Local” posts in the upcoming months.

As always, if you have any questions about Spring Lake Ranch or anything we share on the blog, feel free to contact us! You can reach out at 1.888.867.1055 OR scorker@springlakeranch.ca.