Gordon Ramsay to open first Canadian Hell’s Kitchen restaurant in Edmonton

The first Canadian location of Gordon Ramsay’s iconic restaurant chain Hell’s Kitchen is opening up right here in Edmonton, announced River Cree Casino and Resort.

The location, sharing a name with Ramsay’s intense cooking television show, features locations in Las Vegas, Miami, Hollywood, New Jersey and more. This will be the first location to not be within the United States. 

Hell’s Kitchen will be opening in the River Cree Casino and Resort and is aiming for a launch early in 2026. 

“I think it’s excellent news for Canada, for everybody, for our community to get that kind of name added onto the River Cree,” said Vik Mahajan, CEO of River Cree Resort and Casino.

This will be the eighth location of the restaurant. 

Here’s a breakdown of the popular Halloween experience at Grande Boulevard in the Summerside neighbourhood of Edmonton — useful if you’re planning to visit or just curious:

🎃 What is it?

• The street has become a major Halloween destination: every year, many homes on Grande Boulevard go all‑out with decorations and lighting, turning the stretch into something akin to a “Candy Corn Lane” for Halloween.

• It attracts thousands of trick‑or‑treaters each Halloween night (in one article more than 3,000 children for one year).

• It’s not just about candy — the visual spectacle (decorated yards, lights, puppets, scenes) is a big part of the draw.

📍 Where exactly?

• In the Summerside neighbourhood, south Edmonton, Alberta.

• Specifically on Grande Boulevard (between roughly 88 Street SW and 70 Street SW) according to one source.

🕗 When to go & tips

• Many of the decorations are up in the week(s) leading up to Halloween, so you don’t necessarily have to go only on the night of October 31.

• On actual Halloween night things can get very busy (parking, children, crowds). A few tips:

  • Go early (right at dusk) or a little before peak crowd time.

  • Consider walking instead of driving — easier to soak in details.

  • Dress for the weather (late October in Edmonton is chilly).

  • Bring patience & maybe a flashlight.

• If you want candy and trick‑or‑treating: plan to visit houses that participate (many do).

• For photo opportunities: you’ll get better light just after sunset before full dark when decorations are prominent.

✅ Why it’s popular

• It’s essentially become the Halloween street in Edmonton for spectacle and family fun.

• Houses are highly decorated and many residents treat it as a block‑party / community event.

• It’s free to visit (just your time and maybe travel).

• Great for families, for capturing festive photos, for getting into the Halloween spirit.

⚠️ A few caveats

• Because of the crowds, traffic and parking can be a hassle.

• Some houses may run out of candy if the influx is large. Reddit posts mention variability in participation year to year.

• If you only want candy and less spectacle, there might be less decorated streets but more candy‑efficient.

• Respect private property and set boundaries: watching from sidewalks is fine, but going onto yards should be kept to what's allowed.

• Nero is tucked into the historic Molson Brewery Building at 12068 104 Ave NW, in Edmonton’s Brewery District.

• The design and ambience get serious praise: rich decor, chandeliers, marble bar, heritage building turned into upscale Italian dining.

• The restaurant is from the team behind local Italian spots Rosso Pizzeria and Bianco, so there’s already some credibility in the local food scene.

• The menu is Italian‐inspired with high quality: shareable antipasti, house‑made pastas, wood‑fired pizzas, seasonal mains, creative takes on classics.

• Service tends to be well‑reviewed. For example: “From the second we walked in we were floored … our server … was super knowledgeable and helpful.”

⚠️ Things to consider

• The ambience and decor are formal‑elegant, which is great if you’re going for a special night out, but perhaps less suited for a casual, low‑key dinner.

• Portions may skew a bit smaller than expected, and prices lean toward the upscale side. One review notes: “Portions tend to skew on the smaller side, so consider adding a side or two.”

• It’s popular — busy on a Monday night according to one Yelp review, so making a reservation is a good idea.

🍽 Menu highlights

• A standout dessert: the budino — described as “stovetop custard of Bernard Callebaut chocolate and fresh‑ground espresso … topped with tea‑smoked almond and mascarpone Chantilly cream.”

• A pasta example: Rigatoni all’Amatriciana gets a creative tweak here with roasted miso in the tomato sauce for added umami.

• Wood‑fired pizzas and share plates like arancini (fried rice balls) get mention in early reviews.

🎯 Who it’s ideal for

• Romantic dinners or special occasions — the ambience supports that.

• Groups looking to share multiple dishes and enjoy a variety rather than just one main each.

• Food‑lovers who don’t mind spending a bit more for elevated Italian fare.

🧐 Who might want to skip or adjust expectations

• If you’re after very casual or budget dining, this might feel too polished and pricey.

• If you prefer large portions or simpler fare, this might not hit that mark as well.

• For a quick lunch or casual meet‑up, the style might feel a bit formal.

✅ My verdict

Nero delivers an impressive combination of atmosphere, design, and cuisine. If you’re looking for a standout Italian dining experience in downtown Edmonton and are willing to invest a bit more — it’s absolutely worth going. For the casual pizza‑and‑beer crowd, it might be more formal (and priced) than needed.

Scandinave Spa Coming to Edmonton, Backed by Former NHL Star

Vincent Damphousse, co-founder and board chairman of the Scandinave Group, played for the Edmonton Oilers in the 1990s and says the city still holds a special place in his heart.

"I'm excited to see Scandinave Spa become part of Edmonton’s dynamic future," Damphousse said. "This project means more to me than just development—it’s a way to give back and help position Edmonton as a leading wellness destination."

The new Scandinave Spa is scheduled to open in 2028. According to Travel Alberta, the facility is expected to generate approximately $121 million in total economic impact over its first decade. Tax revenue over that period is projected to reach $18 million.

While specific details about the size and amenities of the Edmonton location haven't been released yet, other Scandinave Spa facilities range between 25,000 and 72,000 square feet. They typically feature hot and cold pools, massage services, saunas, steam rooms, and outdoor relaxation areas with fire pits.

Economic and Job Impact

Construction of the facility is expected to create around 330 temporary jobs, and once operational, the spa will employ 52 full-time staff, according to Travel Alberta.

“This exciting development won’t just create jobs and stimulate the local economy,” said Malcolm Bruce, CEO of Edmonton Global. “It will also improve quality of life for residents and visitors alike, and help create vibrant, livable communities that attract global investment.”

Bruce added that the spa will enhance the region’s profile and boost the visitor economy, unlocking further opportunities for investment and development.

Public and Private Support

The project is receiving support from Travel Alberta’s new Investor Concierge program, which offers strategic market insights, data access, and financial incentives. Additional backing is coming from the Government of Alberta’s Investment and Growth Fund (IGF), the City of Edmonton, Edmonton Global, and Explore Edmonton.

The IGF is designed to help close investment deals by addressing late-stage barriers that might otherwise prevent companies from choosing Alberta.

Site and Background

Earlier this year, Edmonton city council approved rezoning for the 10.5-acre site in Brander Gardens, located just west of Whitemud Drive near 53rd Avenue. Known as Soaring Lands, the gated property was donated to the University of Alberta in 2010 by the late Sandy Mactaggart and his wife, Cecile.

Mactaggart, a co-owner of Maclab Enterprises, was instrumental in Edmonton’s post-1949 residential development boom. However, the university determined the grand mansion on the site, built in the 1950s, was not suitable for academic purposes. The house was eventually decommissioned, and the land cleared for future development.

A Long-Awaited Vision for a Nordic Spa

While Alberta is already home to the 50,000 sq. ft. Kananaskis Nordic Spa, which opened west of Calgary in 2018, this will be Edmonton’s first successful Nordic spa project.

Previous attempts to bring a spa of this kind to the area fell through. In 2019, a proposed spa near Fort Edmonton Park was cancelled after the partnership behind it dissolved. That same year, Groupe Nordik, a Quebec-based company, announced plans for a $50-million spa in Parkland County, but the project was never realized.

With support from multiple levels of government and private investors, the new Scandinave Spa is poised to become a cornerstone in Edmonton’s growing wellness and tourism sector.

Graham Construction Celebrates Official Opening of the Edmonton-Strathcona County Footbridge

EDMONTON, AB – Graham Construction is proud to announce the official opening of the Edmonton-Strathcona County Footbridge, now formally named Amisk Wâciw Âsokan, meaning Beaver Hills Bridge.

The name was unveiled during a grand opening ceremony held at the site, recognizing the cultural and environmental significance of the region.

Construction of the footbridge began in June 2023, following extensive engagement with stakeholder groups committed to sustainable development within the North Saskatchewan River Valley. The new pedestrian and cyclist crossing strengthens the connection between northeast Edmonton and Strathcona County, while linking to over 100 kilometres of trails throughout the valley — including a continuous corridor from Devon to Fort Saskatchewan.

Designed with both function and experience in mind, the bridge features concrete gathering spaces at each end, shared asphalt pathways, and a concrete deck finished with a flexible wearing surface for enhanced durability.

Additional amenities include scenic lookout points above each pier, complete with canopy structures and precast concrete benches, offering visitors a place to rest and take in panoramic views of the river valley.

Graham Construction is honoured to have delivered this important piece of infrastructure that enhances regional connectivity, supports active transportation, and reflects the area's natural and cultural heritage.

• RGE RD is a farm‑to‑table / prairie cuisine restaurant founded by Chef Blair Lebsack and Caitlin Fulton in 2013

• The food philosophy emphasizes local, sustainable, ethical sourcing. They do wood fire cookery, whole‑animal butchery, seasonal ingredients.

• They also run The Butchery by RGE RD, a market‑style shop next door, offering house cured meats, sausages, custom cuts, etc.

• Ambience & Dining Experience

  • Rustic, 60‑seat restaurant just outside downtown core.

  • Known for wood‑burning oven (birch and maple), smoke, etc. They use “Questionable Bits” for their nightly special — the parts of the animal less common but creatively used.

  • They offer private/semi‑private dining spaces: The Farmhouse, The Butcher’s Table, The Larder.

  Cuisine & Menu Highlights

  • Expect ingredients like wild game, sustainable seafood, local vegetables and grains.

  • Examples: Elk tartare, Alberta boar, Pilatus Farms bison, duck breast from local farms.

  • They change the menu often to reflect season and availability. Whole‑animal programs are core to their menu.

  Recognition & Price Range

  • RGE RD has won various awards and accolades: named among Edmonton’s best, included in Canada’s Best 100 Restaurants.

  • It is on the more expensive side. Based on reviews, expect ≈$80‑120+ per person depending on drinks, how many courses, and special tasting (or the “Road Trip” tasting menu) if you go that route.