Lemon Chicken Combo - Baccarat Casino

Lemon Chicken Combo, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I was excited to be helping out at a casino today for Boyle McCauley News. Baccarat Casino on 101 Street and 104 Avenue was the location. The dining facilities there, the cheeky-named Cafe Paradice, used to be known for having some of the best service and food amongst casinos in Edmonton.

Did you notice that I wrote that in the past tense? The menu has completely changed, and is now mostly westernized Chinese food at prices that are not remarkable. I know that the staff and customers here are mostly Asian, but when you're located a stone's throw away from some of the best Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese restaurants in the city, perhaps something different is called for.

Luckily, I had been craving Chinese food, so ordered one of the combos ($11). The lemon chicken was unremarkable - small bits of meat that was undistinguishable as to whether it was white or dark, in a light batter and lemon sauce. I have had similar or better at fast food kiosks in shopping malls. The fried rice was average, if not a bit greasy, and the vegetables were tasty but cold. I did not finish them.

I also noticed one of my co-workers did not finish his veggies with his supper meal later on. In fact, others with whom I was working also expressed disappointment in the food. "Why change perfection?" one said about the menu. Another person remarked that the food and service has gone downhill fast.

I know that the casino is capable of better than this.