I usually give new restaurants a bit of a grace period before reviewing them as they are typically working out kinks to get things underway. With 80th and Ivy, I didn't feel I needed to wait as my first impressions were overwhelmingly positive. They have an excellent wine list that you don't feel like you are being raked over the coals for in terms of price and value, 20 wines by the glass and a promotion on Wednesday's where they have 30 different bottles off their list for a mere $30. They have quite an extensive cocktail list that would be a lot of fun to get to know too.
The lunch menu represents reasonable value with salads running between $12 to $16 and Sandwiches between $14 and $16. I decided to dine off the small plates menu and tried their Japanese inspired Sirloin Bites $13 and their Duck Two Ways $14. I particularly enjoyed the duck confit wrapped in phylo pastry served with crushed pistacios and a honey based sauce - like duck baklava! It was an excellent foil to the Backhouse Pinot Noir they are currently offering by the glass. The menu is loaded with lots of Alberta produced ingredients like Spring Creek Beef, Sylvan Star Cheeses and Broek Farms Pork.
Service is prompt and attentive - the lounge has a nice feel to it, living room styled with some amazing aluminum bar chairs. The dining room is intimate with the kitchen exposed allowing guests to see their food being prepared....a nice concept that we really liked. If these guys can keep their execution and service levels as high as delivered on my first visit, they will be in business for a long time.