Latitude 53

While I admit that I’ve only been to the new space once for a special event, I also only visited the old location once or twice (also for special events). The new space includes lots of wall space for exhibitions which is awesome. They even hold craft sales there which is super awesome for the community and all the makers in Edmonton. Someday, I’m sure I’ll make it to a patio party in the summer, but in the meantime I’ll just enjoy what use I get out of the facilities when I’m invited for an event or something.

One of the best gallery spaces in the city. They have a ton of great exhibitions and I really enjoy their roof top patio.

This is a treasure. The gallery hosted an event MOMA 3 this past weekend, 5 chefs, 5 dishes, art to browse, and a student exhibition of the most interesting pieces!
It was an Adult only affair as it was a licenced event.
The event was busy, not overly crowded, but if you have crowd issues, it wouldn’t be comfortable. We did find a nice cool corner in the student exhibit area by the window with a ledge to put our wine glasses down. Unfortunately, for hosting a food event, there were few places to put your glass down to nosh, and some gauche individuals actually used the exhibits as their glass holders. Some wall shelves for standing guests would really be handy.
Chefs at the event presented fabulous dishes — I’d like to call them bites, but we were definitely full by the end of the evening. All but one dish was gluten-​free! The last dish, dessert, was «gluten-​reduced» I had to have a tiny bite — it was delicious! Tasted almost identical to Lemon Meringue pie, I’d like to get that recipe and tinker with it to see if I can make it gluten-​free.
Chef Nathan Saurette — braised pork shoulder, baked beans, cabbage on fried tostada
Chef Richard Toll — sous vide lamb kofta wrapped in leeks, deconstructed tzaziki and hummus
Chef John Lizotte — whisky braised beef brisket, buffalo sausage with hempseed hash, hot mustard sauce *note — the sausage was half a link!
Chef Andrew Hess — beet-​cured salmon, parsnip bavarois, grapefruit gelee and Thai basil *My favourite of the night!
Chef Stefan Cherwoniak — pan seared scallop on creamed leek, spiced red cabbage, black tobiko caviar
Chef Luisa Magnan Rizzi — coal lake honey cake, lemon curd and anurakti tea glee

A small gallery that features contemporary, edgy, often experimental work from local artists and beyond. This is also a social hot spot as various networking and party events are held here (and on the roof and patio). Admission is free, but donations are welcome. Latitude 53 is located right behind Metro Billiards and is totally worth a visit if you are into art, design, and local culture.

How did no one mention Latitude 53’s Parka Patio Party this past Saturday?
While this was my first visit to Latitude 53, despite a number of invitations to their summer patio series, I’m now kicking myself for why I never showed up before. ‘Cause this was a groovy night. Totally Rad.
This Parka party (appropriately themed as it was chilly that night) was set-​up on the rooftop accompanied with an open party tent, dance floor and a DJ. Evidently Elm Café, Upper Crust Café and The Bothy were also on hand serving appies all night as well.
Most of our night was spent navigating through a large crowd alternating between the rooftop’s dance floor and the studio inside for drinks & conversations around the art pieces on display for the silent auction; and being the novice-​art-​dud that I am, I was pretty impressed with what was being shown.
Even as the night sauntered on and last call approached, they moved the DJ indoors to keep the dance party going. Good form.
I can’t speak on Latitude 53’s art collection nor their ambience during their regular hours, but this art studio’s Saturday night party was certainly a welcomed change of scenery (think an artsy NY night in the style of an episode of How to Make it in America) as opposed to the standard bar crowd of Abercrombie & Fitch wannabies.
And at the same time, while this particular night served no shortage of the skinny jeans and fitted variety, the highlight for me was simply discovering that for a town as blue as Edmonton is, these Latitude 53 parties are quite the gem for the bohemians, the free thinkers and the free spirits.
Dibs in on the next one.

Dear Latitude 53,
You are pretty flippin’ cool. How is it that I’ve spent so much time over the years at Metro Billiards next door, yet I passed by your door and you remained unnoticed to me?
Well, we finally met, and aren’t you so lovely? A funky brick interior leading to an upstairs gallery, and one of the best patios this city has ever seen.
The art? OK, it’s a little weird. But the gorgeous patio and the awesome patio party made up for that. Plus, at least the inside was air conditioned!
Until we meet again!