Meet Me in the Lobby

Edmonton restaurateurs Christian Mena and Lino Oliveira, the duo behind downtown mainstay Sabor and several Bodega locations, are at it again with a stunning new concept, Atrium. Located in the lobby of the historic Revillon Boardwalk Building alongside its sibling restaurants downtown, Atrium was born partly out of practicality—and partly out of instinct. “Sabor is very popular for private rooms and large groups,” Oliveira explains, “but we needed a place for weddings and large-scale events, while still feeling special on any given night.” Fortunately, the beautiful main-floor space in the brick building next door became available and gave them a unique opportunity to experiment with something new.

By day, Atrium unfolds as a refined café; by night, it transforms into an intimate restaurant and bar with a quietly glamorous energy. Unlike Sabor and Bodega, which are rooted in Spanish and Portuguese traditions, Atrium deliberately resists a fixed culinary identity. That freedom is the point. “I didn’t develop an identity for the food at Atrium,” says Oliveira. “It allows me to be a lot more creative and flexible.”

The small but deliberate menu reflects that philosophy. Oliveira tested many of the menu items at Sabor, but never quite found a way to make them fit. There are only four mains, with the rest devoted to appetizers and a raw bar that has quickly become the restaurant’s most popular feature, with guests coming in to dine on oysters, caviar, octopus carpaccio, and the must-try smoked scallop ceviche. Oliveira describes himself as someone who “plays it safe” in the best possible way. “I’d rather make something that most people will really like,” he says. That mindset is evident in dishes like the wagyu meatballs, pork belly with pickled cabbage reminiscent of kimchi, and the restaurant’s most ordered main: short rib. “I hate to boast,” Oliveira adds, “but it’s probably the best short rib you’ll have in town.” Dessert is no afterthought either—the crema Catalana donut, topped with brûléed custard, has quickly become a must-try.

The room is as much a draw as the food. Designed with Mera Studio Architects, Atrium celebrates the bones of the heritage building through warm lighting, greenery, and an open sightline to the bar, creating a sense of understated opulence. “The space is beautiful,” says Mena. “Especially at night, you stand back and think, this is really impressive.” They plan to add low, lounge-style seating meant to encourage guests to drop in for a glass of wine or cocktail without committing to dinner. Future plans also include wine dinners, jazz nights, and a music series. It’s also serving as a testing ground for Roca, Mena and Oliveira’s forthcoming high-end restaurant concept set to open later this year in the former Union Bank Inn building. For now, Atrium remains fluid and inviting—a sophisticated space equally suited to an elegant dinner, a lingering glass of wine, or a grand celebration.