Chef Daniel Costa's lounge is Edmonton's coolest cultural hangout
Along Jasper Avenue in the Wîhkwêntôwin neighbourhood lie three connected dining spots with distinct personalities. Right in the middle sits MIMI, though it isn’t just a bar or restaurant — it’s a mood, a meeting place, and an evolving cultural hub. For chef and owner Daniel Costa, the concept was rooted in a singular vision: the romance and energy of a hotel lobby.
“I was very inspired by — and I’ve always been inspired by — the hotel lobby concept,” Costa says. “So, Va, Olia, and MIMI all speak to each other. MIMI was very much the centre, the bridge between it all. Everyone kind of congregates together here for a night out with cocktails and snacks.”
That sense of congregation is central to MIMI’s identity. It’s designed as a place where the evening begins — and sometimes where it never quite ends. The room, designed by Vancouver’s Ste Marie interior design studio, leans into a sultry, cinematic aesthetic. Costa describes it as having “a very 1970s Milan kind of thing going,” with a loungy, enveloping feel. Art house films flicker across the screen. Interesting books are stacked with intention. The music direction is deliberate and distinct. “The idea of it was for it to be very expressive,” Costa explains.
MIMI has become a destination for some excellent live music. Live jazz happens every Sunday evening, and live DJs take over on other nights. Local talent anchors the lineup, but the range is global. “Biboye Onanuga curates all of our live jazz. He’s a local guy — amazing,” Costa says. The DJ roster is equally eclectic, with curated tunes and world music. “DJ Jex Opolis is also an Edmontonian, but I don’t think enough people know he travels around the world, tours, and he just has such a great range in music.” Another favourite is Dane, who returns to Edmonton from Berlin to perform here every six weeks or so. Costa, himself, even takes the stage some nights.
To support the ambition of continuing to build relationships with great DJs, Costa has heavily invested in the technical side with an impressive, immersive sound system that needs to be experienced live to fully understand.
The food and cocktail programs evolve alongside the soundtrack. While consistency matters, Costa hints at some menu changes coming soon. Still, a few staples have earned cult status. “People really go crazy for our frites,” he says with a laugh. The frites, which are engineered to stay perfectly crunchy, arrive with a traditional tarragon aioli. The leek and truffle arancini are among the top sellers, and a recently added seasoned, spreadable pork sausage, sobrassada (presented on toast), is already making waves.
Ultimately, Costa hopes guests come in to experience the atmosphere. “The energy of that room is really special, especially when it’s a little later in the night,” Costa says. “I feel like it’s a good place to escape, enjoy a really nice cocktail, and check out what movie we’re playing.”
At MIMI, the night is always just beginning.
Places To Be
See this month's local flavours, products, and services.
