A global menu, locally inspired cocktails, and hospitality above all
After 18 years in hospitality, including time as director of food and beverage at Fairmont Hotel Macdonald, co-owner Antosh Shetty knew what he wanted when he and business partner Jiju Paul decided to open Golden Sparrow on 124 Street: a hospitality experience with hospitality that’s as memorable as the food and drinks.
Shetty and Paul designed the space themselves, putting considerable thought into the details. A mural at the entrance features a sparrow perched on a branch, helping tell the story behind the restaurant’s name. Gold accents and other artwork were chosen to build an atmosphere that feels distinctive while remaining inviting in the intentionally small space.
The food menu is upscale without being stuffy. Paul, who has more than 20 years of hospitality experience and has worked as an executive chef at luxury properties, developed a menu inspired by food from around the globe. Guests can find Nepali dishes alongside Japanese-inspired spring rolls, Italian offerings, and Korean fried chicken. It is a menu designed for sharing, reflecting the restaurant’s broader goal of bringing people together. Two of the most popular dishes, the braised beef short rib and a delectable 16-layer chocolate cake, have become part of that experience. “I think our short rib is the best in the city,” Shetty says. “It’s definitely become our signature dish.”
The restaurant’s Edmonton identity is especially evident in its cocktail program, which draws on local landmarks, festivals, and history. Developed in collaboration with Edmonton mixologist Xavier Aleba, the drinks are inspired by local destinations and stories. Notably, The Roxy cocktail pays tribute to neighbouring Roxy Theatre with an Old Fashioned-inspired drink served with popcorn and M&M’s, designed to evoke the feeling of enjoying a cocktail in the theatre. The menu also includes drinks inspired by Cariwest, Edmonton’s Caribbean festival, as well as the city’s early coffee culture. The namesake Golden Sparrow cocktail combines smoked whisky, ginger, and citrus for a tropical-leaning drink that has become the restaurant’s top seller. The drink menu is rounded out with a few thoughtfully made zero-proof cocktails, including the Par and Pour which is a secret nod to Paul and Shetty’s next project which should open in Edmonton later this month.
Together, the food and drink menus reinforce the restaurant’s intention to offer something that feels rooted in Edmonton while still drawing inspiration from around the world. For Shetty, those details are part of creating a place with its own personality and a sense of soul.
Ultimately, Shetty says, Golden Sparrow is about how guests feel when they leave and aims to provide an exceptional customer service experience. Whether celebrating an occasion or simply sharing food and drinks, the goal is straightforward: guests should leave happy, and hospitality remains the centre of it all. “We want this to be more than a place where you just come for good food, we want you to feel like you are the most important person in the room,” Shetty says.
Golden Sparrow is located at 10704 – 124 Street, Edmonton, AB.
