When I was in Edmonton recently, I went to a restaurant on Whyte Avenue called The Mash, and it surprised me in a couple of ways.

First, I was pleasantly surprised at the decor. It looks as though the owners have designed the interior around thrift store finds, and it works! The ceiling displays a large collection of table lamps, all a little bit dated in style, and all upside down.

One wall boasts a variety of art works, bric-à-brac, and prints of various sizes with frames of every type you can imagine.

And the furnishings included a couch and area rug that are both one-of-a-kind. I don’t think you would find them in your local furniture store.

All in all, I thought the whole thing came together brilliantly. And, it made me smile.

The second surprise was the food. I enjoyed the best mushroom pizza I have ever had, without doubt. I don’t know what they added to the topping, but I will definitely be back for more the next time I am in Edmonton.