- It’s your last chance this year to soak up the outdoor market atmosphere at the City Centre Market this Saturday and bid adieu to the wonderful producers that grace 104th Street, at least until May 2009.
- Hundred Bar & Kitchen, previewed in Bistro last week, is hoping to open this week. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Chris Lachance.
- Devlin’s has delayed the launch of its fall menu (which was initially slated for September 30). The cocktail lounge hopes to begin offering its seasonal dishes in the next few weeks.
- The Hat Resto-Pub (the latest incarnation of The Silk Hat), is set to open on October 24.
- Xtreme Asian Fusion (I still don’t know if this, or Phobulous, wins the award for worst Asian restaurant name in the city) received a favourable review in the Journal this week. Count me surprised, but then again, I was so off-put by the name that I would need prodding to walk through the eatery’s doors.
- I was wondering about the south side location of Cafe Select, as it seemed to be closed during prime dining periods whenever I passed by. I noticed the other day that the interior has since been gutted, and the location removed from the website. I’m guessing this second branch was losing money for the company?
- An interesting Q & A with Eugenio Rodrigues, co-owner of the Doggie Style Deli, the only restaurant in the city that literally caters to the dogs.
- It’s one of my favourite commercial events of the year – when Starbucks releases their red cups and holiday drinks. Expect cups in stores on November 4th, with drinks to follow on November 28th. Details here.
- The New York Times read my mind: I was just thinking about alternative uses for my rice cooker, and then this great starter article appeared.
- Mack sent me a link to a convenience product that seems wholly unnecessary: peanut butter slices.
- Given my terrible track record with finishing novels, it’s a miracle I ever completed reading Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore’s Dilemma at all. It was a testament to the book itself – Pollan’s ease of translating some fairly complex processes into layman’s terms and his delicious curiosity into the subject made it an enjoyable read. The chapter about Polyface Farm was my definite favourite, and made me appreciate ecosystems in a way I never thought possible.
- I tried the new Signature Hot Chocolate at Starbucks, pricey at $3.69 for a tall. It is quite a rich drink, good for those cold winter nights in front of a fire, but definitely not something I’d have every day.
Starbucks’ Signature Hot Chocolate
- While it probably isn’t the best time to be lurking in dollar store aisles to hunt for cheap food deals (with the breadth of food scares lately), I can’t seem to resist a good bargain. Dollarama had boxes of “Pad Thai” for sale, which I bought for my emergency food cabinet at work. I had it for lunch the other day, and have to say it was quite disappointing, and not at all like the photo. Thankfully, it was only a dollar. What’s the best deal you’ve swiped for $1?
Pad Thai
Pad Thai prepared
Only Here for the Food 
I, too, tried the Signature hot chocolate this week (be warned, their regular hot chocolate is still on the menu and you have to specify the signature blend.)
There was an oily film on top (I did not get any whip, either) and I have a feeling that the “pre prepared melange of four cocoas” is just a way to cut the prep time it takes in making their other hot chocolates. I only realized this when the cashier said I couldn’t request my standard whole milk since it was premade with skim.
Like many things at Starbucks these days it seems to be going the prepared route, with large jugs being made up earlier in the day and ‘reheated’ as it were when ordered. I’m gonna stick to my regular hot choco blends for when the snow falls.
Oh; Il Portico has suddenly closed today, by the way. This might be one of the most heartbreaking restaurant closures of the year, IMO. The catalyst behind it saddens me, and I will dearly miss the building, service and food that formed the Il Portico experience every time I pass the car filled lot to take its place. If I only I had known and could have dined one last time…
http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=4dfd2b4b-0f1d-464c-a175-470adc52c3b8
Oh; and Riverbend Gardens at the City Centre market was selling fully grown romanesco this week (under the pseudonym of “broccoflower”)
I had bought some baby romanesco at Sobeys in the weeks previous for $1.79 EACH, but the fully grown ones are going for $4. They’re a weird looking vegetable with a nice flavour, you should try them. I’m going to make cream of roasted romanesco soup with mine.
My best dollar deal are the packs of udon noodles that are sold at Safeway or asian food markets in the noodle section. One pack fills you, and they’re fresher and more versatile than freeze dried ramen. Usually available for $0.89-$1.29 a pack.
Oh. And my cheapest guilty pleasure is the hot dogs at IKEA. 😦
I’d recommend wholeheartedly that you move swiftly to reading In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan.
It was after reading it though that I decided to move as far away as I could from shopping at places like Starbucks so be warned that it will try to move your perspective quite far from where it might be now. But I think he does it very, very well.
Aw, shucks – I wanted to be the one to tell you about Il Portico.
Keep up the great work on the blog – I love the read.
Kelly – I am also shocked about the Il Portico acquisition…for a parking lot no less. It seems from the article that the deal came at a good time – I wonder if the owners simply elected for early retirement?
Edward – “In Defence of Food” is next on my list. Though really, by the time I finish reading it, Pollan will likely have released another book.
Christopher – thanks for the comment!