Food Notes for April 5, 2010

I am so thankful for the long weekend – the beautiful weather and four day break was as relaxing as it should have been – hope you had a similarly restful Eater! On an unrelated note, if I can recommend one event to you for the month of April, it would be Catalyst’s Frankenstein, playing at the Timms Centre April 13-17. I was fortunate enough to have seen it two years ago, and will be going again, this time with Mack, who didn’t see it then – it is easily one of the top three productions I have ever seen in Edmonton. Tickets will be sure to sell out, so get yours soon. Onto this week’s food notes:

• Liane posted about a macaron throwdown as a part of a literary salon, to take place on April 8 at the ARTery.
• The Green & Gold Community Garden, an initiative that benefits Tubahumurize, a non-profit organization that supports marginalized women in Rwanda, is recruiting for volunteers to help with the garden this summer. Their volunteer orientation is taking place April 9 at noon, or on April 13 at 7 p.m. Both sessions will be in Room 1-38 on the main floor of the University Terrace building (8303-112 Street). I visited the garden last year, and found it to be a fantastic project.
• Whimsical Cake Studio will be celebrating their new digs next to the Garneau Theatre on April 17 with a grand opening celebration. Expect samples and more! Lillian over at Beyond Umami paid them a visit recently as well – check out her review here.
• Vue Weekly released this year’s Golden Forks ballots last week! Vote for your favourite local and chain establishments by May 2.
• Liane’s article on Edmonton’s signature dishes elaborated on an interesting concept, particularly because the idea can be interpreted in so many different ways, and really, at the heart of it, is so subjective and personal.
• The Journal also reviewed Melting Pot, Edmonton’s first fondue restaurant. I had to chance to try it over the weekend – I hope to write about it in the next few days.
• The Tomato (formerly City Palate) is now on Twitter.
• Expect to hear a lot more about the issue of raising backyard chickens in the next year or two – CBC’s Food Bytes posted an e-mail interview with Lesley Kelly, who raises chickens in Toronto.
• Sure, there were a lot of April Fools Day pranks last week, but College Humor’s attempt to make New Yorkers believe an In-N-Out was coming their way was my favourite.
• I had to laugh at this: Food Writer Bingo, inspired by Sam Sifton’s love of the word “bright”.
• Anyone catch an episode of the newest Food Network TV addition, Bitchin’ Kitchen? It was my first encounter with the popular-web-star-turned-television-host, and though I can see how the format of the show could have stayed true to her online roots, it was a bit jumbled and campy for my taste.
• My family and I had a quick lunch at our go-to Chinese food eatery on Friday – Garden Bakery (10019 106 Avenue). A little dodgy after dark, but a perfectly reliable establishment during the day (also great for baked goods and snacks!).

Rice noodles with beef (my Dad’s favourite)

Yangzhou fried rice (Amanda’s favourite)

Crispy noodles with vegetables

• Mack and I took advantage of a beautiful Saturday afternoon for a stroll on High Street, and couldn’t resist a warm weather hot dog from Fat Franks.

Mack at the condiment cart

A taste of summer!