Still looking for the perfect Christmas gift? How about a pair of YEGWOOD treefarer shades? For a chance to win a free pair, just leave a comment on Mack’s blog! On to this week’s food notes:
- Cally’s Teas is back! Or at least temporarily starting December 14 until her shop at 10151 82 Avenue is in order. Check out Marianne’s blog for more details.
- Great news for the food truck scene this week: Battista’s Calzones bought a truck to debut next summer.
- It seems like it’s been in the works for quite some time, but Cactus Club will be opening up a downtown location of their popular casual upscale restaurant on Jasper Avenue and 111 Street.
- Twyla reviewed new-ish Mediterranean restaurant Ousia: “Ousia holds promise. The ambiance scores high, as do the appetizers and desserts. The entrees were disappointing but those issues should be easily fixed.” Great to see that the staff commented directly on the blog, too.
- Liane shares her favourite dishes of 2011, and asks readers to share their own.
- Kevin posted a link to the continuing campaign to protect the agricultural lands in Northeast Edmonton – consider becoming a Friend of Farmers.
- There really is an app for everything: just released last week was Big App for Meat by butcher extraordinaire Pat LaFrieda, pitched as the “definitive butcher’s guide to every cut of meat”, with 360-degree interactive rotating meat and videos of butchery. Sounds like a great use of technology.
- ‘Tis the season for food trends. Here are some great links from Grub Street (keep in mind Edmonton is always behind, if we get the whiff of the trend at all).
- Passed by a new forthcoming vegetarian restaurant next to Duchess on 124 Street and 107 Avenue called The Clever Rabbit. Vegetarian seems to be a trend this year, with Noorish having opening up not long ago as well.
The Clever Rabbit (excuse the drive-by photo)
- We stopped by the St. Albert Christmas Market on Saturday to pick up a few gifts. There were a few producers present (Irvings, Steve & Dan’s, Erdmann’s, among them), but the majority were crafts and giftware vendors. We saw for the first time Steve & Dan’s sparkling juice – this would be a great non-alcoholic alternative for a local food gift basket.
St. Albert Christmas market
Steve & Dan’s sparkling juice
We couldn’t help but gape at the artificial grass in front of St. Albert Place – we wondered what the justification was – anyone know?
- To cap off a busy week at work, Mack and I indulged at La Poutine on Friday night. Nothing beats fries, gravy and squeaky cheese as stress relief!
You can now wear your love of poutine
Quebecois and Surpreme
Only Here for the Food 
RE: The artificial grass at St. Albert Place; I suspect it was getting pretty trampled over the summers, since it’s a popular place to hang out and grab a bite during the Farmer’s Market. Not unlike all the grass at the old Churchill Square during major events (and even the current level of grass that’s still there).
Love the photo of Mack at the end of the post, again. This is becoming my favourite part of your weekly updates!
Lots going on.
🙂
V
Dave – I suppose the artificial grass is better than paving over it with concrete! Thanks for the info.
Valerie – I’ll keep posting them as long as Mack is willing to take them :).