This will be my last roundup post for 2016! And as we’re less than a week to Christmas, I would like to wish you a warm and wonderful holiday full of family and good food.
- Food4Good is hosting a Fruit & Veggie Market on December 21, 2016 from 3:30-7:30pm at the Glenwood Community League (16430 97 Avenue). There will be nothing priced over $3.
- If you’re in need of stocking stuffers or hostess gifts, Kitchen by Brad Smoliak is hosting their annual holiday sale on December 23, 2016.
- I’m looking forward to using a pair of screening passes I received for a movie called Theatre of Life, showing at Metro Cinema December 23, 26, 27 and 28, 2016. It’s a film about high end chefs transforming food that would have otherwise gone to waste into meals to nourish the vulnerable in Milan.
- Pho lovers in the south side rejoice – there’s another option in Pho Boy, located at 10037B 82 Avenue.
- There’s a new coffee shop downtown: Cafe Lavi is now open at 9947 104 Street. Thanks to Amelia for the heads up!
- Chic-Hog-O’s Social House, relocated to 10111 117 Street, is now open.
- Urban Tavern (which replaced The Druid) is now open at 11606 Jasper Avenue.
- Those who Love Pizza are in luck – a second location is in the works for St. Albert!
- Andrea is one of the first to review La Boule, Edmonton’s newest patisserie.
- Twyla checked out Grain of Rice, a new family-run Asian restaurant on the west end.
- The Journal reviewed Three10, one of the restaurants located inside The Rec Room in South Edmonton Common.
- Cindy tried the rotating brunch menu at Cafe Linnea a few times to find her favourite dishes.
- Vue Weekly sampled the cuisine at Maye Restaurant (9411 118 Avenue), calling it “the best Somali food [he’s had]” in Edmonton.
- Not sure where to eat over the holidays? Phil and Liv have some recommendations, including where to get your turkey dinner fix.
- Fuge Fine Meats has just launched a crowdfunding campaign to establish a permanent production facility. They hope to raise $20,000 by January 29, 2017.
- Just in time for the holidays, Cindy is giving away a copy of Edmonton Cooks!
- Another cookbook to consider is Meals in the Field, first published in 1928 by the United Farm Women of Alberta. This edition combines classic dishes with more modern takes on family suppers.
- 58% of 1,200 Albertans surveyed indicated that they would support a sugar tax on pop and energy drinks.
- In light of the two no-tipping establishments that are now open in Edmonton, the NYT reflects on a year of “hospitality included” programs in New York.
- I was happy that the stars finally aligned so I could check out a La Mision pop-up last week at the Chvrch of John. Although I enjoyed the chicken burrito, the pork carnitas won my heart in the end.
Chicken and pork burritos from La Mision
- Su and I met up at the newly-opened Otto in Norwood (11405 95 Street) on Friday night. Featuring a simple menu of sausages and sides, it’s a low-key neighbourhood restaurant great for unwinding after a long day. We shared the chorizo and lamb merguez sausages (crafted by Fuge), and enjoyed both varieties. The potato salad needed some work (potatoes were undercooked) and the mac and cheese wasn’t as creamy as I would have liked, but it’s early days yet. I’ll be back!
Our meal at Otto
- Mack and I took Grandma Male to try the high tea at Cafe Linnea. It’s been so popular they are booked until mid-February! We enjoyed the variety of sweet and savoury bites (my favourite was the duck prosciutto), though it’s fair to say the level of service wasn’t comparable to our high tea experience last year at the Hotel Macdonald.
- ‘Tis the season for eating – I had a work lunch today at Sorrentino’s in Little Italy. I indulged in the creamy bison cannelloni and didn’t regret my decision. It was notable that though the restaurant was packed, the service remained consistent.
With Grandma Male at Cafe Linnea
Bison cannelloni
Only Here for the Food 