I can’t believe it’s already a week into the New Year! I was able to have a nice (albeit short) break over the holidays – I hope you were able to have the same rejuvenating time away! Lots to catch up on though:
- The Italian Centre is hosting a dinner showcasing XIX Nineteen’s Chef Andrew Fung on January 10, 2018. Tickets are $80.
- Mark your calendars for the inaugural Chinatown Dining Week, running January 20-28, 2018. 5 restaurants will be offering 2-course $15 dinner specials over the nine days. The menus are now online!
- Town Square Brewing will be introducing some of their brunch creations on January 28, 2018.
- The Alberta Diabetes Association is hosting a Culinary Combat Luncheon on February 12, 2018 to help bust myths and educate attendees about how to create a healthy lifestyle. Tickets are $60.
- Did you know Atco Blue Flame Kitchen offers cooking classes? They released the schedule for the next three months.
- Jollibee, the popular Fillipino fast food restaurant, will be opening an Edmonton location on a yet-to-be-determined date.
- The Tomato is collecting nominations for their Top 100 best things to eat in Edmonton. The ballot is open from January 8 until February 2, 2018.
- Sharman lists five reasons you should check out brunch at the Dogwood Cafe (located at the Victoria Golf Course).
- The Journal reviews the vegetarian offerings of An Chay.
- Sharon is the latest to visit London Local.
- District Cafe now offers pizza on its dinner menu, and Phil is a fan.
- Twyla praised the sausage at Salz.
- Cindy provides a great rundown of the menu at Wishbone.
- Crystal is one of the first to review Villa Bistro.
- Vue Weekly had a positive experience at Fuqing Lanzhou Noodles.
- YEGCravings enjoyed the food at Bar Clementine.
- Linda covers the continued expansion of Popeye’s in Edmonton.
- CBC offers their year-end list of Edmonton’s best restaurants in a variety of categories.
- Where Edmonton Magazine published their 2017 Best New Restaurant Awards.
- Vue Weekly rounds up some of their favourite dishes from 2017.
- Eat North also posted their picks for the best new restaurants on the Prairies.
- Crystal offers her opinion on Edmonton’s top 24 eateries of 2017.
- If you haven’t already seen it, Liane put together a great summary of Edmonton’s year in food. She also highlighted her story on mental health in kitchens as her favourite story of 2017.
- Graham took some time to praise the pioneers and young talent in the local food scene.
- Three of the city’s longest-running restaurants (Blue Willow, The Commodore, The Sugar Bowl) share their secrets to success.
- Travel blogger Girl Tweets World visited Edmonton back in the fall and shares her highlights.
- The Government of Alberta is soliciting feedback on their proposed Local Food Act. The online survey is open until January 19, 2018.
- Boxing Day seemed like an odd time to release the news, but it’s great to hear that Open Farm Days broke records in 2017, recording over 20,000 visits in two days.
- Mack and I were ecstatic to find out that our beloved mac & cheeza is back at Love Pizza!
Mac & cheeza from Love Pizza
- Over the weekend, we finally had the chance to check out some new places in Old Strathcona, including Pip, the third restaurant from the folks behind The Next Act and Meat. It’s a cute spot, with a simple but well-executed menu. Mack enjoyed their traditional eggs benedict, while their classic grilled cheese and tomato soup hit the spot for me.
Traditional eggs benedict from Pip
Grilled cheese and tomato soup from Pip
- We also headed to Ohana Donuterie, which opened in December. Although there are now several bakeries specializing in doughnuts, Ohana stands out with their made-to-order treats. We can attest that the cinnamon sugar and vanilla custard was delicious!
Ohana Donuts!
Only Here for the Food 
I think you mean “Linda is paid to cover the expansion of Popeye’s in the Edmonton area,” since she’s being paid to do it and the story is all about their newest location in Sherwood Park.