Local Talent on Western Living’s 40 Foodies of the Year
Several Edmontonians made this year’s Foodies of the Year list, put out by Western Living Magazine. While the list will crown the “top 10” on March 7, 2020, three individuals were included among the forty finalists.
Lindsay Porter was recognized for her take on British classics at London Local, Cyrille Koppert for his gem of a French restaurant in Partake, and Keenan Pascal of Token Bitters was highlighted for his line of locally-inspired bitters.
Openings
- Restaurant Yarrow and its accompany 12-seat Bar at Yarrow opened in early January. It is Chef Ben Staley’s latest foray into the Edmonton restaurant scene, after Alta and Alder Room closed in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Dining at Yarrow requires a prepaid reservation at $170 per person for a meal ranging between 18-22 servings.
- Lan Noodle is the newest hand-pulled noodle restaurant in Edmonton, located at 10475 82 Avenue.
- Ice District has a new tenant – Delux Burger Bar in the Edmonton Tower is now open.
- Japanese Village is now open on BRBN St. at West Edmonton Mall.
Upcoming Events
- Kitchen by Brad is hosting Kitchen Suppers on Wednesdays until the end of February. They will be serving a 3-course, $35 dinner; reservations are recommended.
- The third Nowhere Kitchen event will take place on January 26, 2020 with Chef Chris Tom-Kee, and focus on Chinese cuisine. As with their previous events, it is hosted by chefs of colour focused on their cultural identity and food justice. Tickets start at $30.
- Filistix continues with its series of special events highlighting aspects of Filipino cuisine – this time, with a Kamayan Feast (“kamayan” translates to ‘eat with your hands’). Tickets for the January 31, 2020 dinner are $56.75 plus fees.
Reviews
- Graham was “delighted” with his recent meal at Old Strathcona newcomer Smokey Bear.
- Twyla recommends the pizza and prosecco at Bianco, Rosso’s sister restaurant.
- The Journal had a pleasant experience at Terrace Heights Vietnamese restaurant Thien An.
Local News
- Forbes featured Edmonton as a travel destination, highlighting Bundok, Pip, Biera, Uccellino, Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market, and Strathcona Spirits as notable stops.
- An Edmonton candy store called Sweet Convenience is offering customers a “cold weather discount” in January equivalent to the freezing temperature.
- Retired professor of food marketing David Hughes spoke at a retail food trends event on Monday about the continued demand for plant-based alternatives.
- IKEA plans to “diminish food waste in all IKEA stores by 50 per cent before the end of 2020” and IKEA Edmonton has “led the way with an accumulative food waste reduction of 40 per cent in one year.”
- Campio Brewing Co. executive chef Hans Pinto visited the Global Edmonton test kitchen to preview their menu.
- A local high school student spent 16 hours inside the Denny’s on 104 Avenue downtown and documented the entire thing on Reddit.
What I Ate
- It was definitely a soup kind of week – I started with a warm-up at T and D Noodle House. Their bun bo Hue has perhaps replaced the two-colour vermicelli as my go-to dish!
Bun bo Hue from T and D Noodle House
- On the weekend, I met up with some friends at Chinese Hot Pot Buffet. I’d never been before, but I can see why they have many fans – the serve yourself (for most things) model means nothing stands in the way of you and getting food in your belly! I also appreciated the opportunity to have a chicken soup sauna for a couple of hours on a cold night, heh.
Our (first of many) spreads at Chinese Hot Pot Buffet
- Mack, Emily, and I went to Syphay’s Chinatown location for the first time for Chinatown Dining Week (which continues until January 19, 2020). They’re offering a great deal – either curry or pad Thai, plus soup and spring rolls for just $18. I really enjoyed the pad Thai, and Emily happily munched on the spring rolls.
Chinatown Dining Week special at Syphay
Only Here for the Food 