Food Notes for November 9, 2020

Premier Kenney Downplays Restaurant Transmissions

On Friday, Premier Jason Kenney urged that Albertans display “responsible freedom” in the face of mounting COVID-19 positive case numbers, and refused to commit to any mandatory restrictions.

When asked about the potential of closing restaurants, he stated,

"Our data indicates that 0.7 per cent of identifiable transmission has occurred in restaurants and similar businesses. So what we’re doing today is we’re focusing on an area of much more significant transmission and a much less-structured environment, which is at-home social gatherings and social gatherings more generally.”

By comparison, in Ontario since August 1, restaurants and bars have accounted for two per cent of outbreaks in Ottawa and fourteen percent in Toronto.

While no Edmonton hospitality businesses are currently on the list of outbreaks in Alberta, two Calgary restaurants are listed.

In her remarks on November 9, 2020, Dr. Deena Hinshaw did share her concerns about the increasing growth rate and the rate of hospitalizations:

“We are assessing measures closely. If needed, we do not need to wait 14 days before recommending additional measures.”

COVID-19-related News

• DOSC has chosen to voluntarily close due to a staff member testing positive for COVID-19. Back in June, DOSC had implemented a “self-imposed” closure to dine-in services during a period when several hospitality businesses were experiencing outbreaks.
• Credo’s 104 Street location re-opened last week after staff received negative test results.
• Bodega’s Downtown location has closed their “COVID-pivot” Bodega Pantry, in favour of re-extending Bodega seating.
• Strathcona Spirits, who began making hand sanitizer early on in the pandemic, is still going strong.

Openings

• Flava Cafe is now open at 8307 118 Avenue. They serve authentic Jamaican Jerk food.
• The Hat at 10251 Jasper Avenue will become Black Ship Restro & Pub.
• Bonne Vie, made up of a father and son team, now has their microbakery up and running! They had supplied sourdough for Glass Monkey over the summer.

Closures

• Al Centro, opened in January 2019 by the folks behind Da Capo, has closed.
• Frickin Delights, a hidden gem offering fresh doughnuts in Devon, has announced they will be “closed for the foreseeable future” and “taking some time to decide how we will be moving forward with our business.”

Upcoming Events

• Nearly two dozen restaurants are participating in Dig In St. Albert’s Dining Week. The event runs November 6-15, 2020, and offers multi-course menus at special prices.
• Downtown Dining Week has been so successful they’ve decided to extend the event by a week, until November 15, 2020. 33 restaurants will continue to participate, with many offering take-out and a couple offering delivery. Global checked in on some participating restaurants last week who were feeling optimistic about the event.

Reviews

• Sharon enjoyed Kanto 98 St’s Filipino flavours.
• The Gateway featured Old Strathcona stalwart Cafe Mosaics.

Local News

• Several restaurants have opened winter patios, including firepits at The Greenhouse at Victoria Golf Course and The Next Act, and winter tents at Boxer.
• Bar Bricco may re-open in December after months spent repairing water damage.
• Fried chicken enthusiasts likely already know about Ralph’s Handi Mart in Strathearn and Sunshine Food Store in Londonderry – the proprietors are brothers and both prepare fried chicken based on a secret family recipe.
• Credo’s 124 Street location just launched a new hot breakfast menu.
• EDify featured businesses Benny’s Bread and Butter, Irie Foods, and Shack à Patate.
• Congratulations to Northern Chicken who celebrated their fourth birthday last week.
• Linda is organizing a second #AdoptAShopYEG from November 13-22, 2020. This time, businesses will be grouped into one of 8 neighbourhoods, with the hopes people will collectively spend $12,000 at selected small businesses. ATB is also sponsoring the event, and will award 15 participants with $100 Visa gift cards. Business nominations are currently open until November 12, 2020.
• The Grocery Run, a program run by the Multicultural Health Brokers that supports families experiencing chronic poverty, is hoping to crowdfund $5,000.

Beyond Edmonton

• A new indoor farmers’ market is opening on Gasoline Alley in Red Deer on November 21, 2020.

Urban Agriculture and Farming

• Deep Roots Farm, located just outside of Red Deer, has seen an increase over the years in the market for their garlic.

What I Ate

• I treated myself to one of my favourite pastries in the city last week: the kouign amann from Lock Stock.

Kouign amann from Lock Stock

• Mack and I had lunch from Craft Beer Market last week. We ordered take-out from the Downtown Dining Week menu, as it was an opportunity for us to taste the Impossible plant-based burger. The plant-based patty replacements are always impressive with their ability to so closely simulate meat.

Impossible Burger from Craft Beer Market

• On Sunday, I checked out the first Winter Market held at Campio Brewing, primarily because I was looking forward to snagging some of TYP TOP Bakery’s amazing cinnamon buns. They’ll be back at the next market on November 22, 2020.

Cinnamon buns from TYP TOP Bakery