Chinatown Dining Week Returns For a Fourth Year
Now more than ever, without indoor dining as an option, restaurants are struggling. Those located in Chinatown, a neighbourhood often mired in negative perceptions, were experiencing challenges even before the pandemic. Now, the current restrictions have further limited their ability to make ends meet.
Chinatown Dining Week was established to spotlight an area full of culinary gems that are often overlooked, and this year that mission continues (disclaimer: I am one of the founding volunteers of this initiative). The event returns for a fourth year, and runs from January 14-24, 2021:
11 businesses will be participating in the fourth annual Chinatown Dining Week. We’re thrilled to welcome two new partners to our roster: The Nook Cafe and Kim Fat Market. Both businesses have been strong community advocates, and we’re happy to showcase some of their menu items in our upcoming event!
Businesses will be offering special $10 and $18 menus for the duration of the event. Due to current public health guidelines, food will be served take-out only; phone orders are strongly encouraged to minimize wait times. Menus will be posted soon.
COVID-19-related News
- Some restaurants, including Rocky Mountain Icehouse and Little Brick, are viewing the money they put into winterizing their patios as an investment, as all in-person dining was suspended until at least mid-January.
- XIX Nineteen is now offering delivery on Fridays and Saturdays within a 5km radius. Bodega’s location in St. Albert also offers delivery.
- Buok is the latest to add meal kits to their offerings.
- DOSC and Dorinku Osaka introduced their new individually-packaged Heat n’ Eats.
- Oodle Noodle has stepped up to feed those in need during the pandemic, in spite of smaller sales. They’ve donated more than 16,400 meals since March to local shelters.
- No arrests were made in the violent altercation that happened between a server at the Crown & Anchor and a customer back in November over a request to wear a mask.
Openings
- Congratulations to Frida Urban Taqueria, who opened their doors to take-out last week. Find them at 12411 Stony Plain Road.
- One of the vendors at the Edmonton Downtown Farmers’ Market, On The Edge Coffee, has opened up in CO*LAB, at 9641 102A Avenue. They offer convenient pre-order through Ritual as well.
Closures
- Die Pie announced their closure, with their last day of operations being December 22, 2020: “We have seen a continuing heavy decline in sales the past couple months and increases in expenses and interest rates. We have painfully concluded that we can no longer operate further through this pandemic. We remain optimistic about the future, but we are unsure if or when we will re-open.”
- Veggie Garden also announced they will be closing December 31, 2020: “Our hope is to one day in the future re-open in a location that is more easily accessible and most of all safer for our family and our customers.”
- Garneau Pub, home of Combat Juice, is now closed.
Local News
- On the heels of Linda’s post about holiday meals, Twyla put together her own round-up of holiday meal options.
- If you’re looking forward to New Year’s Eve, Linda and EDify have lists of some take-out meals and boxes local restaurants are offering.
- Chartier was featured on Food Network Canada’s Big Food Bucket List, on an episode airing on February 13, 2021.
- A Bite of Brazil celebrated their first birthday over the weekend.
- The NAIT Nugget profiled Darcy Scott, the owner of Whimsical Cake Studio.
- Sea Change Brewery partnered with Farrow for a cronut-flavoured beer called Turbo Stout. Unfortunately, the first batch sold out quickly, but another is in the works for mid-January.
- Kevin Kossowan’s From The Wild will be airing on Wild Television Network.
- Boyle Street Education Centre partnered with Fresh Routes, a mobile grocery store, to provide food security to their students.
- Two Edmontonians are giving their time to Edmonton’s Food Bank in gratitude for the help they received from the charity when they were younger.
Beyond Edmonton
- The Calgary City Council voted unanimously to request the Premier and Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation cap delivery fees for third-party delivery apps to 15%.
- The Burger King UK Instagram account started showcasing independent restaurants in the country, as “there’s more to life than the Whopper.”
What I Ate
- Kudos to Filistix who helped us cater a virtual staff lunch last week, delivering meals to the homes of our team members so we could enjoy it together over a video call. It was nice to break bread during these challenging times. I ordered the Tocino Burrito again – so good.
Tocino Burrito from Filistix
- Emily played in the adjacent Beaver Hills House Park while we waited for take-out from Wayback Burgers, the relative newcomer to #yegdt. The cheeeesy burger wasn’t quite as cheesy as promised, but the choice of tots was nice.
Take-out from Wayback Burgers
- Sunday was a beautiful afternoon for a Remedy Cafe chai and a stroll.
Remedy Cafe chai
This is the last Food Notes for the calendar year – thanks for reading, and I wish you and your families a restful and safe holiday season.
Only Here for the Food 