Outdoor Dining Returns In Alberta’s “Open for Summer Plan”
Last week, Premier Kenney announced the new metrics that would phase in Alberta’s “Open for Summer Plan”, tied to vaccination rates and declining hospitalizations. Stage one will allow outdoor dining to return on June 1, 2021 with a maximum of 4 people per table, made up of one household or two close contacts for those living alone.
Stage two is projected to come into effect in mid-June, and would permit indoor dining along with a maximum of 6 people per table.
Many restaurants have embraced the return to in-person dining, and have been preparing patio spaces to welcome the return of patrons. As of May 27, 2021, the City of Edmonton has approved 125 requests for temporary patios or outdoor retail spaces.
NongBu Korean Eatery has chosen to remain take-out and delivery only. Northern Chicken shared that they have made a similar decision:
“We’re going to put our staff and customers safety first, and stay takeout/delivery only for a while.”
Both restaurants have remained closed to in-person dining since November, even when restrictions permitting indoor dining lifted in February.
COVID-19-related News
- With the projected reopening plan, many summer festivals may get the go-ahead to take place. The Heritage Festival is among those planning the changes required to carry out a large in-person event safely. Other festivals including the Taste of Edmonton and K-Days have also announced they are moving forward with their events this year.
Openings
- Half Shell Cafe will be setting up shop in Burrow’s former kiosk located at the Central LRT Station. They are aiming for a July opening.
- The parking lot at 124 Street and 107 Avenue has been branded “The Lot” and is the new home of food kiosk Dick’s Tater Ship. They had begun operating last fall in Old Strathcona, but had to cut their season short due to weather. It looks like The Lot also hosts food trucks from time to time, too.
- Hey Croffle added a second location at West Edmonton Mall.
- Capital Coffeehouse will be taking over the former Good Earth location at 110, 9942 108 Street.
- International chain Earl of Sandwich is opening a branch at South Edmonton Common next week (2055 98 Street).
- The Downtown location of Popeyes is now open at 10188 109 Street (formerly Swiss Chalet).
Closures
- Due to the ongoing pandemic and issues related to their building, DeRose Bros Meats has permanently closed. The business had been in operation since 1977. The family does hint at a possibility of continuing in the food scene on a catering basis, however.
Upcoming Events
- The Zebra Centre is hosting a virtual whisky tasting fundraiser on June 18, 2021. Tickets are $150.
Local News
- Grandin Fish and Chips will be undergoing a rebrand, in the wake of the discovery of the graves of 215 children at a former residential school in Kamloops, BC. They posted on their Instagram page: “we are aware of Bishop Grandin’s involvement in residential schools and work to actively harm our Indigenous brothers, sisters and folx. It is heartbreaking, wrong, and we don’t condone it in any way.”
- Karen Anderson featured Chef Scott Jonathan Iserhoff’s story of reigniting his passion for cooking when it allowed him to connect with his Indigenous roots. He will be opening up a Pei Pei Chei Ow food kiosk at the Edmonton Downtown Market.
- The pilot permitting alcohol consumption at specific picnic sites in Edmonton officially began last week.
- Coffee Pass is back for its second iteration with drinks at 28 local cafes included. The pre-sale for the $39 pass is now on; the pass can be redeemed until October 31, 2021.
- Linda interviewed Larry Harris of Bonne Vie Bakery to learn how he got into baking and about his time on the Great Canadian Baking Show.
- Several Southeast Asian restaurants, including Kanto 98 St., are featured in this Globe & Mail article.
- CBC focused on the rise of Filipino cuisine in Alberta, including the desserts of Yelo’d in Edmonton.
- EDify samples the Somali fare at Mareeg Cafe and Restaurant on Alberta Avenue.
- Curiocity has a listicle about 10 of the best burgers in Edmonton.
- Faaiza Ramji partnered with Fort Saskatchewan’s Fort Distillery to create a pea-based liqueur flavoured with botanicals called Don’t Call Me Sweet Pea. It isn’t yet commercially available, but Ramji hopes it will be on store shelves soon.
- It’s really unfortunate that interventions like this are necessary, but it’s wonderful to see a fully stocked community freezer at Brightview School that allows those in need to access food with dignity.
Beyond Edmonton
- CBC featured several families behind some of the small town Asian restaurants that are ubiquitous across the Prairies.
Urban Agriculture and Farming
- A three-year pilot with YEG Honeycomb will see six sites across Edmonton, including Mercer Warehouse, host urban hives. The pilot is supported by the City of Edmonton.
- The Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board is working on its first master agricultural plan, which aims to conserve prime agricultural lands over the next thirty years.
What I Ate
- When leftovers just won’t cut it, I appreciate that I have a multitude of options right outside our door. Last week, we hit up Ramen Misoya for some comforting noodle soup for lunch, and it hit the spot.
Take-out from Ramen Misoya
- My annual Burger’s Priest craving came up early this year, so we indulged in their Vatican City burgers over the weekend. There’s just something about those grilled cheese buns.
Burger’s Priest Vatican City and fries (and Emily’s hand!)
Only Here for the Food 