Greater Mill Woods Dining Week Spotlights Southeast Eateries

A desire to draw attention to the food scene in Mill Woods has grown into a new dining week offering deals at nine restaurants in southeast Edmonton.

The inaugural Greater Mill Woods Dining Week will take place from March 3 to 12. Each participating business will feature an item priced at $15 or less.

Event lead Daniel Witte said the idea was sparked during a participatory budgeting session with Coun. Keren Tang of Ward Karhiio last summer. “Participatory budgeting empowers people to create small-scale projects that would make an impact on people in the ward,” said Witte.

Volunteers were given a maximum of $2,000 to carry out projects. So far, they have included a wide range of activities, including painting a Pride walkway at Mill Woods Transit Centre (which Witte was also involved in), adding Google Street View for bike lanes, and creating welcome packages for new refugees.

Witte noticed that some of the restaurants he frequented in his neighbourhood were struggling. “I love these restaurants, but it would be great if more people knew about them,” said Witte. “We wanted to have a dining week to spread the word about some of these places to help them.”

Tang connected Witte with the Mill Woods Presidents’ Council, a body comprised of representatives from all community leagues located in Mill Woods, The Meadows, and Ellerslie. The council offered volunteers with event experience. It also broadened the boundaries to include parts of Ward Sspomitapi. Coun. Jo-Anne Wright of Sspomitapi stepped up to match the $2,000 in funding to support the project.

As a result, the Greater Mill Woods Dining Week encompasses businesses in the heart of Mill Woods, such as the 2nd Floor Café inside the Mill Woods Seniors Association, as well as restaurants situated in newer communities further south, such as Woodshed Burgers and Tiffin India’s Fresh Kitchen in Ellerslie.

Witte was adamant that a transparent process be adopted to ensure restaurants weren’t invited based on volunteer preferences and that the focus remained on small businesses. A form was sent out through community leagues requesting restaurant nominations; volunteers then reached out to the 30 nominated restaurants, of which nine agreed to participate.

Witte is pleased with the range of dishes represented. These include macarons from French patisserie Reinette Café, a Chinese food combo from Tasty World, and a donair meal from Magma Donair.

“The specials are a good introduction to the restaurants,” said Witte. “I know I have no clue where to start with a new menu when I go to a restaurant for the first time. This is a bridge in.”

During the event, diners are encouraged to share their experiences on social media with #MWDiningWeek. All posts will be entered into a draw to win $40 gift cards to participating restaurants.

As a lifelong resident of Mill Woods, Witte is hopeful the event encourages other Edmontonians to visit the area.

“Mill Woods feels like its own little city,” said Witte. “It has such a diverse array of food from restaurants who have been in Edmonton for a long time. It has its own little version of everything.”

Openings

• New Irish gastropub Ashford House is now open at Manchester Square, located at 12026 107 Avenue.
• Lalibela African Restaurant is now open in the former Langano Skies location (9906 72 Avenue).

Upcoming Events

• The next Nosh Food Fest will take place this weekend, March 4-5, 2023 at the Strathcona County Community Centre.
• This year’s Downtown Dining Week runs March 15-26, 2023. Nearly 60 restaurants are participating this year. The menus are up to peruse early.

Local News

• Yoshi Express in Old Strathcona could use the support – his windows were smashed and his payment machine had been stolen.
• The Journal has more on the Confederation Lounge’s renovations.
• Phil’s latest Best Dish column highlights Pei Pei Chei Ow and their blend of Indigenous and Ukrainian hospitality.
• Edify checked out Luna, Huma’s new rebranded restaurant and menu.
• Rhubarb Cafe and Cocktails showcased some of their treats and drinks on Global.
• The Downtown Business Association profiles The Marc’s chef Cara Lazarevich.
• Edmonton AM interviewed the owner of The Bedouins restaurant about the impact of the pandemic and inflation.
• Token Bitters CEO Keenan Pascal and Mayor Amarjeet Sohi met over mocktails to talk about Keenan’s experience as a Black-owned business owner in Edmonton.
• Food Bike Tour and Rig Hand Distillery will receive $99,999 from Prairies Economic Development Canada to enhance tourism experiences and products.
• Karlynn Johnson shared some of her favourite Easter recipes to bring attention to the one year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, noting the holiday’s significance to by Orthodox Ukrainians.
• The City will permanently allow alcohol at select park sites after the pilot last summer yielded no noteworthy issues.

What I Ate

• My friend Su and I hit up Pip for a pre-theatre meal last week. It was my first time in their new space, and in spite of the larger space, it still felt really cozy, especially on that chilly night. I enjoyed the natural wine they had on feature that night, and the gnocchi hit the spot.

Gnocchi from Pip

• We grabbed take-out from Dorinku Osaka on Friday. They had nifty containers for the ramen (not dissimilar from the containers used by Dagu), with separate compartments for the broth and the noodles. Emily enjoyed the chicken karaage, too.

Take-out from Dorinku Osaka

Openings

• The Glass Cafe is now open Downtown, located at 10345 107 Street. They brew beans from Catfish Coffee Roasters.
• A new butchery is open in Glenora, called Arpa Farm Fresh Butchery, from the folks behind Sofra and newcomer Zula Kitchen Wine Bar (located next door to the butchery). Find them at #110, 14055 West Block Drive.

Closures

• Milk & Cookies Bakeshop is closing its storefront on March 11, 2023: “The last year has been really hard on us. Sales are way down, ingredient costs are way up, staffing the bakery has been a rollercoaster, and I had a baby 4 1/2 months ago. I need less stress & more flexibility, so it’s time to say goodbye to this part of the business.” The business expanded during the pandemic in 2020. The post references that it may not be the last that we see of Milk & Cookies, though!

Upcoming Events

• Save the date: this year’s Seedy Sunday will take place on March 26, 2023 at the Alberta Avenue Hall.

Local News

• Congratulations to the winners of Silver Skate’s Battle of the Neighbourhoods: Town Square Brewing for best beer, Campio Brewing for best food, and Odd Company and Culina for best beer and food pairing.
• The Journal wrote about Roger Letourneau’s company Lessig Fermets Inc., which makes small batch fermented hot sauce.
• Edify checked out the food at OilBurgers and Da Kao.
• Boyle McCauley News reviewed Pei Pei Chei Ow.
• The Great Canadian Baking Show is hosting an open casting call in Edmonton on March 1, 2023.
• Students from 16 Edmonton area high schools will be competing in the 16th annual High School Culinary Challenge on February 25, 2023. Winners will be announced on March 6.
• Edmonton’s Food Bank has reduced the maximum number of hampers clients can access per month from four to three.

What I Ate

• We checked out a couple of restaurants participating in the Feed the Soul Dining Week before the event wrapped on Friday. First, we picked up lunch from Cafe Caribbean – I enjoyed the curry chickpeas with potatoes!

Curry chicken and curry chickpeas with potatoes from Cafe Caribbean

• We also grabbed take-out from Mesobena – it was a massive amount of food. and a great way to try several dishes at once. I loved the kik alicha (yellow peas) and tikel gomen (cabbage and carrot).

Beef and vegan combos from Mesobena

• I didn’t know Padmanadi has a separate brunch menu, served up on weekends! I tried the curried tofu scramble and would definitely order it again.

Curried tofu scramble from Padmanadi

• Love Pizza has a great deal on Mondays, with 2 pizzas for $25 – so we had to indulge in their mac & cheeza one more time before it retires for the year. It will be available until the end of February.

Mac & cheeza pizzas from Love Pizza

Openings

• Mai Mai Vietnamese Street Kitchen is now open at 14221 23 Avenue.
• Bonjour Bakery has moved to their new location at 9913 82 Avenue.
• Stephanie visited new Indian cafe Chai Chill and Grill Cafe (10158 82 Avenue).
• Gnudi, a new pasta concept, opens at the 5th Street Food Hall on February 15.
• Sandwich shop The Lunchbox will open in March at 9707 110 Street.

Upcoming Events

• Winefest returns to the Edmonton Convention Centre on February 24-25, 2023. Tickets start at $122 and include an all-inclusive sampling of wine and food.
• Freson Bros. is hosting the 3rd annual Future of Alberta Food on February 25, 2023 at NAIT. Six teams will make 24 dishes attendees can sample. Tickets cost $75.
• The Edmonton Craft Beer Festival will take place March 10-11, 202 at the Edmonton Expo Centre. General admission tickets start at $21; food and beer vouches are extra.

Local News

• Vegan pizzeria Die Pie is planning to re-open as a standalone restaurant in April (they currently operate Seitans alongside other concepts in the 5th Street Food Hall). They have started a crowdfunding campaign to help them reach their goal.
• Local restaurants, including the Robert Spencer Hospitality Group, and Transit Smokehouse, shared with the Journal how they are addressing rising food and utilities costs.
• The Th3rd Wave Coffee Award results are in – congratulations to Rogue Wave for winning cafe and roaster of the year, and to Sorellina Cafe and Brew Bar for winning new cafe of the year.
• Phil highlighted Wild Rose Cakes on his latest Best Dish column.
• Twyla’s Edmonton AM column focused on Nepalese and Indian restaurant Green Bean Mountain Bistro.
• Also from Edmonton AM – they featured one of the Feed the Soul participants, Cafe Caribbean.
• Edmonton Convention Centre chef Serge Belair talked to CTV about the dishes that helped him with his podium finish at the Canadian Culinary Championships.
• Between Bountiful Farmers’ Market introducing an import produce vendor and the Downtown Farmers’ Market selling oranges, it appears the Edmonton farmers’ market scene is moving closer to the Calgary model of markets offering more of a general grocery store selection instead of focusing on locally-grown options.
• In honour of World Pulses Day on February 10, TechLife asked a chef for tips on cooking with beans, one of the most inexpensive ways to add protein to your diet.

What I Ate

• I was invited to the media preview for the launch of the renovated Confederation Lounge at the Hotel Macdonald last week. An updated food and cocktail menu accompanies the refreshed space, and most notably features an old fashioned priced at $299 (they have since sold three such drinks, but the rest of their cocktails are priced between $21-24). I sampled some of their new food items, and particularly enjoyed the fried brussels sprouts tossed in a sweet chili sauce, and the pillowy bao buns with Korean beef. Thanks to the always hospitable staff for having me!

The bar at the Confederation Lounge

• Emily and I hit up Tea Bar Cafe on the weekend to take advantage of their extended Chinatown Dining Week deal – it was such a hit that they are continuing their promotion of a bubble tea + bubble waffle for $10 until February 28!

Our order from Tea Bar

Feed the Soul Highlights Food and History of Black Communities

Edmonton’s newest dining week aims to increase support for Black food entrepreneurs, as well as raise awareness about some of the barriers they face.

The inaugural Feed the Soul Dining Week will run from Feb. 10 to 17, in the middle of Black History Month. The event will see 18 local Black-owned food and hospitality businesses offer deals during that period. For example, Jamaican eatery Flava Cafe will kick off festivities with $5 jerk chicken on Feb. 10.

Feed the Soul is the brainchild of Rochelle Ignacio of Enid Rose Collective, who separately manages the volunteer initiative Black Owned Market YEG. Ignacio is co-leading Dining Week with Sara Awatta, founder of YEG Services.

Awatta points out that the eclectic mix of participating retailers represents the spectrum of Black-owned businesses in Edmonton. “Our locations vary all over the city,” said Awatta. “We have businesses like Allegro Italian Kitchen that have been around for more than 10 years and businesses like PhatBar Bakery that are opening just this week. Dine-in, take-out, online-only — this reflects the diversity of the Black food scene in Edmonton.”

A volunteer-run event, Feed the Soul came about when Ignacio was housebound with COVID, and binge-watched a Netflix docuseries called High on the Hog. The show exposes the thread that links cuisines in Africa to those found in the United States, based on recipes adapted by enslaved people.

The idea of contextual changes to food resonated with Ignacio. “Both of my parents are from Trinidad, and growing up here, on Sunday we had traditional Trinidadian food,” said Ignacio. “One of the dishes they served is red beans and rice. I thought it always came with onion and tomato and bacon. But when I went to Trinidad, I learned that they don’t put bacon. My mom adapted the dish to ingredients she could find.”

Ignacio found similar modification stories when speaking to Black restaurant owners during her outreach. But what she also found was a striking number of Black businesses that simply didn’t make it through the pandemic. Her team consulted lists posted in 2020 by Linda Hoang and Ashley Otieno, and found that 14% of them had closed since then.

“Why aren’t Black restaurants thriving the way their counterparts are? Why are these restaurants empty even though the food is good?” said Ignacio. “We want Feed the Soul to expose people to new restaurants and make them household names. Sometimes people are scared to try new food or need the invitation to try.”

Sara Awatta and Rochelle Ignacio of Feed the Soul Dining Week

Ignacio and Awatta are also using Feed the Soul as an opportunity to build the capacity of the business owners themselves. For instance, all digital images and videos captured over the course of the event will be provided back to each business, so they can use the assets in their own marketing efforts.

In addition, by facilitating meetings between participating entrepreneurs, they have been able to foster the development of supportive connections.

“The business owners are talking about where they’re sourcing their chicken, where they’re renting kitchen space, what hours are working best, what are their expansion plans,” said Ignacio.

“I’m excited to see what future collaborations will happen,” added Awatta. “We’re starting to see things that are in the works from that networking.”

Feed the Soul has also partnered with Glass Bookshop to bring in resources to help Edmontonians learn more about Black food and history. Select titles from Feed the Soul’s book list are available at a 10% discount during the event, and a portion of the revenue generated will be redirected back to Feed the Soul.

At the end of the day, Awatta is looking forward to the gatherings that will happen as a result of the dining week.

“Especially post-COVID, we barely ate at the same table,” said Awatta. “What we’re hoping to accomplish is to bring people together in a capacity that has been lost over the years.”

Openings

• PhatBar Bakery and Cafe is celebrating their grand opening on February 11. They are located at 10813 82 Avenue.
• Da Kao Bistro is the newest Vietnamese restaurant to open in Edmonton, located at 9750 180 Street.
• Kilmanjaro VIP, offering authentic Swahili cuisine, is now open at 12433 97 Street.
• New coffee shop alert: Monacci Coffeehouse is now open at 2055 163 Street SW.
• A new dessert concept called Mochi Waffle is now open inside the downtown location of Splash Poke (10079 109 Street).
• On the heels of a Tiki Bar opening Downtown, a second will be opening in Old Strathcona called Tiki Tiki on Whyte.
• I missed that Rigoletto’s opened in their new location in December (9802 Jasper Avenue).

Closures

• Tres Carnales Rostizado announced their permanent closure as of January 31 after nine years in business. This comes after Tres Carnales also shuttered its doors in January.
• Taco Nova is no longer operating out of Komune as of January 31, 2023.

Upcoming Events

• One week left on La Poutine Week, which runs until February 14, 2023. 28 restaurants are participating with a feature poutine.
• Old Strathcona’s Sweet Treats & Latte Festival runs February 4-20, 2023, and highlights 17 area businesses.
• Taste of Africa is returning on February 25, 2023 to the Arden Theatre in St. Albert. Tickets are $10.

Local News

• Congratulations to Fife N Dekel on 40 years in business!
• In the lead-up to Waffle Bird’s one year anniversary, they are hosting some collaborations and pop-ups at High Level Diner this month, including a burger night with Phil Wilson on February 13.
• Chef Serge Belair of the Edmonton Convention Centre picked up the bronze medal in the Canadian Culinary Championship that took place in Ottawa over the weekend.
• Lots of great cafes and roasters are up for Th3rdWave awards – vote for your favourites before February 12.
• It’s hard to believe Valentine’s Day is next week! I’ve shared before my thoughts on dining out on that day, but I do like the idea of picking up some themed treats to celebrate. There are lots of local options to choose from, including sweets from Sugared and Spiced, dinner from Culina, charcuterie from Meuwly’s, and BreadLove, Zwick’s, and Doughnut Party’s Valentine’s Day Drops through The Public.
• Tenants at Manchester Square’s, including newcomer Rhubarb Cafe, feel optimistic about the development.
• Alongside the Zellers popping up in Bay locations in the spring, you can also expect Zellers-branded food trucks serving up some of their classic items from the restaurant.
• The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction updated its guidelines on alcohol consumption. Their recommendation is for no more than two alcoholic drinks per week.
• A reusable container service called DishZero has launched at the University of Alberta.
• 40 people from different organizations gathered to discuss food insecurity and collaboration possibilities.

What I Ate

• Thanks to everyone who came out to support Chinatown Dining Week! We heard some great feedback from the businesses (including Kim Fat, who sold 1100 pounds of chicken skin during the event). My family certainly in our share of meals over the 11 days!

Pho and bun bo Hue from Co Chin Saigon

Ginger beef from Padmanadi

Bun bo Hue from King Noodle

• Mack and I were also able to duck out for another date night. We had a lovely dinner at Uccellino – on the rare occasions that we dine in, we remember why take-out will never replace great hospitality.

Goat ricotta crostini from Uccellino

• I also had the chance to attend the media preview of Feed the Soul Dining Week. There were many tasty bites to be had, including these delectable red velvet cakes from Layered by Rissa.

Red velvet cake cups from Layered by Rissa