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
Only Here for the Food 