Openings

• MSSM (Masaki Saito Sushi Master), offering omakase experienced curated by 2-star Michelin Chef Masaki Saito, opened this weekend in Edmonton at 10111 104 Avenue, #118 (previously occupied by Cacao 70 in the Edmonton Tower). The 14-course menu cost is $98 per person.
• Labo, Edmonton’s newest cafe, is now open at 10546 82 Avenue (which formerly housed Sorellina Coffee).
• Speaking of Sorellina, which closed its Old Strathcona cafe back in January, they will be re-opening a tasting room and roastery this November in the Mercer Warehouse.
• Another ramen franchise is opening in Edmonton, this time Toronto-based, called Midori Ramen.
• Offering a “taste of India”, Sankalp Restaurant is now open at 3727 99 Street.
• Rangoli Kitchen and Bar opened in mid-August at 1011 Keswick Drive SW.
• BeaverTails has opened its second Edmonton location in West Edmonton Mall.

Closures

• Tryst in St. Albert announced their closure: “It’s become too hard to maintain our focus and our standards with many many other things happening in our lives.” Their last day of service will be September 15. In 2022, Tryst was named one of Edify’s Best New Restaurants that year, and co-owner Zach Eaton said that while the magazine helped drive in some traffic, the work was in bringing them back again.

Local News

• Katy Ingraham shared some thoughts about the closure of her restaurant Fleisch Delikatessen, which shut its doors in the spring.
• The latest Fav Eats feature in Edify spotlights a relative newcomer – Flat Boy Burgers served at Shiddy’s.
• Also from Edify, more about Epic Market’s concept.
• I talked to Edmonton AM last week about American chains like Chick-fil-A that have opened recently in the city, and mentioned a couple of local alternatives for fried chicken sandwiches.
• CTV talked to local forager Kevin Kossowan about how to prepare invasive crayfish available to harvest from the North Saskatchewan River.

What I Ate

• I have been wanting to support a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) for years, but without pickup points Downtown, it wouldn’t have been convenient for us to do so. Riverbend Gardens introduced a couple of different Downtown pick-up options this year, so we decided to split a smaller CSA share with friends of ours that live down the block. It’s been great so far! It is always a surprise as to what vegetables we will be receiving, but we knew we would be happy with the quality of the produce given we’ve been buying from Riverbend Gardens for a long time. They offer a late season CSA for those interested that starts in October.

One week’s smaller CSA share from Riverbend Gardens

• It’s become tradition for us to have a Jack’s Burger Shack picnic every summer. It may not be proven, but I think food tastes better when eaten outside.

Burger picnic

• Our family hosted our first Simply Supper Lemonade Stand in support of the Stollery Children’s Hospital on Saturday. We set up on our front porch, and had the benefit of foot traffic from the farmers’ market. Thanks to those market-goers, neighbours, friends, and family, we were able to raise $675. Emily had such a great experience she has already asked to do it again next year!

The Century Squeeze (our Lemonade Stand!)

• Ellie and I had a great time at the Summer Festival in Chinatown on Sunday, and enjoyed a sweet treat at Little Bon Bon to cap off our afternoon. I especially loved the vanilla cookie crumbs.

Ellie is an ice cream fiend

Openings

• American-based chain Chick-fil-A opened its first Alberta location in West Edmonton Mall, with another to open in South Edmonton Common.
• Edmonton’s newest bubble tea shop, Tora Boba, is now open at 11340 105 Avenue.
• Montreal-based Indian fast food chain Spice Bros will be opening a location in Edmonton.

Upcoming Events

• The Friends of the Royal Alberta Museum Society (FRAMS) is partnering with Feed the Soul YEG to offer a new event called Dining with Artists on August 28. The event will feature an artist-led mural walking tour and a meal at Mesob Habesha Fusion. Tickets are $65.
• The next Prairie on a Plate will be hosted at PlayWright. Tickets are $68 and will include two family-style courses.
• Asiafest 2024 returns to the Currents of Windermere September 13-15 with food vendors, merchandisers, and entertainment.
• Barrel Fest returns, a “one day festival of barrel-fermented and barrel-aged beer (and a lil’ cider)” at Blind Enthusiasm on September 14. Admission with drinks is $43.98.

Local News

• Ryan Brodziak, the former owner and operator of The Local Omnivore, Gravy, and Pink Gorilla, was seriously injured along with his 11-month old son after being hit by the driver of a vehicle last week. A crowdfunding campaign was set up and is near its goal of raising $275,000 for the family.
• Staff from the Epic Market chatted about what to expect from the new food hall.
• Edify checked out Oakberry Acai.
• The current issue of Modern Luxuria highlights Dolly’s.
• Edmonton Oiler Evander Kane has partnered with a Calgary-based company to launch his own brand of wine called Dovetail.

What I Ate

• My family and I shared a feast from Seoul Fried Chicken over the weekend. We finally tried some of the newer items on the menu, including the fried chicken sandwich and chicken tenders. I liked the sweet gojuchang butter sauce on the sandwich.

Our SFC spread

• I spent a day in Red Deer for work last week and had lunch at Jumble Eats. The service was great, though I will say their concept of several restaurants in one was a bit overwhelming. I enjoyed the ramen well enough, but it was the first time I had a non-dipping ramen served with a separate bowl of soup.

Tonkotsu from Jumble Eats in Red Deer

• Earlier in August, I had the honour of being awarded a King Charles III Coronation Medal from Senator Paula Simons. It was humbling to be recognized along with 19 very deserving recipients from the areas of arts and cultures, multiculturalism, and agriculture (“all the ‘cultures’”, as the Senator put it). I am thankful to be recognized for my work in #yegchinatown, #yegfood, and settlement. It was lovely to connect with so many passionate people.

With Mack and Senator Simons

Openings

• Ralph’s Fried Chicken has opened a second location at 11244 109 Avenue.
• The folks behind Hanjan are opening Sam’s on Whyte in the former Teapsy Lab’s space at 10538 38 Avenue. Sam’s will offer inari sushi, desserts, and drinks.
• Lawson’s is a new spot to grab fish and chips, located at 10183 186 Street on the west end.
• KuTea Banh Mi is a new restaurant offering Vietnamese street food, located in South Edmonton Common at 1915 98 Street.
• Edmonton does not have a shortage of pizza places – Puffiza is the newest, at 1035 Parsons Road SW. They promise pizzza with a “puff crust”.

Closures

• After five months of operation, On the Edge Coffee has closed their Downtown location in City Centre Mall, as of August 9. They have chosen to focus on the market business instead.

Upcoming Events

• The Alberta Council for the Ukrainian Arts is hosting their second annual Perogy Palooza on August 17 at their gallery at 10554 110 Street. It is a one-day extravaganza dedicated to the perogy, with vendors selling $6 tickets for a plate of 3 perogies and $3 tickets for kubasa. VEndors include Baba’s Own, Baltyk Bakery, and Dobra Kubasa. Admission is free.

Local News

• Uccellino announced they will close in its current location on September 17 and re-open next to Va with a new name, Olia, in the Citizen building. The Uccellino space will reveal a new concept in early 2025.
• PlayWright, a new restaurant from Chef Steve Brochu in the Citadel Theatre, has added lunch service! Brochu also shared in a recent video the ups and downs of PlayWright since opening.
• Edify checked out Va, and their latest edition of Fav Eats highlights fellow Wîhkwêntôwin neighbour Bua Thai.
• Happy first birthday to Bloom’s Gold Bar location.
• Ever wanted to replicate Made by Marcus’ ice cream flavours at home? Now you can with their Made by Marcus Cookbook, available now for pre-order.

What I Ate

• We always love what we order from Buok, but it never ends up top of mind for us so we don’t go as often as we should. Last week, we grabbed some take-out to enjoy along with Mack’s parents who were here visiting. They had nothing but positive reviews!

Our order from Buok

Openings

• Calgary-based Deville Coffee opened a second Edmonton location at West Edmonton Mall in early July near the Santa Maria.
• Oak Berry is a Canadian chain specializing in acai bowls. They just opened a location in Edmonton in Old Strathcona at 10406 82 Avenue.
• Also coming soon to Old Strathcona – a Smoke’s Poutinerie franchise. It’s been years since I was introduced to Smoke’s in Toronto, but I do remember enjoying their poutines (and eventually, their offshoot burrito chain, too).

Upcoming Events

• Serengeti BBQ on Alberta Avenue is hosting the Savannah Twilight Serenade, a celebration of East African food, music, arts, and culture on August 9.
• Workshop Eatery is hosting their 7th annual Garden Party on August 15. Tickets are $115.23.
• Leduc Rib Fest is taking place August 23-25 at the Leduc Recreation Centre.

Local News

• Congratulations to the Heritage Festival pavilions recognized for best drink (Iran) and best dessert (Spain)!
• The Heritage Festival was forced to cancel the third day of the event due to infrastructure damage sustained after the storm. As a result, Edmonton’s Food Bank may suffer from a lack of donations this year, given it is their largest annual fundraiser.
• A reminder that August 6 is the last day to order St. Viateur Bagels for Breakfast, a fundraiser for the B’Nai Brith Youth Organization.
• Taproot highlighted how Korean restaurant JMT used social media to keep things light about their delayed opening.
• The Italian Centre Shop will be celebrating their 65th anniversary on August 18 at their flagship Little Italy location.
• Edify shared more Fav Eats from notable Edmontonians, including Happy and Olive, Steel Wheels, and Travelling Dishes. 

What I Ate

• Dalla’s patio is one of my favourites when dining with kids. We love that it fronts onto a plaza (a useful place for young ones to play while waiting for food) but still offers great people watching opportunities. Service is always great, and the $10 kids portion of pasta is very generous.

On the Dalla patio

• It’s become a family tradition for us to visit Rosy Farms in the summer for haskap picking. I grew up going to u-pick farms in the Edmonton area, and am so happy I can continue this with my own children. Ellie did great picking her own berries, and definitely had her fill of them that afternoon.

At Rosy Farms