Food Notes for August 19, 2024

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