Food Notes for February 3, 2025

Openings

• The folks behind Bianco and Rosso are opening Nero. It will be located in the former Molson Brewery building in the Brewery District, at 12068 104 Avenue.
• DON’YA Ukraine’s Kitchen is a new Ukrainian café that opened last week, borne from its beginnings as a donation centre, then commercial kitchen. It is located at 12153 Fort Road.
• Ace Coffee’s permanent Manulife location on the second floor opened last week, replacing the temporary kiosk. It is Ace Coffee’s fourth location in Edmonton.

Upcoming Events

• Rosewood Foods’ annual Lunar New Year dinner is scheduled for February 16, with vegetarian and vegan options available. Tickets for the 6-course meal are $88 per person and include a welcome drink.
• As a part of Black History Month, Feed the Soul, Cafe Caribbean and Fu’s Repair Shop  are partnering for a pop-up experience to celebrate Trini-Chinese cuisine. Called Callaloo + Chow, it runs February 19-23. The opening reception takes place February 19 with a 5-course set menu; tickets are $55.

Local News

• Taproot highlighted Intent Coffee’s current iteration as a pop-up called Balay Coffee at Delavoye Chocolate, with an eye towards sustainability.
• Owners of Fawkes Coffee and Doughnuts Jorel and Mikayla Pepin were interviewed on the ARIVL podcast about the origin story behind their café.
• Pact Coffee Co. is the latest to communicate directly about their price increases of 15%, effective February 1.
• Wilfred’s has trimmed their evening hours to focus on brunch.
• Edify checked out Ali Baba Turkish Grill, and Korean eatery Sang.
• Black History Month magazine profiled Felicia Watson, executive chef at the River City Revival House.
• I am late to the Anti-Freeze Patio Party, which was commemorated on February 1, but not to worry – WinterCity Edmonton has a Passport to Winter to complete for your chance to win a WinterCity scarf. Item #1: lounging on a winter patio!
• The Journal wrote its semi-annual article about why American chains continue to open in Edmonton.
• Doughnut Party is opening a second location in Calgary, to open in Marda Loop in March 2025.

What I Ate

• I had my share of desk lunches this week, as we pushed through to meet some work deadlines. The hummus bowl from Vetrina Café was so satisfying (and you can never go wrong with their fresh pita).

Hummus bowl with chicken from Vetrina Cafe

• The nooner pizzas from Coliseum Steak & Pizza are also tried and true, and considering everything, actually make a pretty tidy desk lunch.

My usual pepperoni and mushroom nooner

• Craving Vietnamese food on Friday, Mack picked up some vermicelli bowls from Xu Hue. With the generous portion, I had enough for two meals.

Xu Hue chicken and spring roll vermicelli bowl

• Chocorrant was kind enough to gift me some of their Lunar New Year treats, including these spectacular cream puffs (the honey mandarin was particularly glorious). They are available for pre-order until February 9.

Cream puffs from Chocorrant

• I spent some of the weekend leading Chinatown walking tours (yes, in this weather!) as a part of the Togather festivities. Bravo to the hearty folks who came out in sub 30 degree weather to learn about Edmonton’s two Chinatowns, and visited the Journey of the Horse exhibit at the Mah Society. We also feasted on cake from Hong Kong Bakery and tofu treats from Ying Fat. Until next time!

Hong Kong Bakery’s signature fruit cocktail cake