Openings
- Jacek Chocolate has opened a location in St. Albert, at 150 Bellerose Drive, #107. It is their third standalone store in the Edmonton region.
Upcoming Events
- Shane Chartrand of Paperbirch is offering an Indigenous Taste of the Market on January 28 and February 11. Tickets are $120 and include 7-courses.
- Chinatown Dining Week is back, running January 29-February 8. Though I am no longer involved in the organizing committee, I am looking forward to eating my way through the $10 and $20 deals!
- I’m so happy to be returning as a volunteer to Togather. I’ll be leading a free walking tour (yes, in winter!) in Chinatown North on February 8. We’ll talk about the history of Edmonton’s two Chinatowns, discuss the future of the neighbourhood, and sample some of Chinatown’s culinary delights. Sign up here.
- Save the date for the return of Nosh Food Fest in Sherwood Park, which returns March 7-8.
Local News
- Edify has quietly changed Editor-in-Chiefs; Omar Mouallem is out, and Mifi Purvis is in.
- Tu Le and his brother have put Jack’s Burger Shack up for sale, to enable him to spend more time with his family.
- Slow Pour has debuted a new food menu, inspired by “small side-street beer bars of Copenhagen and the beer halls of Berlin and Prague.”
- Also in the beer family, it’s great to see another local collaboration, this time between Boa & Hare and Dog Island Brewing, for a limited edition Lunar New Year lager.
- Fn’za did a PSA for those in Central Edmonton to avoid the mark-up of third-party delivery apps by using their in-house delivery service.
- Zymo is soliciting for interest of private investors.
- Chartier has announced a new executive chef, Crystal Higgins. She is transitioning from her most recent role at the Royal Glenora Club.
- Edify checked out the latte design class at Liberta Coffee.
- The owners of Mokha Coffee House and Yemeni Palace Restaurants are working to revive Yemeni coffee traditions in Edmonton.
- CBC Radioactive’s beer columnist Jason Foster discussed what to expect in 2026 from the Alberta craft beer industry.
- Congratulations to Alberta Food Tours on their 20-year birthday!
- Local writers Mifi Purvis and Kim Larson (and former Edmontonian Jennifer Cockrall-King) have published a new cookbook called Worth the Weather, a “1970s snack-sized winter cookbook”.
What I Ate
- I spent much of last week in Calgary, and was able to explore some local eats. Ramen Ichinen was excellent – efficient, friendly service, and great bowls of ramen.
Tonkotsu from Ramen Ichinen
- Pho Dau Bo brought me to Calgary’s Little Saigon for the first time. Their broth was fantastic, and my colleague enjoyed the hearty stew. A shoutout to Dong for the stellar recommendations.
Pho from Pho Dau Bo
- Back home, it was time to reacquaint ourselves with Love Pizza’s mac and cheeza.
Mac and cheeza
Only Here for the Food 