Category: food

Frozen Yogurt Frenzy: Kiwi Kiss

I have fro-yo envy. Certain US metropolises like New York are overflowing with frozen yogurt joints like Pinkberry and Red Mango, so much so that the competition forces each shop to find their niche, or at least, maintain a high level of quality to retain its customers. We had the chance to visit Iceberry in DC, and loved it as an alternative to a cafe or ice cream parlour.

More than that though, while I’ll have my share of ice cream throughout the year, there’s something about the fruit content and relative lightness of frozen yogurt that appeals to me more as a cold treat. And yes, I do feel less guilty after indulging in a large serving of frozen yogurt than when I have done the same with ice cream or even gelato.

In Edmonton, we have had to rely on a handful of Yogen Fruz outlets, most in shopping centres and others a concession option at Cineplex Theatres…until now.

Kiwi Kiss opened about a month ago in the lower level of the City Centre Shopping Centre, next to Starbucks, while folks in Sherwood Park have Twisted Yogurt Creations (138, 1020 Sherwood Drive, 780-416-1133), open since August of this year, to satiate their cravings.

Kiwi Kiss

I noticed the sign for Kiwi Kiss months ago, but wasn’t aware that it was a frozen yogurt purveyor until I came upon it again on Saturday afternoon while we were in line for Starbucks. I loved the eye-catching green and orange colour scheme and globe lights. I asked the friendly clerks if I could snap their photo for my food blog with an intention to return on a different day. But after they agreed to my request with some curiosity, one of the clerks offered me a sample on the house!

Topping selection

I happily asked for her recommendation, and she obliged, selecting her favourite matcha green tea for me. Kiwi Kiss also offers three additional flavours – original, coconut and acai. Of the dozen or so toppings, including fruit and dry goods, I selected strawberries and blueberries. She threw in a few mochi balls (glutinous rice) which she indicated were an acquired taste, but which she quite enjoys herself. I’ve had them before, but would never have thought to pair it with frozen yogurt.

Kiwi Kiss Frozen Yogurt

As with green tea ice cream, I was expecting an overwhelming, even slightly bitter taste of green tea, but the flavour was subtle, and enjoyably cool to the palate. Mack was anticipating a sweeter yogurt as well, but found it just right. The fruit was a nice touch, even though the berries are far from being in season. The mochi provided some interesting chewy texture, but they didn’t add anything to the yogurt, at least for me.

Prices start at $2.95 for a teaser (small) size of original without toppings, up to $7.95 for nirvana (large) size of the flavoured frozen yogurt with toppings. The size I would likely pick up myself – a small flavoured yogurt with toppings – is priced at a reasonable $4.85, definitely on par with ice creams of similar size. Fruit parfait ($4.95-$5.95) and probiotic iced teas (under $4) are also available.

I look forward to satisfying future fro-yo cravings at Kiwi Kiss – I hope this means more purveyors are on the horizon in the city!

Kiwi Kiss
10088 102 Avenue (Edmonton City Centre Mall)

Food Notes for November 16, 2009

  • Planet Organic on the south side kicks off their Meet the Locals Food Festival this week, with food tasting tables during the week, and a cooking demonstration by Madison Grill’s Blair Lebsack on November 19. The Festival continues December 14-20 and January 11-17.
  • Marianne over at Loosen Your Belt and Eat Around Edmonton posted about some changes in the Whyte Avenue area – Arriba Mexico (10768 82 Ave, 780-757-8220), and the Friends and Neighbours (10834 82 Avenue) expansion into the space formerly occupied by Nokomis, called Delight, are now open, while Muddy Waters looks to be closed.
  • City Palate reports that chef Paul Tao has opened up a restaurant called Tao Signature on the west end called Tao Signature (10406 Mayfield Road, 780-486-7826).
  • Speaking of City Palate, the local publication is looking for a new name. Their royalty agreement with City Palate expires in 2010, and Mary Bailey is looking for “a new name that reflects what we do best: chronicle Edmonton’s food scene.” E-mail Mary your suggestions by November 20 for a chance to win dinner for four at the Hardware Grill.
  • Good piece in Vue Weekly about wine corkage in local restaurants.
  • I love what Cafe Haven out in Sherwood Park is doing with their Twitter account – offering deals, promoting their products and philosophy – they are evolving into a model for restaurants using Twitter.
  • Artisan Resto Cafe in Old Strathcona has a new website, designed by the same company that put Manor’s new site together.
  • Here’s an interesting unpublished Gourmet article on “speed dating” for farmers and chefs. Neat idea, and something we’ll likely see more of in coming years.
  • I can’t believe Top Chef has their own line of frozen dinners – but I guess nothing is sacred these days.
  • First there was the double-ended peanut butter jar, now there is a peanut butter crank to help reconstitute your peanut butter. Who knew?
  • Mack and I dropped by Ceili’s on Friday to help Brittney celebrate her birthday. It was too cool that instead of a birthday cake, she had a platter of pain au chocolat from Duchess Bake Shop!

 

Yum

  • En route to the Holiday Light-Up, Mack and I stopped in to check out the new Health Fare. It’s a nice space, accented with a bright green colour scheme and funky light fixtures. We played around with their nutritional guidance system (both Mack and I ended up with nearly the same dish choices), but really, we were interested in when their text messaging ordering system would be up. The clerk said it would be installed sometime over the next two weeks, and the end counter would be dedicated to serving these pick-up orders. Marianne and Zed wrote a review about it already – I’m sure others will start trickling in soon.

 

Interior

 

At the Nutritional Information Kiosk

  • Needing a quick dinner at Kingsway, I succumbed to A & W’s sirloin twins (I really am a sucker for sliders). I appreciated the fact that the buns were grilled, and the inclusion of sweet red onion, but they were absolutely tiny! Clever name, but not worth the $3.49.

 

Sirloin Twins

The Cooking Chronicles: Potato Soup with Ham and Cheddar

Armed with an Eric Akis recipe and our still prosperous potato stash, I set to make a potato soup with ham and cheddar. I haven’t made a soup that required blending since an experiment with my Mum’s ancient immersion blender, but since we are now equipped with a shiny new food processor, I thought it was about time I tried it again.

This recipe was so easy, with the most difficult thing being the ladling of the soup into the food processor, having to be careful not to spill any of the potato-y goodness. I didn’t have any thyme on hand, but the aromatic dried oregano seemed to work just fine in its place, and I added some corn and peas for texture and good (vegetable) measure.

I loved the result – the pureed potato and onion provided a natural richness to the soup that even cream couldn’t compete with, while the white pepper added some needed depth. Mack wasn’t too keen on the cubes of ham, but I, on the other hand, loved it.

Potato Soup with Ham and Cheddar

Thanks Jon for the suggestion of such a soup process – we’ll definitely be making it again!

The Comfort is in the Heat: Boualouang

Though Chinatown is only a ten minute walk from Downtown, depending on what event we’re running to, sometimes it is an additional distance we don’t have time to travel. That wasn’t the case on Thursday, when both the weather and our schedules were cooperative, with our Global Visions screening at Paramount falling at 8 (on a sidenote – I don’t like the trend of plays moving their start times to 7:30. I like the option of lingering at dinner).

As a result, I was finally able to return to Boualouang, many months after my first visit, and six months since the restaurant relocated down the block to a beautifully-renovated space. While the original location was functional and well-kept, it was bland and visually unattractive. This new venue better suits the wonderful food produced by the kitchen, and of course, provides the owners with a few tables to spare (they seemed to be forever turning people away at the previous restaurant). I especially love the lavish blue drapes that help separate the room from the bustling world outside.

Interior

I was very tempted to order a dish I hadn’t yet tried, but the side of me seeking a familiar, reassuring meal eventually won out. I couldn’t complain though – their green curry is (in my opinion), the best in the city. The chicken was tender, drenched in a sauce lovingly prepared with flavour that was worth the heat (which is saying something for a person who usually stays away from spice). We ended up ordering an additional bowl of coconut rice to soak up the curried goodness, and kept our server busy who insisted on keeping our water glasses filled to the brim.

Green Curry

The pad thai was also great, with a serving size that blows me away each time. Mack loved the grilled shrimp (and surprisingly) the tofu strips, and though isn’t a big fan of the sweet and spicy profile of the dish, was willing to overlook it for me.

Pad Thai

We were both stuffed, with leftovers remaining. For just over $40 (including tip), we were treated to a satisfying, relaxing meal with time to spare before our next engagement. If you’re in the area, be sure to keep Boualouang in mind.

Boualouang
10569 97 Street
(780) 423-4207
Monday-Thursday 11am-9pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-10pm, Sunday 12-9pm

Food Notes for November 9, 2009

Mack and I watched Broke, the premiere screening for the Global Visions Film Festival at the Paramount on Thursday (a sidebar – I love that the festival affords me one opportunity a year to take advantage of our last functioning theatre on the Avenue. It’s a glorious venue that was saved by the City Centre Church, of which I am grateful, but I would be remiss if I did not say that the city needs more standalone theatres – what’s better than the sight of Paramount’s blazing marquee?). About a pawnshop owner and his unlikely relationship with an ex-convict who decides to volunteer with him, it opened my eyes to how pawnshops work, but other than that, I didn’t enjoy the film. Even the brutally honest character of the owner couldn’t make up for the plodding pace of the movie. Anyway, onto this week’s notes:

  • Chris over at Eating is the Hard Part posted about two up-and-coming places last week. Blush Lounge (2940 Calgary Trail, 780-757-0330) replaces the old Ivory Club on the south side, while next to Cora’s, another chain is setting up – this time, a fondue restaurant called Melting Pot. Look for it to open in early 2010 – their most popular item is a four-course meal consisting of a cheese fondue, salad, entree and a fondue dessert.
  • Speaking of chocolate, Foodie Suz tweeted about a new chocolatier to come in Commerce Place called Sweet Lollapalooza. With a name like that, how could one not pay them a visit?
  • Though brunches at the ARTery are on hiatus (with the City Market in hibernation until the spring), the EATery is now serving light entrees Wednesday to Friday evenings, and from the looks of it, may even start offering Sunday night suppers soon enough.
  • Liane posted about the renovated Fantasyland Grill – now named L2 Grill. I’d be interested to see their new decor, but if they hope to compete with the likes of Cactus Club with the revamp, did someone forget to tell them that flambé dishes are no longer de rigueur?
  • Vintage on High Street has morphed into it’s third incarnation in as many years – it’s now The Common.
  • Valerie posted about a second macaron baking experience she had with Béné, another local foodie.
  • Cooking with appliances: the Edmonton Public Library is offering a course on “microwave and toaster oven baking” for teens – Easy Bake for the real world (no, I never had an Easy Bake).
  • Also on cooking – Company’s Coming will be holding another Scratch & Dent sale, just in time for the holidays. I went to a sale over the summer, and picked up some cookbooks at great prices.
  • This is pretty neat: a very visual “foodshed map” of Vancouver, to guide those seeking to source their food closer to home.
  • Something I always wanted to know (but never sought out, of course) – what fruits and vegetables are most susceptible to pesticides? This handy list tells you.
  • While not as comprehensive as the hamburger guide I linked to a few months back, I’m a sucker for polished photos that make me hungry – here’s a guide of one eater’s favourite sandwiches.
  • Curious about what the last days of Gourmet look like? Wonder no more.
  • With less than half the comments generated by the first 50 things, it seems Bruce Buschel’s part 2 of “100 Things Restaurant Staffers Should Never Do” is somewhat less controversial. But still worth a glance.
  • Starbucks’ Red Cup debuted last week, and the Holiday Drinks followed this week. Bring on the Gingerbread Latte!

 

Only 45 days until Christmas…

With Zoltan

  • We also passed by the window at Le Papier that was too cute not to snap. Janice even posed in front of it, ready to show Maple Leaf fans her true colours. It was a fun day – we’ll miss you Janice!

Grover’s an Oilers fan!

Breakfast Artistry: Cora’s

I really thought 9:45 on a Sunday morning was early enough to escape the brunch-line crunch, but I was wrong. Arriving at Cora’s today, I was greeted with a crowd that not only snaked through the lobby, but onto the sidewalk outside. It made me wonder if the same resilience would hold in colder weather.

Eventually, I was joined by two more of our party of four. Our wait actually didn’t end up being that long – around twenty minutes. As we edged closer to the front of the line, we were able to peer into the kitchen to watch the “breakfast artists” (Cora’s term, not mine) at work firsthand, busily blending smoothies and assembling plates.

“Breakfast artists” at work

The restaurant itself was also larger than it appeared from the outside, with basic wooden tables and chairs divided by four foot high partitions. They broke up the space somewhat, and definitely helped Cora’s maximize the room. Janice made the apt observation that she felt a bit like she was in an elementary classroom – colourful cartoon representations of Cora’s dishes graced the walls, alongside random animal figures perched high on shelves. And though Cora’s is a chain, where each restaurant is likely decorated in a similar way, I had to say I liked the sense of lightness and fun expressed by the interior.

Interior

The family-friendly atmosphere was also highlighted by the many children dining alongside their parents. Moreover, we noticed that the patron demographic seemed to skew pretty young, with the majority of diners in the 20-35 age range.

Our friendly server got the three of us started with beverages right away while we waited for Annie. May ordered the smoothie ($3.95), which changes daily, while Janice and I stuck with coffee ($2.35). After our drinks arrived, and our server knew a friend was still to join us, she checked on us periodically to see if we needed refills, but never pushed us to order, despite the consistent line outside. At some point, recognizing that Annie was running really late, we ordered without her anyway, but with noted appreciation for our server’s patience.

Smoothie

I was excited to see the menu, with some knowledge of Cora’s reputation, especially out east. I loved how visual the menu was, with photos of every dish to illustrate the artistry that goes into every plate. While I usually settle on my meal fairly rapidly, with the choices so vividly represented in front of me, my decision was made all the more difficult. In the end, the ham and swiss crepomelette ($10.95) won out for both May and myself, while Janice ordered the ham panini-crepe, and Annie opted for Cora’s special.

Colourful menu

Though our server apologized profusely for our wait for the food to arrive, I didn’t think the length of time was unreasonable at all (especially given our tardy order placement). My crepe, which had been stuffed with a ham and swiss omelette, was good overall – the lightness of the crepe was notable, as was their generosity with the fillings. The hollandaise was a little on the rich side for my taste however, though I must admit I don’t usually order any dishes containing the sauce. The fruit included was a nice touch (and for me, the small bowl was enough – Janice’s “mountain” of fruit with the panini-crepe would have been too much for me), but the cantaloupe slice made me wish they used only fruits in season.

Ham and Swiss Crepomelette

Panini-Crepe (lovely grill marks)

Cora’s Special (2 eggs, bacon, ham, sausage and crepe)

With excellent service (the roving coffee servers were great), I would not hesitate to recommend Cora’s as a brunch destination. My only nitpick is its location, towards South Edmonton Common, and not easily accessible by public transit. With the success of this outpost, however, perhaps TPTB at Cora’s will consider opening a second branch closer to the core? I can only hope.

Cora’s
111, 2920 Calgary Trail
(780) 465-2672
Monday-Saturday 6am-3pm, Sunday 7am-3pm

2009 Chili Cook Off

This guest post was written by Mack, an Edmonton-based geek who fancies himself a part-time foodie. You can find him online at his blog, and on Twitter.

Scotia Place hosted the 19th Annual Chili Cook Off yesterday during lunch time. Eighteen teams competed for the title of “Ultimate Chili”. Anyone could buy a “bowl” of chili for $2, with all proceeds going to the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters. Yes, bowl in quotations. I realize the event is for charity, but the bowls were more like Dixie cups. You could barely fit a plastic spoon inside to scoop out the chili!

Chili Cook Off
Scotia Place packed with chili lovers

I decided to buy two. The first chili I tried was from Tantus Solutions Group. Theirs consisted of ground beef, kidney beans, tomatoes, brown beans, pepperoni, garlic, chili peppers, mushrooms, green peppers, onions, chili powder, parsley, and salt/pepper. They served it with grated cheese and few small tortilla chips. It was tasty, but it didn’t blow me away or anything.

Chili Cook Off
Chili from Tantus

Chili Cook Off
The Mexican-themed Tantus cooks

The second bowl I bought was from the Delta Edmonton Centre Suite Hotel. Their chili was made of bison sirloin, black beans, kernel corn, onions, red peppers, crushed tomatoes, chili powder, fresh chopped jalapenos, paprika, cayenne, crushed chilis, garlic, honey, and apple wood smoked cheddar. They served it with a cheese biscuit on top. I’m so glad they had printed copies of the recipe to take, because the chili was absolutely delicious! Definitely worth the $2.

Chili Cook Off
“Ultimate Chili” from Delta

I didn’t stick around long enough to find out who won the title of “Ultimate Chili” but Jerry told me today that it was Delta! Well-deserved, in my opinion.

I had never been to the Chili Cook Off before, but I’ll be back next year.

For the Love of Nostalgia: Diner Deluxe

On a slushy Saturday morning in Calgary, Mack and I made our way to Diner Deluxe, which has the distinction of being my favourite brunch purveyor in the city. I love the nostalgic feel of the place, the 70s furniture, the pastel walls, and how the kitchen spills into the dining area. It also helps that Diner Deluxe inaugurated me into Calgary’s brunch culture (something Edmonton is sorely missing), and subsequently led me to Nellie’s, Avenue Diner, Dairy Lane and Galaxie Diner, among others.

I find the wait, while the same in duration as some of the other places (anywhere from twenty to forty-five minutes), is tempered with chairs to sit on and self-serve coffee to ease the time. And of course, all of what we look for is there: quick kitchen-to-table service? Check. Coffee refills without request? Check. Heaping portions? Check.

On the back of the menu (too cute)

The rosemary potatoes in my egg and sausage breakfast were outstanding, crispy and flecked with herbs. The portion of sausage included was also quite generous. Mack’s stuffed French toast was a little unevenly prepared, with gobs of cheese in certain sections, but overall, he liked the indulgent dish.

Two Eggs with Sausage, Multigrain Toast and Hashbrowns

Sourdough French Toast Stuffed with Canadian Bacon and Smoked Cheddar

Though Mack said he preferred Galaxie (our counter/courtside seat to the flattop stage didn’t hurt), he liked Diner Deluxe as well. In the end, perhaps it’s a good thing we don’t have as many brunch eateries in Edmonton – I wouldn’t have the travel excuse to fall back on as a reason to visit them all!

Diner Deluxe
804 Edmonton Trail NE, Calgary
(403) 276-5499

Comfort Food at its Best: Farm

Oh, Farm. I’ve wanted to go to Janice Beaton’s jewel of a restaurant for so long that I almost can’t believe it’s only a year old.

Beaton is a noted Calgary-based cheesemaker who ran a successful cheese and charcuterie shop in Kensington for year. She decided to close the shop recently to focus on Farm, and though I only have one experience to base it on, I’m excited to see Beaton take an already wonderfully-executed concept to the next level.

A twenty-minute trek on foot from our hotel brought us to the bustling interior of Farm, a tiny storefront that is very easily missed. We joined a small line of about eight individuals, and were told that our wait would be no longer than twenty minutes. As we inched closer to the front of the line, we were amazed that each new server we encountered stopped to greet us and ask if we had been taken care of already. This, coupled with the option to order wine to accompany our wait, were small but appreciated gestures of welcome that helped set the warm tone for the evening.

We surveyed the décor as we sipped our wine – people were packed into Farm like the best kind of restaurants, in a get-to-know-your-neighbour kind of way. To that effect, Farm even has a communal table lit with two funky chandeliers, and though we didn’t mind our Founding Farmers dinner with shared seating, we were happy to have been treated to a more intimate affair that night.

I loved their exposed kitchen (complete with counter seating), the colourful chalkboard on the back wall declaring their ever-changing specials, and the carpe diem quotation that met patrons upon entry: “The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it.” It was a sign that we should make the most of our visit. And we would.

Mack at Farm

One of Farm’s celebrated menu features are their cheese and charcuterie offerings. Going beyond a baguette-pairing though, the kitchen also pairs each selection with a special accoutrement. We were both feeling pretty starved, so decided on five selections ($25), and leaned on our expert server for guidance. He added to our choice of 3 year old cheddar and Valbella prosciutto with recommendations of double-cream brie, and bunderfleisch and venison salami also from Valbella.

The platter was beautifully put together, with each of the meats artfully arranged into vertical towers. Our server explained each of the pairings, some of them which seemed offbeat at first encounter: pickles with the bunderfleisch, mustard with the salami. We felt a bit like Ratatouille’s Remy in the scene when he experiments with taste and flavour combinations, particularly when we found our favourite – aged cheddar with grape jelly. While it seems strange, the initial sweetness gave way to the salty burst of the cheese, a perfect pairing. The prosciutto was another favourite, though sans the olive accompaniment, at least for me. The bunderfleisch was new to both of us, but had a rich flavour and texture that stood up well against the sharpness of the cheddar.

Cheese and Charcuterie Platter

We were a bit afraid our entrees, ordered up front, would be delivered while we were still making our way through adult cheese and crackers. But we should have given more credit to the restaurant, which expertly timed everything, and we needn’t have worried.

Our stomachs were ready for Farm’s comfort-food mains, which, as Andree wrote about last week, are meant to be shared. The Spring Creek Ranch short rib ($18) was fall-apart tender, and melted in our mouths. The creamy celery root puree was lovely as well, a nice change from the usual potato mash. I just wish there had been more of it!

Spring Creek Ranch Short Rib with Celery Root Puree and Roasted Beets

Mack’s choice of spicy mac and cheese ($10 for a small) was a winner – the nutty, crunchy breadcrumb topping made the dish for me alone. The sauce was also of a perfect consistency – neither runny or too stiff, with the addition of spice a welcome twist (counterbalanced by the side of sweet pickles). The size of the dish was an indication of how rich it was, and though Mack probably wanted to eat two portions, we were glad to have the short rib to balance it out.

Janice’s Mac ‘n Cheese

Our server was excellent, and provided some of the best service that I have had in a while. He was personable, good humored, and knowledgeable. And it was his concession that ultimately pushed us to order from the dessert menu – he offered to warm the chocolate chip cookies (5 for $5) for us.

Imagine capping off your comforting meal with homemade cookies – it was a revelation. Paired with a cup of strong Fratello coffee (locally-roasted, of course), we couldn’t have been happier. Even if they weren’t the best cookies I ever had (I would have preferred them to be sweeter), the fact that they were warm, and available at a full-service restaurant, was the icing on our proverbial cake.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Before we left, we took a moment to explore the small shop behind the restaurant that sells cheese, meats and condiments. Though we didn’t need a reason to come back, we’ll be sure to bring a cooler the next time we do. Oh, Farm. I can’t wait for my next visit.

Farm
1006 17 Ave SW
Calgary, AB T2T 0A5, Canada
(403) 245-2276

Food Notes for November 2, 2009

  • Thanks to Chris, I found out that Irie Foods (10152 82 Avenue, 780-757-2022) on Whyte has opened. We passed by it on Friday, and it looks like it is a full-service restaurant, albeit a fairly small one. I hope to visit the Caribbean eatery soon!
  • The Journal reviewed Shanghai Grill (16336 111th Ave, 780-930-1828) this weekend, a new Chinese restaurant in the space formerly occupied by Grandma D’s BBQ Cookhouse.
  • The Journal also had an article about the struggle faced by the owners of Kai Asian Grill in the economic downturn (I have to say I skipped over the part about the sushi girls), and a piece about the rise in demand for Alberta lamb.
  • Liane helped break the news on Wednesday that Culina Highlands was named one of Canada’s Best New Restaurants by EnRoute Magazine. Congrats, Cindy! Also on the list was Calgary’s Rush, which Mack and I had the chance to visit in March.
  • Hurrah, Soul Soup is finally on Twitter, updating their daily offerings in 140 characters or less.
  • Valerie posted an extensive entry about her lesson with Duchess Bakery’s Giselle Beggs in macaron-making. Worth a look if you’re thinking of attempting the treats yourself!
  • Chris at Eating is the Hard Part mentioned that his last few visits to Transcend Coffee have been unsatisfactory on the service end of things. I agree with his rationale that being local isn’t reason enough to support a business – both quality of the product and customer service are paramount, and if it is clear that the staff don’t respect you, I wouldn’t expect any right minded person to return – locally owned and operated or not. I do like Transcend, and just hope that they improve this before the Garneau location opens.
  • Marianne over at Loosen Your Belt and Eat Around Edmonton wrote about her experience with the local delivery service Dial and Dine last week. I’ve never tried it myself, so it was nice to read about how it works.
  • Nice to see Sam Sifton, the new NYT restaurant critic, draw attention to Chinese cuisine with his third review. It surprised many that he ventured out into the boroughs so soon.
  • Judging by the 1,158 comments already accrued, this post on “100 Things Restaurant Servers Should Never Do” really hit a nerve. And it’s only Part 1/2.
  • A thought-provoking, well-written article by Jonathan Safran Foer billed as a modest proposal for eating dog. Worth a read.
  • Congratulations to Ken, (cover boy) Cary and of course, Mack for being included among Avenue Edmonton’s Top 40 Under 40, a list recognizing members of the community making a different in the city. The celebratory shindig was held at Sabor Divino on Thursday night, which clearly wasn’t a large enough venue to accommodate winners and their guests. Check out Mack’s post for more photos, but here is one shot from the night:

Me and Mack

  • It was pretty late when we left the venue after the event, and the only place we could think of for late night eats nearby was Denny’s. It’s been ages since either of us have been (not that frequent visits would be particularly healthful anyway), but that one greasy plate will set us back for some time.

 

Mini Burgers and Onion Rings (the burgers were okay, but the cold condiments and toppings made an already warm burger cooler)

 

Mack’s Grand Slamwich

  • On Saturday however, we decided to follow up on Denny’s with a pre-movie meal at Fatburger. Mack and I took my parents out to watch This Is It on Halloween night, and my Mum had been curious about the burger chain. We’d been before, and as with our previous visit, we found the meal to be not economical at all. While of better quality than most fast food chains, we couldn’t justify the $10.99 for a combo.

 

Fatburger and Onion Rings

 

Mushroom and Swiss Burger and Fries

  • Yay, Starbucks released their annual holiday Red Cup! It’s not as whimsical as previous editions though, but it does help cue me into Christmas mode.

2009 Red Cup