Category: food

The Return of the Secret Garden: Bodega 124 Street

When the Dish and the Runaway Spoon announced the closure of their restaurant at the end of 2016, I mourned the loss of one of Edmonton’s most unique patios. The “secret garden”, as it was known, was tucked behind the back of the building and only accessible through an adjacent gate. Shielded from the traffic noise of Stony Plain Road, the combination of the pergola, hanging plants, and the shelter of a fully grown tree created the feeling of an oasis in the middle of the city. When it was announced that Bodega would be taking over the space (opening their third location to join the original Downtown and the second in Highlands), I was glad that they also decided to reopen the patio as well.

Two weeks ago, I met up with some girlfriends at Bodega 124 Street for brunch, which we enjoyed outside on the patio. Although the furniture and planters have been refreshed, it appears that not much else has changed, and the space is as charming as I remember.

Bodega 124 Street

Bodega’s secret garden

It so happened that same weekend the restaurant had a special 3 course Prairie on a Plate menu, so we were fortunate to also see how Chef Lino Oliveira would choose to showcase some Alberta products for the very reasonable price of $25 (as Sharman noted in her post, he incorporated Alberta canola, eggs, milk, pulses, turkey, and pork).

The menu offered three mains to choose from. It seemed brunch here has changed somewhat since the restaurant opened back in January. Originally, Bodega 124 Street offered many brunch plates (similar to the menu at Bodega Highlands I had tried last year), but as so many diners were requesting their tapas menu, by popular demand, they now offer their full tapas menu supplemented by a trio of brunch specials. Although this particular menu incorporated local products, the server did share that the mains were pretty typical of what they would serve any other weekend.

A note on their coffee (which I consider a brunch necessity) – when we ordered coffee, the server informed us that they were brewing French vanilla. I typically avoid flavoured coffees as the additives are usually trying to compensate for a poor quality bean. In this case, I did find the coffee a bit thin and sub-par; perhaps this was just a one-off for Bodega, but my hope would be that they adopt the same standards for their coffee as they would for their other ingredients.

The first course was a two-bite appetizer featuring a slice of Winding Road’s RDB cheese and quince marmalade on bread. The flavours paired nicely together, the sweetness of the quince balancing out the more pungent notes in the cheese.

Bodega 124 Street

RDB cheese and quince marmalade on bread

Of the three mains, May’s crispy turkey was the unquestionable winner. Two generous pieces of turkey, breaded with cornflakes and chickpeas and fried, served with a a potato and bell pepper hash and a side salad. The turkey was deliciously crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside.

Bodega 124 Street

Crispy turkey

Annie’s enjoyed her choice of potato wrapped braised pork cheeks – I had a bite of the pork which was nicely cooked.

Bodega 124 Street

Potato wrapped braised pork cheeks

I had ordered the coca verduras, which had been described by the server as somewhat similar to a pizza, with a Spanish flatbread acting as the crust, and another appearance of Winding Road cheese – this time, the fromage blanc and Josef. Although I liked the toppings well enough (the slight tang of the vegetables, and perfectly soft poached eggs), the dough was much too dense and weighed down the dish overall.

Bodega 124 Street

Coca verduras

For dessert, we were served a warm Portuguese custard tart with a sprinkling of cinnamon. I confess I was already much too full, and had to pack it up for later.

Bodega 124 Street

Portuguese custard tarts

Service was excellent, especially given we were (surprisingly!), the only party on the patio for most of our meal. We never felt rushed, and our server did a great job to make sure our needs were taken care of.

I’d be eager to return to Bodega for a glass of wine and some tapas, which, enjoyed out on that special patio, would surely taste even better on a warm summer evening.

Bodega 124 Street
12417 Stony Plain Road
(780) 250-6066
Sunday-Thursday 11am-11pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-1am (brunch Saturday-Sunday 11am-2pm)

Food Notes for July 2, 2018

  • Get ready for the second What the Truck?! of the year this Friday, July 6, 2018, from 5-10pm at the Valley Zoo (a first for the event!). Consult the menus to plan your attack.
  • Linda is hosting an Instagrammable Walls of Edmonton fundraiser and brunch on July 8, 2018 in Old Strathcona. Tickets are $40 and include brunch at Holy Roller.
  • The 4th annual Feast on the Field at Commonwealth Stadium, a fundraiser for Capital Care, will take place on August 22, 2018. Tickets are $195.
  • This year’s BaconFest is scheduled for September 2, 2018 at St. Basil’s Cultural Centre. Advance admission tickets are $15, with food tickets available at the event.
  • The Telus World of Science is hosting LUMEN, their annual fundraising event billed as “where science meets cocktails” on September 27, 2018. The evening will feature bar stations, cocktail science activities, hands-on demos, and hors d’oeuvres. Early bird tickets are $99.
  • It’s great to see another social enterprise (such as The Hallway Cafe) in the city – Boyle Street Eats is a food truck now in operation that hires from “within our community of people experiencing homelessness and/or poverty.” Staff are provided with training and experience on the truck.
  • Chef Shane Chartrand’s rebranded restaurant at the River Cree Casino named SC, is open for business.
  • Splash Poke’s third location in the city is now open at West Edmonton Mall.
  • Also at WEM, Bubba Gump Shrimp is now open.
  • Liane has more about what you can expect from Meuwly’s, opening up later this week on July 5, 2018.
  • Learn more about the couple behind Yelo’d, Edmonton’s newest ice cream shop, in this piece from Vue.
  • Avenue Edmonton’s July issue features 25 notable Edmontonians identifying their favourite dish to eat in the city.
  • Patio seekers can look forward to a few new or reclaimed patios at Cafe Linnea, Rebel Food and Drink, and Bodega 124 Street.
  • Ms. Hangry Foodie offers an early review of Wildfred’s.
  • Leduc is one of the first to review Fumaca Brazilian Steakhouse.
  • Graham praises the food but not the atmosphere of Silk Bar and Kitchen.
  • Andrea has eaten her way through the menu at Kanto.
  • Sharon tried out the “longest fries in North America” from local food truck Golden Bunch.
  • Edmonton AM has been running a series of segments called “Snackchecker”, rating different locally-sourced snacks. This week, they share the current ranking (held by Sugared and Spiced’s brownie), and try savoury bites from Honest Dumplings.
  • If you had a hankering for movie theatre popcorn at home, you’re now in luck – Cineplex has partnered with Uber Eats to deliver some of their concession snacks.
  • Seconds, Please! is a film from local filmmaker Shawn Tse about second generation immigrants connecting with their heritage through their traditional food.
  • Mack and I couldn’t resist a trip to Love Pizza this weekend for our annual poutizza indulgence. Hope everyone had a great Canada Day!

Love Pizza

Poutizza for two

Food with a Purpose: The Hallway Cafe

With Emily in tow for meals, Mack and I have had to be more thoughtful with restaurant selections. Many of the places we frequented prior are inaccessible with baby – narrow aisles, small gaps between tables, and stairs make it difficult to accommodate a stroller, not to mention not all welcome children or are child friendly. While we have made it a priority to have date nights with just the two of us, the reality is much of our dining future will have to factor in how well suited they are for kids.

One of the most recent restaurants I’ve discovered that fits this bill is the newly renovated Hallway Café (formerly Kids in the Hall). Located in City Hall, it is central, but hard to stumble upon, with only window signage to rely on, and daytime hours of 7am-3:30pm on weekdays.

The Hallway Cafe

Interior

If you were familiar with the previous design, it’s safe to say the interior has been completely refreshed while still making the most of the prominent wall of windows. Most groupings of tables and chairs are enclosed by brightly coloured metal frames resembling greenhouses with built-in planters. The structures are a fun but functional way of visually breaking up the space while sacrificing none of the natural light that filters into the room. I also much appreciated the wide aisles that are very accommodating to strollers. Opposite the windows is an open kitchen, allowing diners to observe the food prep action, important because the restaurant has retained its foundation as a social enterprise that provides skills training to vulnerable youth.

The Hallway Cafe

Lots of room for Emily!

E4C operates The Hallway Café as a program that works with individuals aged 16 to 24. After screening applicants to ensure they have the stability necessary for success, the 17 week program teaches modules in hospitality and kitchen skills, with hands-on experience at the Café where they are paid minimum wage plus tips; the program ends with a job placement.

The food is not secondary at The Hallway Café, with coffee and freshly baked goods for those seeking a light snack, and full breakfast and lunch plates for those with heartier appetites. It’s worth mentioning that the prices are very reasonable – for instance, a standard breakfast with two eggs, bacon, potatoes and toast is just $9, while pizzas range from $9-10. I’ve had lunch here twice with Emily since April, and enjoyed both experiences.

Back in April, I had the chicken panini ($8), with a side of house-cut Kennebec fries ($3). This was my favourite of the two meals; the sandwich, on house made focaccia, was quite generously sized. The chicken was complemented well by the blueberry and Dijon aioli, spinach, and spicy jack cheese, and the bread was fresh and nicely toasted. The fries, however, were the star for me, tossed in their house seasoning and incredibly crispy and addictive.

The Hallway Cafe

Chicken panini and fries

My friend Su ordered the pizza con patate, and said she enjoyed the thin crust topped with potatoes, rosemary, caramelized onions and grana padano and goat cheese.

The Hallway Cafe

Pizza con patate

I was looking forward to those fries when I returned with a friend to the Hallway in June, to be consumed alongside the Philly cheese steak ($10), but they were sadly out. That said, it was a good opportunity to try their kale salad on the side ($4). Topped with beets and goat cheese, it was a heartier salad than most. The sandwich was tasty enough, with grilled red onions and roasted peppers adding interest. The beef was on the dry side though, and benefited from the melted cheese.

The Hallway Cafe

Philly cheese steak and kale salad

Service (like many establishments these days – food is ordered at the counter then bussed to the table) was friendly, and the kitchen kept up with the pace even as the lunch rushes hit.

I’m glad to have found The Hallway Café – the program is worth supporting, but it’s the food and the surroundings that are going to bring me back again and again!

Food Notes for June 25, 2018

Otto

Sausages, fries, and mac ‘n’ cheese at Otto

Food Notes for June 18, 2018

  • The next Prairie on the Plate events are to take place at the Highlands and 124 Street locations of Bodega. They’ll be offering 3-course brunch for $25 on June 23 and 24, 2018.
  • Ernest’s at NAIT is hosting a dinner on July 7, 2018 featuring the “it” pork of the moment, mangalista. Tickets are $99.
  • The Alberta Mycological Society is hosting a Wild Mushroom Exposition on August 19, 2018 in Spruce Grove, to help attendees “identify, learn, forage, taste and enjoy wild mushrooms.”
  • Yelo’d Ice Cream, offering Asian-inspired soft serve, is in their soft opening phase. Find them at 10150A 82 Avenue.
  • 124 Street continues to stockpile culinary assets – this time in the form of Meuwly’s, offering charcuterie, sausage, and preserves. It will open next week at 10706 124 Street.
  • I’m looking forward to the opening of Wilfred’s, described as a “contemporary cafe and diner” in the Brewery District later this month.
  • Downtown Edmonton’s newest coffee shop, Sober Cat in the Morning, is set to open July 7, 2018.
  • Vue has more on what you can expect from the forthcoming Korean casual eatery Buok.
  • It’s always great to see new local food initiatives, such as the food business development platform and retail space that Honest Dumplings is spearheading. Check out the ATB Boostr campaign where they seek to raise $10,000 towards the facility.
  • Original Redhead Condiments also has a current ATB Boostr campaign running to help expand their business. Vue Weekly has more how the idea for fermented hot sauces developed.
  • Congratulations to Chef Lindsay Porter on her win on the television program Guy’s Grocery Games.
  • Kanto’s interpretation of Filipino cuisine leaves Graham impressed.
  • A pair of polar opposite reviews to consider about The Captain’s Boil, from Linda and the Journal.
  • Jonny enjoyed the ramen at Let’s Grill Sushi & Izakaya downtown, but was left wanting more from Wendy’s Gourmet Perogies.
  • Crystal had a positive experience at London Local.
  • Vue applauds the quality Narayanni’s has maintained over the years.
  • Mack and I hit up Kazoku for my first post-baby ramen last week. It’s just not the same without that soft boiled egg!

Kazoku

Shoyu and tonkotsu ramen from Kazoku

Recap: Eats on 118

Last week, my Mum and I were invited to attend the first of this summer’s Eats on 118 Food Tours. The series started back in 2016 as a pilot, but has continued annually since; organized by the Alberta Avenue Business Association and Wildheart Collective, they’ve been a popular way for people to engage with some of the many independent businesses in the neighbourhood. I attended all of the tours last year, with the bowling edition being the highlight for me.

The first stop of the evening was familiar to me, as Paraiso Tropical was included on one of the tours last year. But the shop (as with the rest of the businesses) was new to my Mum; the tour was a great way for her to learn about an area of the city that she does not often frequent.

Eats on 118

Ready to eat!

Pre-assembled boxes of food meant that the large group was fed quickly. We were treated to a variety of tastes, including a pupusa, two flautas, and plantain topped with dulce de leche.

Eats on 118

Paraiso Tropical sampler

We walked over to Handy Bakery next. As my office is just a few blocks from the bakery, it’s my go-to for Portuguese egg tarts (in my opinion, the best in the city), and sweet bread to be used for French toast. But I hadn’t been exposed to their savoury menu before.

Eats on 118

The spread at Handy Bakery

Several different dishes were served buffet-style, including salt cod and potatoes, sausage, fish croquettes, and fried shrimp cakes. The latter was my favourite of the bunch, especially enjoyable alongside the glass of sangria that was included in the meal (the owner endeared himself to the group with his generous pours of wine and sangria).

My favourite moment of the evening came en route to our final stop. In collaboration with Arts on the Avenue, we were treated to a musical interlude by a barbershop quartet, performed in a barbershop! The four women of the Thumbs Up Quartet were fabulous, their passion and joy for song evident.

Eats on 118

Thumbs Up Quartet

We proceeded to Battista’s Calzones, one of my favourite restaurants on Alberta Avenue. Owner Battista offered a sampling of a number of their calzones. He recommended the Giovanna (artichokes, prosciutto, truffle oil), which we learned is named after a student who used to frequent the restaurant and shared her recipe for a pizza served at her family-owned pizzeria in Miami.

Eats on 118

Calzones galore

The second and last Eats on 118 takes place on August 29, 2018, which will highlight several women-led businesses. Tickets are $47 each.

Thanks to Bottom Line Productions for the tickets, and to the organizers for another great event!

Food Notes for June 11, 2018

El Fogon

Beef and gouda arepa from El Fogon

Great Value: Reinette Cafe

One of the best things about the current proliferation of bakeries in Edmonton is that many areas of the city that were once without a place in the neighbourhood to pick up a sweet treat or two have now gained that asset. Reinette Cafe is one such example.

Nestled in a strip mall in Mill Woods, it’s not a place easily stumbled upon. It’s also quite small, with only a handful of tables and counter seats, so reservations are recommended if you’re hoping for a table to enjoy dessert (during our visit all but one table was spoken for). I had called ahead specifically for the afternoon tea set, which is priced at just $20 for two. The set includes your choice of seven treats from a defined menu, as well as two drinks. Although you don’t have to pre-order, we did so to guarantee the availability of our desired desserts (particularly helpful if one in your party, as was our case, is allergic to nuts, as several of the options contain nuts).

Reinette Cafe

Pastry case at Reinette Cafe

Service was efficient, as the staff began assembling our tea tray right after we walked in for our reservation last Sunday afternoon. All we had to do was select a beverage (coffee or tea), which was delivered almost immediately after we ordered. A family-run business, it was clear the owners put some thought into the small details – our teapots, for example, were kept warm on special glass tealight stands, while the takeaway boxes were almost as intricate as the pastries themselves.

Reinette Cafe

Afternoon tea set for four

We found the afternoon tea to be a great way to sample a variety of their desserts. My favourite was the lemon meringue tart – the buttery crust was topped with a beautifully balanced curd. Grandma Male enjoyed the richness and the flavour of the almond cream in the Paris Brest, and we all adored the duck-shaped madelines. That said, given that they were the mini versions of said pastries, the tea is not as filling as other afternoon tea services available in the city (such as Hotel Macdonald or the Rutherford House’s Vintage Fork). Reinette Cafe does offer other savoury options including quiche and sandwiches, but they are not included in the tea set.

Reinette Cafe

Yes, we ate Emily’s share

Still, it was a great way to spend a part of the afternoon in a neighbourhood gem. We’ll certainly be back again – I have my eye on another lemon meringue tart!

Reinette Cafe
301 Woodvale Road West NW
(780) 577-0974
Monday-Saturday 7am-9pm, Sunday 11am-5pm

Food Notes for June 4, 2018

  • Markets continue to spring up around the city, including the Berlin Square Public Market on Sundays from 11am-3pm at the German Canadian Cultural Club and the 97th Street Public Market on Sundays from 11am-3pm at 9615 153 Avenue.
  • Looking for Father’s Day plans? Parkallen Restaurant is hosting another pizza buffet on June 17, 2018. Tickets for adults are $20, and children aged 4-10 are $10.
  • Advanced tickets for a Taste of Edmonton are now available until July 17.
  • The Mayfair just keeps on adding food purveyors – next up is Curry Vibes.
  • DECL shared a rumour that a location of Cora’s is slated for the Days Inn on 106 Street.
  • It’s great to see when market vendors make the leap to brick and mortar locations – this is the case for Milk and Cookies Bakeshop, which just opened at 5532 Calgary Trail.
  • Another new bakery alert: Jovic Bakery is now open at 870 Webber Greens Drive.
  • I’ve never been to the East Coast, so I didn’t know they served donairs differently – King of Donair is the first Edmonton location of a franchise from the East that boasts an “authentic” donair.
  • Silk Bar & Kitchen is now open at 10344 105 Street.
  • Drift is now serving at the concession in ReMax Field!
  • Love Waffle YEG is now open on weekends at the South Common location of Chatime (1915 98 Street), serving up Taiwanese and Hong Kong-style egg waffles.
  • Alley Kat is now serving up pints in their newly-licensed lounge at the brewery.
  • Gig City has a run down of the menu at the recently renovated River City Revival House (formerly Brixx).
  • Vue has a feature on the food truck, KaBao.
  • Villa Bistro was reviewed in the Journal last week.
  • Jonny has a pair of reviews up for La Carraia and Cinnaholic.
  • Crystal had a mixed experience at Cafe Linnea.
  • Graham finds comfort in the “Old World” charm at Manor Cafe.
  • Avenue Magazine has a round up of the best doughnuts in the city.
  • Liane has the details about the new and different tours available through Edmonton Food Tours this summer.
  • Sharman has 30 reasons why you should consider attending the 30th anniversary of Christmas in November later this year.
  • Cultivate McCauley is offering free tours of area gardens every second Tuesday of the month from June to September: “At each stop, a gardener will present an overview of their space, insights into their gardening philosophies, and offer practical techniques, tips, and tricks that you can use in your garden spaces.”
  • It’s disappointing the barriers involved in the vacant lot gardening pilot has prevented more uptake.
  • The Government of Alberta passed Bill 7, which will regulate the organic products grown and sold in the province.
  • Mack and I finally went to try Cinnaholic (10075 109 Street) today. Cinnzeo has always been my guilty pleasure, so I was curious to see how this vegan version would stand up. We went with a plain frosted bun and a coffee frosted bun, so they weren’t as sweet as the deluxe versions, but I just couldn’t see how it is worth $5.50. We also had intentions of eating it later, but staff had no suggestions on how one might heat up the bun at home – we probably would have been better off picking up a day-old, unfrosted bun for $1. Time will tell if they’ll garner the repeat business they’ll need to stay open.

Cinnaholic

Buns from Cinnaholic

Food Notes for May 28, 2018

  • Al-Rashid Mosque is hosting A Taste of Ramadan on June 2, 2018 at the Boyle Street Plaza (9538 103A Ave) from 5-9pm. There will be free food and entertainment.
  • The Duchess Bake Shop team was the only North American group to compete in the French version of the Great British Bake Off show. They will be hosting a viewing party on June 11, 2018.
  • The Shaw Conference Centre is celebrating their 35th anniversary this year! Their annual summer patio party is scheduled for June 22, 2018. Admission is free, but food and drinks can be purchased.
  • Urban Pedal Tours has launched a new “Edmonton Early Riser” tour in Old Strathcona featuring coffee, donuts, and beer. Tickets are $38.
  • Linda spotted a sushi/barbecue place on 101 Avenue and 109 Street that is coming soon.
  • There are now two additional dog-friendly patios in the city at Have Mercy and El Cortez.
  • Vue interviewed Los Angeles-based chef Matthew Kenney on how his forthcoming plant-based venture in Edmonton, Kanu, came to be.
  • Liane published a piece all about Ohana Donuterie.
  • The Local Good interviewed Chef Brad Smoliak about his food philosophy and his business, Kitchen by Brad.
  • Lillian highlights a hidden gem that opened back in January called Artisan Flatbread that specializes in Iranian lavash (a type of flatbread).
  • Jonny is the latest to try Tsujiri.
  • YEG Cravings was disappointed with the food at Nongbu.
  • Vue Weekly reviews the barbecue at Meat.
  • Sharman recapped the Prairie on a Plate dinner at Buco.
  • I love that Uber Eats released a list of the most ordered foods in certain neighbourhoods. Most popular downtown? Pho and spring rolls.
  • Get Cooking will be hosting a variety of culinary bootcamps this summer, geared towards adults, kids, and teens.
  • NAIT is hosting a three-day conference this week to promote plant-based cuisine. One of the days is open for the public to attend, but is sadly sold out.
  • I was so happy to hear that the bridge that had been planned for the area around Riverbend Gardens has been cancelled.
  • The weather was fantastic for the first What the Truck?! of the season on Saturday. If you missed it, don’t worry – the next event takes place on July 6, 2018 at the Valley Zoo!

What the Truck?! at Capital Boulevard
What the Truck?! at Capital Boulevard

Grandin Fish and Chips
Haddock and chips from Grandin