Category: food

Food Notes for March 5, 2018

Love Pizza

I can’t get enough of their mac and cheeza

Food Notes for February 26, 2018

Emily is one month old today! I can’t believe the time has gone by so quickly. I couldn’t get to this post last week, with family in town, Lunar New Year celebrations, and Emily’s baby shower over the long weekend, but as a new parent, I’m learning to not sweat the small stuff! On to a catch-up edition of Food Notes:

Cupcakes

Cupcakes!

  • We held Emily’s “sip and see” (aka her post-natal baby shower) last weekend. My Mum and my sisters did an amazing job organizing the party, and fulfilled my two requests: Zwick’s Pretzels, and a doughnut cake from Farrow (because all I craved during the pregnancy was pastries).

Zwick's and Farrow

Savoury and sweet snacks for Emily’s “sip and see”

  • City Market shoppers will be sad to learn that Ed Horvath of Sunshine Organic passed away earlier this month. Mack and I always enjoyed our weekly visits with Ed and Sherry as we picked up our eggs and poultry.  Condolences to Sherry and the rest of the family.

City Market 2012

Ed and Sherry Horvath

Food Notes for February 12, 2018

    I’m slowly finding my new rhythm at home with Emily – it’s definitely an ever-changing adventure! On to this week’s food notes:

    Farrow

    Grick Middle and something sweet from Farrow

      Food Notes for February 5, 2018

      It’s been a bit of a whirlwind for Mack and I this last week, as we welcomed our first child, daughter Emily Fengcai Male, into the world on January 26, 2018! As expected, it’s been a bit of an adjustment, but we love being parents! I’ll do my best to keep up with Food Notes as much as possible, but we’ll see how it goes. On to this week’s food notes:

      • La Poutine Week runs nationally from February 1-7, 2018, and Edmonton has 7 participating restaurants offering their take on the popular dish.
      • The Silver Skate Festival will be offering a new food and beverage event this year called Spirits on Ice. Taking place on February 9-10, 2018, it will be an opportunity to sample items from businesses including Blind Enthusiasm, Urban Tavern, Rig Hand Distillery, and Pasta Pantry. Admission is free, but food and drink tickets are priced at 10 for $10.
      • A reminder that the Taste Alberta #ABFoodFight Culinary Combat, in support of the Alberta Diabetes Foundation, is taking place on February 12, 2018. Linda is giving away a pair of tickets – enter prior to February 8, 2018.
      • Avenue Edmonton will be hosting their launch of their annual food issue on March 5, 2018 at the Edmonton Expo Centre. Tickets are $50.
      • A high-end pop-up dining series starts March 6, 2018 called The Nomad Cook. Tickets for the four celebrity chef dinners runs $1200 – it’ll be interesting to see what type of uptake they receive.
      • NAIT is giving away 4 pairs of tickets to the March 15, 2018 lunch prepared by this year’s Chef in Residence Rod Butters. Enter prior to March 6, 2018.
      • The latest restaurant to fill the revolving door location of 8 Mission Avenue in St. Albert is Riverbank Bistro.
      • Travellers at the Edmonton International Airport looking for a local food option will be happy to see that Delux Burger Bar will be joining the fray in a couple of months, just off gate 56.
      • Chef Cory Rakowski will be opening Kitchener’s Taphouse & Grill in Old Strathcona.
      • Chef Shelley Robinson, who helped open the restaurants in the Grand Villa Casino, has left Edmonton for Banff.
      • The Alder Room was vandalized on Friday – I hope they get back on their feet soon enough.
      • Cafe Linnea is changing up their high tea this month – they’re moving from a weekly to a monthly themed service.
      • Inferno Coffee is a new roaster in Edmonton. Started by a firefighter, Inferno is also raising money and awareness for post-traumatic stress disorder, with 5% of proceeds going to a PTSD charity. They offer free delivery in Edmonton.
      • Vue Weekly profiles the family behind Destination Doughnuts.
      • Ms. Hangry Foodie reviewed Ohana Donuterie.
      • Vue Weekly has a pair of reviews for The Moth Cafe and Gui Lin Noodle House.
      • Sharon tried the baked goods and more substantial breakfast and lunch offerings at one of the newest cafes in south Edmonton, Brown Butter Cafe.
      • Twyla loved the food at Chix Shack.
      • I’m a big fan of the arepas at El Fogon so I’m happy that they’re getting more coverage – this time from Graham at the Sun.
      • YEGCravings had a great experience at Let Eat Snow, and enjoyed a variety of dishes at T & D Vietnamese Noodle House.
      • The Globe Diary’s latest brunch-venture took her to Pip, and she planned a date night at Woodwork.
      • Awesome to see this glowing review of Zwick’s Pretzels, a definite gem in the local food scene, in the Globe & Mail.
      • Graham reviews the pair of hot dog purveyors, Mayday Dogs and Montreal Hot Dogs, that opened in Ice District late last year.
      • Sharman recaps what you missed at the last Taste Alberta Dinner, held at Prairie Noodle Shop.
      • Jennifer Crosby (in for Ryan Jespersen) hosted a Restaurant Panel on January 29 with representatives from Duchess and Cafe Linnea, The Marc, and 1st Rnd sharing their perspectives on how the changes to Employment Standards have impacted their businesses.
      • The latest That’s So Maven podcast features Lynsae and Marnie, the mother and daughter duo behind The Nook Cafe.
      • Edmonton’s first kombucha micro brewery has launched a crowdfunding campaign with ATB BoostR. They hope to raise $10,000 to boost brewing capacity and modernize their bottling techniques.
      • It looks like Edmonton has another food delivery service – Nomme entered the increasingly crowded market last week.
      • I love pho, and I love a good cause, so it’s neat to see these two things married in a fundraiser called Phobruary: “Use the month of Phobruary as your excuse to get together with your friends, family, colleagues and clients over hot, delicious soup… and donate to the Food Bank!”
      • With weather like this, it’s nice to look forward to summer – The Local Good’s very popular River Valley Medicinal Plant Walks is returning. The $60 tickets are still available for August 15.
      • Cara Operations (who already owns chains like Swiss Chalet and Milestones), will be purchasing The Keg.
      • I don’t go out for breakfast often, but when I do, I’m reminded of some of the gems in the city. This includes the bacon, cheddar, caramelized onions, eggs & arugula sandwich at Lock Stock Coffee. While it’s delicious with their house-made English muffin, I highly recommend upsizing to their herb and cheddar scone.

      Lock Stock Coffee

      Breakfast sandwich at Lock Stock Coffee

      Have Fun with Your Food: Rebel Food and Drink

      Every neighbourhood should have a go-to spot, a place for residents to gather. Piccolino was this focal point for many in Parkview and adjacent Crestwood, but when it was announced it would be replaced by a new Century Hospitality property, I’m sure some were wondering whether it could still be that place.

      Rebel Food and Drink opened in mid-December just in time for the holiday rush. Mack and I had the chance to visit the restaurant last Thursday night. Walking in, we weren’t expecting quite the packed house that greeted us. All of the tables were full, with parties ranging from young families to older couples. We took up a pair of empty seats at the bar next to several solo diners, one of whom was a regular. Chef Tony Le indicated that the reception from residents has been very positive, even at this early stage.

      I can’t speak to the interior changes as I had never set foot in Piccolino, but we were told the changes were drastic, with the installation of a bar and an expansion of the dining room. A second expansion will take place later this year when the travel agency next door relocates. The interior is cozy with dark accents, lined with a combination of booths and tables. I appreciated the open sightlines, which further inspires the feeling of community in the space.

      The menu, as with all Century Hospitality locations, is broad and meant to appeal to a wide range of tastes. While those looking for more traditional dinner selections will be satisfied with classics like pot roast, grilled chicken, and steak and potatoes, I liked the playfulness with other choices like their Hangry Man TV Dinner (meatloaf, tater tots, roasted corn, buttered peas), a breakfast plate dubbed the “most important meal of the day” with eggs, toast, bacon, sausage, and tater tots, and a taco version of chicken and waffles. Mack is always up for having breakfast for dinner, so ordered the breakfast pizza ($22), while I chose the Rebel chz burger ($17).

      Service was great during our visit; our bartender/server was a consistent and pleasant presence. Similarly, the kitchen was on top of everything that night, and despite the full house, the food kept flowing. We didn’t have to wait long for our plates.

      Mack’s pizza (made with the same Italian "double zero" flour found in Parlour’s crusts) was appealing right from the start, studded with crispy prosciutto, crumbled sausage, tater tots, and of course, a sunny side up egg. It was a winner in his books, the thin but hearty crust holding up to the combination of toppings.

      Rebel Food and Drink

      Breakfast pizza

      My house burger, featuring two beef patties, cheddar, caramelized onions, and "all the groceries" was a solid take on a classic. The beef was well seasoned, and I enjoyed the slight sweetness imparted by the brioche bun. The side of fries was also nicely cooked, crispy and lightly salted.

      Rebel Food and Drink

      Rebel chz burger

      Tony generously treated us to dessert, knowing we were taken with the confetti cake. A few had passed by our seats throughout the night, drawing the attention of the room with an eye-catching sparkler. Continuing with the playful theme found in the mains, the cake is all about nostalgia – the four-layer cake is not only dressed in vanilla buttercream and sprinkles, but comes with a healthy dusting of Fruit Loops. It was sweet, indulgent, and everything your five year old self would want in a dessert.

      Rebel Food and Drink

      Confetti cake

      The brunch menu looks equally appealing (the hangover club has Mack’s name all over it), and yes, you can have that same confetti cake for breakfast, served with a glass of milk. Rebel Food and Drink is a fun addition to the restaurant scene, and hopefully one the neighbours will continue to embrace as a place to meet.

      Rebel Food and Drink
      9112 142 Street
      (780) 752-7325
      Monday-Sunday 11am-late (no minors after 9pm)

      Food Notes for January 22, 2018

      Rooster Cafe

      Everything bagel from Rooster Cafe & Kitchen

      • I finally picked up my Alberta BoostR reward from supporting a crowdfunding campaign initiated by Sugared & Spiced last year to open their storefront. It was a hard job eating all of those cookies, but someone had to do it (the Girls’ Night In cookie is still my favourite).

      Sugared & Spiced

      A dozen cookies from Sugared & Spiced

      • Mack and I have been meaning to try the sandwich side of the menu at Zwick’s Pretzels for some time, and finally had the chance to do so over the weekend. The bacon & egg sandwich (with house-cured back bacon and of course, a house-made pretzel bun) was everything I was hoping for and more.

      Zwick's Pretzels

      Bacon & egg sandwich at Zwick’s Pretzels

      Polarizing Experiences: Vintage Fork at the Rutherford House

      Back in 2013, the Arbour Restaurant in the Rutherford House shut down due to staffing and financial issues. It was a loss to the local food scene to be sure – their afternoon tea (and legendary raspberry butter) was a favourite of many, but it was also unfortunate for the provincial historic site and the home of the first Premier of Alberta to be without a culinary anchor.

      In October of last year, Vintage Fork took up the Arbour Restaurant’s mantle. Open during the day, they introduced a slightly different model – instead of the usual a la carte options, Vintage Fork offers up set multi-course menus for lunch. But it was learning that they would also be serving up afternoon tea that I was most excited about.

      Two friends and I made a reservation for their first afternoon tea service in mid-November (offered on weekends between 3-5pm). At $34.99 per person, it’s one of the more reasonably priced afternoon teas available in the city (Cally’s Teas would be the most comparable). When we arrived, we found one other party of three seated in the sunroom. We were told word about their afternoon tea was still trickling out; we were just the third group to be served that day.

      The furniture and arrangement of the room, as one would expect in a historically designated site, remained similar to its prior occupant. However, instead of the more traditional floral tablecloths, Vintage Fork has opted for butcher paper coverings, even offering guests pencil crayons to doodle during their meal if desired.

      Vintage Fork

      Sunroom interior

      We were provided a selection of a dozen loose teas to choose from (jars are kept on the mantle in the adjacent room for those hoping to rely on their nose to help them narrow their pick). The servers may want to brush up on the tea options however; when asked about some of the different blends, they weren’t able to provide any information about the teas. On the positive end of the service front, when my friend had called to make the reservation, she had requested that any undercooked meats or seafood be left off our plates. Thankfully, they had this duly noted, and substituted beef for the smoked salmon normally provided.

      No doubt, the presentation of the three-tier tray was a showstopper. Not only was the kitchen very generous with the serving portions, but everything we sampled was delicious. Among the items served were chicken skewers, braised beef, lemon meringue tarts, and croissants.

      Vintage Fork

      Vintage Fork tray, take one

      My favourite of all the treats were the scones. Fans of the Arbour Room’s raspberry butter will be disappointed to know that Vintage Fork serves the more traditional cream and jam, but these were excellent companions to the flaky, buttery scones.

      We all left that day with intentions of returning again because we were so impressed. For me, this meant a visit two weeks later with Mack and Grandma Male just before Christmas.

      Vintage Fork

      Lovely china

      Understanding that they were still in the early stages of developing their tea service, I didn’t expect that everything from my first meal would be replicated, but I also didn’t anticipate an experience that took two steps back.

      For starters, when I made the reservation, I had asked for a similar substitution regarding undercooked meats and seafood that my friend had requested. But this wasn’t noted anywhere, so smoked salmon ended up being among the savoury bites served. I simply gave my portion to Mack, but given their attention to detail on the previous occasion, I was disappointed they couldn’t follow through again.

      It was also very obvious that the kitchen scaled back their portions, including (sadly for me) much smaller scones. The croissants, which the servers had highlighted on our first visit as scratch-made and had showcased the skill of the pastry chef, had also been dropped.

      Vintage Fork

      Vintage Fork tray, take two

      Perhaps most frustrating was the poor service we received after being seated. We had to request cutlery after our tea tray was delivered, and even then, no forks were provided (only butter knives). Staff only intermittently checked on us, even though we were one of just two groups being served that afternoon. To pay the bill, we had to physically notify the staff in the next room that we wanted to settle the cheque, a task that seemed like a burden for our server.

      Given my two experiences were so different, it’s hard to reconcile them to determine what a future visit would entail. In all honesty, I will say that based on my second trip, I am hesitant to return again. But I do hope that with time, Vintage Fork will find their footing and find a happy medium where food and service expectations can be met on a consistent basis.

      Vintage Fork (in the Rutherford House)
      11153 Saskatchewan Drive
      (780) 427-4113
      Tuesday –Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday-Sunday 9am-5pm, closed Mondays

      Northlands Food Lab: Lemon Cheese

      Northlands’ Food Lab workshops at FarmFair International (an agricultural showcase which runs every November) are one of the best hands-on cooking class deals in Edmonton. They’re free with the price of FarmFair admission, which is just $5! I only signed up for one this year, but one could easily sign up for multiple workshops to stretch their dollar value even more. I participated in one of the first Food Labs organized back in 2015.

      Su and I were curious about the idea of “lemon cheese”, so we registered for one of the workshops that took place on a Saturday afternoon. Although the class was full on paper, quite a few participants didn’t show, so each attendee ended up with their own station (and a product portion that was generous enough to feed a family of four).

      Lemon Cheese Food Lab

      Su at her station

      The instructor was one that we were both very familiar with due to our prior involvement with Eat Alberta. Chef Allan Roote from NAIT was one of our faithful cheese instructors for several conferences. However, neither Su or I had experienced his instruction first hand.

      Lemon Cheese Food Lab

      Chef Roote addresses the group

      The lemon cheese recipe we were directed to make was similar to a ricotta; it would serve well as an entertaining staple alongside crackers and crudités. As Su and I were both new to cheesemaking, we were particularly grateful this recipe was ideal for beginners – the instructions and techniques were straightforward and would be easy to replicate at home. Chef Roote was also a great teacher, patiently answering questions and offering guidance to participants as he checked in on each station.

      Lemon Cheese Food Lab

      Separating the milk and curds

      One tip – it was recommended that a metal spoon be used to stir together the milk base; as wooden spoons are porous, any flavours absorbed into the wood would be imparted into the final product. We also sped up the process described below considerably – as the entire workshop was about an hour long, we did not have time to leave the mixture undisturbed for 3-4 hours, or to drain the curd for 12 hours before adding the seasonings. Although I did let the cheese rest overnight in the fridge before sampling it, the final product didn’t seem to be hampered by the shortcuts we took.

      Lemon Cheese Food Lab

      Draining the curd

      The light, spreadable cheese we ended up with kept in the fridge for a week. We enjoyed it with crackers and a sprinkling of fleur de sel, though I also heard it was pretty tasty paired with cinnamon raisin toast, too.

      Lemon Cheese

      3L 3.25% milk
      1L heavy cream
      150-400mL lemon juice (freshly squeezed and strained) or 30g citric acid or acid of your choice
      zested and finely chopped lemon rind (optional)
      sea salt (to taste)

      1. Pour the milk and cream into a stainless steel pot and heat to 100F (no higher).
      2. Remove the pot from the heat and add the lemon juice. Stir the milk slowly until the milk and cream mixture starts to curdle and separate.
      3. Leave the milk mixture undisturbed at room temperature for 3-4 hours.
      4. Drain the curd into a strainer lined with cheesecloth. Let the curd drain in the cooler for 12 hours.
      5. Put the drained curds into a large stainless steel bowl and add the lemon zest. Season with salt to taste. Be careful not to touch the cheese with your hands as this will speed up the deterioration process of the cheese.
      6. Press the cheese into a mold. Top the cheese with a 2kg weight. Pres the cheese overnight under refrigeration to expel any excess whey.
      7. Unmold the cheese and use within the next 4-5 days.

      While I haven’t yet had a chance to replicate lemon cheese again, it is a recipe I can see myself making for company or for gifts. Kudos to Northlands and NAIT for putting together such a great and value-oriented learning opportunity!

      Food Notes for January 15, 2018

      • A reminder that Chinatown Dining Week kicks off January 20 and runs until January 28, 2018. 5 restaurants are offering 2-course menus for just $15.
      • Prairie Noodle Shop is hosting a Taste Alberta dinner on January 21, 2018 featuring local ingredients. Tickets are $70 plus tax.
      • The first Dining with Friends event of the year, organized by the Friends of the Royal Alberta Museum Society, will be taking place at Wheat Garden Bazaar on January 25, 2018. Limited tickets are available for $37.
      • Those interested to learn about how to grow our own microgreens and sprouts may want to consider attending a workshop by Wild Green Garden Consulting on January 25, 2018. Tickets are $35.
      • Tickets are already available for Ice on Whyte’s 4th annual Whiskey Stew Off on February 4, 2018 – taste 4 versions and vote for your favourite at El Cortez. Tickets are $8.
      • Always great to see when farmers’ market vendors expand to brick and mortar locations – congratulations to Golomein on their grand opening at 2976 Ellwood Drive SW today.
      • Let’s Grill Sushi and Izakaya is now open downtown at 10709 Jasper Avenue.
      • Splash Poke is expanding to the south side, with a second location in the works on Calgary Trail near Whitemud Drive.
      • Graham enjoyed his savoury dishes at Pip, but was disappointed with dessert.
      • Vue Weekly had a positive experience at An Chay.
      • Linda puts the spotlight on a delightful family-run eatery called El Fogon (I also love their arepas!).
      • Twyla was happy with her visit to London Local.
      • The Journal was hoping the food would match the excellent decor of Holy Roller.
      • Jonny checked out Hanjan for dessert.
      • Linda partnered with The Rec Room to promote their Make My Donut contest – contribute your doughnut creation for your treat’s chance to be featured at one of their two locations.
      • It’s a little early to plan for summer, but I couldn’t resist linking to these too-cute t-shirts available at Tix on the Square featuring Edmonton’s unofficial culinary mascot – green onion cakes.
      • NAIT has announced that Chef Rod Butters of Kelowna will be the 10th Hokanson Chef in Residence, and will be sharing his expertise with culinary program students in March.
      • This week’s Monacle’s Menu podcast mentions Edmonton’s online edible food map.
      • Culinare Magazine offers up 8 food and drink trends for 2018.
      • It looks like a new restaurant will be trying their hand at turning over a space that has proven difficult – look for Drunken Ox/Sober Cat to open some time at the corner of 104 Street and 102 Avenue.

      Drunken Ox / Sober Cat Coming Soon

      Drunken Ox/Sober Cat

      • District Cafe debuted a new dinner menu in December featuring sourdough-based pizzas. I met up with Su last week to try one, and can report back that it was delicious! The sausage pizza wasn’t my first choice (they were out of pepperoni and mushroom), but after tasting it, it might just become my favourite – I loved the crumbled Salz bratwurst on top of the chewy, tangy crust.

      District Cafe

      Sausage pizza at District

      • It’s been some time since I’ve been to Cafe Amore, so I couldn’t think of a better place to have my last work lunch of the year.

      Cafe Amore

      My usual order of truffle chicken pasta at Cafe Amore

      • The Vatican City burger from Burger’s Priest is our go-to when we’re looking for something gluttonous (they use two grilled cheese sandwiches in place of a usual burger bun). It always hits the spot.

      Burger's Priest

      Vatican City from Burger’s Priest

        Introducing Chinatown Dining Week: January 20-28, 2018

        Back in the summer, I was a part of a group of volunteers who piloted a series of free walking tours in Edmonton’s Chinatown. The tours covered the history of why the city has two Chinatowns, and included visits inside cultural institutions and retail businesses.

        Edmonton Chinatown Tour

        At the Harbin Gate

        We didn’t expect the overwhelming response we received, averaging about 40 participants each tour. It was interesting to see so many Edmontonians join us who shared that they frequently passed through Chinatown, but wanted to learn more so they would have a reason to stay and explore the neighbourhood.

        Edmonton Chinatown Tour

        Overlooking Chinatown South

        For some of the attendees, the highlights were the culinary stops: we had a peek behind the scenes of Ying Fat, which specializes in soy products; a taste of sweet treats at Ruby Bakery; and an introduction to grocer Kim Fat. Food can be such a great gateway into new cultures or places, and this was definitely the case with our tours. Many people asked us for restaurant recommendations afterwards so they could make the most of their time in Chinatown.

        Edmonton Chinatown Tour

        Inside Kim Fat with owner Phong Luu

        While we chose to put the tours on hiatus over the fall and winter months, we did want to continue the momentum somehow, and provide people with the opportunity to satisfy their curiosity about Chinatown. And so, Chinatown Dining Week was born.

        Downtown Dining Week has been a staple in Edmonton for more than a decade, offering set price deals to entice diners to try new restaurants. We thought a similar model could be replicated in another central neighbourhood with even more diverse culinary gems to discover.

        Viphalay

        Green curry at Viphalay – one of the featured Chinatown Dining Week dishes

        We’ve partnered with 5 Chinatown restaurants who will be offering $15 two-course dinner menus from January 20-28, 2018: Asian Express Hot Pot, Cua Hua Gui Lin Noodle House, King Noodle House Pho Hoang, Taipan Cafe Restaurant, and Viphalay Laos and Thai Restaurant. Take a look at the menus and consider trying a new restaurant, or revisiting an old favourite.

        King Noodle House

        Pho at King Noodle House – another of the featured dishes

        There’s a lot to discover in Chinatown, and we hope that this event will encourage more Edmontonians to learn more about an often underappreciated area of the city.