I can’t believe it’s already a week into the New Year! I was able to have a nice (albeit short) break over the holidays – I hope you were able to have the same rejuvenating time away! Lots to catch up on though:

• The Italian Centre is hosting a dinner showcasing XIX Nineteen’s Chef Andrew Fung on January 10, 2018. Tickets are $80.
• Mark your calendars for the inaugural Chinatown Dining Week, running January 20-28, 2018. 5 restaurants will be offering 2-course $15 dinner specials over the nine days. The menus are now online!
• Town Square Brewing will be introducing some of their brunch creations on January 28, 2018.
• The Alberta Diabetes Association is hosting a Culinary Combat Luncheon on February 12, 2018 to help bust myths and educate attendees about how to create a healthy lifestyle. Tickets are $60.
• Did you know Atco Blue Flame Kitchen offers cooking classes? They released the schedule for the next three months.
• Jollibee, the popular Fillipino fast food restaurant, will be opening an Edmonton location on a yet-to-be-determined date.
• The Tomato is collecting nominations for their Top 100 best things to eat in Edmonton. The ballot is open from January 8 until February 2, 2018.
• Sharman lists five reasons you should check out brunch at the Dogwood Cafe (located at the Victoria Golf Course).
• The Journal reviews the vegetarian offerings of An Chay.
• Sharon is the latest to visit London Local.
• District Cafe now offers pizza on its dinner menu, and Phil is a fan.
• Twyla praised the sausage at Salz.
• Cindy provides a great rundown of the menu at Wishbone.
• Crystal is one of the first to review Villa Bistro.
• Vue Weekly had a positive experience at Fuqing Lanzhou Noodles.
• YEGCravings enjoyed the food at Bar Clementine.
• Linda covers the continued expansion of Popeye’s in Edmonton.
• CBC offers their year-end list of Edmonton’s best restaurants in a variety of categories.
• Where Edmonton Magazine published their 2017 Best New Restaurant Awards.
• Vue Weekly rounds up some of their favourite dishes from 2017.
• Eat North also posted their picks for the best new restaurants on the Prairies.
• Crystal offers her opinion on Edmonton’s top 24 eateries of 2017.
• If you haven’t already seen it, Liane put together a great summary of Edmonton’s year in food. She also highlighted her story on mental health in kitchens as her favourite story of 2017.
• Graham took some time to praise the pioneers and young talent in the local food scene.
• Three of the city’s longest-running restaurants (Blue Willow, The Commodore, The Sugar Bowl) share their secrets to success.
• Travel blogger Girl Tweets World visited Edmonton back in the fall and shares her highlights.
• The Government of Alberta is soliciting feedback on their proposed Local Food Act. The online survey is open until January 19, 2018.
• Boxing Day seemed like an odd time to release the news, but it’s great to hear that Open Farm Days broke records in 2017, recording over 20,000 visits in two days.
• Mack and I were ecstatic to find out that our beloved mac & cheeza is back at Love Pizza!

Mac & cheeza from Love Pizza

• Over the weekend, we finally had the chance to check out some new places in Old Strathcona, including Pip, the third restaurant from the folks behind The Next Act and Meat. It’s a cute spot, with a simple but well-executed menu. Mack enjoyed their traditional eggs benedict, while their classic grilled cheese and tomato soup hit the spot for me.

Traditional eggs benedict from Pip

Grilled cheese and tomato soup from Pip

• We also headed to Ohana Donuterie, which opened in December. Although there are now several bakeries specializing in doughnuts, Ohana stands out with their made-to-order treats. We can attest that the cinnamon sugar and vanilla custard was delicious!

Ohana Donuts!

It’s hard to believe Christmas is a week away – where has the time gone? I’m looking forward to some down time with friends and family, and of course, to the food! A heads up that I won’t be posting Food Notes next week. If you’re celebrating the holidays, all the best of the season to and yours!

• Butcher Jeff Senger of Sangudo Meats is leading hands-on workshops on pork butchery and charcuterie on December 30, 2017. Tickets run $135-$295.
• Deep Freeze, which runs January 13-14, 2018 on Alberta Avenue, is bringing back their tourtiere baking contest – they’re looking for entrants for your chance to win gift cards from Chapters (and the title, of course).
• La Carraria, Edmonton’s newest gelato shop, is now open at 10067 109 Street.
• The Rooster Cafe (which replaced Artisan Resto-Cafe at 10732 82 Avenue) is in its soft opening phase.
• Congrats to Credo who opened their third location in the Kelly-Ramsay Building last week! Check them out at 10062 101A Street.
• Did you know Bubba Gump Shrimp Company is coming to Edmonton? They’re opening at West Edmonton Mall in March 2018.
• Some time in 2018, the cafe in Holt Renfrew will re-open as Colette Grand Cafe. I’ve been to the original in Toronto, and I think it’s safe to say it’ll fit in well with its surroundings.
• On December 22, 2017, Urban Tavern is launching what they’re calling “Canada’s largest beer wall”, featuring self-serve taps (the same system found at Barney’s in Leduc).
• The Butternut Tree will begin offering brunch on January 14, 2018.
• The Yards annual “Best in the Core” features some suggestions on some secret food gems and where you can spice things up in Downtown and Oliver.
• The Journal had a positive take on brunch at Vintage Fork, the new restaurant inside the historic Rutherford House.
• YEG Cravings reviews the treats at Destination Doughnuts.
• Vue Weely is the latest to check out YEG Burger.
• Graham enjoyed the food at Loft Thai Eatery on the south side.
• Crystal stumbled upon Mai Vietnamese Fusion located on BRBN Street in West Edmonton Mall.
• Also from Crystal – she had a mixed experience at Little India Cuisine.
• Taproot’s latest feature is all about food waste in Edmonton.
• Jason Foster responds to the notion that Canada is reaching “peak craft beer”.
• It’s been a while since my last visit to Viphalay, but their pad thai was just as good as I remembered! They’re one of the restaurants that will be participating in our inaugural Chinatown Dining Week (more details to come!).

Pad Thai from Viphalay

• On Friday, Mack and I commemorated the ten year anniversary of a fateful trip to New York. One of the first places we tried in Manhattan was the tourist-oriented Burger Joint, a quick-serve eatery tucked behind a curtain at Le Parker Meridien. So although a flight back to New York would have been better, the next best thing was to a trek to our similarly named but unrelated establishment in Edmonton. We appreciate their consistency, and the tarter dipping sauce that accompanies their fries helps them stand out.

Our meal at The Burger Joint

• While the City Market is still our go-to farmers’ market, we switch it up a bit in the winter months with occasional trips to the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market. It’s a bit dangerous though, as we can combine those visits with the excuse to pick up something sweet from one of the many bakeries that have opened up in that neighbourhood in the last year. This weekend, it was a jaunt to Ace Coffee Roasters, where we were won over by their delicious brown butter donuts.

Tempting display case at Ace Coffee Roasters

• Mack and I headed to King Noodle House to properly fuel up before an afternoon of Christmas shopping on Sunday.

Bun bo Hue from King Noodle House

• Help Otto celebrate their 1 year anniversary on December 12, 2017! They’ll have specials on all night and 10% off gift certificates.
• Rebel Food and Drink, the latest restaurant from the Century Hospitality Group, is now open in the former Picco Lino space at 9112 142 Street.
• District has finally rolled out their pizza menu, served from 4pm-close Monday to Saturday.
• The Moth, a new plant-based restaurant in the Quarters from the family behind Cafe Mosaics, will be opening later this month at 9449 Jasper Avenue.
• Ohana Donuterie, which debuted a food truck earlier this year, is close to opening a storefront location at 10347 80 Avenue.
• Sharon has an early review of a new Korean eatery on the south side, Dookbaeki (2872 Calgary Trail).
• Also from Sharon – she checked out the phoritto at Miss Saigon as well.
• Liane checked out the brick and mortar location of Arno’s Fine French Pastry, which some might be familiar with from their stall at the City Market and Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market.
• Phil wasn’t impressed with the pizza at Town Square Brewing, and Twyla had a disappointing experience overall.
• Speaking of Town Square, Vue Weekly interviewed the owners for the story behind the brewpub.
• Cindy provides an overview of what you can expect at Ice District’s newest addition, Mayday Dogs.
• The Journal is the latest to review the dinner at Pip.
• With Executive Chef Michael Hassall at the helm, Ernest’s at NAIT hopes to become a year-round food destination for dining and special events.
• Graham was invited to sample a staff lunch served at Sorrentino’s, crafted from leftovers and surplus ingredients.
• Vue Weekly’s Golden Fork Awards ballot is now live – nominate your favourites by January 18, 2018.
• Food4Good has received $75,000 of seed funding from Community Food Centres Canada to consult with the community and search for a space to house a local community food centre.
• I met up with Linda for lunch last week at a spot near my office – I appreciate the consistency at El Fogon; their beef and gouda arepas have been delicious every time!

Beef and gouda arepa from El Fogon

• The weather has been amazing so far this month – who knew it’d be warm enough to still be considered food truck weather! Mack and I happily shared some empanadas from Casa 12 Doce at the Holiday Bazaar this weekend.

Pork and potato empanadas

• We don’t make it out to RGE RD as often as we’d like, but every time we do, we have a great experience. This weekend was no different – the food and service was stellar. Of note was the questionable bits we enjoyed: beef tongue pastrami.

Beef tongue pastrami from RGE RD

• Crash Hotel is hosting Beats n Brunch, a hip hop-themed brunch on December 10, 2017. The $20 ticket includes one brunch item and a cocktail.
• There are lots of festive meal choices available at this time of year, including the Dickens Brunch at the Royal Glenora Club on December 10 & 17, with holiday carolers to help set the mood. The events are open to the public; adult tickets are $39.95.
• The newest donut-focused bakery Destination Doughnuts is now open at 10548 124 Street.
• Brown Butter Cafe, located at 1528 91 Street SW, is in its soft opening phase.
• New Asian Village has added a new restaurant to their roster – Hyderabad Kabab & Biryani House is now open at Mill Woods Town Centre.
• Dogwood Cafe, Culina’s takeover of the restaurant at the Victoria Golf Course, has returned for the winter. They’re open for supper Wednesdays to Saturdays and for brunch on weekends.
• Blakbar Tavern, billing itself as “Edmonton’s newest alternative rock resto/bar” is now open at 10762 82 Avenue.
• I hadn’t heard of Mezos Roastery, a local business specializing in dry roasting nuts and seeds.
• ‘Tis the season for giveaways, but Linda has some amazing gifts that will span 24 days – check them out!
• Nook Cafe allows people to pay it forward by buying a button someone in need can cash in for a coffee and a day-old pastry.
• Ms. Hangry Foodie and YEGCravings both tried the phorrito (a pho burrito) at new Vietnamese restaurant Miss Saigon. It sounds gimmicky to me but there’s something for everyone!
• Graham enjoyed the breadth of offerings at Holy Roller.
• Phil reviews a trio of quick-serve pizza joints.
• Crystal enjoyed the happy hour specials offered at Bar 94.
• Vue Weekly paid Cafe Linnea a visit.
• Congratulations to Karen Anderson, one of the authors of the forthcoming book, Food Artisans of Alberta. It’s now available for pre-order, and will be released in May 2018.
• Eat Alberta announced their conference date for next year – April 29, 2018. Tickets are now available for pre-sale.
• Global featured Camola Bakery, which features sustainable cricket “flour” in their products
• If you’re interested in gardening in a vacant city lot, you’re encouraged to attend a workshop on December 6, 2017 to learn more about a pilot next year that will involve 150 empty lots.
• I really should have made it a point to get to Pho Tau Bay earlier in the cycle of my cold last week – there’s really something about their broth.

My usual

• Mack and I made it to Salz on Friday for some comfort food. I really liked my brat in a bun, alongside some cheesy spätzle and caraway slaw.

Mack with his brat on a plate

• A shopping excursion on 124 Street wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Zwick’s Pretzels, where we found ourselves on the weekend.

A duo of pretzels from Zwick’s

It’s less than a month away to Christmas! We’ve put up our external winter lights, but have yet to deck the halls indoors – I’m looking forward to doing so this weekend! On to this week’s food notes:

• Effing Seafoods is hosting a Movember fundraiser at Northern Chicken on November 29, 2017 from 5-10pm (or until sold out). Menu items include crispy haddock sandwiches and mussels with Mill St. beer broth served alongside fresh baked bread.
• Why Not Cafe & Bar (the new restaurant from Chef Levi Biddlecombe) will be hosting tasting menus on December 1 and 2, 2017. Tickets for the 6 course menu with custom cocktails are available for $95.
• Northern Lands is organizing a Prairie Collective Gourmet Holiday Market in partnership with Prairie Gardens & Adventure Farm on December 3, 2017. Expect holiday fare, whiskey tastings, and activities for the kids. Family admission is $10.
• There are a lot of holiday markets to choose from at this time of year – including The Holiday Bazaar, which will be taking place on December 8 and 9, 2017 in the former ReUse Centre space. Organized by the folks behind the 124 Grand Market, expect a beverage garden, local food pop-ups, and vendors.
• A dozen of Edmonton’s chefs are raising funds for the Bissell Centre on December 10, 2017 in a dinner titled Too Many Cooks. Tickets for the 12-course meal are $200.
• Ragazzi Bistro in Bonnie Doon is back open today after being closed for renovations.
• Mercato Foods, a grocery store/deli from the folks behind Edmonton’s popular Italian Bakery, is now open in St. Albert.
• Calgary-based OEB will open in the Kelly Ramsey Building in Spring 2018 – check out a rendering of what to expect.
• Mikado is celebrating 45 years of business, offering 20% off food items December 4-7 and 11-14.
• Linda is the latest to review Avila Arepa in Old Strathcona.
• Also from Linda, she shares her lunch and brunch experiences at Bundok.
• Graham was very impressed with the food at The Butternut Tree.
• Twyla reviewed the set-course meal at Alder Room.
• Jonny was disappointed with the bistro fare at Juniper Cafe.
• Lydia at YEGCravings offers a review of takeout from Tang Bistro.
• Crystal checked out the Brewery District location of Nando’s.
• I hope Calico Bakery bounces back soon after a fire over the weekend damaged their building.
• Will Church Street be the home to more frequent farmers’ markets? A pharmacy owner in the area hopes that will be the case.
• Just in time for the holiday season, the Kitchen Magpie is giving away a “foodie edition” of #YEGBox. Contest closes December 1, 2017.
• How has the provincial government’s changes to Alberta’s beer laws impacted the local brew scene? Jason Foster shares his take.
• Also from Jason – more suggested itineraries for brewery road trips, this time off-the-beaten QEII path.
• A trademark dispute between Calgary food blogger Julie van Rosendaal and Ottawa-based Beaver Tails had a happy ending, resulting in a $3,000 donation to Calgary’s Food Bank.
• I really should sample more of the menu, but I can’t ever pass up the New York Mama on visits to Battista’s Calzones.

My usual at Battista’s Calzones

• There’s just something about the poutine at Route 99 that makes it our go-to comfort food.

Gluttony at its finest

• A reminder that 124 Street’s All is Bright takes place on November 25, 2017, with food trucks and beverage gardens to enjoy amongst entertainment and family-friendly activities.
• Little Italy will help you get into the Christmas spirit – from 11am-3pm on November 26, December 3 and 10, you can tour the neighbourhood on horse-drawn carriages and enjoy roasted chestnuts outside!
• Food4Good will be holding a Winter Market on December 6, featuring a soup mix workshop and sales of affordable produce and turkeys.
• Edmonton Chefs is hosting a five-course collaborative dinner with wine pairings on January 20, 2018, created by four local female chefs. Tickets are $195.
• Silk Bar and Kitchen is a forthcoming restaurant downtown, at 10344 105 Street.
• Tiffin, a fast casual Indian restaurant, will open up a second location in Edmonton on 104 Street in the former Sobey’s space.
• Filipino bakery GoldenBucks Bakeshop (9754 182 Street) just had their grand opening this past weekend.
• It’ All in Chinatown at 10023 107 Avenue has been replaced by a second location of Namaste India.
• Liane has more details about Pip, a brunch-focused third establishment from the folks behind The Next Act and Meat. Sharon offers an early review of the restaurant.
• Edmonton has a new burger joint in town – YEG Burger, located at 15131 121 Street.
• Cindy has one of the first reviews of Salz, serving up beer and brats.
• Vue Weekly was disappointed by a meal at Holy Roller.
• Jonny sampled liberally from the menu at Cartago.
• Also from Jonny – he checks out Chix Shack, the Downtown sister restaurant to Sherwood Park’s Sawaddee.
• The latest to review Old Strathcona’s Avila Arepa is Lydia.
• Linda reviewed the brunch and tapas offerings at Bodega Highlands.
• Graham is satisfied with the menu changes at Parkallen Restaurant.
• The Journal reviews the brunch at the much-loved Mill Creek Cafe.
• Phil shares some of his favourite soups available in the Edmonton area.
• Lea toured Hansen Distillery, one of the two distilleries that opened up in Edmonton last last year.
• Please excuse this terrible picture of the kale and apple salad from District Cafe & Bakery – it was a simple but refreshing accompaniment to the hand-cut pasta that I shared with a friend. Not shown (because I forgot to take a photo before diving in): the decadent salted caramel chocolate cake we also shared.

Kale and apple salad from District

• Jacek Chocolate is celebrating the grand re-opening of their Sherwood Park location on November 18, 2017 from 10am-6pm. The renovated space is equipped with a tasting room and a cacao sorting/roasting room.
• Prairie Noodle Shop is hosting a fundraiser for the Edmonton Food Bank on November 26, 2017. Tickets for the two-course meal are $20.
• Lure cookbook author Chef Ned Bell will be preparing a four-course, wine-paired dinner at NAIT on November 18, 2017. Tickets are $120.
• Meat Street Pies want to help you get into the Christmas spirit with gingerbread house workshops at the City Market! Kits are $25 and are still available for December 2 and 9, 2017.
• Salz, the latest restaurant from the folks behind Elm Cafe, District Cafe, and Little Brick, is now open at 10556 115 Street.
• Greek restaurant Cosmos is back on 124 Street, open in the former Smokehouse BBQ space at 10812 124 Street. Cosmos is joined next door by Passport Resto Bar, who will be hosting their grand opening on November 18, 2017.
• Strathcona Spirits will finally be able to open their doors to the public for tours and sales on November 16, 2017.
• Whisk Dessert Co. will be opening a location in Kingsway Mall.
• American vegan cinnamon bun chain Cinnaholic is expanding to Canada, including Edmonton in Spring 2018.
• Twyla was impressed with the savoury and sweet offerings at Devon’s Frickin’ Delights Donuts.
• Graham sampled ramen from several restaurants in the city, including Tokiwa, Prairie Noodle, and Nudoru.
• Just in time for your holiday planning – High Level Diner is again offering frozen tourtiere.
• Vue Weekly puts together a beer-focused road trip for your consideration – a two and a half hour drive can bring you to eight breweries outside of Edmonton and Calgary, including Alberta’s youngest brewery, Fitzsimmons Brewing in Airdrie.
• Congratulations to Alan and Nicola Irving of Irvings Farm Fresh on the grand opening of their farm store, taking place November 18, 2017 from 10am-4pm.
• Our Servings is an app that hopes to crowdfund $10,000 to connect grocery stores and restaurants with excess food to agencies who could use it to feed the hungry.
• It’s been some time since I’ve had my go-to dish at Blue Plate Diner – the lamb shepherd’s pie with a side of sweet potato fries. Nothing like comfort food to warm up on a cold day!

Lamb shepherd’s pie at Blue Plate Diner

• I tried the instant noodles with minced pork at Gui Lin Noodle House for the first time over the weekend and really enjoyed it! I usually defer to noodle soups, so this was a delicious change of pace.

Fried instant noodles with minced pork at Gui Lin

• Mack and I stopped by London Local for their weekly Sunday roast menu. It’s a great deal – 3 courses for just $30. The desserts really stood out for us: a delectable Eton mess, with warm custard and meringue, and a rich sticky toffee pudding that wasn’t too sweet. We’ll be back on a different day to sample their regular menu!

Eton mess at London Local

Sticky toffee pudding at London Local