Two Food Halls Opening Soon in Edmonton

Beljan Development, the company behind the Crawford Block (home of Holy Roller, El Cortez, and Have Mercy), and Oliver Exchange (soon to house Brio Bakery, Culina Grab and Go, and Iconoclast Coffee), is working on bringing the trendy food hall concept to Edmonton. They’re planning to include food halls in the redevelopment of the Strathcona Hotel and the YMCA building downtown, with the latter, called Williams Hall, set to open in Fall 2019.

Openings

• Jack’s Sandwich Shack has replaced Ong Hanoi Style Fried Chicken at 15 Perron Street in St. Albert.
• Signage just went up announcing Ice District locations for Guru and Delux Burger Bar at the base of the Edmonton Tower.

Upcoming Events

• The next Swine and Dine will be held at Salz on February 11, 2019. Tickets for the three-course menu are $40.
• The annual Winefest returns to the Shaw Conference Centre on February 15-16, 2019. Tickets to the all-inclusive event start at $87.
• NAIT is hosting their inaugural Cook, Butcher & Baker Food Competition Showcase on February 23, 2019, featuring the top students from the Department of Culinary Arts & Professional Food Studies. Tickets are $50.
• The wildly popular medicinal plant walks with herbalist Robert Rogers always sell out – tickets for his events on July 9 and August 7, 2019 are available on EventBrite through The Local Good for $60.

Reviews

• Sharon checked out the newly-opened Artisti Pizzeria in Holland Plaza, and enjoyed the desserts more than the pizza.
• The Journal was pleased with the food and service at Aarde.
• Twyla found the fare at Copper Branch to be middle-of-the-road.
• Linda loved the food and the vibe at Brown Butter Cafe.
• Crystal was impressed with the food at Old Town Pub on Whyte Avenue.
• Andrea provides an overview of the new dishes on the revamped menu at Wilfred’s.
• Stephanie checked out Century Casino’s Vee Restaurant in St. Albert.

Local News

• Chef Steven Brochu is leaving Chartier in February to helm his own cafeteria and catering operation.
• There’s a new brewery tour in town: Canadian Craft Tours, who leads tours in BC and Calgary, is launching brewery tours in Edmonton.
• Speaking of beer, The Local Good has a great resource mapping out establishments who have at least 40% of their taps devoted to Alberta beers.
• Star Metro published a piece about a ghost kitchen operating in Edmonton, though I’m not sure it’s the first – after it closes its doors to public in mid-February, Solstice Seasonal Cuisine will still be offering food through delivery apps.
• The latest webisode of Fast Food features The Commodore’s Chef Megan Gee and her kimchi fried rice.
• Send a sweet gift that will also benefit charity: Bloom Cookies will be offering Cookie-Grams for Valentine’s Day, with $5 from each $28 box going towards the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton. On a related note the Local Good recently profiled Bloom.
• The most recent NextGen vlog highlights Cafe Linnea.
• Sylvia Cheverie from Chartier is interviewed on this week’s episode of Let’s Do Coffee, a podcast about entrepreneurship.

Urban Agriculture and Farming

• The Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association is offering an Introductory Fruit Production workshop, all about fruit production and its economics in Alberta. Tickets are $50.

Beyond Edmonton

• The new Canada Food Guide has finally been released. For the most part, the reviews have been positive, and I’m a fan of the healthy eating habits included along with the food guidelines (here’s one opinion, from Food Network chef Laura Caulder).
• CBC’s Great Canadian Baking Show is accepting applications for their third season. The deadline to apply is March 10, 2019.

What I Ate

• Congratulations to Cora’s who officially opened their downtown Edmonton location on Wednesday, located at 10041 106 Street (in the Days Inn). Emily and I were happy to be part of the festivities!

Enjoying our Cora’s breakfast

• I’m always happy to see more ramen options available in the core, so I had to try Jang’s version, available on their lunch menu. I loved the miso beef broth, and of course, the house-made noodles were perfect, as would be expected from the sister restaurant to Nudoru.

Gyu ramen from Jang

• Mack and I found ourselves near the University of Alberta today, and took advantage of this proximity to check out the (no longer new) digs of Filistix in the Students’ Union Building. Their food always hits the spot, and I’m looking forward to their downtown location opening later this year (they’re hoping for April).

Comfort food from Filistix

• Chinatown Dining Week came to a close over the weekend. Mack and I snuck in one more meal at Padmanadi – it was a happy coincidence that my favourite dish (the ginger beef) made it onto the menu! If you attended Chinatown Dining Week this year, please consider filling in this survey – the results will help with the planning of future events. Thank you!

Curry chicken and ginger beef at Padmanadi

The Plight of Kitchen Labour

Chef Paul Shufelt of Workshop Eatery used his latest column in the Edmonton Sun last week to discuss the challenges faced by cooks trying to make a respectable wage: “Our system is broken, those that tell you otherwise are lying. Sadly though, until we all agree to change the way we do business…talented young cooks will continue to give up, in pursuit of something a little more financially rewarding.” He was also interviewed on Global Edmonton about his thoughts on chef compensation.

Openings

• A new bubble tea chain from China called Heeretea has opened in Old Strathcona, at 11116 82 Avenue.
• A location of the chain Delicious Pho is now open in the MNP Tower (101 Street & 102 Avenue).
• The Raymond Block at Whyte Avenue and 105 Street will soon house a Blaze Pizza and Five Guys, but another location of Remedy Cafe will open on February 2, 2019. The location will include a chai brewery.
• More of a re-opening – Austrian restaurant The Bauernschmaus is open again after a renovation.

Upcoming Events

• La Poutine Week is returning on February 1-7, 2019, providing an opportunity for participating restaurants to showcase a signature poutine. While it claims to be a national event, representation throughout Canada is spotty, with Winnipeg actually claiming the quantitative crown.
• Are you interested in opening a microbrewery? The City of Edmonton is hosting a free information session on February 12, 2019 that will include reps from AGLC.
• NAIT is hosting a Junior Chefs’ Valentine’s Dinner on February 12, 2019. Tickets for the 3-course meal are $65.
• Motley Que Barbeque is hosting an Introduction to BBQ class on March 10, 2019. Tickets start at $110.
• Hot Chefs Cool Beats is returning after a hiatus. It will take place on April 25, 2019 at the Mosaic Centre. Early bird tickets are priced at $125 and are available until February 1, 2019. I attended the inaugural event back in 2012.

Reviews

• Leduc and Stephanie previewed Gangnam Street Food.
• Graham is the latest to rave about Partake.
• The Journal reviewed Noorish, which revamped both its menu and decor.
• Crystal shared her experience of the Omakase meal at Japonais, and of the revamped happy hour menu at Joey’s.

Local News

• Mojojojo Pickles, a mainstay at local farmers’ markets, will have one final hurrah at the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market next week. Thankfully, their products are stocked at many local businesses, so you’ll still be able to get your briny fix!
• David Staples profiled serial restaurant entrepreneur Tatsuo Asai, who most recently opened Tokiwa Ramen.
• Western Living says that “Edmonton’s food scene is killing it right now”.
• Did you know there is a so-called “fourth wave” of coffee? Edmonton Made makes the case that some local cafes fall into this category.
• Sharman recapped the recent Prairie on a Plate dinner at Under the High Wheel.
• Linda highlighted ten Vietnamese entrepreneurs in Edmonton, including the owners behind An Chay, Pho Boy, and XO Bistro + Bar.
• There’s a new app available called Tomati that provides information on restaurant health inspection reports.
• The Silver Skate Festival, running February 8-18, 2019, is looking for more food vendors. Applications are due January 25, 2019.

What I Ate

• I had to hit up at least one Chinatown Dining Week restaurant this weekend! Su and I met up at Fuqing Lanzhou Noodles on Friday, and found it to be a full house by the time we left! We really enjoyed their hand-pulled noodles, nestled among the beef cubes and broth. Chinatown Dining Week runs until January 27, 2019.

Noodles, beef cubes and beef bone soup at Fuqing Lanzhou Noodles

Edmonton’s First Multi-Day Indoor Farmers’ Market

The discussion about the need for a year-round multi-day farmers’ market in our city has been going on for years. Calgary has several such markets (we’ll leave their tendency to be a one-stop produce shop aside for the time being), but neither the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market or the City Market have been able to meet this demand. Enter a new player: Bountiful Markets, to be located on the south side at 3696 97 Street. Features include an ethnic food hall and space for 140 vendors. Riverbend Gardens has already signed on as a tenant. They hope to open in May or June of 2019.

Openings

• Pink Gorilla Pizzeria, which took over the former Parkallen Restaurant at 7018 109 Street, opened over the weekend. It’s the second restaurant from Mark Bellows and Ryan Brodziak of The Local Omnivore. The Journal has a preview of some of the pizzas available.
• Also on the pizza front, Artisti Pizzeria opened in Holland Plaza last week at 11998 109A Avenue.
• Al Centro opened its doors over the weekend, with soft opening hours continuing this week. Find them at 9888 Jasper Avenue.
• Amore Pasta’s downtown location at 10235 101 Street in the MNP Tower opened today! They had to delay their opening a week due to mechanical issues.
• A new coffee shop in Jagare Ridge called Caffiend Coffee is opening on January 18, 2019 at 14132 28 Avenue SW.
• Gangnam Street Food has delayed their opening to January 24, 2019. Lydia has a photolog of what to expect.
• Nello’s in St. Albert is opening a location in downtown Edmonton in the space formerly occupied by his father’s restaurant, Il Pasticcio (11520 100 Avenue). Some may remember back in 2013, Nello’s tried their hand at a space in Grandin (now The Butternut Tree), but was unsuccessful.
• The brewpub that will open in the former Characters space now has a name: Campio Brewing.
• Ritchie has developed into a hot neighbourhood for new food shops over the past two years. Another business to join the fray – Kind Ice Cream, which will offer small batch ice cream (including vegan options). They hope to open in the spring.

Closures

• Solstice Seasonal Cuisine is closing on February 16, 2019. The owners are looking into opening a new concept in the space by the end of the year, but in the meantime, Solstice will still be offering their food via Skip the Dishes, and use the restaurant as an event space.
• The downtown location of the Three Amigos has closed.

Upcoming Events

• Otto is hosting the next Swine & Dine dinner on January 31, 2019. Tickets for the 4-course meal are $55.
• Tickets to Avenue’s Best Restaurants event on March 18, 2019 are now available. They are $50 each.
• The Edmonton International Beerfest sets up shop at the Shaw Conference Centre on March 22-23, 2019. Advance admission tickets are $19.

Reviews

• Twyla raved about the food and drinks at Partake.
• Graham was less than impressed with Chef Hung’s Taiwanese Beef Noodles.

Local News

• The Journal covered Chinatown Dining Week, which runs January 17-27, 2019.
• In case you missed it, The Yards selected the winners for their forth annual Best in the Core awards, which features many hidden and not-so-hidden gems in Downtown and Oliver.
• Chef Ben Staley’s previous restaurant Alder Room was featured in Truth, Love & Clean Cutlery, a “guide to the world’s truly exemplary, organic, sustainable, and ethical restaurants”.
• Love Pizza has opened up their business to franchise partners.
• The latest webisode of Fast Food features Filistix’s Ariel Del Rosario’s chicken and pork adobo.
• Chef Steve Buzak of the Royal Glenora Club placed second along with his teammate in an international ice carving competition in Harbin, China.
• The newest episode of The Edmonton Community Foundation’s Well Endowed Podcast features an interview with Jon Hall and Twyla Campbell. They discuss the biography of Chef Gail Hall that they published late last year.

What I Ate

• Our Chinatown Dining Week team met at Kanto 98 St. Eatery last week, where I tried their incredibly addictive garlic fried rice for the first time. It won’t be my last time.

Our meal at Kanto

• It was definitely a Love Pizza kind of night on Friday – Mack and I have been looking forward to the return of the mac & cheeza for almost a year! It was just as delicious as we remembered.

Mac & cheeza from Love Pizza

• Mack, Emily, and I stopped in at Al Centro on Saturday on our way home from the City Market. They were clearly in soft opening mode, but we decided to sample one of their pizzas on offer – they have the distinction of being Edmonton’s first Roman pizza bar. The slice was just under $6, which was on the pricey side, but we did really enjoy the crust – it held up nicely and had a great chew.

Potato and bacon pizza from Al Centro

• Heading to Deep Freeze on the weekend was a good excuse to finally visit The Green Onion Cake Man! We tried their hot and sour soup and of course their namesake item. The shop has added even more items since Linda reviewed them in the fall – check out the full menu.

Green onion cakes and hot and sour soup from The Green Onion Cake Man

• This isn’t “what I ate” so much as a “where I could eat” – has anyone else noticed that the Courtyard Marriott has winterized their tables overlooking the North Saskatchewan River? I spotted these a few weeks ago on the funicular, but didn’t have the chance to check them out until the weekend. They can seat up to six, and there are blankets for warmth. Staff weren’t certain they’d hold up on very cold days, but on sunny afternoons, they definitely trap heat. Worth a look for those seeking winter patios!

The Riverside Bistro patio at the Courtyard Marriott

Happy New Year! I hope you enjoyed the holidays – I know we did. Christmas does seem more magical with a little one around! I am playing a bit of catch up with these notes, however, as I’ve missed a couple of weeks. Regular readers will also notice a slightly new format. I might still tweak the categories here and there in the weeks to come, but I hope these changes will make it easier to read!

Chinatown Dining Week Returns

The second annual Chinatown Dining Week runs from January 17-27, 2019. Like last year, all restaurants are offering 2-course dinners for $15. With 8 participating restaurants, including Kanto 98 St. and Padmanadi, there is something for everyone on the menu! Learn more about the new restaurants on board, and whet your appetite with the menus here.

Openings

• Amore Pasta is opening its second location downtown at 10235 101 Street on January 7, 2019. From the folks behind Cafe Amore and Black Pearl, this quick-serve eatery will offer made-to-order pastas from a selection of sauces, vegetables, and proteins. Interestingly enough, they’ll also be open for breakfast during the week; Amore Pasta is open weekdays from 8am-9pm and on weekends from 11am-9pm. Leduc has a preview of what to expect.
• Pink Gorilla Pizza, which has taken over the space formerly occupied by Parkallen Restaurant, will be aiming to open on January 12, 2019. It’s a new restaurant from the folks behind The Local Omnivore.
• There’s yet another new microbrewery opening called SYC Brewing Co. They’re celebrating their grand opening with a party on January 12, 2018. Tickets are $20 which includes a flight of beers and food from Smokehouse BBQ.
• Gangnam Street Food is a forthcoming addition to the “K-Mall” area, at #15, 9261 34 Avenue. They will be opening on January 14, 2018.
• I’m a huge fan of Todd’s sourdough breads, so am eagerly awaiting Brio Bakery’s brick and mortar storefront, located in the Oliver Exchange Building at 12021 102 Avenue. They’re hoping for a January opening.
• Dauphine has finally opened their new bakery and cafe in Montrose, located at 6005 120 Avenue. Some may remember their beautiful space on 104 Street which closed back in 2016. Linda and Paul have already begun serving brunch, too!
• Copper Branch, the latest plant-based franchise to land in Edmonton, is now open downtown at 10316 Jasper Avenue.
• Curry Vibes is now open in the Mayfair, at 10827 Jasper Avenue.

Closures

• The Sequel Cafe has shuttered, but has announced that they plan to reopen in the core in the future.
• I was sorry to hear about the closing of El Rancho, one of my go-to eateries on Alberta Avenue.
• Holy Roller is currently closed for renovations and will reopen with a new concept.
• Cally’s Teas in Old Strathcona is also now closed.

Upcoming Events

• The first Taste Alberta Prairie on a Plate dinner will take place January 17, 2019 at Under the High Wheel. Tickets for the 4-course meal are $65.
• The Hotel Macdonald is hosting a Grand High Tea Celebration on January 26, 2019 to celebrate the launch of their custom tea blend. A Master Tea Sommelier will be on hand. Tickets are $75 per person.

Reviews

• The Journal finds a lot to like at Three Vikings.
• Crystal shared her thoughts on 104 Street newcomer Aarde, High Street bar Partake, and Sherwood Park restaurant Mexico Lindo.
• Graham is enthusiastic about the breakfasts served at OEB.
• Sharon has a pair of posts about Tokyo Noodle Shop and Sushi Wasabi.
• Leduc posted his experience of the “road trip” tasting menu at RGE RD.

Local News

• Where Edmonton released its 2018 Best Restaurant Awards. Among the honours, they named named Noi Le the best new restaurant.
• The brownie from Sugared and Spiced was officially crowned the winner of the 2018 Snack Checker on CBC!
• Nominations for The Tomato’s annual list of Best Things to Eat or Drink in Edmonton is now open and closes February 5, 2019.
• Liane covered the origins of Eat Local, new food magazine that launched in Edmonton in December.
• Graham is of the opinion that tipping is out of control.
• Linda has a great read on what businesses should consider when working with social media influencers.
• The High Level Diner’s Kim Franklin is retiring from the restaurant.
• Katy Ingraham shared the journey that led her to owning Cartago.
• Avenue Edmonton published profiles of Bloom Cookie Co. and Caffe Sole.
• Did you know that Rogue Wave offers coffee subscriptions?
• Phil’s latest Fast Food webisode features RGE RD’s Chef Davina Moraiko’s recipe for a mushroom burger.

Year in Review

• Liane has a great look back at Edmonton’s 2018 in food.
• CBC Edmonton’s food team selects their favourite dishes and drinks in 2018.
• Graham recalls some of his favourite dishes from the past year.
• Crystal ranked her top 24 Edmonton eateries for 2018.
• Linda rounds up her year of eating out in Edmonton.
• Eat North has a round-up of the 10 most memorable dishes in Alberta.

Urban Agriculture and Farming

• There is currently a wait list for those hoping to raise urban hens in Edmonton.
• The Journal profiled Nisku-based mushroom farm Gruger Family Fungi.
• An Edmonton-based company called Future Fields is working on growing chicken products to feed the need for cultured meat.

Beyond Edmonton

• An obligatory food predictions post from the Times about what we’ll be eating more of in 2019.

What I Ate

• I finally had the chance to order some doughnuts from Apollo Donuts to try (they’re available by pre-order only, for pick-up on their production days at Transcend or The Colombian). I really liked their blackberry yuzu glaze.

Apollo Donuts

• I’m determined to eat my way through OEB’s breakfast poutines, and so far, the confit de canard is my favourite! It was still as busy as ever last week, but as they do offer reservations on weekdays, I’d highly recommend planning ahead if possible.

Confit de Canard at OEB

• Mack, Emily, and I managed to sneak in for the brunch at Northern Chicken at the end of December. Their biscuits are unreal – I really enjoyed the breakfast sandwich featuring a sausage patty, egg, and cheese.

Breakfast sandwich at Northern Chicken

• Edmonton is home to a new food-focused magazine called Eat Local. Their inaugural issue can now be found at a number of locations in the city.
• The Cave Paleo Beastro opened in mid-November at 102, 6104 104 Street.
• Pampa’s third Edmonton location in the west end is now open at 17020 100 Avenue.
• Cora’s now has a location Downtown that just opened at 10041 106 Street.
• Edmonton’s newest brewery is Omen Brewing (9942 67 Avenue), having opened in early December. Listen to an Edmonton AM segment to learn more about them.
• The folks behind Hanjan will be opening a new Korean restaurant called Let’s Go Round Two on December 21, 2018. They claim to offer Edmonton’s first tableside tablet ordering system.
• The space that currently houses Characters will be reborn after December 31, 2018 as a bistro/brewery as it has been leased to Bear Hill Brewing Company.
• Kitchen by Brad’s annual holiday sale takes place on December 21, 2018 at #101, 10130 105 Street. Pick up some last-minute stocking stuffers or hostess gifts!
• Chartier is offering up samples of their sourdough starter on December 21, 2018 in exchange for a donation to the Chantal Berube Youth Centre.
• The second annual Chinatown Dining Week returns January 17-27, 2019 with 5 new participating restaurants! Menus will be released on January 7, 2019.
• Save the date: Hot Chefs, Cool Beats is returning on April 25, 2019.
• CBC explores Nook Cafe’s innovative approach to serving Edmonton’s vulnerable population.
• The Journal reviewed Jang.
• Twyla is the latest to rave about Kanu.
• Graham is disappointed with the quality during his most recent visit to Solstice Seasonal Cuisine.
• Crystal sampled the classic fare at Jack’s Drive-In in Spruce Grove.
• On the heels of Linda’s giveaways, Andrea is also celebrating her love of local food with 12 days of giveaways.
• A new Korean grocer is open on the southside called A-Mart at 9251 34 Avenue.
• NAIT will be opening a new Centre for Culinary Innovation in summer 2019.
• My family met up for dinner at Formosa Bistro, a Taiwanese restaurant on the south side. We enjoyed the food, but most dishes really weren’t intended for family-style sharing (broth-based noodle dishes in particular). The standout was their popcorn chicken, crispy and well seasoned.

Popcorn chicken from Formosa Bistro

• I was fortunate to have two meals at King Noodle House in two weeks! You can never have too much Bun Bo Hue.

My standard at King Noodle House

• There’s a new spot for ramen that just opened on the south side called Menjiro Ramen, located at 109, 2920 Calgary Trail.
• Via Cindy, I just learned about a new Northern Chinese restaurant called Luscious Kitchen, located at Unit 2, 9261 34 Avenue.
• Graham reports that the family behind Parkallen Retaurant has sold the building but hopes to reopen the restaurant elsewhere.
• Prairie Noodle is hosting a “throwback to 2015” pop-up party on December 15, 2018, where they will be offering their ramen bowls at 2015 prices.
• The second Fox Burger pop-up is scheduled for December 17, 2018 at Salz. Reservations are required.
• The Tourtiere Baking Contest returns to Deep Freeze on January 13, 2019. Prizes will be awarded to the top three tourtieres! The deadline to enter is January 10.
• Famoso is currently participating in a campaign for Mealshare – with every jar of Campania Tomato Sauce sold until December 31, 2018, meals will be provided to youth in Edmonton.
• I wasn’t aware that The Hallway Cafe (located in City Hall) also has a suspended coffee/pay-it-forward program similar to The Nook Cafe!
• A fire at Zar Zor restaurant in the north side is under investigation.
• Graham submitted a rave review for Kanu.
• Leduc was hoping for more from Wilfred’s.
• Sharman recapped the latest Swine and Dine dinner prepared by Drift at the Shamrock Curling Club (their home over the winter).
• Phil is the host of a new CBC web series called Fast Food that focuses on what chefs like to cook at home. The first episode features Chef Steven Brochu of Chartier.
• A new kitchen facility has opened at NorQuest College to accommodate a Foundations of Cooking program. The centre will also host one-day cooking classes that are open to the public.
• We’ve seen restaurants in the #yegfood scene move away from policies that eliminated tips – Grub Street has a breakdown of why this has been the trend in the US.
• Trusted Freshness is a growing Edmonton-based vegetable greenhouse that operates on a franchising model.
• We aren’t able to pop into King Noodle House as often as we used to, but it means we appreciate the Bun Bo Hue even more when we do make it in!

Start ‘em young…

• More details have emerged for Al Centro, the Roman-style pizza bar from the folks behind Da Capo. Located at 9888 Jasper Avenue, they will be selling pizza by-the-slice and work to develop the aperetivo culture in Edmonton (think Italian happy hour). They’ve launched a crowd-funding campaign with the hopes that the community can help them across the finish line.
• An H-Mart is finally set to open in Edmonton – there were rumours of one opening on Calgary Trail in the space that Whole Foods was to occupy, but that hasn’t come to pass yet. It seems one can now be expected in spring 2019 in the former Sobeys location in College Plaza.
• Hurrah – Bloom Cookie’s brick and mortar location is now open! Find them at 10350 124 Street.
• The Tea Girl will be closing its doors on December 29, 2018, but will continue to sell its teas online.
• Characters has been sold and will close after December 31, 2018.
• Cafe Bicyclette has one of the most picturesque winter patios in the city. They’re kicking off the season with a party and Christmas Bazaar on December 7, 2018.
• The next Northern Bites experience is Italian inspired, which includes a lesson on how to make chicken Parmesan at Pasta Pantry. Tickets to the January 28, 2019 event are $70.
• Vue featured a story about how Lui-Chi’s permanent location came to be after running as a mobile espresso cart for a year.
• The Edmonton AM Snackchecker score tally has been updated. The brownie from Sugared and Spiced still reins supreme.
• Twyla posted a rave review for Formosa Bistro’s Taiwanese cuisine.
• Baijiu is the focus of Scott Lingley’s last review for Vue (the paper announced it was ceasing publication at the end of November).
• Crystal sees some room for improvement at Town Square Brewing.
• Lydia found the food at Loft Thai Eatery to be overly sweet.
• The Journal reviewed the long-standing Ukrainian restaurant Uncle Ed’s in Beverly.
• Linda’s launched her second year of Christmas food giveaways, with some amazing prizes for 24 days in December.
• Perfect for the chocolate-lover in your life, Jacek is offering a chocolate subscription made up of 5 shipments throughout 2019. The $250 gift is only available until December 8, 2018.
• Whimsical Cupcakes provided the set of a Christmas movie about a bakery filmed in Edmonton earlier this year.
• There’s a new farmers’ market in town – the Ottewell Artisan Farmers’ Market started in early November. It operates year-round on Thursdays from 4-7pm.at 7211 96A Avenue.
• The Alberta Government is amending the Occupational Health and Safety Code on January 1, 2019 to ensure servers and bartending staff won’t have to wear unsafe footwear (read: high heels).
• Buffets never photograph well, but I enjoyed the dinner buffet at Namaste India’s Chinatown location. The price also can’t be beat – they’re currently offering a 15% discount on their lunch (regular $15) and dinner (regular $20) prices.

My first helping at Namaste India

• Since having Emily, Mack and I haven’t been to Route 99 as often. So in some ways having a baby has been good for our health.

Our Route 99 usual

• The first ever Winter Whyte Light Up on December 1, 2018 from 4-6pm means that the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market will be open for extended hours.
• Two Sergeants, a brewery that relocated from Fort Saskatchewan to Edmonton, opened over the weekend at 11817 105 Avenue.
• A new Indian restaurant, Coriander Cuisine, is now open in McKernan at 11214 76 Avenue.
• Nut roaster Mezos Roastery has a brand new second location in Edmonton City Centre next to Mr. Pretzel on the second floor.
• Solstice is now offering lunch through Skip the Dishes. With the continued rise of food delivery services, it will be interesting to see if more dinner-only restaurants opt for this.
• A Delicious Pho is coming soon to Oxford Tower (10025 102A Avenue).
• Cacao 70 Eatery’s location on Whyte is hosting a grand opening on December 1, 2018. They’ll be serving up $1 hot chocolates.
• CBC interviewed Sabeeh Farooqui, the man behind YEGHalal, a great #yegfood resource.
• The Dive Bar, an old-style tavern, had an increase in patrons during the Grey Cup Festival.
• Remedy Cafe was in the news this week for posting a “zero tolerance for panhandling” sign on its Downtown location.
• Cibo Bistro co-owner Lisa Caputo writes that Alberta should ban mandatory high heels for servers in restaurants.
• Graham will be reviewing plant-based restaurants over the next three weeks. First up: a positive meal at Die Pie.
• Crystal shared her recent experience at Prairie Noodle Shop.
• Twyla espoused her love for Cibo Bistro.
• Those hoping to stock their freezers with Fuge Meat sausages should head over to Otto on November 27, 2018 for a flash sale.
• Vue covered a local company called Hope Innovations has launched a crowdfunding campaign for their indoor “plug and play” garden.

• Inspired by the fruit and veggie sales hosted by Food4Good in the west end, the All Saints Cathedral located at 10035 103 Street has started its own discounted produce sale (an article about the market’s origins appear in The Messenger). The Manna Market takes place weekly on Wednesdays from 2-5pm – follow them on Twitter for updates.
• Colleen Heidecker of Colleen’s Chocolates will be leading wine and chocolate pairing sessions via Inspire YEG on November 29 and December 12, 2018 at Rebel Food and Drink. Tickets are $100.
• The next Swine & Dine event on November 29, 2018 will be hosted by Drift at their winter location, the Shamrock Curling Club. Tickets for the 4-course menu are $45.
• Meat Street Pies is returning to the City Market at City Hall to lead several gingerbread house workshops before Christmas. Kits are priced at $27 and dates include December 1, 8, and 15, 2018.
• Speaking of gingerbread houses, if building one isn’t up your alley, consider checking out the masterpieces created by the Hotel Macdonald and Duchess (in the shape of Hogwarts).
• The second annual Northern Lands Prairie Collective Holiday Market runs December 2, 2018 at the Prairie Gardens & Adventure Farm. In addition to local food vendors (including RGE RD), guests can tour a greenhouse, taste spirits, and enjoy roasted chestnuts.
• Lui-Chi’s Coffee has opened its storefront cafe on the main floor of the Phipps-Mckinnon Building at 10020 101A Avenue. They’re known for their whiskey barrel aged coffee; they also serve up Arno’s French Pastry.
• A second location of nut purveyor Mezos Roastery will be opening at Edmonton City Centre.
• Hopscotch, an Ontario-based chain of Freshii-type quick-serve restaurants, is opening several Edmonton locations, starting with an outlet at West Edmonton Mall.
• Bloom Cookie Company had to delay the opening of their 124 Street bakery – follow them on Twitter for the latest updates.
• The Hotel Macdonald has released their annual festive season brochure, with information about their popular teas and buffets.
• Vue Weekly announced that it will cease operations at the end of November. Like many other local writers, I also previously contributed to Vue, and have fond memories of the Dish section. It’s unfortunate, but hopefully food blogs and other media outlets that cover food can continue in its wake.
• The New York Bagel Cafe had to fend off some bad press this week after a customer posted a receipt that she had been charged $3.50 for lemon water.
• The contestants on The Great Canadian Baking Show shared their favourite local bakeries – all three Edmonton-area bakers chose Duchess.
• Sharon posted about her meal at a new fried chicken joint in the southside, Alberta Fried Chicken (1260 25 Avenue).
• Graham raved about the food served at Blowers & Grafton.
• The Journal reviewed the plant-based offerings of Kanu.
• Crystal wrote a pair of posts about Wilfred’s and Red Star Pub.
• Vue Weekly paid Nudoru a visit.
• Like Love Pizza, Seoul Fried Chicken will be starting its own delivery service after exhausting all other options.
• Linda shared this great piece in Thrillist about the unintended consequences of elevating some small restaurants to regional or national fame.
• It’s a bit dangerous having Rostizado just down the street from us – and their delicious La Mision burritos just a few clicks away for take-out. Packed with meat, beans, and cheese, they’re a great deal at $12.50, via Foodora.

Chicken burritos from Rostizado

• The second annual Too Many Cooks collaboration dinner is scheduled for December 2, 2018. Proceeds will go towards the Bissell Centre’s community kitchen. Tickets for the 12-course drink paired dinner are $200, and features a dozen different chefs from some of the city’s best restaurants, including Baijiu, Biera, RGE RD, and XIX Nineteen.
• Bloom, known for their vegan cookies sold at a number of farmers’ markets in the city, are finally ready to open their storefront bakery! Find them at 10350 124 Street. Although the official opening date is November 20, their soft opening is taking place on November 17, 2018 from 12-5pm. November 15, 2018 update: unfortunately, Bloom has had to delay their opening.
• Liane has more information about the new north side location of Louisiana Purchase that opened up earlier this fall.
• Vue shares the story behind OEB’s first location in Edmonton.
• Twyla enjoyed the steaks at DOSC but expected better from the rest of the menu.
• Graham was hoping for more from Buok Fresh Korean Kitchen.
• Crystal wasn’t wowed by the vegan buns from Cinnaholic.
• Also from Crystal, she recapped the most recent “gourmai dumpling pop-up” hosted by MasterChef Canada finalist Mai Nguyen.
• Congratulations to Russell Bird (from Sherwood Park) who placed third in the ribs category at the World Food Championships!
• Twyla has a list of all of the locations where you can purchase her biography of Gail Hall titled Maps, Markets, and Matzo Ball Soup.
• If you’re looking for Christmas gift ideas, Linda has a great one – a do-it-yourself beer advent calendar.
• Aarde, advertising its vegetable-forward cuisine with Dutch influences, opened last week at 10184 104 Street. Leduc previewed what to expect.

Aarde interior

• Mack and I were fortunate to spend part of last week in Kananaskis. On the way down, we stopped for lunch at one of our favourite places – the Simmons Building in Calgary. We grabbed some sandwiches from Sidewalk Citizen, where I am never disappointed.

Roasted chicken salad sandwich from Sidewalk Citizen