Food Notes for August 13, 2018

My sister is getting married this weekend, so a heads up that there won’t be any Food Notes next week. I hope you’re making the most of these last few weeks of summer too! On to this week’s food notes:

  • The Fringe starts later this week – if you’re curious about the food available, consider subscribing to Taproot Edmonton’s Fringe roundup. I have it on good authority that edible fare will be mentioned!
  • Why Not’s Art & Brunch Club is back with a hip-hop edition on August 26, 2018.
  • The final Eats on 118 this year takes place on August 29, 2018, and will tour four female-led businesses in the neighbourhood. Tickets are $47. I attended the first event earlier this summer and had a great time.
  • Congratulations to Biera, Bundok, and Kanto who made the long list of En Route’s annual Best New Restaurants list.
  • The Sweet Pea Cafe and Playhouse is now open at 14238 85 Avenue.
  • Smokehouse BBQ has relocated to 15960 109 Avenue.
  • The Alder Room has closed its doors, but chef/owner Ben Staley is hopeful the restaurant will return in the future in a new location.
  • Transcend Coffee’s Garneau location has undergone a makeover.
  • Graham has nothing but praise for Wildfred’s.
  • Crystal checked out the happy hour specials at Silk Bar & Kitchen.
  • The Journal reviewed Sherwood Park’s La Patrona.
  • Vue Weekly paid a visit to Sweet Mango.
  • Sustainable Food Edmonton is organizing a community bike tour of four local gardens on August 25, 2018. The activity is free, but pre-registration is required.
  • A report for the Edmonton Regional Metropolitan Board indicates that the agriculture system in the area may be “reaching a tipping point”. The board will be voting on an agricultural vision this fall.
  • The perfect opportunity to finally try Cacao 70 came in the mail – a coupon offering a free chocolate-dipped cone! The sweltering conditions also made it a great day for ice cream.

Cacao 70

Dark chocolate dipped cone at Cacao 70

  • I love the brunch at Meat – my go-to beef brisket benny never disappoints.

Meat

Beef brisket benny

  • I had lunch at Wishbone for the first time today; their double beef burger is a beauty. The brioche bun and processed cheese made it stand out.

Wishbone

Double beef burger at Wishbone

Food Notes for August 6, 2018

  • Get Cooking’s final Burger Club on August 8, 2018 is a Prairie on the Plate feature, with four Alberta raised proteins on the menu.
  • Alberta Local Food Week could be a good excuse as any for a road trip to check out what we can grow in the province – check out the list of events running August 12-19, 2018, including Open Farm Days, August 18-19.
  • Speaking of Open Farm Days, Northlands has consistently offered the best, most value-driven farm tours, particularly attractive for those who can’t, or would prefer not to, drive to area farms – the cost is just $5 or $10 per person. Check out the line-up of tours this year, and read about the tour I attended last year.
  • Kingsway Mall is hosting their first ever Food Truck Fare on August 17 and 18, 2018, in the parking lot by Homesense and Starbucks.
  • The last What the Truck?! of the season will take place on August 26, 2018 at RE/MAX Field (formerly known as Edmonton Ballpark), with 15 trucks to whet your appetite.
  • Great to hear that Filistix will not only continue to have a kiosk at the University of Alberta campus (in the Students’ Union Building), but they will also be opening a location Downtown at 10621 100 Avenue later this year.
  • Look for a Downtown branch of Amore Pasta to open in the Oxford Tower (100 Street & 102A Avenue) this fall.
  • Buok Fresh Korean Kitchen is now open at 10707 100 Avenue.
  • The first (but likely not last) of the “ghost kitchens” we’ll see in Edmonton – La Mision (from the folks behind Tres Carnales and Rostizado), are offering their burritos exclusively through Foodora.
  • The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald’s “hot dog cart” is the nicest such cart I’ve ever seen – hopefully it’ll be out more before summer’s end.
  • Vue Weekly casts a spotlight on the recently opened DOSC (Drunken Ox, Sober Cat).
  • Learn more about Camola, the bug-based vendor found at numerous local farmers’ markets.
  • Twyla is the latest to review Blowers & Grafton, and their menu of “Halifax street food”.
  • Graham was impressed by the “timeless, yet contemporized” menu at Halley’s Club, the 20s-inspired restaurant/dance hall at West Edmonton Mall.
  • Avenue recommends the brunch at Greenland Garden Centre in Sherwood Park, and highlights St. Albert’s Riverband Bistro.
  • Congratulations to Rogue Wave Coffee who hope to be opening up their cafe and roasterie this week at 11322 119 Street (check their social media for confirmation). We stopped by on Sunday, and though they weren’t officially open, we were welcomed into the space anyway. Check them out!

Rogue Wave Coffee

Rogue Wave Coffee

  • Liberia, Venezuela, and Eritrea, were recognized for their food at this year’s Heritage Festival. While I didn’t try anything from the first two countries, I can vouch for the stewed meat and lentils (served with injera) from Eritrea.

Heritage Festival

Stewed meat and lentils from Eritrea

  • While running errands last week on the south side, Mack and I stopped at Artistic Bake Shop for the first time. The soft pretzels have to be one of the most underrated deals in Edmonton – just $1.50 and delicious!

Artistic Bake Shop

Pretzel from Artistic Bake Shop

Food Notes for July 30, 2018

I had it in my head that we were only at mid-July; maybe it’s just my mind trying to hold on to our fleeting summer! Hope you’re making the most of it, too. On to this week’s food notes:

  • The fifth annual Grand Taste Tour has been rescheduled to August 18, 2018. Tickets are available for the full tour, or for dinner only.
  • The Hotel Macdonald is hosting an “Around the World” dinner on August 24, 2018. The seven course meal will transport diners across the seven continents. Tickets are $100.
  • NAIT is hosting a Menu of Modern Art Four fundraising dinner on September 8, 2018, featuring chefs including Paul Shufelt, Eric Hanson, and Serge Belair, among others. Early bird tickets are $75.
  • CBC is hosting a contest to recruit an official judge for the Heritage Festival. The prize includes 140 food tickets and golf cart transportation on the grounds. You’ll have to tune in to Edmonton AM this week to enter.
  • Also from Edmonton AM, they invited Leduc to speak about his experience with the backlash that came with a negative Instagram review of The Common.
  • The folks behind Cartago are also hoping to open a deli next to their pub in Forest Heights, but residents are against relaxing the parking requirements they need.
  • Sorry to hear that Daravara has closed its doors as of July 28, 2018.
  • Vue shares how 720 Sweets sets themselves apart in the soft serve game.
  • Sharon tried the Filipino cuisine offered at Casa Laurel Kitchen.
  • The Journal hoped for more consistency with the food at Wilfred’s.
  • Cindy writes all about her go-to dishes at Kanto.
  • Vue Weekly is among the first to review Fumaca, the second Brazilian steakhouse to open in the city.
  • Twyla’s latest review brings her to KB & Company.
  • Jonny has an overview of the board game cafes in Edmonton.
  • Global interviewed Chef Blair Lebsack about their upcoming Forage to Table dinner, and the forthcoming database to be set up by the Alberta Culinary Tourism Alliance to connect foragers and chefs.
  • There’s still a couple of opportunities to learn more about the urban hives at MacEwan in August. Tours are free.
  • Mack, Emily, and I headed to Taste of Edmonton again last week to use up the remainder of our tickets. Some highlights included the mushroom risotto at Solstice (they had run out of the beef cheek at that point), the beignets at Wishbone, and the yemisir kik wot (spicy lentils) from Langano Skies.

Taste of Edmonton

Spicy lentils and injera from Langano Skies (a bonus of bringing your own container to the festival is that some vendors load it up!)

  • It’s been some time since my last meal at Padmanadi, but the ginger beef was just as tasty as I remembered.

Padmanadi

Ginger beef from Padmanadi

  • We had a fun time at Huma over the weekend to help Linda celebrate her birthday!

Huma

Gringa from Huma

    Food Notes for July 23, 2018

    • The YEG Food Crawl in Chinatown is back, running August 2, 2018. The $40 ticket includes visits to four restaurants.
    • Just in time to get you geared up for the Heritage Festival, running August 4-6, 2018, check out the latest Seconds, Please! episode all about the festival.
    • Eat Alberta will be hosting a farm-to-table dinner in partnership with Redtail Farm on August 11, 2018. Contact them for more information.
    • Workshop Eatery is again hosting a Garden Party to benefit the Canadian Culinary Fund. Tickets for the August 16, 2018 event are $100, and include a 4-course meal and wine pairing.
    • There are lots of great activities to check out during Alberta Open Farms Days, running August 18-19, 2018. One to consider is Parkland County’s Local Farm Trail; in addition to self-guided tours they’ve also organized a guided bus excursion. Early bird tickets (purchased before July 27) are $35.
    • It looks like Buok Fresh Kitchen will be open next week, located at 10707 100 Avenue.
    • Rogue Wave Coffee is on the cusp of opening their new roasterie and tasting bar at 11322 119 Street. Check their website for updates!
    • As I posted over the weekend, DOSC (Drunken Ox Sober Cat) is now open in the historic Metals Building at 10190 104 Street. The soft opening menus are now online on their Facebook page.
    • Blowers & Grafton, offering “Halifax street food” is now open at 10550 82 Avenue. Vue discusses what you can expect.
    • A new brewery called Analog Brewing is now open in Edmonton.
    • If you’re at K-Days this week, make sure to check out the local vendors in “Eat at the Grand” in the Expo Centre, which features local shops like Meuwly’s, Why Not Cafe, and Sandwich and Sons, among others.
    • K-Days has also crowned their new midway food winners – this year, the Mexican Street Style Corn placed first.
    • Should we call it cheese plate-gate? Last week, Leduc of Let’s Eat YEG was subjected to some online backlash after he shared his opinion about a recent experience at The Common.
    • Arcadia has added meat items to its menu.
    • Vue Weekly has more details about the forthcoming gluten, soy, and dairy-free restaurant, The Cave.
    • Learn more about Boyle Street Eats, a social enterprise food truck.
    • Jonny shares his brief impression of Yelo’d.
    • Graham had a disappointing experience at Volcano.
    • Linda loves the pretzels at Zwick’s, and was invited to try the new happy hour specials at The Rec Room.
    • Also from Linda, she shared her experience at the spring edition of the Shaw Conference Centre’s “Dinner with Canada’s Top Chefs”.
    • Tim Horton’s will be serving up all-day breakfast across Canada starting this Wednesday, July 25, 2018.
    • I’d never heard of “ghost kitchens” before – kitchens that operate exclusively to serve delivery customers through online apps like Uber Eats and Skip the Dishes.
    • Veg in YEG has taken over the plot at St. John’s Institute in Garneau vacated by Reclaim Farm, and is growing produce that can be purchased at a pay-what-you-want rate. Check the website for farm table dates. Thanks to Su for the heads up!
    • Sustainable Food Edmonton has launched the Golden Wheelbarrow Awards to recognize businesses and individuals who employ sustainable practices. Deadline for nominations are July 31, 2018.
    • Best of luck to Winding Road Cheese as they compete again in the American Cheese Society this week.
    • Mack and I headed to the Taste of Edmonton last week, but only had the chance to sample a few dishes that day. Our favourite was the donair taco from O2’s – made fresh to order, good portion size, and tasty meat!

    Taste of Edmonton

    Mack with Emily and a donair taco!

    Food Notes for July 16, 2018

    • La Mision, the pop-up from the folks behind Tres Carnales and Rostizado, is back from July 16-20, 2018 for lunch at Rostizado.
    • K-Days will soon be upon us, running from July 20-29, 2018. As is custom, fairgoers can anticipate a number of new dishes on the midway. This year’s menu includes black charcoal ice cream, cricket grilled cheese, and cheesy chicken hearts.
    • Wildheart’s annual Grand Taste Tour is back this year on July 28, 2018, and includes a visit to Stonepost Farm and a meal from Chef Eric Hanson of Prairie Noodle Shop. Tickets are $132. I was fortunate enough to attend in previous years, and had a blast every time!
    • Chartier has organized some outdoor events for the summer, including partnering with a naturopathic doctor and certified herbalist to create a tasting menu on July 30, 2018 at the Old Red Barn in Leduc.
    • A reminder that advance tickets for the Heritage Festival, running August 4-6, 2018, are now available at a 5% discount (20 tickets for $19).
    • The Lions Club is hosting a wine and cheese tasting on September 29, 2018 to raise funds for diabetes research. Tickets are $75.
    • Pampa has announced that they will be opening up a third location in Edmonton in the city’s west end.
    • West Edmonton Mall is now home to locations of Match Pub and Sweet Jesus.
    • Hot on the heels of Cineplex joining the food delivery fray, Tim Horton’s is now available via Skip the Dishes in Edmonton.
    • Congrats to Honest Dumplings, who raised over $10,000 in their crowdfunding campaign.
    • Liane covers the vegan trend in Edmonton’s food scene.
    • Looking for a way to beat the heat? Andrea has a list of five local spots to try for ice cream.
    • The Journal published a positive review for Kanto.
    • Crystal had good things to say about the food at Let’s Grill Sushi and Izakaya.
    • Graham enjoyed the hands on dining at Captain’s Boil.
    • Liane had a pleasant experience at Crum Coffee Bar.
    • Jonny visited Castle Bake 2, a north side gem.
    • Lillian rounds up the latest entries to her macaron mashup project.
    • Congratulations to Food4Good which has purchased a building in central west Edmonton. They are working towards building a community food centre, a first for the city.
    • Northlands is offering free tours of their urban farm. Upcoming dates include August 5 and September 9, 2018.

    Food Notes for July 9, 2018

    • Kevin Kossowan is leading a “forage to table” evening that will end in a dinner at RGE RD on August 7, 2018. He is giving away 4 spaces for the event online.
    • deVine’s and Ono Poke is partnering for a pig roast and wine tasting called Wein, Schwein & Dine on August 26, 2018. Tickets are $30 and is a fundraiser for the Edmonton Food Bank.
    • The third annual Culinaire Treasure Hunt is scheduled for September 8, 2018. Teams of two can register for $75.
    • Great to see that the company behind Elm Cafe, District, and Little Brick is expanding into Highlands!
    • The Oliver Exchange building at 12019A 102 Avenue will soon be home to Brio Bakery, Iconoclast Coffee, and Culina To-Go.
    • Vancouver-based 720 Sweets & Etc., offering soft-serve and bubble teas, is now open in West Edmonton Mall’s T & T. Sharon has a photolog of what you can expect from their menu.
    • On the first Thursday of the month, The Vintage Fork at the Rutherford House hosts a jazz night featuring canapes and champagne. Admission is $45 per person. Leduc shares his experience from last month.
    • I was surprised to hear that Filistix’s contracts at the University of Alberta were terminated. An online petition has been started with the hopes that Aramark will consider reversing the decision.
    • Meuwly’s should be open this week, after a delay in receiving their permits, but check their Twitter to be sure. Phil has an overview of the products you can expect.
    • Also from Phil (who co-hosts Eat North’s More Than Maple Syrup podcast) he interviews Gavin from Love Pizza about their decision to move away from Skip the Dishes and start their own online delivery service.
    • CBC profiled the family behind Barr Estate Winery.
    • Lydia paid an early visit to Wilfred’s.
    • Linda was really impressed with the food (and the vision) of The Hallway Cafe.
    • Vue Weekly published a review of Passport Restobar.
    • Twyla recommends avoiding anything deep fried at Barney’s Pub in Leduc.
    • An Chay continues to accumulate positive reviews, this time from Jonny.
    • Crystal was hoping for better service to match the food at Buco.
    • The Edmonton Horticltural Society’s annual Garden Tour takes place on August 14-15, 2018. This self-guided tour will permit visitors to check out 10 local gardens. Tickets are $25.
    • Interested in keeping some urban chickens? River City Chickens is hosting a workshop (approved by the City of Edmonton standards required for training) on August 15, 2018. TIckets are $40.
    • I stopped by King Noodle House after co-leading a walking tour in Chinatown. Their bun bo Hue always hits the spot!

    King Noodle House

    My usual at King Noodle

    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 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

    Food Notes for June 11, 2018

    El Fogon

    Beef and gouda arepa from El Fogon