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

Buns from Cinnaholic

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

What the Truck?! at Capital Boulevard

• It’s been a while since our last visit to Grandin Fish and Chips, but they didn’t disappoint!

Haddock and chips from Grandin

I took a break from posting last week because we were away for a few days in Jasper. It’s been years since I’ve been in the mountains in the spring, but it was great to hike without a ton of layers, and of course, it was a pretty comfortable temperature for Emily! On to this week’s food notes:

• Waste Free Edmonton and Boomerang Bags YEG is hosting a free screening of Bag It, a film about the plastic pollution problem, on May 23, 2018. The groups want to encourage the reduction of plastics, including bags and straws.
• Get ready for the first What the Truck?! of the season this weekend on May 26, 2018 from 3-8pm on Capital Boulevard. The menus are up to help you plan your meals.
• Parkallen is hosting a pop-up brunch on May 27, 2018. Tickets are $23 per person for adults and $10 for children aged 2-10.
• I’m so happy Edgar Farms is bringing back the Asparagus Festival this year, with dates on May 27, June 3, and June 10, 2018. We attended several years ago – here’s what you can expect.
• The next Swine & Dine is being hosted at The Common on May 31, 2018. Tickets are $40 for the four-course meal.
• RGE RD is hosting Okanagan-based chef Aman Dosanj on June 5, 2018 for a pop-up dinner. Tickets are $89.
• Tsujiri, a cafe offering all things matcha, is now open at 10173 109 Street.
• Ontario-based The Captain’s Boil, a seafood restaurant that combines Cajun seafood boils with Asian spices, is now open in Edmonton at South Common (2051 98 Street). YEG Cravings has an early review.
• It looks like the vegan trend is still going strong in Edmonton – Kanu, from American Chef Matthew Kenney, is opening up his first Canadian venture in July in the space currently occupied by Monument Cafe.
• Vue Weekly has a preview of what to expect from Fumaca, the city’s next Brazilian steakhouse to open at 10143 Saskatchewan Drive.
• Great to hear that the family behind Cafe Amore is opening up another restaurant in the core, a quick-serve Pasta Amore across from Joey’s Bell Tower (the piece also notes that the Crudo family is no longer involved with Bottega 104).
• Sorry to see that Wild Earth Cafe has closed their 99 Street location.
• Vue profiles Ohana Donuterie.
• Leduc has one of the first reviews of Kanto, the new Filipino restaurant in Chinatown run by Chef Edgar Gutierrez of Tres Carnales and Rostizado fame.
• Leduc and Sharon shared their experiences at Cinnaholic, the newly-opened vegan cinnamon bun shop.
• The Journal had a positive experience at Why Not, but YEG Cravings was disappointed with their take-out lunch offerings.
• Twyla recommends The Dirtbag Cafe, in spite of herself.
• Crystal is the latest to review Bottega 104.
• Graham continues to be impressed by Corso 32, and enjoyed his meals at Bodega’s new 124 Street location.
• Vue paid a visit to Korean restaurant Pocha Seoul.
• As always, it’s great to see local representatives on the Western Living Foodies of the Year list of finalists – including Chef Steven Brochu and Darren and Sylvie Cheverie of Chartier, From the Wild’s Kevin Kossowan, Chef Christine Sandford of Biera, John and Cindy Schneider of Gold Forest Grains and Chef Ben Staley of Alder Room.
• Liane features a few of the new vendors you can find at local farmers’ markets this summer.
• Original Redhead Condiments is hoping to crowdsource funding to expand their operations.
• If you’ve got a pooch, this brilliant weather means it’s a good time to revisit Linda’s post about dog-friendly patios and markets.
• Planet Organic will be opening up two new locations in the area – one in Ellerslie at the end of June and another in Sherwood Park in September.
• Local nutritionist Loretta Friedrich just published a book containing over 100 national food stories and recipes, called Your Canadian Food Story.
• Eat Alberta is recruiting new board members. The deadline to apply is May 23, 2018.
• We didn’t eat out much in Jasper, but on the way home, stopped by Folding Mountain Brewery. Located just off the main highway, it’s a beautiful spot, with a ton of natural light and a crowd-pleasing menu. It was a great place to stretch our legs before the long drive home.

Folding Mountain Brewery

• With May comes market season! One of my favourites, the 124 Grand Market, kicks off their season this Thursday, May 10, 2018 from 4-8pm.
• The next Italian Centre Chef Showcase Dinner will be prepared by Chef Shane Chartrand on May 16, 2018. Tickets are $80.
• Food4Good will be selling affordable produce on May 17 and June 5, 2018. Those dates will also feature composting demos and countertop gardening workshops, respectively.
• Parkallen is testing the brunch waters with a special event on May 27, 2018. Tickets are $23/person.
• ZooFest, a fundraiser organized by the Valley Zoo Development Society, is taking place on June 16, 2018, and features multiple food and drink samples. Tickets for adults are priced at $85.
• Food Bike Tours have released their schedule for the summer, and begin next month. They’ve also added Thursday evening dates in addition to their Saturday options. You can read about my experience here.
• It was great to learn about Old Beverly Cafe In & Out, a family-run business at 3908 118 Avenue. The decor is inspired by the mining history of the community.
• Did you know the Grindstone Theatre offers a fun and comforting food menu?
• Sharon is a fan of Golomein’s noodles.
• Twyla was disappointed in the poorly-executed food at Holy Roller.
• Vue Weekly was suitably impressed with the ramen at Noodle Bar by Nomiya.
• The Journal reviewed the vegan brunch at Padmanadi.
• Graham was left wanting more from the offerings at Koutouki.
• If you’re out seeking a patio to enjoy, Phil has some suggestions for you.
• The Globe covers the optimism Kevin Kossowan’s James Beard’s nomination has for other Canadians in the future.
• It looks like Bottega 104 is expanding to the south side, in Packrat Louie’s former spot on Whyte Avenue.

Packrat Louie no more

• Mack and I had a dinner date out at Baijiu last week that coincided with the introduction of their new menu! We really enjoyed the the banana leaf-wrapped sole. The flavours were bright and the fish was perfectly steamed. We’ll be back at some point to try out some of their other new dishes, too.

Banana leaf-wrapped sole at Baijiu

• It’s always nice to get out to Meat for their family-style platters, which we did to celebrate Thom’s birthday over the weekend. I’d forgotten just how good their mac and cheese is.

Our spread at Meat

• I picked up some take-out from the newly-opened Kanto over the weekend. The food was priced on the higher side, but of what I tried, their fried chicken Bao Bae ($15.50) was my favourite. The batter was crispy and well seasoned.

Bao Bae from Kanto

• The last Green Drinks of the season is all about local drinks – cider, coffee, tea, spirits. Tickets are $10 for the May 2, 2018 event.
• The next Taste Alberta dinner will take place at Buco’s Epcor Tower location on May 9, 2018, and will feature 3 courses for $32.
• Save the date for the next Passion for Pork dinner, scheduled for May 31, 2018 at The Common.
• Tickets for Indugence, taking place on June 11, 2018, go on sale May 1, 2018.
• Kanto 98, a Fillipino eatery helmed by Chef Edgar Gutierrez, is now open in Chinatown at 10636 98 Street.
• Delux Burger Bar is now open at the Edmonton International Airport.
• RAAS (Retail as a Service) at West Edmonton Mall has welcomed several new local food brands, including The Moth and Blackbird Cold Brew Coffee.
• Bubble Cream is among the businesses opening up at the Premium Outlet Collection.
• River City Revival will be replacing Brixx (beneath The Starlite Room), and will host their grand opening May 23-25, 2018.
• Great news for fans of Dauphine – a storefront to be known as Le Petite Dauphine will be open in June, located north of Highlands.
• The Manor Bistro will be shutting its doors at the end of the year, but the owners will be opening Partake, a new wine bar, in about a month next to Urban Diner.
• Sage at the River Cree Casino has closed and will reopen in June after renovations and rebranding as SC.
• BC-based vegetarian cafes The Green Moustache will be opening up a branch at 11416 Jasper Avenue later this summer.
• Liane had a great feature on St. Albert’s newest bakery, Confections Cake Co.
• Graham is the latest to review The Moth.
• Sharman recapped her Italian Dinner at the Hotel Macdonald’s Harvest Room (part of the their culinary journey series).
• Vue Weekly has the details behind Cookie Love’s crowdfunding campaign.
• Lillian rounds up the participants of her Spring Fling Macaron Mashup.
• The recent outbreak of E. Coli has led to a recall of pork products that stemmed from Pine Haven, including Irvings Farm Fresh, Fuge Fine Meat, and K & K Foodliner.
• It’s been quite some time since my last visit to Pho Tau Bay – but it was as good as I remembered.

Our usuals from Tau Bay

• I love the idea of watching the Royal Wedding at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald over breakfast on May 19, 2018.
• Five local restaurants are participating in A Taste for Life, where 25% of proceeds from dining on April 25, 2018 will support HIV Edmonton. Reservations must be made in advance.
• Cinnaholic, offering gourmet, customizable cinnamon buns, will open on May 11, 2018 at 10075 109 Street, and will sell $1 rolls from 10am-2pm that day. Cinnaholic offers vegan customizable cinnamon rolls.
• You might remember Baijiu Chef Alexei Boldireff’s bread from his food truck days, when he was slinging sandwiches from S’wich. Well, the bread’s back, in the form of banh mi at Baijiu on Fridays starting May 11.
• Eats on 118 is back this summer! Tickets are already on sale for the two events taking place June 13 and August 29, 2018. I attended all three events last year and had a blast!
• Rogue Wave Coffee’s new cafe location to open in late May or June will add to an already great scene downtown, at 10190 104 Street.
• KB and Company will be adding two new locations this year – one on 124 Street and another in Windermere.
• Vue shares the story behind the Colombian Coffee and Roastery.
• Graham is the latest to visit Rooster Cafe & Kitchen.
• YEG Cravings posted reviews for El Fogon and The Butternut Tree.
• Bundok received a pair of reviews last week from the Journal and Vue Weekly.
• Also about Bundok – Sharman recaps their recent Swine and Dine dinner.
• Dawn is running a contest to honour the Sweetest Bakery in Canada. Voting is open from April 2 – July 31, 2018.
• Eat North is offering awards to “help, encourage and mentor the next generation of Canadian culinary writers”, with a competition open to grade 12 and full-time post-secondary students. Submissions are due May 20, 2018.
• If you’re planning out your garden, consider the plants raised by Forest City Plants, Dustin Bajer’s experimental nursery.
• Northlands is accepting applications for their free Princes Beekeeping Project, which teaches 12-18 year olds all about beekeeping, hive-building, and honey production.
• It looks like Montreal-based chocolate/dessert shop Cacao 70 is opening up a standalone location in Ice District, at the base of the Edmonton Tower (they had an ice cream cart at Kingsway Mall up until earlier this year).

Cacao 70

• It was time to introduce Mack to the sourdough crust at District Cafe – the Salz sausage pizza is my favourite.

Pepperoni and mushroom and Salz sausage pizzas at District

• The next Italian Centre Chef Showcase dinner is on April 17, 2018, and features Chef Alberto Alboreggia of Sorrentino’s Downtown.
• The Manor is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a customer appreciation event on April 23, 2018. The free event will feature samples of their new spring/summer menu.
• The Edmonton Resilience Festival is back on April 28, 2018, with a few food-related workshops worth noting, including Lard 101, cider making, and Bone Broth 101.
• Sharman has the details behind the area’s newest bakery – Confections Cake Co. in St. Albert (140, 15 Perron Street).
• Kung Fu Tea (a bubble tea chain) just opened an Edmonton location at 2827 Mill Woods Road.
• Iconoclast Coffee just launched brunch last Saturday – the menu is forthcoming.
• Sharon checked out Baekjeong Korean BBQ House.
• Twyla raved about the breakfast and lunch offerings at Rooster Cafe.
• The Globe and Mail is the latest to review the offerings at The Moth Cafe.
• Vue Weekly is one of the first to report on on the offerings at Noi Thai, the restaurant that has since replaced the Viphalay location in McCauley.
• Crystal shares her recent experience at Share Restaurant in The Westin.
• CBC has the story behind one man’s quest to find the best ramen in Edmonton.
• Liane profiles Food in the Nud, the new-ish Ritchie bakery that caters to those with food restrictions.
• Also from Liane, she has more information about the redesigned program at The Hallway Cafe (which replaced the Kids in the Hall Bistro at City Hall).
• Eat North has a look at the 2018 Canada’s 100 Best restaurant list.
• Siu To, the man that brought green onion cakes to Edmonton, is hoping his legacy will be ensuring more people know how to make the popular treat at home.
• A number of local chefs are using koji in different ways – Vue chatted with a few of them to learn more.
• The Edmonton Food Council is recruiting new members. Interested applicants will need to apply by April 30, 2018.
• Liane Faulder is leading a culinary tour to Nashville in October 2018.
• It’s always nice when we get a chance to cross the river for coffee – but it’s a bonus when they also have great baked goods too (I love their brown butter cake donuts).

Ace Coffee Roasters

• Sorrentino’s annual Garlic Fest runs April 9 – May 11, 2018.
• The Stony Plain Road and Area Business Association is hosting a Taste of Stony Plain Road on May 4, 2018, with 12 businesses participating. Admission is $9, with food and beverage samples costing an additional $1-3 each.
• Sweet Jesus, the Toronto-based soft serve ice cream company, is now open in Southgate Centre.
• Little HK, the speakeasy with an entrance through Baijiu, is now open (though only on Fridays and Saturdays).
• New bakery alert – Jun’s Bakery is now open at 1803 91 Street SW.
• Baekjeong, a Korean BBQ house, has opened up at 2874 Calgary Trail (the same location as Dookbaeki).
• Pom Grand, a Persian fast casual restaurant, has taken over the storefront at 10812 82 Avenue.
• The food court at Edmonton City Centre has welcomed Konz, who serves up pizza in a cone.
• Another restaurant has been confirmed for the former Sobeys space on Jasper Avenue and 104 Street – Japanese barbecue chain Gyu Kaku BBQ.
• Splash Poke is opening up their third location this summer in West Edmonton Mall.
• The big news this week was the City’s decision to award the concession contracts at their golf courses (including Victoria) to a multinational instead of renewing the contract with Dogwood Cafe. Liane wrote a great editorial summarizing why this was a poor decision.
• After crowning a winner in their Burger Challenge last year, Avenue Edmonton has moved onto another popular category of pizzas.
• Ms. Hangry Foodie checked out several establishments recently – the newly-opened Hanaichi on Whyte Avenue, gelateria La Carraria downtown, and Lebanese restaurant Sahara Palace in Castledowns.
• The Journal reviewed Tokiwa Ramen.
• Leduc sampled a variety of dishes at Hanjan.
• Graham has nothing but positive things to say about Buco.
• Phil is recommending the cookies from Ritchie bakery Food in the Nud.
• Vue Weekly has the story behind how Quebec-based vegan chain Copper Branch ended up in Edmonton.
• Vue also has a profile on Chef Scott Downey of The Butternut Tree.
• Eat North has a round-up of  6 businesses that moved from market to brick and mortar.
• The Downtown Edmonton Community League is finally accepting applications for the community garden located in Alex Decoteau Park – the deadline is April 27, 2018.
• This is a neat idea – a mobile produce market on a bus.
• I headed to Taipan Cafe for a quick meeting tonight about the return of Chinatown Walking Tours this summer. I’ll share more information about dates and times when the details are available!

Shrimp wonton noodles in soup

• The next Food4Good fruit & veggie sale is taking place on April 3, 2018.
• Yellowhead Brewery will be hosting a series of markets this year. The first will be held April 7 and 8, 2018, and will host local artisans. Admission includes a pint of beer.
• The next Swine and Dine dinner will be hosted at Bundok on April 18, 2018.
• The 124 Grand Market will debut a second location on Sundays this summer starting May 10. Look fort his market from 11am-3pm on 102 Avenue between 122 and 124 Street.
• Save the dates for this summer’s What the Truck?! events, taking place May 26, July 6, and August 26, 2018.
• The city’s bakery numbers continue to increase: Pome Bakery opened up earlier this year at 14253 23 Avenue.
• Francois Le Roi is a new French chocolatier that has opened in Old Strathcona, at 8116 Gateway Boulevard.
• Mi’Ne offers Asian rice and noodle bowls alongside steamed buns just off of the U of A campus at 11132 82 Avenue (thanks Su for the heads up!).
• Sole is a new cafe that just opened at 9911 72 Avenue.
• Viphalay’s McCauley location has changed hands and is now Noi Thai restaurant.
• Haus Falkenstein and Salz have been featured in Bite Size videos.
• Liane highlights some of the spectacular new desserts offered at Cafe Linnea.
• Liane also profiled Caramunchies, born from one of the women behind the now shuttered Caramia Caramels.
• Linda shares her love of the croissants at Chocorrant.
• Twyla did not find Edmonton’s best burger at YEG Burger.
• Vue Weekly was expecting more from Rebel Food and Drink.
• Overall, Sharon has enjoyed her multiple visits to Buco.
• Graham was disappointed with the offerings at Wildflower Grill.
• Sharman recapped the last Taste Alberta Prairie on the Plate dinner that took place at Chartier.
• I’m sad to have missed the taping of the Let’s Find Out podcast that was all about green onion cakes, but I’m happy to see that the recording is now live!
• Interested in the meal kit trend that seems to have swept the nation? Learn more about the business with this Journal piece.
• Eat North has a new Canadian food podcast that premiered today, featuring Phil (aka Baconhound), alongside Toronto-based writer Emma Waverman.
• The number of urban hen licenses hasn’t increased significantly since the pilot began back in 2014.
• Mack and I visited Colombia Mountain Coffee’s new Glenora cafe location last week – their soft opening continues until April 7 – check them out at 10340 134 Street.

Colombia Mountain Coffee

• It’s been some time since I’ve been to Meat for brunch, but they never disappoint! I love the beef brisket benny.

Beef brisket benny from Meat

• You might be familiar with The Colombian, who have been selling their coffee beans at several Edmonton farmers’ markets. They now have a coffee shop at 10340 134 Street in Glenora. Their soft opening is taking place March 22-April 7, in anticipation of their grand opening date of April 8, 2018.
• The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce is hosting a “Taste of the Chamber” on April 10, 2018. Non-member admission is $30, with food and beverage tickets to be purchased on top of the entrance fee.
• Watari Express is now open at 105 Street and Jasper Avenue.
• McLeod Tavern has been no more for some time – it looks like it’s being replaced with a Japanese restaurant called Tokeo Station.
• Sharon checked out the Edmonton location of American burger and milkshake franchise Boardwalk, located at 3803 Calgary Trail.
• The Journal was less than impressed with the burgers at Re:Grub.
• Leduc is the latest to visit El Fogon on 118 Avenue.
• Graham reviews a trio of Vietnamese restaurants – An Chay, Miss Saigon, and Saigon Garden.
• YEG Cravings visited The Almanac in Old Strathcona.
• Vue Weekly enjoyed the Haitian cuisine at Caribbean’s Finest.
• The National Post highlighted Zwick’s Pretzels in a video segment called Bite Sized.
• In case you missed it, The Yards wrote a story on Masterchef Canada competitor Mai Nguyen and Nook Cafe co-owner Lynsae Moon.
• Vue Weekly also put together an article on what brought Mai Nguyen into the kitchen.
• Crystal tried out the meal kit service Miss Fresh.
• Women Who Dig: Farming, Feminism, and the Fight to Feed the World was written by local author Trina Moyles. The book is being launched in Edmonton on March 27, 2018 at Yellowhead Bar.