It’s been a pretty good week – Kim and Shane welcomed a beautiful baby boy last week, so we’re now the proud Aunt & Uncle of an adorable little ginger. Can’t wait to watch him grow! On to this week’s food notes:

• Our last What the Truck?! of the season will see Edmonton’s largest food truck gathering ever take place on Friday, September 12, from 4-8pm in Churchill Square. The menus are up, so you can plan your meal in advance. Hope to see you there!
• On September 14, the first annual Mid-Autumn Festival celebration is taking place in Churchill Square from 1-9pm. I’m looking forward to the release of the boats into the pool in front of City Hall after dark – should be a sight to see!
• Some restaurant news – it turns out the folks behind Café Amore will be taking over the space vacated by Lit on 104 Street. Expect the Black Pearl Seafood Bar to open in February 2015, with a focus on fresh seafood options.
• Somerville Wine Bar has changed hands – Jan Trittenbach, formerly of Packrat Louie, will reopen the space as Solstice Seasonal Cuisine in October.
• The Journal reviewed the new Rocky Mountain Ice House last week.
• El Cortez was reviewed by Twyla on CBC last week as well.
• Two local doughnut makers will be competing on this season’s Donut Showdown: Bliss Baked Goods and Moonshine Donuts.
• Liane wrote about some of the great eats out of the Earth’s General Store deli. If you need an extra incentive, and have a 2014-15 community league membership, check out their Community League Member Appreciation Day on September 21, 2014 for a 10% discount in store.
• Valerie has a round-up of the latest Canadian Experience Project posts, focusing on the Canadian garden.
• My sisters organized a wonderful bridal shower for me over the weekend, which included a private cooking class, a beautiful meal at Tzin and fun games. Thanks, Amanda & Felicia!

Of course the bacon had to make an appearance on our Tzin tasting menu

With my sisters & my Mum

It’s hard to believe it’s already September, but at least we had a long weekend to help us ease into it! Hope you had a good break, too! On to this week’s food notes:

• Downtown Edmonton Community League’s annual Corn Fest is back on September 6, 2014. Head to Beaver Hills House Park on Jasper Avenue and 105 Street for free corn fro 11am-3pm.
• The next Make Something Monday breakfast session on September 8, 2014 is all about food! Join Phil as he moderates a discussion featuring RGE RD’s Blair Lebsack, Get Cooking’s Kathryn Joel and Tres Carnales’ Daniel Braun. Tickets are free but you have to pre-register.
• Hawkers Market has relocated to Latitude 53, and for the first time, have brought in live music. Get your tickets to the September 13, 2014 event here.
• The Red Shoe Crawl on 124 Street is coming up on September 14, 2014! I had a blast attending the Old Strathcona Red Shoe Crawl earlier this year, and don’t doubt that this event will be equally fun. Tickets are $45, but also check out Linda and Andrea’s blogs for a chance to win a pair of free tickets!
• Earth’s General Store is hosting a produce swap at its south side location on September 14, 2014.
• Edmonton now has two board game cafes, with The Hexagon Café joining the mix.
• Linda reviewed Spruce Grove’s newest Italian restaurant, Porta Romana.
• You may have already voted for the local restaurants nominated in EnRoute’s Best New Restaurant category, but have you voted for your favourite local watering hole? There are nine up for consideration.
• Burger King has bought Tim Horton’s, but besides the same bad pun, nothing has changed yet.
• We finally bought some of the Lays “Do us a flavour” chips to try. The Cinnamon Bun flavour wasn’t as odd as we thought it would be, but Mack’s really enjoying the Jalapeno Mac N’ Cheese.

What’s your flavour? (we found all four flavours in stock at the Co-op on the south side)

• In between errands on the weekend, Mack and I stopped by The Burger Joint for lunch. It was just as good as we remembered (and we were stuffed for hours).

Lunch at The Burger Joint

• After the amazing Symphony in the City concert on Saturday night, Mack and I headed to Woodwork for a late-night cocktail and bite to eat.

The Blinker at Woodwork

Thanks to everyone who came out this weekend to the 97 Street Night Market and the ImMACulate Garden Party! It was definitely a whirlwind weekend, but thankfully, a successful one. Now, on to the next – make sure to save the date for our last What the Truck?! of the season (and biggest ever) on September 12 at Churchill Square, with 25 trucks to help represent the growth of the scene. On to this week’s food notes:

• Fort Edmonton Park’s annual Harvest Fair is back, August 30-September 1, 2014. Experience “food through the ages” throughout the park, old-fashioned games and learn heritage skills. Mack and I took the event in last year, and had a blast.
• Liane Faulder will be leading another tour group to the food mecca of New York, from November 12-17, 2014.
• Chef Shane Chartrand is hosting another of his Sage Signature Series dinners, this time with a “Taste of Europe” theme. It is hard to beat six courses for $49. Robyn has a preview of what to expect.
• Lots of buzz around Rostizado – a review from Twyla, and media opening recaps from Cheryl, Chris and Michelle.
• Cindy shared some gorgeous pictures from this year’s RGE RD dinner at Nature’s Green Acres.
• Did you know Duchess will be publishing a cookbook later this year?
• Mack sent me a link to a website someone put together all about how bad The Burg is.
• It is rare that Mack and I can meet up for lunch, but when we do – Pho Tau Bay it is!

Lunch date pho!

• Don Wheaton hosted the Driving Change for the United Way event on Friday. The Local Omnivore’s menu was hard to beat – deep fried perogy poutine, and a dry cured rolled pork belly sandwich, topped with a fried egg and cheese.

Driving Change for the United Way

Rolled pork belly sandwich from The Local Omnivore

• Mack and I are about a month away from our wedding date – hard to believe how fast time has flew! Last month, we did our engagement shoot with Bruce & Sarah of Moments in Digital. Here is one of my favourite pictures:

Every engagement shoot inevitably ends up with this shot, but I still love it!

I’m a part of two events this weekend – the 97 Street Night Market and the ImMACulate Garden Party. Hope you’re able to join us! On to this week’s food notes:

• It will be a busy weekend in Edmonton. Among events is the Driving Change for United Way event on August 22, from 5-9pm in Old Strathcona, featuring eight food trucks. A portion of all food sales will go to the United Way.
• On August 23, 2014, from 6-10pm, the second annual 97 Street Night Market will be taking place in Chinatown. I wrote more about it last week, but join us for food, free walking tours, vendors and a new vision for the neighbourhood.
• Drift is hosting another pop-up on the heels of their successful “pay the rent pop-up series”. This time, they’re offering brunch on Sunday, August 24, 2014, from 11am-2pm.
• Viva Italia’s annual festival takes place August 24, 2014, from 12-9pm in Giovanni Caboto Park. Enjoy live entertainment, wine and cheese and cooking demonstrations.
• The ImMACulate Garden Party takes over the gorgeous Hotel Macdonald terrace on August 24, 2014, from 2-5pm. Attendees are encouraged to dress in garden whites and pastels to enjoy tasty nibbles and a signature drink, play lawn games, and learn more about the history of one of Edmonton’s most iconic buildings. Tickets are $40 and must be purchased in advance.
• I love the idea behind the YEG Market District on Stony Plain Road – their first event on August 24, 2014 from 9am-5pm will transform a back alley into a stage, market and gathering place.
• El Cortez is now open! I’m sure it’s rockin’, and not only from the spillover from the Fringe.
• Cindy and Liane both visited Rostizado, the new spot from the Tres Carnales boys, last week. Can’t wait to check it out tomorrow!
• Sabor Divino is having a month-long seafood festival, running August 14-September 14. Check out the menu here.
• Bannock Burger on 124 Street was short lived – it is now closed. That said, the owners are looking for other options after the landlord decided not to renew their lease.
• The nearby Eden’s Market on 124 also announced that they have ceased operations, with August 10 having been their last market.
• Looking to have a picnic, but don’t have the time to put together a basket of eats? There’s now a service for that, called YEG Picnic.
• Happy to hear the backyard chickens pilot passed City Council today!
• Tim Horton’s debuted a new dark roast coffee on Friday, in an effort to target McDonald’s and Starbucks coffee drinkers. Mack tried it today, and commented that though it is better than their regular joe, it won’t be garnering his regular business.
• Speaking of Tim Horton’s, they’re seeking votes for this year’s Duelling Doughnuts contest (the winner receives $10,000 and sees their creation grace the café menus). Great to see an Edmontonian among the Ontario-based entries. Go, Judd and your lumberjack doughnut!
• Mother’s Market celebrated their grand opening on Sunday. It was buzzing, and busier than I’d ever seen it. Their rooftop patio on the second floor is great – in the warmer months, it’ll be perfect for pre-shopping breakfasts and lunches.

Mother’s Market

Rooftop patio

• I had lunch at Culina Muttart last week with colleagues. It’s been some time since I’ve been, but service was efficient, and the perogies were fried to perfection.

Marina’s cheddar perogi

• I joined Brittney and the Food Bloggers (wouldn’t that make a great band name?), Cindy, Andrea, Diane and Teresa at Shanghai 456 last week. It was our first visit to the new location, and boy, was their kitchen quick. The xiaolong bao were as delicious as I remembered.

Food, glorious food!

We’re gearing up for our penultimate What the Truck?! this season, taking place Saturday, August 16, from 4-8pm in Borden Park. Hope to see you there! On to this week’s food notes:

• A reminder about Alberta Open Farm Days happening in a few weeks on August 23-24, 2014.
• Mark your calendar for the next Hawkers Market on September 13, 2014, this time in a new location: Latitude 53.
• The big news this week is that three Edmonton restaurants are in the running for EnRoute Magazine’s prestigious Best New Restaurant list. The restaurants are North 53, Rge Rd and Woodwork. Vote now!
• Great to hear that Elm Café is expanding with the addition of Burrow, an underground café in Central LRT station. Look for it in mid-September.
• Chef Nathan Bye’s new restaurant will be called Ampersand 27.
• Café del Sol is at a new location, 14220 Yellowhead Trail.
• Max’s Restaurant (Graham calls it the “Earl’s of the Philippines” in the article) is now in Edmonton, introducing Filipino cuisine to the masses.
• Café de Ville shuttered unexpectedly this month. Liane is on the hunt for the reasons why.
• Want to cook like Daniel Costa at home? Download his free Tavola app, which features 15 recipes (and will be continuously updated).
• Get Cooking’s first class at their new MacEwan location on September 5, 2014 is a perfect date night for couples.
• The most recent Mack & Cheese episode has Mack and Graham discussing recent food festivals and restaurant news.
• I hadn’t heard about the Elk Island Bison Festival before, but it sounds like their first year was a success.
• Mack and I had dim sum with our parents at Tasty Noodle over the weekend. Great selection, timely service, and tasty plates!

Dim sum at Tasty Noodle

Mack and I were away most of the long weekend at Goose Lake with his family. Given cell coverage in the area is sporadic to non-existent, we were able to focus on time outdoors and around the fire. Hope you had a relaxing weekend as well! On to this week’s food notes:

• Did you hear – Drift is hoping to move into a storefront! Help them pay the rent at their Burger Night pop-up from 5-9pm on August 9, 2014 at 10721 124 Street. Check out the menu.
• Save the date: our next What the Truck?! is taking place Saturday, August 16, 2014 in Borden Park, featuring ten trucks. RSVP to the Facebook event!
• Help Mother’s Market celebrate their grand opening on August 17, 2014.
• Great news – Elm Café is expanding again downtown! No official word on where downtown just yet, however, though I have a good guess.
• Karlynn gives us a sneak peek of El Cortez, the tequila bar everyone has been waiting for. It hopes to open August 15, 2014.
• It sounds like Twyla found a gem in the Portuguese restaurant A Taverna.
• The Green & Gold Garden now sells locally-roasted coffee sourced from a co-operative in Rwanda, with some proceeds going to Tubahumurize (the non-profit the garden supports that helps marginalized women in Rwanda).
• I loved this “Inglorious Fruits and Vegetables” campaign launched by a supermarket in France, which convinced producers to purchase the usually less-than-desirable imperfect produce with a clever marketing idea. Bravo.
• Congrats to Jacqueline and the rest of the team at Jacek Chocolate Couture for a fantastic opening weekend for their new shop on 104 Street (10140 104th Street)! It’s great to have another specialty business on the street – welcome to the neighbourhood!

Jacqueline in her new downtown store (she insisted on not being in the photo alone)

• Mack’s parents were in Edmonton during the week, so we decided to introduce them to The Parlour. The pizza was a hit!

Calamari (loved the charred lime on top)

• After our engagement shoot with Bruce & Sarah, we wound down over a bottle of wine and some food close to home at Tzin. Kelsey and her staff were incredibly accommodating (as we were running late), and were open to us taking a few shots on the patio as well. Thanks for the wonderful evening!

I will never pass up an opportunity to order the pork belly

• As I mentioned above, we spent the weekend at Goose Lake. A final parting shot!

Goose Lake

• Cathy shared a bit about the forthcoming Rocky Mountain Icehouse (10516 Jasper Avenue), brought to you by the folks behind Cask & Barrel. The grand opening is taking place on July 25 and 26, starting at 4pm.
• Elm Café’s Dining Room (9132 – 118 Avenue) will be open for business on July 25 and 26, from 5pm-late, with a theme of Southern BBQ. Make sure to call ahead for reservations.
• I love the ideas behind this event on August 7, 2014: Ladies on the Green is a charity golf tournament where golf is optional! Food and indulgences are included, and even golf lessons for those so inclined.
• Vue Weekly previews the hotly anticipated El Cortez Tequila Bar + Kitchen.
• I didn’t know Pampa was offering cooking classes about Brazilian BBQ. The cost is $90/person, and upcoming dates include August 23 & 24 and September 20 & 21. Unfortunately, Pampa doesn’t have any information on the website to link to – interested parties will just have to call the restaurant.
• Karlynn shared that the new fair food winner at this year’s K-Days was the Angry Birds candy apple.
• Lillian reviewed a new Korean/Chinese restaurant on the south side called Rae Mi Hyang (10625 51 Avenue).
• Have you heard of The Carrot Project? It’s a fundraiser for E4C’s School Snack Program, where they’ve partnered with Meadow Creek Farms (located 1.5 hours outside of Edmonton). For $75, donors will receive over 20 pounds of vegetables in early October, while a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Snack Program.
• Congrats to everyone involved in planting the city’s first food forest in the river valley this weekend!
• I didn’t hear about the French food blogger fined for a negative review she wrote until I saw the story linked on Cheryl’s blog.
• We had our latest What the Truck?! meeting last week at The Parlour (where on Wednesdays, the wine is half price!). The pizzas, as expected, were delicious.

The Gamberi (garlic prawns, sriracha pesto, fior di latte, lemon)

The Hangover (pancetta, fior di latte, fried egg, potato fritto, green onion)

It’s almost easy to forget how great summer in Edmonton can be until we have weeks like this. Hope you’re enjoying the weather, too! On to this week’s food notes:

• Mealshare is a non-profit that works to help feed Edmonton’s less fortunate by partnering with restaurants for a “buy one, give one” model (certain dishes with a Mealshare logo next to them will result in meals donated to a charity). To mark the addition of six new restaurants to the Edmonton program, they are hosting this year’s pancake breakfast on the morning of the K-Days Parade on July 17 from 7:30-10:30am in Churchill Square. Each $5 breakfast of pancakes + sausage or fruit and yogurt will result in a donated meal. Great cause!
• Mark your calendar: Slow Food Edmonton will be hosting several Open Farm Days events in August. The first is on August 23, 2014, and involves a pig roast and other seasonal goodies at Get Cooking’s new digs at MacEwan University. On August 24, 2014, Slow Food will be leading a walking tour through Reclaim Urban Farm’s plots in the Garneau neighbourhood, cumulating in a Ukrainian-themed lunch at the St. John’s Institute. Check out more Open Farm Days events here.
• Lux is hosting their fifth annual Bacon Day fundraiser on August 29, 2014. Tickets are $75, with $25 going towards Youth Empowerment & Support Services.
• Phil posted a great recap of some of the best burgers he encountered through his Burger Odyssey. I did want to see one awarded a bronzed burger trophy, however.
• Speaking of Phil, he’s already onto another new series, this time, to find the best of Edmonton’s patios.
• City and Dale shares their favourite picnic spots in the city, with some ideas of how to fill your picnic basket, too.
• Check out these visual representations of the last meals consumed by twelve death row inmates (thanks for the tweet, Liane!)
• There’s something about the first ripe tomato among the green vines that is just such a satisfying sight.

Sweet baby girl tomatoes from Sundog Organic

Hot on the heels of our Truck Stop at Baconfest, we’re returning to Boyle Street Plaza for a second year in a row for a burger-themed Truck Stop on July 10, 2014, from 5-8pm. Check out the menus here, and I hope to see you there! On to this week’s food notes:

• Congrats to Evoolution, whose third location at Southgate Centre is now open!
• Liv posted about A Taverna, a relatively new Portuguese eatery located in Café Amore’s former space.
• Check out what you missed at the inaugural Baconfest with Cheryl’s review.
• Vue Weely has a great article featuring conversations with the bar managers behind three successful local haunts: the Next Act, Sugarbowl and The Underground.
• I had heard that another home grocery delivery service was due in Edmonton soon, but just checked out the Spud Edmonton site this week.
• I am so happy to hear that the urban beekeeping pilot was approved by City Council today. Up next, urban chickens? 
• Remedy’s fourth location at 124 Street and 103 Avenue is now open!

Remedy

• Pampa’s long-awaited food truck is now open! Check them out this week at the Street Performers Festival on Churchill Square.

Pampa is now mobile!

• It’s been a while since I’ve been to West Edmonton Mall, so 1st Rnd was new to me, a sports bar on BRBN St. that has since replaced the Hooters. Any thoughts from those who have been?

1st Rnd

• While at the Mall, we also treated ourselves to sorbet popsicles from Popbar, the first Canadian location for the chain. While $4 each seemed a bit steeped, both Mack and I agreed the bars had a much more concentrated fruit flavour that either of us had expected, refreshing and intense.

With our Popbar treats

• I was happy to be among the volunteers of the second annual Heritage Chinatown Night Market on Canada Day. Like last year, the weather was smokin’ hot, and people seemed to enjoy the mix of performers and vendors.

Roxanne and I take a break from burger duty

• Afterwards, Mack and I walked down near the river to watch the inaugural Light the Bridge show, and of course, the accompanying fireworks. River Valley Road provided a great vantage point for both, and it was neat to be among so many people without feeling crowded. Check out Mack’s blog for more pictures and information about the lights.

Happy Canada Day!

• I was lucky enough to be given complimentary tickets to see Broadway Across Canada’s production of Wicked this week, running at the Jubilee Auditorium July 2-20, 2014. Though it was my second time seeing Wicked (the first being in New York seven years ago), it was my Mum’s first musical. She loved it! For me, it was great to relive one of my favourite shows (“For Good” did not disappoint), and I really enjoyed Kara Lindsay’s performance as Glinda. Her rendition of “Popular”  was charm and perfect comedic timing. Go see it while you still can!

Wicked selfie