- I know some people were able to “find themselves” in the absence of television during the WGA strike, but I don’t think I was one of them. Until The Hills in late March (which has a fabulously enticing trailer, might I add), I face a black hole of fresh, small screen entertainment. Sob.
- My appointment television has been reduced to testosterone-driven House and Prison Break (the latter of which I hope comes back next season). While they are both good shows, I am left wishing for more whimsical female programs of the past, like Gilmore Girls. Perhaps it is time to jump on the Gossip Girl train?
- I like Matt & Nat’s new line of bags – the Jorja Fox finally comes with a zipper closure!
- The Mayor’s annual Celebration of the Arts is scheduled for April 7th. Teatro la Quindicina is performing, hurrah!
- I just received my confirmation for the Edmonton Transit System Community Conference taking place on March 15. Anyone else attending?
Category: notes
Food Notes
- Mack pointed me to an article by Stephanie Vacher about how to take better food photos. Worth a read.
- Ching’s Asian Kitchen & Dim Bar (yes, “dim bar”) has taken over the storefront that used to be occupied by Nikita’s (10162 100A Street).
- A restaurant in Dorset, England, has instituted an “anti-price”, pay-what-you-want menu on Wednesday and Thursday evenings in an attempt to increase patron numbers. I wonder how it will work out in the long run, but the owner isn’t worried. From the article, the owner is quoted as saying: “I believe that the majority of people are fair if you give them good food, a good time and a nice place. People are quite on the ball on prices and are within a couple of quid of the normal prices.”
- Project CHEF, a program that uses cooking as a medium to teach children in elementary school about nutrition, among other things, is a model that should be emulated across the country.
- It’s better in Calgary: Cowtown’s Dine-Out event spans the entire city, with over three times the number of participants when compared with Edmonton’s version. Moreover, it is unacceptable that the relatively few participating restaurants in our city either haven’t bothered to submit their menus, or the website maintenance staff haven’t bothered uploading them. I do think Edmonton’s culinary scene does itself a disservice by essentially offering two competing tasting events (Original Fare’s Forkfest and Downtown’s Dine-Out).
- Via Serious Eats, an article from the Village Voice that reveals the true “reality” of Iron Chef America. Sure, the recipes might be rehearsed, but it still takes a heck of a lot of creativity and skill to execute the plan just so. In any case, I will still be watching.
- I can’t say I know all of the food professionals cited in the first annual Clog Awards, but the concept surrounding some of them are pretty funny (e.g. The Cat Cora Award for most fame based on least actual culinary achievement).
- While I do think the drip coffee at Starbucks is consistently better than what is available at Second Cup, I have to give kudos to the Second Cup in Telus Centre, which always has incredibly *hot* brewed coffee.
- I feel like such a McDonald’s fangirl reporting this, but their Cinnamon Melts are now available at branches outside of those in Wal-Marts. They are a whooping 460 calories, but are worth every icing-coated bite. Yum.
Food Notes
- Sure there’s the matter of service, ambiance, and of course, the food to consider, but who knew some critics also consider the noise level of a restaurant? Apparently, it is becoming a rapidly increasing issue with diners (Vancouver’s Salt Tasting Room, featured on a recent episode of Giada’s Weekend Getaways, rated off the the noise charts).
- The Clover individual-cup coffee brewing machine is taking the world by storm. Starbucks is testing it in Seattle and Boston, selling the French-press brewed coffees for $2.25-2.50.
- As Starbucks phases out their hot food menu, Second Cup has decided to expand theirs.
- I am not alone: I found a group of Chowhounders who aren’t shy about their dislike of Earls and Joey’s, amongst other chains. Long live dissent!
- Also scooped from Chowhound: The Cocoa Room (10139 112 Street) is now open downtown, a retail location dedicated to the Chocophilia line of goods.
- As reported in the Edmonton Journal, the purveyors of Maurya Palace will be opening up a “high end” Indian restaurant on Whyte Avenue and 105th Street in about six weeks called Original India.
- Philanthropic food photography: New York’s City Harvest is the beneficiary of an auction selling pictures of mouth-watering dishes prepared by well-known chefs. Cool idea.
- There’s a great piece by Ed Levine over at Serious Eats which addresses the question: does “authentic” ethnic food trump delicious?
- Lastly, I joined my first group on Flickr – pictures of Ina Garten’s recipes.
Entertainment Notes
- The writer’s strike is over! Check out this list to see when your favorites will (tentatively) return. Unfortunately, the new season of 24 has been pushed back until January of next year, but a few more House episodes will be finished before the close of spring.
- Does anyone remember the time when the Edmonton Public Library was in the business of lending toys? Well, they no longer have such an inventory, but a company named Baby Plays has taken this idea and is making profit off the renting of toys. Great idea for grandparents or those who only care for young children for a short time.
- The controversial Body Works exhibition is coming to Edmonton’s Telus World of Science in June.
- Upcoming events in February: the Silver Skate Festival at Hawrelak Park, free activities at Churchill Square on Family Day (why they continue to think Movies on the Square is a good idea while there is still snow on the ground is beyond me), and what is sure to be some great theatre, including the student-produced New Works Festival at the University of Alberta – up to 4 shows for $5, and Famous Puppet Death Scenes at the Roxy Theatre.
- Speaking of theatre, Jeff Haslam’s biography in the program of H.M.S. Pinafore says that two Teatro la Quindicina productions are in the works for the summer of this year. I can only hope!
Food Notes
- Think twice before dipping: an article in the Journal of Food Safety warns about the amount of bacteria that may be present in the communal dip bowl. The best quote from the article is from Professor Dawson, who proposed the study, “‘…before you have some dip at a party, look around and ask yourself, would I be willing to kiss everyone here? Because you don’t know who might be double dipping, and those who do are sharing their saliva with you.'”
- From a very cute blog called Cupcakes Take the Cake: Chinese New Year cupcakes (with what looks like gold leaf!), Super Mario-themed cupcakes (the mushroom is too clever), and a very elegant Neopolitan cupcake (this recipe is definitely a keeper).
- Rob Feenie is no longer unemployed: as reported in the Globe & Mail, he will be the “food concept architect” for the Vancouver-based Cactus Club Cafe chain of restaurants. I can’t help but think he is biding his time until opening up another restaurant of his own, even though Feenie claims this isn’t a “step down”, so to speak.
- Speaking of Vancouver, a recent episode of Giada’s Weekend Getaways saw the host touring the city’s sites. She avoids the Robson area altogether, opting to visit spots in the more locally-trendy neighbourhoods, including Yaletown, Gastown, and Granville Island. While her visit to Lumiere was friendly, the waiter serving her was a tad too distant, and while out at Vij’s, she and her friend were actually served by Vikram Vij himself (sure, they don’t cater to celebrities…). Salt Tasting Room, a wine bar, looked pretty cool, and would be a place I would consider visiting.
- Had questions about favorite foods of the U.S. Presidential candidates? Wonder no more. (The Associated Press article is also a good read – Giuliani’s hidden talent made me laugh.)
Random Notes
- Congrats to my sister Felicia and the rest of her McNally cheer squad for winning first in their division in the University of Alberta Extreme Cheer Competition this weekend.
- Do you remember S Club 7? I’ve been listening to some of their “hits” and have been reminded of how sweetly addictive their music is. Besides that, their videos are just as cute as they were when I first saw them (“You”, for one, and “You’re My Number One”).
- Another Sawmill is opening up in the Capilano Mall parking lot in May, reports the Edmonton Journal.
- Mack pointed me to a very cute blog titled simply breakfast – every day the author posts a photo of her morning meal. I may end up with breakfast envy, heh.
- I tried a chocolate cupcake at Starbucks this week (these perfectly preserved sweets show themselves right around Valentine’s Day). It wasn’t as good as the vanilla version, but for $2.05 including tax, it’s a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Tempting, no?
