What the Truck?! @ Al Fresco: June 9, 2012

It’s that time of year in Edmonton – because our summer is so short and precious, every weekend is an opportunity to take in something outdoors. Next weekend, the place to do this will be downtown, with numerous events and three festivals colliding on the same day.

Downtown Edmonton Community League is kicking things off at 8:30-11am, with its annual Pancake Breakfast (all proceeds benefit charity). The 4th Street Promenade summer mainstay, the City Market, will be running from 9am-3pm. Midway through at noon, the Pride Parade will wind down 102 Avenue from 108 Street all the way to Churchill Square. And to round off the night from 5-11pm, the 4th Annual Al Fresco Block Party will take over the Promenade from Jasper to 103 Avenue. Expect a wine and spirits tasting tent, extended patios, a great musical line-up, fashion show, and a kids zone.

One of the extended patios in 2011

Mack and I are two of the members of this year’s Al Fresco organizing committee. After attending the festival in 2009, 2010 and 2011, we thought it was time to give back, especially because we now live on the street and love events where neighbours can get to know one another. On the committee, Mack represents our condo (The Century), while I represent the Downtown Edmonton Community League (of which I volunteer as a Board member).

Volunteering for the 2011 DECL Pancake Breakfast

That said, we’re also involved in another capacity – Al Fresco was looking for a different way to feed hungry festival goers. Last year, the food component was expanded by hosting several downtown restaurants on the street – you may remember Tres Carnales in particular, because their Rice Howard Way digs weren’t yet complete at the time.

Tacos to the people!

Given the rise of food trucks in Edmonton over the last year, the committee thought they would be a wonderful addition to the festival. Mack and I might be a bit biased, but we agreed with them.

As a result, our first What the Truck?! extravaganza this year will be taking place in conjunction with the Al Fresco Block Party.

What: What the Truck?! Edmonton’s Food Truck Extravaganza
Where: 104 Street, north of 102 Avenue
When: June 9, 2012
Time: 5-11 p.m.

This will be the largest What the Truck?! we’ve ever organized, with ten of Edmonton’s premier food trucks ready to show the city why street cuisine is here to stay:

Best of all – the trucks will all be donating a portion of the evening’s proceeds to Zebra Child Protection Centre, Al Fresco’s charity of choice this year. A non-profit, community-based organization that improves the lives of children who have suffered abuse, the Zebra Centre is able to provide children and their families with essential social, medical and mental health services and supports.

We will be updating the website with menus on Tuesday – so check back then to whet your appetite. Hope to see you there!

Check out the Facebook event here, and follow us on Twitter! Read more about last year’s What the Truck?! events here and here.

A Reason to Cross the River: Three Boars

Three Boars hasn’t been open for very long, but they’ve already gained quite a loyal following. With a restaurant the size equivalent of a postage stamp, this usually means a lengthy delay for hungry patrons. But after two visits, it’s clear the food is worth the wait and many repeat meals.

Photo bomb!

Three Boars took over what was formerly a small pizza parlour, transforming the tiny main floor into a bar with a stand-up counter, and the equally cozy second floor into seating for thirty (no question, this trend of elbow-to-elbow dining seems to picking up in Edmonton, but at Three Boars, it does complement their philosophy of sharing). We were told the spaces had been designed by the same people behind Tres Carnales, which seemed to hold true – the wood finishing promoted the same kind of comfortable, laid-back vibe. I liked the Edison bulbs as well, though on the two occasions we dined, they weren’t necessary, given the amount of natural light in the room.

The menu at Three Boars changes almost daily – on our first visit, just over two weeks after their opening day, they were already on menu #8. One week later, it was menu #12. Between the two, there were a few items with similar in nature but featuring different proteins, such as meat-topped poutine and banh mi. The constant change reflects the commitment of Three Boars to seasonal ingredients, but also speaks to the flexibility and creativity of the chefs. It’s an approach I like, as there are a few restaurants whose menus I’d be eager to see change more often – as much as I enjoy having a “go-to” dish, it’s exciting to encounter different plates, and thus encourages visits in short succession.

Loved the chalkboard wall

I have also mentioned before that small plates are our favourite way of eating, and in groups, it meant that Mack and I were able to try numerous different dishes on two separate occasions. Here are some of the standouts:

The poutines ($12) were an easy favourite. One, topped with beef brisket and a luscious gravy, didn’t last long at our table. The second, with lamb neck, was similarly in shards, each bite a triumph with accompanying squeaky cheese.

Beef brisket poutine

Lamb neck poutine

Similarly, their take on banh mi ($10), which we tried with chicken fried steak and beef cheek, were excellent. Crusty bread, tender meat, and just the right amount of pickled vegetables, it was another dish that was hard to share.

Chicken fried steak banh mi

Beef cheek banh mi

The mushrooms and egg yolk on toast ($12) was perfection – a runny yolk over crispy toast and earthy wild mushrooms. My recommendation is to order at least two per table, but I’d probably snag one for myself next time.

Mushrooms and egg yolk on toast

The pork neck terrine ($14) was a surprise. I am not usually a fan (especially when the texture veers into pate consistency), but here, there were visible flakes of meat that maintained themselves even after spread on oil rubbed crostini.

One night, the dessert was lemon curd, blueberry compote and granola served in too-cute mason jars. It was so simple, but was one of the best desserts I’ve had in recent memory. Each separate layer was great on its own, but it was even better together.

Lemon curd, blueberry compote, granola

There were a few dishes that I didn’t enjoy as much, but only relative to the raves. The Spring Creek Ranch flat iron steak ($16) was cooked a little too raw for my liking, but the rest of the table disagreed with me. The patatas bravas ($8) with sriracha mayo was well-cooked, but I couldn’t help but compare it to Ox & Angela’s version, which I liked better.

Flat iron steak

Patatas bravas

Service was familiar and low-key, and for me, as a water-guzzler, my glass was always promptly topped up. Dishes also arrived at a comfortable pace.

We elected to walk home after our second visit, just to give us a chance to walk off all of what we’d consumed. Timed at half an hour, I’d wager we’ll be crossing the river again soon for Three Boars.

Three Boars
8424 109 Street
780-757-2600
Monday-Sunday 4pm-late

Food Notes for May 28, 2012

It finally feels like summer’s here! Crazy how in just a week, the trees just burst into full bloom. I hope you’re able to get outside and enjoy it! On to this week’s food notes:

The next Live Local dinner is taking place at The Dish on June 3. If it’s anything like the meal Blue Plate Diner hosted in March, I think it will be a great success!
Greens, Eggs and Ham is hosting a farm tour and a reading by Foodshed author Dee Hobsbawn-Smith on June 11 at 6pm. RSVP to Mary Ellen if you’re interested – and yes, there will be food samples!
I had no idea until Jeff’s comment that Highlands would be hosting a farmers’ market on Thursdays from 5-9pm starting on June 7. That makes four markets on Thursday nights – Salisbury, Alberta Avenue, and the 124 Street Grand Market, which just debuted last week. How many is too many? Do we have enough demand, customers, and producers to shop and staff four markets?
Century Hospitality has kicked up a bit of controversy with the naming of their latest restaurant. MKT (short for “beer market”), may be carving out its own identity, featuring a gastropub menu and a wide selection of beer, but its name being just one letter shy of MRKT is much too similar for some. MKT is set to open in mid-June.
The chefs who will be competing in this year’s Gold Medal Plates has been announced!
Liane will be leading a tour of food truck central – Portland – in August. It sounds like it will be a delicious outing!
Mack wrote a great post about the bylaws pertaining to food trucks in Edmonton – worth a read if you want to know more about what’s behind the Drift and Grandma Lee’s dispute.
In case you missed the recipes that have been published in Taste Alberta in the last year, not to worry, Company’s Coming has collated them into a cookbook.
We had the best weather yet at Truck Stop last week. Calm, sunny skies were a welcome change from the overcast, windy conditions we’ve received over the past month. I also finally got to try The Act’s PB & J burger for the first time. The beef was particularly tasty, and the peanut butter actually didn’t overwhelm the burger itself. Check the website for the menus for the final Truck Stop in May.

PB & J Burger

Mack’s halibut burger

Although I love asparagus (and picked up a bunch from Edgar Farms this weekend), my favourite of the spring vegetables has to be pea shoots. I love how fresh and light they taste, and how versatile they are. Yesterday, we had Greens, Eggs and Ham shoots on homemade pizza, topped with prosciutto, mushrooms, and Gull Valley Tomatoes.

I heart pea shoots

A Taste of Oils and Vinegars: Evoolution

I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again – it’s such an exciting time for 104 Street! Cask & Barrel opened earlier this year, Pangea continues to improve its inventory, and Roast Coffeehouse is well on its way – the Promenade is really becoming the place to be for Edmontonians who appreciate good food and drink. The newest shop on the street, Evoolution, is another great addition home cooks will want to visit. It opened on May 18, but Mack and I finally had some time to explore the shop last week.

Evoolution

Evoolution took over a storefront previously occupied by a tanning salon, and replaced it with an oasis of fine oils and vinegars. Their renovations have transformed the space into an inviting room where tasting products is not only welcome, but encouraged.

Tasting vocabulary!

Gorgeous tins from Italy line the shelves, housing a dozen different single-origin varietals of extra virgin olive oil and vinegars, as well as flavoured oils and vinegars. Tasting notes, pairings, and the crush dates are written clearly above each vessel, but patrons are encouraged to give them a try themselves. We were advised not to test more than four varietals, lest we overwhelm our palate.

Olive oil varietals

Mack and I tried a few, and had to admit that we never really noticed the grassy and peppery notes in olive oil before. We settled on a small bottle of the organic Chemlali from Tunisia, which seemed milder than some of the others we had sampled.

Bottles

We liked the pricing scheme, which was uniform regardless of the evoo or vinegar chosen – $12 for 200mL, $18 for 375mL and $29 for 750mL. Evoolution offers a 10% discount if patrons bring a bottle back for a refill (though I can imagine getting those narrow bottles clean would be no easy task).

Pricing

Evoolution also sells other specialty oils (such as walnut and truffle), salts, and very soon, will start to carry spices from Calgary-based Silk Road.

Salts

Always interested in programming, I asked if Evoolution would be organizing more formal tasting classes soon. It sounds like small private tastings are available to be booked, but nothing yet for the public. I also hope they consider collaborating with other businesses in the area – I think a natural pairing would be a tasting of their oils with breads from Dauphine across the street.

I also asked if Evoolution would consider carrying locally-sourced, cold-pressed canola oils (or even Mighty Trio, which makes some fine hemp and flaxseed oils). It sounds like they want to maintain their focus on extra virgin olive oils, but perhaps they might reconsider this in the future!

Given Evoolution is just down the street from where we live, we will be back to give some of their vinegars a taste on another day. If you’re in the neighbourhood, definitely consider paying them a visit.

Evoolution
10130 104 Street
(587) 521-3445
Monday-Friday 10am-7pm, Saturday 9am-7pm, Sunday 12-5pm

2012 City Market: Week 2

Without a wedding to rush off to this Saturday, Mack and I were able to take our time at the City Market this afternoon. It really was a gorgeous day, sunny with a light, warm breeze – such a difference just one week can make!

Beautiful day

We did treat ourselves to a lazy start, however, which did mean that some sought-after spring produce was already sold out by the time we got downstairs.

Jen’s Organic Garden was sold out

That said, we still encountered a full table of Edgar Farms asparagus, so made sure to snag a bundle. We also picked up an order from Greens, Eggs and Ham – the benefit of being on their Futures Program is that they will set aside some of their coveted produce for members!

Asparagus from Edgar Farms

Sunflower sprouts from Greens, Eggs and Ham

Rhubarb from Sundog Organics

Our leisurely walk down the market aisles also meant we were able to connect with some vendors we likely walked right past last week.

Elaine and Gary of Allium Foodworks

Amy of Ameya Studio

Vendors and shoppers alike are still getting used to the new back-to-back set up, but we really hope it sticks. Change always takes time to adapt to, but as a whole, it seems like the right decision for all involved on the street. And given the growth of the City Market this year, it might also be a good time for the organizers to develop a map app that would help consumers locate their favourite vendor.

Down one aisle

As we were browsing the market around lunch time, the lines at the different food vendors were noticeably long. Today, there were a total of six vendor options: Fork & Spoon Brigade, Medicine Man Bison, Serben Free Range, Fat Franks, Eva Sweet and Carnival Cravings. Lit was also selling burgers and Italian sausages from their patio barbecue.

Fat Franks

Filistix, a popular food truck who has been a mainstay at the City Market for several years, decided not to sign up for the 2012 season to focus on their campus ventures. For that reason, it seemed like an ideal time to usher in other food trucks, especially since they have been such a draw for the market. We know of many people who visit the market not specifically to shop, but to enjoy the outdoors, and people watch. Many of these people may not purchase groceries, but will buy something to eat, whether it be kettle corn, a hot dog, or lemonade. Street food has become an integral part of the market.

Picking up my sweet treat of the day

We know of at least one food truck who applied this year was turned down, but there could be others as well. Though the savoury dishes provided by the Fork & Spoon Brigade are a good start, other more unique options would be a welcome complement, and ultimately, could help entice more people to the market. Hopefully the City Market embraces other food trucks soon – because if they won’t, other markets will.

See you next week!

The Cooking Chronicles: Spilling More Beans

Though we still do have a few cans in the pantry for emergencies, for the most part now, I’ve only been using beans and pulses cooked from their dried form. Prepared in large batches, then frozen in small portions for use in individual recipes, I’ve found the transition a lot easier than I expected.

With thawed pulses in tow, I tried out a few more dishes from Spilling the Beans by Julie Van Rosendaal and Sue Duncan.

White Bean Risotto with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Spinach and Parmesan

I loved the idea of incorporating beans into risotto, especially because our usual risotto is mushroom-based, and minus the cheese, is protein-less. As a result, we usually prepare risotto to be consumed as a side dish, instead of the main that we know it can be.

This recipe of white bean risotto is a seamless way of punching up the dish, and really, the beans end up being cloaked and almost disguised in the creamy rice.

White bean risotto with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach and parmesan

I appreciated the wilted spinach, but probably could have done with three times the amount of sundried tomato (I already doubled the quantity from the original recipe). Definitely a winner we will make again!

Spaghetti with Garlic, Chickpeas and Braised Kale

Another vegetarian option we tried involved lacing spaghetti with garlic, chickpeas and braised kale. For some reason, pan-roasting the chickpeas didn’t quite work for me, and they didn’t end up with the crispy texture that the recipe intended. Other than that, the kale cooked up nicely, and the garlic flavour was prominent, as expected.

Spaghetti with garlic, chickpeas and braised kale

That said, it wasn’t the easiest dish to eat – it’s difficult to spear chickpeas on a fork already wrapped with spaghetti and kale! A smaller pasta like rotini or penne would have worked a lot better. As well, as most “sauceless” pastas go, it did not reheat well the next day.

But we’re not discouraged! I’m sure we’ll be thumbing through the book for even more inspiration in the next few weeks.

Opening Day: 124 Street Grand Market

Given the 124 Street Grand Market is just a ten minute bus ride from my office, I had no excuses not to check it out on its opening day this evening!

124 Street Grand Market

The weather was the nicest its been since Sunday, perfect conditions for a stroll at an outdoor farmers’ market. It was still very early when I arrived, but shoppers were already out in full force. I have to say I applaud the market for not being afraid to choose a location without a dedicated parking lot nearby, and encouraging folks to use transit and other means of transportation.

Loved Rota’s “built in” tent seating

I had initially thought the Grand Market would be set up in the old bus loop, but it turns out the organizers partially shut down the street. Tents lined both sides, with a narrow thoroughfare in between.

Shoppers

The bus loop, with its picnic tables, formed the perfect outdoor cafe for those looking for a bite to eat from Drift and Nomad who were both on hand.

Food trucks!

Dine al fresco

There were about two dozen vendors total, with a majority of them selling non-food items. I realize it’s still early in the season, but I hope as the months progress, the Grand Market adds many more fresh produce and protein vendors.

Garden Squirrel Soaps

Studio Bloom

Lactuca piqued my interest, an “urban salad green producer” that farms on a city lot in Westmount. They reminded me of Little Shoots Neighbourhood Farm who sold at the City Market last year, a producer who grew everything in an apartment in Edmonton.

Lactuca salad greens

The 124 Grand Market is joining two other Thursday evening markets in the Edmonton area – Salisbury (year-round) and Alberta Avenue (which opens June 7). It’ll be interesting to see how this new addition affects foot traffic at the other two markets, and which market producers will choose. I look forward to returning in the coming weeks to see what other vendors turn up!

The 124 Street Grand Market runs Thursday evenings from 5-9pm at 124 Street and 108 Avenue. Keep up to date on vendor lists at the 124 Grand Market website.

2012 City Market Report: Week 1

Unlike last year, this past Saturday wasn’t actually week one of the City Market, given the downtown farmers’ market has actually just finished its first full year indoors. But City Hall isn’t quite the same as 104 Street, and the market always feels reborn when it returns to the brick and tree-lined promenade.

Looking good!

And with Mack and I residing just over the street, we know it’s officially summer when we can throw open our windows and hear the sounds of the market – the exchanges between producers and shoppers, the sound of a lone saxophone, the voice of Martin Kerr.

Getting their waffle on!

It was no different this Saturday. It could have a been a bit warmer – the sun was out, but so was the wind – though it didn’t seem to matter to the crowds that flocked to the streets. Dogs with Wings was also on-site, with many of their service dogs in training on hand to demonstrate their skills.

Dogs with Wings

This was also the first of the three week pilot that involved vendors setting up back to back on 104 Street from Jasper to 102 Avenues, in order to provide more clear exposure to the businesses that line the street.

In the shade

It might be something market shoppers have to get used to, but Mack and I liked the new layout. There might be some issue for those in strollers and wheelchairs to circle around the median at Jasper Avenue (there wasn’t a lot of room between the barricade and the median), but other than that, it might actually mean that people spend more time at the market walking the entire strip.

Blue sky

Though it is still very early on in the growing season, there was already some colour to be seen in the vending stalls.

South Cooking Lake Greenhouses

Doef’s

Greens, Eggs and Ham

Green Valley Farm

Gull Valley Greenhouses

Sundog Organics

Edgar Farms (the last asparagus bunch of the week!)

I’m looking forward to what I’m sure will be a great market season. See you on the street.

Food Notes for May 21, 2012

Apologies for being MIA, but there was good reason for it: I was in Toronto visiting my sister for most of last week, then came back to our third Truck Stop on Thursday and Mack’s sister’s wedding on the weekend. Needless to say, I’m still in catch-up mode! So though some of the “news” below is a bit dated, I hope to get back on track this week:

The annual Al Fresco Block Party is just a few weeks away, but to gear up for it, some of the organizers are offering other opportunities to help raise money for the Zebra Child Protection Centre, the charity of choice this year. On May 23, join several local performers for a musical showcase and party at Yellowhead Brewery, or if wine is more up your alley, a Tour of Italy tasting at DeVine’s on May 31.
The 124 Street Farmers’ Market will debut on Thursday, May 24.
Riverbend Gardens is hosting a “plant and play” day on May 27 from 1-4pm. There will be great specials on plants, wagon rides, bouncy castle, make and take planters and free ice cream! Consider checking out one of the most beautiful farms within city limits, and learning more about the Community Supported Agriculture project they would like to start.
It looks like Cococo Chocolatiers will be open at the end of May or beginning of June.
Fantasia Noodle House, who had to leave their long-time location, has been reborn further up the avenue – you can now find them at 11765 Jasper Avenue.
124 Street is really developing fast – with a second location of The Bothy, and now Red Ox, joining Duchess, Cafe Tiramisu and The Clever Rabbit, it is becoming a bit of a restaurant district.
In case you missed it (because I did the first time), Twyla reviewed Crepe Symphony, a new-ish restaurant next to Tres Carnales on Rice Howard Way.
It’s easy to forget that Earls started in Edmonton (especially when in places like Toronto, the line-ups at their relatively new Earls and Joey’s locations are insane), but they’ll be spending $5 million to renovate the very first Earls Tin Palace to help restore it to its former glory. It will close in June and reopen in October.
Vue Weekly published the results of their annual Golden Fork Awards last week. Mack and I were surprised (and honoured!) to see that What the Truck?! was the second runner up in the category of Best Food Festival or Event – thanks to everyone who voted for WTT!
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you may have read about some of the controversy between Drift and Grandma Lees. At the very least, we’re happy that mobile food vendors are now even further in public consciousness, and that this is highlighting the need for firm policy.
Chef Andrew Parker is combining cooking classes with a good cause – all meals prepared by students at the Ronald McDonald House will stay on to feed the families at the residence.
The past two Truck Stops have been really successful, with lines sometimes starting even before the trucks have arrived. One of these days, the weather will be perfect! This Thursday, we’re looking forward to two of Edmonton’s newest food trucks to join us – Battista’s Calzones and The Next Act! Hope to see you there!

Pancake soup from Nomad

My regular from Fat Franks

Mack and I were glad that we were able to be a part of Kim and Shane’s wedding this weekend. It was a beautiful ceremony – congratulations, and we wish you both a lifetime of happiness!

Kim and Shane’s first dance

One of the Best: The Burger Joint

After a South Edmonton Common run on the previous weekend, Mack and I ended up having lunch at the nearby Burger Joint. I had read about the inconspicuous restaurant on Chris’ blog quite some time ago, and honestly, had no one pointed it out, I never would have assumed there was a restaurant buried among the health care services in the strip mall.

Burger Joint

Inside, the interior is boldly coloured but simple, with a combination of modern chairs and small booths. We snagged a table, and started working on our order cards, a system very similar to Fulton Market. Patrons select the type of patty they want, customize it with forty different free toppings, and add, if they wish, fourteen other toppings for an additional fee.

Order cards

In many ways, it’s easy to get carried away with the tickboxes, as Mack found. Why not go for cheese, bacon and egg? Before we knew it, our two combos with fries and a drink added up to over $26 – not exactly your typical fast food price.

Our cards

But then again, the Burger Joint doesn’t provide the typical quick-serve fare. We found that out pretty quickly when our fries were delivered, piping hot, in a cute mini-fryer basket and metal cone. Both the fries and curly fries were not only delectably crispy, but they were accompanied by a house-made tartar sauce. I’m not normally a fan of mayo-based pairings for fries, but I’d make an exception every time for this tangy, toothsome sauce.

Fries

Our burgers arrived a moment later, on plates perhaps a bit too small, given the relative height of the burgers. These were creations, no doubt, and definitely meant to tantalize one’s visual palate first. Mack and I did our best to press our burgers down so we could get a good grasp on it (Guy Fieri-style), and dug in.

My burger

Poster burger boy

The beef patty was remarkably good – well-seasoned, and actually tasted as if it had been made from fresh beef (unlike South St. or Fulton Market). Mack liked the bread a little more than I did (my preference is for the pillowy-soft variety as opposed to the toasted bun), but both of us enjoyed the toppings for the most part.

Yum

In the rising scene of burger bars, we’d rate Burger Joint among the best. Between the stellar fries and excellent burgers, it’s hard to think of another place that gets both components so right.

The Burger Joint
9132 23 Avenue
(780) 435-0008

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: