Recap: Saturday Brunch Pop-Up at Get Cooking

In the last year, there has been an increase in the number of non-traditional venues hosting brunch. This includes Sailin’ On’s Breakfast Club at The Buckingham, and the fairly new Wild Heart Brunch Club at The Mercury Room. Another recent addition to the weekend scene is Get Cooking’s Brunch Pop-Ups.

They launched just over a month ago at the end of January, and seek to provide people with a relaxed opportunity to gather and socialize. It takes place every Saturday at noon, and based on our experience last week, it isn’t a meal you will rush through (we were there a total of 2.5 hours). Brunch at Get Cooking is meant to be savoured, and if you don’t know the folks around your communal table, you will by the end of the afternoon! Plus, the food we consumed was so rich we needed time between courses just to recuperate.

Mack and I were invited by Get Cooking to experience their brunch last weekend. We arrived just after noon to a nearly full house. For those who prefer one of the coveted island seats, I’d recommend arriving early to guarantee yourself a front row vantage point. Some of the kitchen action can be seen from other areas of the room on the TV monitors, but cooking tips and tricks (unlike other Get Cooking classes) are not the focus here. In fact, Chef Doreen Prei wasn’t miked, so she was difficult to hear above the din of social chatter. We did wander over to the stove every now and then, but the open kitchen was more of an incidental presence than a deliberate attraction. Personally, I would have appreciated more details about where the ingredients were sourced (even if only on a menu), but I was probably in the minority.

Chef Doreen Prei

The $45 ticket ($22.50 for kids aged 7-13) includes a tasting board, an amuse, four courses, coffee or tea and a welcome cocktail. The cocktail was served family-style in a generous punch bowl – Ann’s Garden Punch was an easy-to-drink combination of pineapple-infused rum, lemon, almond syrup, sumac, mint, cucumber and strawberries.

Ann’s Garden Punch

It might have been a small detail, but Mack and I appreciated that the coffee, made with Iconoclast-roasted beans, kept coming. Staff ensured the French presses at our table were refreshed as necessary, and the milk for coffee was even thoughtfully warmed.

Before the hot courses arrived, we were invited to sip our drinks and fill up our plates at their tasting board. Changing weekly, the selections that day included margarita scones (served with compote and cream), and a variety of cheeses and charcuterie.

Tasting boards

Chef Prei’s amuse bouche consisted of shot glasses of Gold Forest Grains steel cut oats, bits of chorizo, and a garnish of whipped cream, blueberries and pistachios. I’ve never been a fan of oatmeal, but the addition of chorizo was genius – the fat and flavour boost has made me reconsider this breakfast option.

Steel cut oats with chorizo, whipped cream, blueberries and pistachios

Ricotta fritters, served on beautiful table-length wooden planks, were a delight to eat, lightly battered, fried, and accompanied by a tomato and orange jam.

Ricotta fritters

Eggs made their appearance in the next course – poached over smoked salmon and a delectable potato rosti and bernaise. Chef Prei shared her secret for poaching eggs: a splash of vinegar and vigorous whisking of the water prior to slipping the eggs in, as the motion helps draw the whites in around the yolk.

Eggs benedict with smoked salmon and potato rosti

My favourite dish was one I would never order on my own at brunch – a beer-marinated flank steak with greens, a German bread dumpling and mushroom sauce. The beef was perfectly medium rare, and the dumpling, pan-fried in butter, was delicious.

Beer-marinated flank steak with greens and a German bread dumpling

Dessert combined hot and cold elements: fried brioche rolled in lavender sugar with a brandy chocolate drizzle plus a white chocolate elderflower parfait.

Fried brioche and white chocolate elderflower parfait

As a whole, the meal at Get Cooking featured some of the most refined dishes I’ve ever had at brunch. As everything was made fresh, it does distinguish itself from the buffet-style brunches aligned by price alone. In this case, the ticket price is justified based on the quality and unique nature of the dishes. And because of the ever-changing menu, this brunch stays true to its pop-up inspiration.

Up close and personal with plating

Thanks again to Kathryn and Liv for the invitation! If you’re interested in trying their brunch, make sure to reserve online in advance, or stay tuned to their Twitter account for information about seats available on the day of.

Get Cooking
11050 104 Avenue
(780) 934-8058

Check out Athena’s review of the same brunch experience here.

Food Notes for March 7, 2016

SPUD Edmonton is hosting their third Meet Your Farmers event on March 12, from 10:30am-1pm. Learn more about SPUD with tours, samples, and a pop-up market.
The Wild Heart Brunch Collective is back for its second event this Saturday, March 12 at The Mercury Room from 11am-3pm. The $15 ticket buys you brunch, one drink item, entertainment, and access to market vendors.
The French Quarter Grand Market kicked off its spring season last weekend. Join them every Sunday from 11am-3pm at La Cite Francophone (8627 Marie-Anne Gaboury Street).
The Buddha Boys are popping-up at Prairie Noodle House on March 27, 2016, serving up their version of ramen and dessert. Tickets are $33.
Workshop Eatery has partnered with Taste Alberta for a series of dinners celebrating our local bounty. The first takes place April 5, 2016. Tickets for the four-course meal are $75.
On April 15, 2016, the Edmonton Valley Zoo is hosting an event focused on sourcing sustainable seafood locally. Tickets are $50 and include wine and appetizers.
Chartier, the much talked about French Canadian restaurant in Beaumont, has announced a soft opening date of March 29, 2016.
A new pastry shop called Chocorrant will open a few blocks down from Duchess in the spring at 10330 124 Street.
Liane has expansion news from the folks behind Sabor Divino, Bodega and Urbano Pizza: they’re not only opening a larger version of Urbano on 124 Street, but will also be opening up a version of Bodega in Highlands at 6509 112 Avenue.
It’ll be interesting to see how Edmonton’s new Shopping Under the Stars Night Market will fare – no doubt they’re thinking big, hoping for 500+ vendors. The market will run May 20 – September 5, 2016.
The Tomato released their forth annual Top 100 Best Things to Eat or Drink in Edmonton. Did your favourites make the list?
It seems the time of year for lists, as Graham Hicks also offered up his own, all about the best fast-food burger in Edmonton.
There are already two reviews of Coco Fresh Tea & Juice which opened just last week at 10147 109 Street. It claims to be the world’s largest bubble tea chain.
Cindy shares her love of Noodle Feast with some pictures you should avoid if you’re hungry!
Avenue Magazine checked out Seoul Fried Chicken, and found out that the secret is to get there early.
Andrea is the latest to write about her introduction to Nando’s.
Jonny visited Kerala, a South Indian restaurant located across from Southgate Centre.
Frosty Fox Ice Cream is the latest food enterprise to start a crowd-funding campaign, with the hopes of purchasing an ice cream bike or truck.
I missed linking to Liane’s excellent series which began last week, called Nosh North. She spotlights interesting, lesser-known food establishments on Edmonton’s North End. Learn more about Marina’s Cuisine and Tamiri Bites.
Those familiar with 12 Acres will know the restaurant had partnered with a local farm to source their ingredients as close to home as possible. Unfortunately, it seems like the farm and restaurant have parted ways.
Hens live to see another day: City Council approved the continuation of the backyard chickens pilot.
Pulses made the cover story of Vue Weekly – but will they gain more traction in meat-forward Alberta?
I’m sure some said it couldn’t be done: the March issue of Bon Appetit was shot entirely with iPhones.
I love Vital Greens cream as much as the next person, but this sign made me laugh: are there folks out there with a cream hoarding problem?

Vital Greens at Blush Lane

One of the best things about Tao Garden are their customizable, made-to-order soups, but for whatever reason, I always stick to what I know and love. Is that so bad?

My go-to satay broth, tofu puffs, beef balls and wontons at Tao Garden

After work on Saturday, I grabbed a bite to eat at Pho Hoan Pasteur. I rarely say no to pho, but that day, it felt much too warm for soup.

Chicken and spring roll vermicelli bowl at Pho Hoan Pasteur

A Place to Gather: Juniper Cafe & Bistro

Though Edmonton is most known-for its trendy restaurant districts – Downtown, 124 Street, Old Strathcona – the hidden gems buried within residential neighbourhoods are often the unsung heroes of our city. They are natural gathering places in areas where they might be few and far between, and provide a reason for residents to stay close to home. For me, it’s an excuse to explore a neighbourhood I might be less familiar with, pockets no less important in a city as diverse as Edmonton.

Juniper is one of the more recent low-key restaurant arrivals. While there have been a few reviews since it opened in November 2015, it’s still under the radar. On a Friday visit for dinner last month, we were told that the dining room, half-full, was one of their busier evenings.

Juniper took over the space formerly occupied by the infamous Strathearn Pub. While I hadn’t been to its previous incarnation, I imagine the space looks nothing like it once did, now with a wide open room and a built-in play space for little ones. Juniper’s defining feature is the counter, welcoming with displays of coffee, baked goods and tempting desserts. Juniper serves up three meals a day Wednesday to Saturday (and brunch on Sundays).

Mack

Their dinner menu is based on the idea of sharing family-style plates, a way of eating that Mack and I really enjoy. We started with the chorizo queso fundido ($8) in lieu of the sold-out steamed buns with hoisin duck. While the queso fundido did arrive piping hot with devilishly stringy cheese, if you’ve had the same dish from Rostizado (which yes, is double the price), it’s hard to compare. It’s a version not dissimilar from what you might craft at home, but in this kid-friendly context, is probably a good dish to have on the menu.

Queso fundido

The next two plates were fine, but over promised and under delivered. The roasted spuds with Indian spices ($12) needed to be "kicked up a notch", in Mack’s words. Even with the addition of duck gravy and cheese, they were much too mild in flavour.

Roasted spuds with Indian spices

The spicy meatballs on polenta ($16) was our favourite dish. The meatballs and polenta were well-prepared, but similar to the potatoes, the heat level didn’t live up to its name at all.

Spicy meatballs on polenta

Service was friendly, and we never felt rushed as we lingered over our coffee. Though we didn’t have dessert, I did pick up a cookie to take home, and after enjoying it wished I had the foresight to purchase more.

Overall, while Juniper didn’t quite reach the level of elevated comfort food, we are open to returning. They told us they are known for brunch, and their menu on the outset looks appealing. I hope they are able to refine some of their dishes to better meet diner expectations.

Juniper Cafe & Bistro
9514 87 Street
(780) 490-6799
Wednesday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 8am-9pm, Sunday 10am-2pm, closed Monday-Tuesday

Food Notes for February 29, 2016

Both Andrea and Cindy are giving away the chance to dine at the upcoming NAIT Chef in Residence Luncheon on March 10, 2016, which will feature the food of Chef Vikram Vij.
Mark your calendars: Downtown Dining Week runs March 11-20, 2016. Prix fixe meals will be offered at 36 restaurants at $15, $28 and $48 price points. There are some good deals to be had, including a $15 lunch at Pampa with access to their salad bar and three Rodizio meats.
The next Swine and Dine pop-up event is taking place at the Royal Glenora Club on March 17, 2016. Tickets for the four-course meal are $75.
The 2016 edition of Seedy Sunday is taking place on March 20, 2016 in a new location, the Central Lions Seniors Centre (11113 113 Street). It’ll be interesting to see if their attendance spikes this year, with all the speculation that increasing produce prices will entice more novice gardeners.
Smokehouse BBQ is changing the direction of their sister shop on 124 Street – from Pie Eatery to Stuffed Gourmet Sausage.
Calle Mexico is the latest food truck to open up a brick and mortar restaurant. You will be able to find them at 107 Avenue and 113 Street.
It looks like a new ramen place is coming to Whyte Avenue, called Nu Do Ru.
The new Orange Market at 10401 82 Avenue, a 24-7 convenience store, features an Urbano Pizza location inside.
Avenue Magazine released their list of best restaurants for 2016: RGE RD was named best overall, with NongBu scoring best new restaurant. Avenue has added a weekly Food + Drink newsletter to its roster. If you sign up, it will be e-mailed to you every Tuesday.
Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list for 2016 has just been released. Edmonton has 3 establishments that made the cut: Bar Bricco, Corso and Rostizado.
Linda offers us a peek behind the scenes at Cobs Bread during hot cross bun season, and is also providing a chance to win bread for a year and an Easter prize pack.
The Breakfast Club checks out the Nordic Brunch offered at Victoria Golf Course’s Dogwood Cafe, run by the folks behind Culina.
Jonny is the first to review Baha Cabana (13716 Castle Downs Road), a Caribbean-Chinese restaurant on the north side.
Lindsey and Ms. Hangry Foodie are the latest local bloggers to review Love Pizza.
Phil’s latest Off Menu Podcast features Twyla Campbell and Dan Clapson discussing the food scenes of Edmonton and Calgary.
Vue Weekly profiles Passion de France, an upstart pastry shop on 118 Avenue.
Liv had a great piece in the Globe & Mail covering the evolution of Edmonton’s coffee roasting scene.
Did you know that cereal has been on a downward trend? The big brands are trying to find their way back into consumers hearts.
We finally checked out Planet Organic’s new location at 12210 Jasper Avenue. No doubt it’s a beautiful store, with an expanded ready-to-eat section (it was great to see Phil & Sebastian coffee available).

Planet Organic

On Saturday, Mack and I finally had the chance to pop by Blue Hour Tea’s storefront located in Vacancy Hall in basement of the Mercer Warehouse (10359 104 Street). The local company blends their own teas, and at Vacancy Hall’s season opener on March 12, 2016, they’ll be debuting their version of an iced tea. We picked up some of their Sleep blend to try.

Blue Hour Tea

We couldn’t help but pick up Confetti Sweets cookies over the weekend at the City Market. It was the perfect snack to accompany an evening with an Oscar-nominated flick (Spotlight, a movie we really enjoyed).

Confetti Sweets

With a Side of History: Sunday Brunch at Fort Edmonton Park

Fort Edmonton Park is easily my favourite City of Edmonton attraction. I’m a sucker for amusements, and the 1920s midway at Fort Edmonton is one of the city’s best kept secrets. In the off-season, however, the Park operates on a limited basis – Capitol Theatre screens vintage films, Hotel Selkirk offers temporary accommodation year-round, and Johnson’s Café (located in Hotel Selkirk) hosts a special brunch every Sunday.

Mack and I were invited by Fort Edmonton Park to try their Sunday Brunch last weekend. Before settling on driving to the Park, we did explore public transit options (especially given the Park lends its name to an LRT stop). The closest we could get on a Sunday, however, was a bus ride from, ironically, University station followed by a 21 minute walk.

Hotel Selkirk

Reservations are taken for seatings every half hour from 10:30am until 1pm. By the time we arrived for our noon reservation, we found Johnson’s Cafe nearly full, made up of small parties of two and larger groups of families with small children.

From the outset, the meal was of good value, food-wise, and more than justified $32.95 cost for adults (seniors tickets are $27.95 and children 4-12 are $19.95). We were told that over the years, the brunch selection has increased significantly, from occupying one corner of the dining room to now taking up the hotel lobby in its entirety.

Omelette station

The Sunday brunch buffet spread spanned breakfast, lunch and dessert options. We started off with breakfast, taking full advantage of the omelette station, plump breakfast sausages and fantastically crispy bacon. We didn’t sample the eggs benedict, as it was doubtful the yolks would remain runny in the chafing dishes, but I did really enjoy the Parmesan grilled tomatoes.

Breakfast for two

We returned to sample the lunch choices, which included several cold salads, cheeses and charcuterie, seasonal vegetables, pasta, pork loin in a pineapple sauce, grilled chicken, and a carving station offering up nicely marbled beef brisket with a peppercorn jus.

Carving station

To be frank, I saved up the most room for dessert. I was most impressed with the dessert selection, highlighted by a showstopping red velvet cake and a deliciously moist spinach and beet cake (the green layers were vibrant without any noticeable spinach flavour). I was also drawn to the pineapple upside down cake, decadently served with a side of cream, and the notion of lavender and apple shooters, an interesting alternative to alcoholic shots. Mack was drawn to the kid-friendly desserts, including Rice Krispie treats and mini cupcakes.

Desserts!

Service was fantastic throughout – there were numerous staff ensuring the food stations were constantly refilled, while the dining room staff checked in with us constantly, topping up our coffee and water without request.

After brunch, we wandered 1905 and 1920 Streets, peering into windows and enjoying the scenic facades on a sunny winter afternoon. In the summer, brunch includes admission to the Park, which operates May until September. On that warm day, we couldn’t help but wonder why Fort Edmonton couldn’t be a year-round attraction, or at least one with a season extended beyond one-off events like Christmas Reflections and Easter hunts.

Visiting with the horses at Mellon Farm

As a part of the Winter City Strategy, the Park has built-in warming stations in its indoor facilities, and could easily replace train and streetcar transportation with horse-drawn wagon rides (an attraction that operates now, but is only available to groups). It would also be a great way to educate people about how Edmontonians in previous eras worked to stay warm.

1920 Street

Mack and I both agreed that while we enjoyed our brunch experience at Hotel Selkirk, because it required a trip to Fort Edmonton without the promise of visiting the attraction as a whole, we would be more likely to return during the summer months when it could be combined with the operational Park.

Of note, because we did commit to driving to the Park, we detoured to finally check out the Alfred H. Savage Centre, located on the opposite side of Fox Drive from Fort Edmonton (accessible through the Whitemud Park turnoff). It’s a lovely facility with restrooms that functions as a warm-up centre for the adjacent toboggan hill (marked as "closed" that day, in spite of all of the families out enjoying the beautiful day). Consider walking off the sumptuous meal with a jaunt in the trails, as we did.

At Whitemud Park

Thanks again to Fort Edmonton Park for hosting us! The Winter Sunday Brunch series runs until March 27, 2016.

Check out Linda’s review of Sunday brunch here.

Eat Your Heart Out: Love Pizza

If there was ever a restaurant named just for Mack, it would be called Love Pizza. When we’re meal planning for the following week, his consistent answer for dishes to add on the list is “pizza”. It’s also the single item he would commit to eating for the rest of his life if he was forced to pick just one. So in many ways, Love Pizza was the perfect place for us to end up on Valentine’s Day, given Mack’s affection for pizza.

In the past, Mack and I have written about our reluctance to dine out on Valentine’s Day, particularly as it relates to the perceived lack of value and an inability to live up to expectations. But on that night, we couldn’t bring ourselves to cook. Plus, in an unlikely twist, Love Pizza was actually offering a deal of half off a second pizza, almost unheard of on an occasion where the opposite is more likely to occur. Given the origins of the restaurant, however – a first date for the owners at a local pizzeria that led to love – it’s a fitting way to celebrate a day all about love.

Famoso, a quick-serve pizza concept, has grown in the ten years since its debut in Edmonton to more than two dozen locations in Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan and Ontario. Last year, the folks behind Sabor Divino opened Urbano, a fast-casual pizzeria focused on customizable pies ready in under two minutes. Love Pizza is the latest to embrace this build-your-own trend (including offering a gluten-free crust), and opened up in the Canterra Centre (10196 109 Street) on January 29, 2016.

Walking in to Love Pizza that night, we found the restaurant half full. The former tanning salon has been transformed into a cafeteria-style dining room, where orders are placed and picked up along the counter. We were both impressed by the fully-developed nature of the concept – everything from the signage to the menu had obviously been thought through to the point where we almost thought Love Pizza belonged to a franchise.

Love Pizza

In addition to the ability to create your own pie, Love Pizza also offers ten signature creations ($11.95 each), as well as a limited number of salads and desserts. They source some ingredients locally, including Gold Forest Grains flour for their whole wheat crust, Irvings Farm Fresh bacon and Spolumbo’s Italian sausage. I did appreciate the fact that toppings were differentiated from “finishes” – ingredients that are added after baking (it never made sense to me why Famoso would always choose to incinerate fresh basil on their margarita pizzas). That night, we chose to order the Meatatarian and the Old MacDonald on regular crust.

Counter

The pizzas were assembled in front of us with an obvious amount of care by very personable staff. They were then placed in an oven that promised a fully baked pizza in three minutes. We were told that the restaurant is working on installing a hood fan; the smoke wasn’t particularly noticeable that evening, but on a subsequent visit we definitely smelled like smoke after dinner.

Order up

Love Pizza understands that we all eat with our eyes first – their pizzas are some of the most photogenic I’ve ever encountered. They also didn’t skimp on the toppings, especially with the cheese. The crust is sturdy but nicely chewy, earning a thumbs up from Mack.

Old MacDonald

I enjoyed the Meatatarian, featuring a tomato sauce base with fior di latte, pepperoni, capicolla, Spolumbo’s Italian sausage and shaved parmesan. Mack’s pick of the Old MacDonald layered spicy tomato sauce with fior di latte, two eggs, Spolumbo’s Italian sausage, spinach, shaved parmesan and a drizzle of chili oil. Both pizzas had a ton of flavour from the toppings and a great diversity of texture.

Meatatarian

Based on the food, reasonable prices, and a relaxed atmosphere, Love Pizza just may have become our go-to pizzeria Downtown. They even have a loyalty program offering $5 off your next purchase. It’s a great concept, one that works for people looking for a quick bite during the day or those hoping to unwind in the evening. I hope they are successful and can maintain the quality in the long run.

Love Pizza
10196 109 Street
(587) 520-9734
Monday to Sunday 11am – 10pm

Celebrating the International Year of Pulses with Alberta Pulse

The UN General Assembly declared 2016 as the International Year of Pulses, highlighting their affordability, nutritional value and sustainability. As nearly 10% of Alberta’s crop acres are dedicated to growing pulses, it is a good time to promote this commodity at home.

Mack and I were invited to attend a recent event hosted by the Canadian Association of Foodservice Professionals (CAFP) at NAIT celebrating this hallmark year for pulses. The CAFP is a national organization that represents chefs, hospitality representatives, food manufacturers and nutritionists, among others. Local branches host learning opportunities for their members, including visits to area food production facilities. In February, in collaboration with Alberta Pulse, the Edmonton branch explored the topic of pulses.

CAFP at Ernest’s

It’s a subject I’ve been learning more about in the kitchen for a few years now. After reading Mark Bittman’s Food Matters more than five years ago (his mission was to encourage more conscious consumption of non-meat proteins), I was inspired to start including more beans and lentils in our diet. In 2011, Julie Van Rosendaal and Sue Duncan’s cookbook, Spilling the Beans, was released, becoming one of our go-to guides for meal inspirations. Now, pulses have just become a part of our regular rotation, both as a meat alternative but also to enhance soups, salads and mains, stretching the meal all while adding nutrients. At this point, our pantry and freezer would feel bare without having some variety of pulses on hand.

Allison Ammeter

That said, the presentations that evening were informative, especially to provide a local context. Farmer and chair of the Alberta Pulse Board, Allison Ammeter, shared the following:

Lentils fix their own nitrogen in the soil, meaning a reduced need for fertilizer when used as a part of a regular crop rotation;
Most pulses use less water, particularly peas and lentils, which is great for drought-prone regions; and
Pulses leave the soil better than it was – wheat grows better on pulse stubble.

Alberta grows a variety of pulses: primarily peas (green, yellow, marrowfat), but also beans (great northern, black, cranberry, pink, small red), lentils (red, green) and chickpeas. And though most are familiar with whole pulses, they can be purchased as flour products as well.

It’s also an unfortunate reality that it’s not easy to locate "product of Alberta" pulses. Unless it is packaged in the province, even locally-grown products end up with a broader "product of Canada" label. Perhaps in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t matter if it lists the growing province, but it does make it more difficult for those hoping to source their food as locally as possible (thankfully in Edmonton, Gold Forest Grains does sell excellent organic red lentils). As the Minister of Agriculture was present that evening, I was hoping that some advocacy might have happened on the need for more production facilities in the province.

Debra McLennan

Debra McLennan from Alberta Pulse shared some nutritional facts of pulses:

They are gluten-free and vegetarian;
They are low in fat, and protein-packed (curiously, in Australia, legumes are classified as a vegetable when a 1/2 cup is served, but as a meat alternative when 3/4 cup is served);
They are an excellent source of folate and are high in fibre; and
They are beneficial in reducing "bad" cholesterol.

Pulses are also relatively light on the wallet, costing significantly less when compared with meat sources of protein. In the context of rising food prices, affecting everyone from consumers at home to restaurant operators, this spotlight on pulses couldn’t come at a better time.

In collaboration with the chefs at Ernest’s, Debra designed the evening’s menu to highlight the many sides of pulses. To start, we enjoyed a duo of yellow split pea soup and a pork croquette which used a white bean purée to bind the meat.

Duo of yellow split pea soup and pork croquette

The entrée was a pan-roasted chicken served with a lentil and rice pilaf. The chicken was very well-prepared, and the pilaf tasty enough, but it was a missed opportunity not to highlight pulses as the main event (Indian-inspired dal, or falafel, for instance).

Pan roasted herbed breast of chicken

For dessert, we were treated to a lentil fudge pie. The pie incorporated a red lentil purée that could not be detected, taste-wise, and with the added nutrients, it’s almost a guilt-free dessert. That recipe can be found online at the Alberta Pulse website.

Lentil fudge pie

If you’re interested in learning more about pulses, check out more recipes at pulses.org, and consider taking the pulse pledge – all it takes is committing to eating a half cup of pulses per week.

Thanks to the CAFP and Alberta Pulse for having us!

Food Notes for February 22, 2016

Marry your love of chocolate and charity – the Red Shoe Society is hosting a tasting of Jacek chocolates on March 5, 2016 that will benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Northern Alberta. Tickets are $35.
I’m disappointed that Chef Ben Staley’s new restaurant, The Alder Room, has shifted from its previously announced location in McCauley, but at least it’s moving forward. They announced last week that they’ve secured space at 10328 Jasper Avenue, and it will be home to not one, but two restaurants – Alta will be a natural wine bar and cold kitchen.
Congratulations to the winners of the third annual Winter City Edmonton Signature Drink Competition.
Nando’s of peri-peri chicken fame, is opening up its first Edmonton location on February 26, 2016 at 4210 Gateway Boulevard.
Jonny is the first to review the Northern Chinese eatery Wheat Garden Noodle & Dumpling Bazaar on 107 Avenue.
Speaking of 107 Avenue, Wheat Garden took over the former Old Szechuan Restaurant digs, which has since relocated to Old Strathcona. Vue Weekly visited their new location.
Ms. Hangry Foodie checks out The Local Omnivore.
Phil’s latest Brunch Odyssey took him to Ampersand 27 and Wildflower Grill.
The Local Grill shines a spotlight on Spencer Thompson and his restaurant, Alberta Hotel Bar & Kitchen.
Restaurants have to account for rising food costs too – but instead of passing the buck to diners, some chefs are getting creative to manage menu prices by substituting cheaper ingredients for pricier ones, or reducing serving sizes.
It was disheartening to hear about the fire that razed the Beverly location of the Italian Bakery that prepared 99% of the businesses’ bread.
Dynasty Century Palace has been fined $42,000 for public health violations.
Congratulations to Confetti Sweets, which will again be heading down to spread cookie joy at a pre-Oscar party in Hollywood.
Mel shares that Dial and Dine has shut down.
Eat Alberta shared some changes they’ve made in 2016: they’ll be launching a series of smaller events this year, and will be postponing the workshop conference until 2017.
Worried about the rising cost of produce? Support local and family farms by choosing Community Supported Agriculture. Vesta Gardens is currently selling shares for the 2016 growing season.
There’s a forthcoming bubble tea cafe coming to Downtown in April, called Bohemian Tea Zone at 10173 109 Street.

Bohemian Tea Zone

Mini-Break in the Mountains: Jasper in January

With the low Canadian dollar and cheap gas prices, I imagine many families are considering staycation options this year. Moreover, although Calgarians often point out Edmonton’s comparable distance to the Rockies as one of our shortcomings, the four hour drove to Jasper really isn’t that much to overcome. It’s definitely close enough for a weekend jaunt, and personally, knowing that a vacation from work is implausible over the next few months, a short getaway is exactly what I’ll need come spring.

Athabasca Falls

My familiarity with Jasper began only a few years ago as an adult, as Banff was my family’s destination of choice growing up. A weekend at the Jasper Park Lodge’s famed Christmas in November in 2014 opened my eyes to the town as a destination in winter. I continued learning about Jasper’s possibilities a few weeks ago, along with Mack and some other media folks, including Linda, Mike, Gail, Phil and Robyn. Tourism Jasper covered our accommodation, transportation and most of the meals that we enjoyed over the weekend.

Linda takes an #elkie

Jasper in January has been taking place for twenty seven years, and what started as a celebration of skiing and snowboarding at Marmot Bason has grown into a wide-ranging festival that features other winter sports, arts and food.

Getting There

Did you know that there is a shuttle that runs daily from Edmonton to Jasper? Well, neither did we, until we booked the Sundog Transportation and Tours bus. It departs from West Edmonton Mall at 3:50pm, to arrive in Jasper by 8pm, with brief stops in Hinton and Edson along the way ($89 one-way ticket for adults). The ride was comfortable, and as Mack noted, it was nice not to have to drive, especially after dark.

That said, the only departure time from Jasper back to Edmonton was at 7am – which means it wouldn’t be possible to make the most of a two-night trip to Jasper. We ended up carpooling home with Phil and Robyn to extend our stay into the afternoon.

Also, as we were shuttled around the Jasper area as a group, had we been without a personal vehicle, it would have been difficult to make our way from one destination to another outside of anything within the town site. While taxis were a reliable source of transportation, they may not be the most economical solution for a holiday.

Scenic Pastures

The highlight of our visit was an afternoon at Marmot Meadows, a Parks Canada Winter Hub. Throughout the season, there will be opportunities to learn more about wildlife, Aboriginal culture, and winter activities at a site that encourages interaction with the outdoors. A skating rink was in the process of being formed (which, as a TV junkie, reminded me of the picturesque mountainside rink in the first season of Everwood), and a cross-country ski track was well-worn in the valley.

Yes, I’m having Everwood flashbacks

Our group participated in a beginner snowshoe activity. Unlike the snowshoes I remembered from my youth – those wooden frames based on more traditional models – Parks Canada staff introduced us to lighter, metal frame versions that were easier to use. We padded into the woods with our guide, relishing the steps into fresh, undisturbed powder.

Snowshoeing

Left to our own devices, Linda and I engaged in some friendly competition, racing short distances in the snowshoes. It was the most fun I had all weekend, and a winter activity I am now inspired to continue in the future.

In it to win it

On Sunday, Phil and Robyn took us to some of their favourite natural wonders. Athabasca Falls is beautiful in the warmer months, but is perhaps even more breathtaking in the winter, with cascades of ice and snow churning below.

Athabasca Falls

With the hard packed trail, it was obvious that many have come to admire the Falls in the winter. But given the parking lot was uncleared, and the walkways were for the most part snowed over and unsanded, it doesn’t seem to be an officially sanctioned attraction in the winter.

Our tour guides

Pyramid Lake, in the shadow of a peak that shares the same name, is set up as its own outdoor activity hub in the winter, and is only about a ten-minute drive from the town of Jasper. Mountain Park Lodges, which operates Pyramid Lake Resort adjacent to the lake, maintains several rinks and ski trails. They offer rentals for visitors without equipment, but we spotted many families who brought their own equipment for an afternoon of shinny, skating or cross-country skiing. In some ways, given the picture-perfect setting, we were surprised there wasn’t evidence of overt commercial sponsorships from national brewing or coffee brands.

Pyramid Lake in winter

We had some fun throwing around curling logs, and warmed up in the lodge with some brunch. Afterwards, we took part in a genuine horse-drawn sleigh ride (no wheeled wagons here). At $25 per person, it could be a steep price to pay for families, but for us, it was a manageable cost that weekend. The rides are especially popular around the holidays, but continue to be offered on weekends until the end of March, conditions permitting.

Curling logs!

With the jangle of sleigh bells and the breathtaking mountain in front of us, it felt like a postcard experience. The sleigh even had fuzzy warm blankets for the ride, appreciated on that blustery afternoon.

Horse-drawn sleigh at Pyramid Lake

Good Eats

Jasper in January had three themed weekends: arts, appetites, and adventures, though some activities spnned multiple weeks. Our trip centred around appetites, and I’m happy to say, we discovered some culinary gems.

The Wicked Cup is a great place to start your day. It’s a charming establishment with a restaurant, cafe and gift shop, and based on their brunch offerings, I wouldn’t hesitate to return for other meals. The pancakes ($10.50) I ordered were not for the faint of heart, served with a wild berry compote and whipped cream. They were fluffy and delicious, and yes, felt a bit like having dessert to start off the day.

Classic pancakes from The Wicked Cup

Jasper Brewing Company is a brew pub located within the town site. They have locations in Banff, Calgary and Fort McMurray, which all have individual identities and offer different signature brews. John Palko, the brewmaster in Jasper, was noncommittal about a future location in Edmonton, but didn’t rule it out.

John Palko of the Jasper Brewing Company

Their model is to sell their beer from the brew pub itself, with the exception of festivals or fundraisers they participate in. Jasper Brewing Company prides itself on serving fresh beer – from mash to pint in 10 days – and produced 115,000L in 2015. Their most popular beer is their Jasper the Bear honey ale.

Mack tried a flight of their beers, which is a great way to sample the six they had on tap. His favourite ended up being the Liftline Cream Ale.

A flight of beers from Jasper Brewing Company

We also learned a bit about backcountry cooking at a session led by Wild Current. For winter camping excursions, because of the cold, it’s even more important that people stay hydrated and consume nutrient-rich foods. We sampled some rehydrated pastas and chilis (made by adding hot water directly to the package), as well as a stew put together by Wild Current staff.

Serving up stew

It was somewhat curious that instead of assembling the stew as a demonstration, we were told it had been put together off-site and just reheated on the campfire. Hopefully Parks Canada reworks the session in the future to make it more hands-on and interactive.

For dinner, we were ushered to the majestic Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. We enjoyed a three-course meal consisting of highlights from Orso Trattoria’s regular menu, and for me, dessert took the cake. The Tarte de Nero, paired with a ten year Tawny Port, was a rich and satisfying way to end a wonderful evening. As has been my experience at the JPL, the service was once again top-notch.

Tarte de Nero from Jasper Park Lodge

Wines in Winter is an annual wine tasting event hosted by Mountain Park Lodges. The $30 ticket was perhaps the best value item all weekend – besides the appetizers that were included within the price, attendees were able to sample over 100 different types of wine.

I would have personally liked to have seen more Canadian wines represented, but we did find our way to the Ontario and BC labels being poured. Mack couldn’t help but be drawn to the Great One.

Enjoying the Wayne Gretzky Series Cabernet Merlot

Our last meal before departing for the weekend was both scenic and delicious (typically, it’s only one for two). The Pines Restaurant inside the Pyramid Lake Resort has a lakefront view, and is beautifully designed to take advantage of the panoramic sights.

The Pines Restaurant

Mack and I both couldn’t resist the decadent croissantwich ($12), layered with a fried egg, avocado, tomatoes, chorizo, and cheddar. The only downside was perhaps not having the foresight to order two sandwiches each.

Croissantwich from The Pines

If you’re planning to attend Jasper in January next year, take a look at Jasper in January for what to expect, or more broadly, at any time of year, on Tourism Jasper for ideas – I’m already looking forward to our next mini-break in the mountains.

Thanks again to Tourism Jasper for the opportunity to further explore Jasper!

Check out Mack’s post about our weekend here.

Food Notes for February 15, 2016

It was great to have an extra day off – I hope you were able to enjoy it with your loved ones! On to this week’s food notes:

Rostizado will be hosting a five-course collaboration dinner with Top Chef Canada winner Rene Rodriguez on February 21, 2016. Tickets are $150 and include wine pairings.
The Westend Food Hub Alliance, in partnership with The Organic Box and Trinity United Church, are hosting a free screening of Michael Pollan’s documentary “In Defense of Food” on February 26, 2016.
Prairie Noodle will be hosting a pop-up with Effing Seafoods on February 28, 2016. $50 will get you freshly shucked oysters, a seafood ramen bowl, and drinks.
Soy and Pepper, billed as a “modern Korean eatery” is now open at 11212 Jasper Avenue.
The Chvrch of John is also now open with a focus on interesting cocktails.
Sandwich and Sons is expanding downtown, and will be sharing Sante’s space at 10184 104 Street. They hope to open up by the end of February.
No Way Jose’s Taqueria opened in Sherwood Park back in early December at #144, 160 Broadway Boulevard.
Andrea is the latest to visit Love Pizza.
Twyla was disappointed by her two meals at The Almanac and recommends that patrons stay for drinks and skip the food.
The newest Off Menu podcast is all about tipping.
The 2016 Golden Fork Awards ballot is now out – vote for your favourite dishes and restaurants for your chance to win $500 in gift certificates.
The Journal dives into how grocery stores are trying to vye for your business amidst rising prices.
Dan shared his scratch ramen noodle recipe on Lillian’s blog – if you’re ever wondered if it’s possible to recreate it at home, Dan has done the legwork for you with his research.
Grub Street ruminates on the “ridiculous rise of viral food and the great line apocalypse”.
After too many desk lunches to count, it was nice to get out last week for some warming noodle soup at Tao Garden.

Satay soup with egg noodles, tofu puffs, beef balls and wontons

Our Chinese New Year celebrations continued over the weekend, including our annual prosperity toss.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Mack and I also checked out the Lunar New Year festivities in Chinatown – our annual dose of firecrackers and lion dancers. It was a mild one, which I’m sure the performers and audience members were more than happy about!

Dragon dancers from McNally High School

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