Food Notes for July 13, 2015

It’s that time of summer where I lament at how fast the season is progressing – it’s already mid-July. Hope you’re out making the most of it! On to this week’s food notes:

Time’s running out to get your discounted Taste of Edmonton tickets – they’re 10% off until July 15 at 6pm. The festival runs July 17-25, 2015.
Daore is Edmonton’s newest Korean eatery. Both Cindy and Jonny have already paid it a visit.
Stephanie checked out a new Filipino restaurant in Riverbend, called The Teaket Eatery.
Twyla is the latest to review St. Albert’s 12 Acres.
The Journal reviewed a restaurant off the beaten path – Salvadorean Mamenche’s.
Karlynn and Phil released their latest episode of Sweet Tooth and Meat Tooth, on the topic of what they think Edmonton needs.
The Downtown location of Hudson’s is closing this week.
Congratulations to Michelle for her Taste Canada award nomination for The Tiffin Box!
Genius – local bakery business Sugared and Spiced is starting a Cake Club: pick three special dates in advance and have a cake delivered to you in the city in time for your celebration. Great for those last minute shoppers who need a reminder! Sign up to be notified of the Club’s launch.
Smokehouse BBQ’s sister business The Pie Eatery is launching this fall! We haven’t seen their associated food truck out and about yet, but hopefully it will happen soon.

The Pie Eatery

Also in the neighbourhood is the relocated Acquired Taste Tea Company, just a stone’s throw from their previous location, at 10122 124 Street.

Acquired Taste Tea Company

I’ve been looking forward to peaches all summer – they’re back at Steve & Dan’s!

Peaches for me!

Weekend breakfasts for us are usually eggy affairs, but we opted to stop by Coffee Bureau instead on our way back home on Saturday morning. It was a good choice: their Leva-baked fontina and ham croissants are worth getting up for.

Coffees and croissants at Coffee Bureau

We had a partial family dinner at RGE RD tonight. Tonight’s kitchen board was probably the best we’ve had (elk terrine, bison sliders and fish sticks), and Mack and I both couldn’t pass up the Arctic char special with beurre blanc. Of course, an order of perogies was also warranted for the table. Thanks to Blair, Caitlin and team for a great meal! Looking forward to the meat shop and expanded space next door in the fall.

Arctic char with Great Northern beans and beurre blanc

Perogies for the people!

Road Trip: Fort Saskatchewan and Jurassic Forest

At the end of June, in lieu of a birthday gift, Mack and I took the opportunity to spend the day together and explore some area attractions that we hadn’t made the time for yet.

To start, we headed to Fort Saskatchewan for their highest profile restaurant – The Downtown Diner. Having been featured not only in the Journal, but also in Food Network’s You Gotta Eat Here, Keith and Lori’s brand of comfort food has attracted some devout fans, many who are willing to make the drive from Edmonton for a meal.

Because of that, we were expecting a bit more of a line, but hey, no complaints here. It also probably helped that we missed the frenzy caused by the television episode by about a week. The diner itself is fairly non-descript on the outside, located along one of the main drags in downtown Fort Saskatchewan. Inside, the L-shaped restaurant is lined with cushy red vinyl booths and checkered floors, and looks exactly how you’d imagine a diner to be.

The Downtown Diner

The staff also play their part – they were genuinely welcoming and friendly, with Keith making a point to thank every table for their business.

The menu is full of diner classics including burgers, fried chicken and mac ‘n’ cheese. Our seat by the kitchen actually made ordering very difficult – everything coming off the counter looked amazing. I settled on the diner hash with some meat ($14), while Mack was swayed by the special, a fried chicken and waffle sandwich ($14).

He definitely won this round: the fried chicken was spot on, crispy and tender, sandwiched by layers of waffles and cream cheese.

Fried chicken and waffle sandwich

My hash would have been enough to feed the two of us, made up of potatoes, scrambled eggs, turkey (an add in), and topped with gravy and hollandaise. In hindsight, fried eggs would have been the better choice, but it was still a satisfying dish. Both of us agreed we’d be back soon to take on the later day entrees.

Diner hash with turkey

The staff at The Downtown Diner are definitely proud of their restaurant – it shows in the food and the service, and you won’t regret the trek out to see for yourself.

After brunch, we headed on foot to a nearby park to see the other attraction in Fort Saskatchewan that we’ve heard a lot about: the sheep.

If you didn’t know, Fort Saskatchewan started utilizing sheep as their living lawnmowers in 1992. From June to September, a flock of about fifty sheep can be seen grazing at various parks four days a week. And yes, this novelty draws its share of tourists, to the point where they have a “sheep hotline”.

We found them!

On that scorcher of a day, the sheep weren’t too difficult to find, clustered under the only available shade cast by a grove of trees. Although the website proclaimed how friendly they were, they did seem pretty wary of us.

With Fort Saskatchewan’s mascots

Along the way, we also stumbled upon the Fort Heritage District. It is a much smaller facility than our own Fort Edmonton, but they had an exciting lesson of axe throwing underway. We were invited to watch the students, but needless to say, we were asked to stand way back.

Axe throwing at the Fort

We hopped back in the car and continued north to Gibbons for Jurassic Forest. With the release of the popular Jurassic World sequel this year, Mack was hoping for more formal staycation tie-ins with Jurassic Forest, but we only just realized that in some ways, the attraction is old hat – we were both surprised to hear that it opened back in 2010.

Since then, Jurassic Forest has undergone a number of upgrades, and have increased the animatronic figures from 42 to 51, and have enhanced their educational displays. We didn’t really know what to expect, but we hoped to be intrigued.

T-Rex

The dinosaurs were split between two heavily shaded trails (something we were thankful for on that day). We initially liked the idea of “stumbling upon” the creatures as we turned the corner, unknowingly tripping a motion sensor, causing the figures to come to life.

Edmontonsaurus, on the right

But in some ways, we were disappointed that the dinosaurs had such limited movement (opening of eyes, raising of arms, and flicking of tails).

Stegasaurus, one of my childhood favourites

Mack was also anticipating that we’d be able to get closer to the animatronic displays. The novelty of seeing them in the distance like wildlife quickly go old, and some of the figures were hard to see in the bush.

In the distance

While we appreciated the placards describing each dinosaur, there were also some randomly placed placards about the flora and fauna, which may not have actually coincided with their location. We understand the facility was trying to encourage learning about our own native species still present, but they seemed like an afterthought.

T-rex selfie!

Since we were there anyway, we extended our stay with a round of mini golf. It was probably a mistake to remain out in the full sun for any longer than we had to, but it was a fun side activity.

Journey to Extinction mini-golf

The Telus World of Science now has a similar animatronic exhibit called Dinosaurs Unearthed, so you may not have to travel as far to see these prehistoric creatures come to life. But it is at a smaller scale, and doesn’t have the built-in appeal of the outdoors. And while I’m not sure I’d recommend Jurassic Forest for very young or older children, it was still a site to experience.

Looking forward to our next adventure close to home!

Date Night: Beverly Farmers’ Market and Historical Tour

A few years ago, Mack and I had dinner followed by a carriage ride, and in that post I wrote that this was only possible in Highlands. Well that wasn’t true.

On Tuesday, Mack and I headed to the neighbourhood of Beverly. I’d been meaning to visit their farmers’ market for some time, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to combine a few activities.

A smaller market open Tuesday evenings from May to September, it is definitely modest in its offerings, but anchored by two recognizable vendors, Riverbend Gardens and Steve & Dan’s, it does draw regular shoppers.

Beverly Farmers’ Market

Rounding out the offerings are more than a dozen other vendors, with wares ranging from baked goods, seafood, and crafts. It was nice to see that the Beverly Farmers’ Market had an incentive program in place – if customers purchased $10 from the featured vendor of the week (in this case, it was the kettle corn truck), they would receive $5 in market dollars to spend at a future market.

Steve & Dan’s

An inflatable play structure was set up in an adjacent field (accessible by admission), and we were told that live music was also a mainstay. Three food trucks were present, but Dolce & Banana immediately drew our attention. We had the chance to sample their mojito-flavoured Italian sodas at our last What the Truck?!, but we were keen to finally try one of Ernesto’s sandwiches on this occasion.

We ordered the The Soprano, filled with spicy salami, mortadella, banana peppers, muffelata and vegetable spreads, basil pesto and mozzarella. Made fresh and pressed to order, the focaccia was hot and delightfully crispy, each bite layered with salty pops of flavour.

The Soprano from Dolce & Banana

We actually ended up taking our sandwiches on the carriage ride. A part of Doors Open Edmonton (on until July 12, 2015), the free historic tours of Beverly provide a chance to learn more about a neighbourhood that just celebrated its centennial in 2014.

We had to pre-register, and given the group was at capacity, I was especially glad we did so. Seated in a horse-drawn wagon, it was a comfortable introduction to Beverly. Mack and I were particularly taken with the Cenotaph Park. Built to commemorate the men who served in the first World War, we were told it is the oldest cenotaph in Alberta.

Cenotaph Park

Unfortunately, the majority of the tour, led by a member of the Olde Towne Beverly Historical Society, was difficult to follow. The chronology of the events shared were not linear, and given a vast majority of the historical buildings are no longer standing (another discussion altogether), some photographic resources could have been shown for reference. In some ways, it was disappointing that a quick perusal of their website and Wikipedia was more informative than the in-person tour.

Horse and wagon

Still, we were directed to some beautiful murals we wouldn’t have otherwise looked for, such as Beverly Beginnings, which shows, among other things, the town’s coal mine foundations.

Beverly Beginnings

To end our evening in Beverly, we stopped by Take 5 (11801 48 Street), a doughnut shop I hadn’t heard of until recently. Lucky for us, they still had multiple varieties for us to choose from. The ones we tried tasted really fresh and springy, and both agreed that the most straightforward flavours of honey glazed and raised sugar were the best.

Hawaiian and banana cream

It was great to spend the evening in a corner of the city we haven’t frequented before. It has been said before, but a stay-cation in Edmonton over the summer is a blessing in so many ways.

Food Notes for July 6, 2015

Hope to see you at out at the next What the Truck?!, taking place Friday, July 10, from 5-10pm at Northlands Park. The menus are now up, and we’re introducing a new system to help us manage lines better.
Great to see Chinatown is changing it up somewhat, hosting a different type of festival this year in place of their usual East Meets West. The Summer Market is taking place on July 11, 2015, from noon-8pm. Expect food, a fashion show, live entertainment and vendors.
The fifth Edmonton Food Fight is moving to an even bigger stage at the Taste of Edmonton, involving 4 chefs on July 19, 2015. Tickets are $63.
It’s already that time of year – the August 1-3, 2015 Heritage Festival’s menu is now online. If you can believe it, they’re celebrating their 40th anniversary!
I love al fresco dinners, and Chef Brad Smoliak has a unique location for his upcoming events – Elk Island Park. Tickets for the August 22 and September 12 suppers are $145.
HUMA Mexican Comfort, a new restaurant brought to you by Mariel Montero-Sena formerly of Expressionz Café and Taco Day fame, is now open (9880 63 Avenue). Learn more about her restaurant here.
Expect a new coffee and beer lounge to open in August called BRU Coffee + Beer House, located in the Pearl (11965 Jasper Avenue).
It’s the end of an era: Chef Paul Shufelt is leaving Century Hospitality after a decade to open his own restaurant, The Workshop Eatery. Best of luck, Paul!
I’ve never heard of Nando’s, but apparently they have quite the following. They’re opening an Edmonton branch in the fall.
Who knew rolled ice cream was a thing? Scoop n Roll has brought this concept to Edmonton. Rebecca and Stephanie have the details.
Jonny is the latest to give St. Albert’s newest eatery 12 Acres a try.
Cindy offers a peek at some of the new menu items offered at The Denizen Hall.
Diane was invited to a pizza party at Urbano Pizza, and shares her favourite creations.
Phil had to eat his way through a ton of pizza to find the best – check out his final wrap-up Pizza Odyssey post to see which pies ended up at the top of his list.
Avenue Edmonton’s annual 25 Best Things to Eat list is now live, featuring dishes chosen by local celebrities.
Mary Bailey is this month’s Edmonton Woman of Vision.
Congratulations to Alley Kat on winning Beer of the Year for Scona Gold at the 2015 Canadian Beer Awards. Speaking of beer, Jason Foster is optimistic about the city’s craft beer scene.
You Gotta Eat Here was busy filming in Edmonton last week, with stops at Battista’s Calzones, MEAT and Rostizado. Great to see more local restaurants featured on a national show.
It’s interesting that the Youth Council decided to make eliminating meat from their catered meals an issue for City Councillors to consider. The vote is Tuesday.
Another establishment is moving into 124 Street and 107 Avenue – Selam Café.

Selam Cafe

It was definitely a food truck kind of day at the Legislature on Canada Day, with nearly 40 vendors set up around the grounds. We indulged in our first mini donuts of the summer at Jackie O’s. They were larger and more substantial than the donuts we’re used to, so much so that we could have used a third person to share with!

Mack loves minis

We also headed to 124 Street’s Mardi Gras festival on Sunday. It wasn’t as well attended as I would have anticipated, but the swing dancers and big band were mighty entertaining! The chicken shawarma we sampled from Dedo’s Food Truck was the delicious cap to the afternoon.

Mack feels like an Avenger

I had the most intense craving for Izakaya Tomo on the weekend that couldn’t be ignored.

Bring on the carbonara udon!

Recap: What the Truck?! Brunch on the Boulevard

On June 10, 2015, What the Truck?! hosted its first brunch-themed event at Capital Boulevard.

Brunch on the Boulevard

Fourteen vendors joined us for Brunch on the Boulevard, serving up inspired items ranging from breakfast pizza to banana bread French toast and Captain Crunch ice cream sandwiches.

Canicus Catering’s breakfast pizza

The weather, while mostly cooperative, was overcast and windy at times. As a result, lines were minimal, and attendees enjoyed seamless access to most vendors – there’s definitely an incentive to coming out in spite of less than optimal conditions!

Weather wasn’t a deterrent for these folks

It was great to have DJs Thomas Culture and Polyesterday on hand to create an upbeat, sunny atmosphere. They literally had some people dancing in the streets!

DJ Thomas Culture

The Downtown Edmonton Community League and GFL also deserve shout-outs, given the sponsorships really helped us make the event a reality.

We had chosen the location primarily because we thought it was worth showcasing. Much has been invested to develop not only Capital Boulevard, but also the new Centennial Plaza and renovated Federal Building. In some ways, we were too ahead of the game – not all of the street’s infrastructure was ready (power, for instance), and the public art on the centre island planters are a year or two out.

Capital Boulevard

As for the Plaza itself, the coloured fountains were being repaired, and the Visitor’s Centre was aiming to open in time for Canada Day. And because of antiquated policies relating to the use of the Legislative Grounds, we weren’t permitted to purposely use the Plaza (we couldn’t place seating or porta-potties on the Plaza, for example). Apparently there are folks working to change these rules, but we’ll see how soon the shifts can be made.

Incidental use was permitted

It will also be interesting to see how other events end up programming the Boulevard in the future – with at least one parkade with its only entrance and exit fronting the Boulevard, multi-day festivals will have a challenge maintaining access. The centre planters also pose an additional difficulty, further reducing space for fire lanes. These were definitely elements we didn’t consider until trying to program the space ourselves; hopefully the City was aware of the limitations when designing the street.

If you missed the event, not to worry, our next What the Truck?! is just around the corner. We’ve had requests over the years for beer gardens, and while we’re not in a position to make that happen ourselves, we’ve partnered with someone who can.

What: What the Truck?!
Where: Northlands Park (7410 Borden Park Road NW, Edmonton, AB)
When: Friday, July 10, 2015
Time: 5-10pm
RSVP on Facebook!

We’re hosting a What the Truck?! at Northlands, in conjunction with Park After Dark. Ever curious about horse racing? Mack and I went a few years ago, and had a great time. On July 10, you’ll not only be able to catch some live horse racing and enjoy a cool drink on their patio, but you’ll also be able to sample from fifteen different trucks!

Check out the website on Friday for menus. Hope to see you there!

Stories Behind the Chopsticks: Chinatown Food Crawl

I love the idea of food crawls – they’re not only a great way to meet other people, but they spotlight multiple establishments within walking distance of one another, thus promoting the neighborhood on a larger level. In the past, with the seemingly defunct Edmonton branch of Dishcrawl, the focus was on areas that were already mainstream – Downtown, Old Strathcona, 124 Street. In some ways, the food crawl is a more powerful tool when wielded to expose people to quadrants less ventured. Two years ago, the North Edge Business Revitalization Zone (covering Queen Mary Park and Central McDougall, just north of the Arena District) did this with their Flavour Journey Restaurant Tours. Now, McCauley Revitalization has embraced the food tour with a series called Stories Behind the Chopsticks.

Led by Freya Fu, the tours have been a way for her to connect Edmontonians with an oft-overlooked neighbourhood: Chinatown. Plagued by a reputation of its high concentration of social services and housing, many dismiss Chinatown as unsafe and unwelcoming. Those who do miss out on the gems – food stores like Ying Fat tofu factory and Shan Shan Bakery, happening late night hot pot restaurants like 97 Hot Pot and Urban Shabu, or my personal favourite, pho joints like Pho Tau Bay and King Noodle House.

Freya established connections with several business owners in Chinatown to create four tours in May, each highlighting four restaurants. Two were open to the public, and the $35 tickets sold out in just a few days. I have to say I was initially disappointed that the public tours were held in the afternoon (I think much of the stigma Chinatown has to overcome relates to its evening economy), but I also recognize the need to work with the owners at a time convenient for their regular customer flow.

I had the pleasure of accompanying Freya on her May 30, 2015 tour as a volunteer. There were about two dozen people in the group who gathered at our first stop: Lee House (10704 97 Street). The second location of the southside Korean mainstay, proprietor Mrs. Lee shared that she had started the restaurant twenty-two years ago with her husband. She was clearly very proud of her scratch cooking, and her son shared that she was particularly excited about this branch because of its proximity to the Lucky 97 Supermarket across the street, allowing for easy access to fresh ingredients.

Mrs. Lee and her son, of Lee House

We were treated to a family-style feast, including bulgogi, japchae, chicken balls, and an assortment of pickled accompaniments. The japchae (stir fried sweet potato noodles) is a favourite of mine, and the Lee House version doesn’t disappoint.

Korean-style feast

Zen Sushi (10518 101 Street) was the second stop. I confessed that I had walked past the storefront on 101 Street countless times, but had never peeked inside.

Zen Sushi interior

Henry, the owner, grew up in the neighbourhood, and expressed his commitment to help grow and develop McCauley. He intends at some point in the future to start “Zen After Dark” where their usual all you can eat concept will be set aside in favour of a special ramen menu on Friday and Saturday nights. This would help drive foot traffic in the area and he hopes to make Zen a positive destination.

Making sushi

I’m not a sushi eater, so I didn’t partake in much at this stop. Zen also had some kinks to work out in their ordering system for a group our size, but I’m certain they would have streamlined it by the second crawl.

Travelling on foot

Next, we headed to the adjacent Golden Szechuan (10508 101 Street). Specializing in regional Szechuan cuisine (known for its unrelenting heat), we were served a beautifully plated sampling of dishes: shredded pork with Szechuan sauce, sliced beef tendon in spicy sauce, and my favourite, sliced fish in hot sauce.

Golden Szechuan sampling

It would have been ideal for the owners to provide more of an introduction to the cuisine, as I was certain many would have benefited from learning about what separates Szechuan cooking from other, more familiar, Chinese styles.

Before dessert, we made a quick stop at Ruby’s Bakery (10642 98 Street) to pick up some treats.

How many people can fit inside Ruby’s Bakery?

Offering Hong Kong-style baked goods, including elaborate wedding cakes, it was difficult to ignore the wafting aromas of freshly made sweets. The coconut tarts were such a hit that some tourgoers ended up purchasing more to take home.

Coconut tart and tulip cake

With our to-go boxes in hand, we ambled next door to Tea Bar Café (10640 98 Street), one of several Chinatown establishments serving up bubble tea. An alternative to coffee shops, the blended fruit-based drinks with tapioca pearls proved to be a refreshing way to end our journey. Similar to Golden Szechuan, I would have appreciated some more information from the owner about the history of bubble tea.

Mango bubble tea

Overall, from conversations with participants, most had never been to any of the establishments prior to the tour. Many said they would return on their own, now knowing what to expect. Freya had the ingenious idea to distribute a coupon book offering deals to each of the businesses, which will hopefully further encourage repeat visits.

Thanks again to Freya for the opportunity to join her on the tour! And if you missed it, you’re in luck – due to popular demand, a second tour, featuring different restaurants, is taking place on July 15, 2015 at 6:30pm. The link to the tickets will go live on July 2 at 7am.

Food Notes for June 29, 2015

The Green and Gold Garden, which raises funds for charitable projects based in Rwanda, is into its seventh year. Located at the U of A South Campus, it opens to the public on June 30, 2015, and will be open the remainder of the summer on Tuesday evenings and Saturdays.
Staff Meal is back! Their first event of the summer is a stand-up 4-course tasting on July 6, 2015 at Get Cooking. Tickets are $60.
Did you want to learn more about Ramadan? Al Rashid Mosque is hosting a family-friendly Taste of Ramadan on July 10, 2015, from 6:30-9:30pm at Centennial Plaza. Yes, there will be food!
Ikki, Edmonton’s newest izakaya at 11931 Jasper Avenue, opens on July 18, 2015 at 6pm.
Need a way to keep cool during this heat wave? One of Edmonton’s newest food trucks is Scoop n Roll, which serves up rolled ice cream (yes, you read that correctly). Check their social media for updates on their location.
New restaurant alert – Workshop Eatery, which will feature rooftop beehives, looks like an exciting concept to keep an eye on!
Prairie Noodle hosted its final ramen pop-up last week – Diane and Cindy recapped what you missed. But don’t worry – the organizers are working on moving into a permanent storefront on 124 Street.
Liane covered the SalvagED pop-up lunch at Earth’s General Store last Friday featuring reclaimed ingredients donated from local farms. Their next pop-up is slated for Friday, July 24.
I had to laugh at Liane’s headline for her story that Col. Mustard’s Canteen on 124 Street won’t be returning: Col. Mustard, killed in the kitchen, with a sewer pipe. The owners will be rebuilding on the land, however, and hope to have a restaurant move in.
K-Days released their annual list of indulgent food to look forward to. Midway treats will include lobster corndogs, glazed donut grilled cheese (I’d try that, yes), and mini-donut popsicles.
Congratulations to Teresa and the rest of her team ahead of the grand opening of their first Italian Centre in Calgary on July 2, 2015. The location features Western Canada’s largest deli, offering over 600 items. It is located at 9919 Fairmount Drive SE.
Speaking of neighbours to the south, Gasoline Alley in Red Deer is also home to a branch of Pete’s Drive-in.
There’s been a lot of debate about the Canada Food Guide. Two Global reporters followed it for a week and shared the experience and challenges. For something completely different, take a look at Brazil’s “guide”, which is simply a series of ten best practices.
Given Edmonton will be home to a Whole Foods soon, buyer beware: investigators have found that Whole Foods stores in New York and California have routinely overcharged customers by mislabeling packages.
Mack and I headed to Tzin this week to celebrate my birthday. As always, we were floored by their hospitality, and the food was wonderful. Thanks to Kelsey and Corey for a great night!

An off-menu seared tuna – looked and tasted like art

Tzin’s bacon – the best two bites in Edmonton

Tailor-Made Pizzas: Urbano Pizza Co.

Although there is no question downtown Edmonton is blessed with its share of top-notch restaurants, there is definitely still room for more independent quick-serve options. That’s one of the reasons why I was happy to hear that Urbano Pizza Co. was moving into the neighbourhood, offering up another fast, casual alternative.

Interior

Urbano completes the trifecta of restaurants built by Christian Mena and Lino Oliviera, rooted into the Boardwalk with their adjacent establishments Sabor Divino and Bodega Tapas and Wine Bar. Urbano was not only inspired by the pizza trend in the U.S., but also a family-driven need to accommodate dietary restrictions. The concept allows for a completely customizable pie, factoring in the needs of celiacs, vegetarians and vegans.

Topping bar

Their investment in TurboChef ovens also help propel another selling feature of Urbano – speed. Freshly-prepared pizzas can be fired in 90-120 seconds, a new record in the city, and one that will not only make them a popular lunch destination but also, when the arena opens next year, a probable pre-game stop for many.

Last Thursday, too lazy to cook, Mack and I visited Urbano for dinner. While the handful of patio seats were taken, there was only one other party inside. I’m sure the word is still travelling about Edmonton’s newest pizzeria.

The former health food store has been transformed into a modern space, with pops of red accenting the mostly neutral colour palate. To emphasize the made-to-order nature of Urbano, the front counter is not unlike that of quick-serve sandwich joints, visually showcasing available ingredients. The ovens are front and centre, and allow customers to actually see the pizza baking in front of their eyes.

TurboChef ovens

That day, surveying our six pre-designed signature options, Mack and I settled on the bacon & eggs ($11.95) and Piri squared ($11.95). Customizable pizzas start at $11.95, and Urbano also serves salad and gelato (something that will be handy if the scorching temperatures continue).

After ordering, we had a seat, and the pizzas were brought to us (we didn’t time it, but it was pretty quick). The crust was very thin and crispy for the most part. The width also lent the pizza an overall quality of lightness, so would be attractive for those seeking a lighter meal.

Crust

Mack was impressed that his pizza actually had poached eggs on top that hadn’t been overcooked. Alongside back bacon, Caciocavallo cheese, and onion jam, Mack always enjoys breakfast-inspired concoctions for dinner, but didn’t find it particularly special.

Bacon & eggs pizza

The Piri squared featured some ingredients I haven’t had before on a pizza – piri-piri chicken, Portuguese chorizo, Limiano cheese, fire roasted red pepper sauce, shoestring potatoes and pickled vegetables. While I wouldn’t say they all complemented one another, it was nice to see a flavour connection to its sister restaurants.

Piri squared pizza

Service was friendly, and as mentioned before, efficient. Only time will tell if Urbano as a concept will take off, but given the near-universal love of pizza, it may one day stand as an example of adaptable fast food that doesn’t compromise quality.

Urbano Pizza Co.
110, 10220 103 Street
(780) 705-1885
Monday-Thursday 11am-9pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-10pm, closed Sundays

Food Notes for June 22, 2015

June has dwindled so quickly I’m afraid the rest of the summer will go by equally fast. I guess that’s why we should all make the most of it – hope you’re enjoying all Edmonton has to offer! On to this week’s food notes:

A unique pop-up, to be sure: SalvagED will combine the talents of Get Cooking Chef Eric Hanson and Mercury Room Chefs to prepare food using ingredients that would have otherwise been discarded. Check it out at Earth’s General Store downtown on June 26, 2015 from 11am-2pm.
Little Italy is hosting a street festival in conjunction with the Women’s World Cup called Kick It Up on June 27, 2015, from 10am-9pm. There will be food, games, and a street dance party!
Robert Rogers’ popular river valley medicinal plant walks are taking place in July and August. For $50, learn all of the natural remedies available in our own backyard.
124 Street Grand Market is again partnering with Taste Alberta to produce a series of farm tours that will provide a peek into some of your favourite (or soon-to-be-favourite) local producers. The July 10, 2015 tours will end with a catered lunch prepared by Chef Daniel Costa. Tickets are $90 for adults.
New Korean restaurant alert: Daorae (9334 – 34 Avenue).
La Mademoiselle Bakery is new to the Oliver neighbourhood, having just opened last week. They took over the space formerly occupied by Fresh Cafe at 10038 116 Street.
Cindy paid a visit to Barking Buffalo Café (10842 124 Street), one of Edmonton’s newest cafes, tucked in a space alongside Salgado Fenwick’s latest collections.
Liane has more information about the mobile coffee cart, Nomad Espresso, coming to a caffiene-starved place near you.
Massimo’s, the restaurant next to the southside Italian Centre, won’t be returning. Instead, the space will be used as a commissary to prepare take-away meals.
Can you believe it? Phil’s come to the end of his Pizza Odyssey, concluding with a battle between Rosso and Packrat Louie.
Hurrah for Rostizado, the latest local restaurant to be featured on You Gotta Eat Here. Filming will take place in July.
I love that Jacek is partnering with other local businesses for their chocolate – with their Credo bar (which in taste reminds me of the Kerstin’s/Transcend Chocophilia), and their beer-infused collection for Father’s Day.
Speaking of Alley Kat, congratulations to the homegrown brewery, who just celebrated their twentieth anniversary.
Do you think the green onion cake should be considered Edmonton’s official dish? There’s a petition for that.
Taste of Edmonton tickets are already on pre-sale – get them for 20% off until July 15, 2015.
Who doesn’t love photos of food? Curtis Comeau will be releasing an exhibit called “Off the Menu”, documenting the diversity of Edmonton’s food scene. Check it out at the Shaw Conference Centre from July 15 – August 16, 2015.
Feeling stressed? Then reach for fermented or pickled foods – they might make you feel less anxious, according to a recent study.
There’s finally something going into the base of the old farmers’ market building on 97 Street.

Massawa Café & Bistro

Mack and I took in the China vs. Cameroon game on Saturday. Our late arrival meant we missed the flash downpour, but we also didn’t get to see the lone goal in the game. Still, it was an exciting match to watch alongside fervent fans.

Commonwealth Stadium

On Sunday afternoon, Mack and I took a leisurely stroll across the river and down through Mill Creek. Along the way, we encountered the “Save the Footbridge” pop-up (why aren’t bridges more often used as musical venues?). We stopped at Wild Earth Bakery, which was a welcome rest stop.

Cloverdale Footbridge

Mill Creek Ravine

Wild Earth Bakery

For Father’s Day, my Dad chose Co Do Hue (12819 140 Avenue), a restaurant that serves up his favourite bun bo Hue in the city. It was a little on the spicy side for me, I have to admit.

Bun bo Hue from Co Do Hue

Boston Travels 2015

I’ve been so behind on my travel posts I’m resigned to the fact that I’ll never catch up. But writing about my trip to Boston in April with my sister Amanda is a start for me!

The decision to vacation in Boston was actually one of elimination. Amanda was finishing up her training in Toronto, so we decided to book what would be a short-haul flight for her. We’d both been to New York before, she’d been to Detroit recently, and Chicago was a place Mack forbid me to visit without him. So Boston it was, and with the promise of the Bruins and the Celtics making it to the post-season, we were optimistic that we could include some playoff action during the trip.

View from the rooftop deck of our AirBnB rental

Although only one of two teams would end up qualifying for the first round, we ended up with plenty to do outside of the city’s athletic achievements.

Boston’s connection to the American Revolution seems to be one of the main tourism draws. We ended up on a Freedom Trail tour led by a costumed interpreter. “Isaiah Thomas” was in his fifth season with the company, and his enthusiasm for history showed.

With Isaiah Thomas

The tour was informative and entertaining, with corny jokes woven throughout (Beantown Pub, across from the Old Granary Burial Ground, is the “only place you can have a cold Sam Adams while looking at…a cold Sam Adams”). The Americans on the tour definitely had a better grasp of the characters involved, but it gave us a good foundation to better appreciate the sites.

Old Granary Burial Ground

One of those sites was Boston Common, a green space near the State House that reminded me of The Mall in Central Park. The Common was an area set aside by the Puritans for the shared use of all. The playground was overrun with children that day, and on a less chilly day, I’m sure the adjacent wading pond would be equally full. It was a great centrally-accessible, family-friendly space that we could definitely see more of in Edmonton.

Boston Common

On the other side of Boston Common lay the country’s oldest botanical gardens. We braved the spring chill to take a ride in the pedal-powered swan boats and snapped a picture with the famous Make Way for the Ducklings bronze sculpture.

Swan boats

With the Ducklings!

Faneuil Hall, a legacy building for a wealthy merchant, was a touristy disappointment, though I am glad we sought out the adjacent Haymarket.

Haymarket

Far from a farmers’ market, the vendors hawked discounted produce from wholesalers needing to make room for new shipments. There was also limited seafood to be had.

Seafood options

The low prices were likely the reason the set-up of the merchants was so poor; tent poles restricting right of way, narrow thoroughfares not meant for large crowds.

Haymarket produce

We couldn’t get enough of Boston’s wide sidewalks, blossoming trees and brick and stone buildings.

Bricks and blooms

Beacon Hill was Amanda’s favourite neighbourhood, with its quaint streets and boutiques (it was also the home of, in our opinion, the best location of Second Time Around, a well-curated consignment store with multiple branches in the Boston area). I will say Boston’s lack of a grid system of streets was confusing to navigate; our first night was full of wrong turns and frustrations. I will also note that Bostonians, although friendly, were not the best at giving directions – we were sent the wrong way three times.

Too quaint Beacon Hill

Outside of Boston, we explored Cambridge for the better part of a day.

Bustling Cambridge Square

Honour system book sales were scattered around the area

The student-led Harvard tour was the highlight, with historic facts of the storied school intertwined with the guide’s personal anecdotes.

Our tour guide, Bobby, in the red sweater

Among other things, we learned that The Social Network was, in fact, not filmed on campus (productions have been officially banned since the 1970s), and that most students receive an average of $42,000 in financial aid.

Memorial Church

With “John Harvard”

The JFK Presidential Library and Museum in Columbia Point was also a destination for us.

JFK Presidential Library and Museum

The site itself was worth a visit, with a view of the Boston skyline, and a gorgeous atrium emblematic of hope and optimism.

Stunning atrium

But the exhibits were interesting too, outlining Kennedy’s Presidential campaign, his years in office (with a focus on the Cuban Missile Crisis) and Jacqueline Kennedy’s contributions to the preservation of White House history. A particularly intriguing annotated guest list by Ms. Kennedy for a dinner honouring the French Minister of Culture included the scratched out names of Mr. & Mrs. Irving Berlin, for not being “avant-garde enough”.

I loved the “If I were 21, I’d vote for Kennedy” pins

As mentioned, sports factored into our itinerary. Game 4 of the Cavaliers vs. the Celtics was the first live NBA playoff game for both Amanda and I, and though neither of us can claim to be big Celtics fans, we relished the opportunity to watch King James in person (his no-look pass in the first quarter was a sight to see). Unfortunately for the home fans, the Celtics were outmatched, and the Cavs completed the sweep.

The view from the nosebleeds

We both looked forward to joining our fellow Canadians at Fenway, to watch the Blue Jays take on the home team.

At Fenway!

The Red Sox are a religion in Boston, and it was amazing to see the surrounding streets of America’s oldest ball park come alive on game day (parking, if you were wondering, runs up to $50). Streetside vendors, program hawkers, and bustling patios created an atmosphere other cities would envy.

Yawkey Way

The Jays ended up losing that night (6-5 on a 9^th inning RBI), and the windchill was fierce, but we had a blast. I couldn’t wait for the eighth inning rendition of “Sweet Caroline”, and I wasn’t disappointed. I loved how the players just went about their business while the crowd was singing along.

What of the food, you ask? Amanda was sidelined with the stomach flu upon arrival to Boston, which somewhat limited our dining choices, at least initially. She was a trooper though, and we still managed to sample a variety of what Boston had to offer.

Food was a gateway into some of Boston’s neighbourhoods. Eater’s recommendation of Taiwan Café provided a reason to visit Chinatown, which, not unlike other Chinatowns in North America, had busy eateries but deserted streets after dark. Taiwan Café was packed mostly with college students, and offered cheap and tasty xiao long bao.

XLB from Taiwan Cafe

Our student Harvard guide had recommended a few North End establishments for us. Gennaro’s ended up being a let-down, with so-so food and no atmosphere to speak of (it was difficult to have any conversation while being watched by the host next to our table).

Passable carbonara from Gennaro’s

Café Vittoria, in operation since 1929, was a better recommendation, serving up delicious lattes and gelato in and amongst antique espresso machines and a soundtrack from the 50’s.

Sustenance at Café Vittoria

Mike’s Pastry was referred to us as a touristy destination worth skipping, but we’re glad we stopped by, even just to soak up the atmosphere of a North End institution.

Mike’s Pastry

Our lone brunch was had in Cambridge at the sister restaurant of a popular music venue. The Sinclair had a great vibe, and my favourite dining room of the trip, with large common tables and an industrial-chic aesthetic. The meat half of my chicken and waffle dish was great, but the waffle tasted a day-old.

The Sinclair

Chicken and waffles

For lunch after our Harvard tour, we sought out a tourist favourite, Mr. Bartley’s Burger Cottage, with politically incorrect names for all of their creations (for example, “the MBTA – Mass Broken Transit Authority”, referencing the disastrous February full of delays for beleaguered commuters). It was a place I knew Mack would love, with burgers cooked to preference and a haphazard décor cobbling together years of random additions.

At Mr. Bartley’s Burger Cottage

It was also a restaurant that had been “grandfathered in” so it was permitted to operate without a customer restroom, something we had never encountered before.

Medium rare(!) burger

Mei Mei, a brick and mortar restaurant borne from a successful food truck, was a bit of a disappointment. Selling its fusion dishes, we found that the Asian influences were just too subtle.

Pierogi dumplings from Mei Mei

Amanda was strong enough to brave seafood towards the end of our trip, so we visited the local chain Legal Sea Foods in Copley Place. I really enjoyed the New England clam chowder, and their tempura take on fish and chips wasn’t bad either.

Great clam chowder from Legal Sea Foods

Our favourite meal was easily Sweet Cheeks Q, a barbecue joint opened up by Top Chef alum Tiffany Faison. The interior had the perfect worn-in feel, if staged, and the food spoke for itself. The biscuits, served with a compound butter, were the best thing I ate in Boston.

Still dreaming of these biscuits

The lunch tray, with Heritage pulled pork and mac ‘n’ cheese, was no slouch either. And though the service had been great in Boston as a whole, Sweet Cheeks topped the list with their genuine and attentive staff. I almost wished we had eaten here earlier on in the trip so we could double back.

Pulled pork lunch tray

I’m not sure I will revisit Boston again (Chicago is up next!), but we had a nice time there. Like any large metropolis, there’s something for everyone, though I’d recommend at least taking in a Red Sox game if you’re visiting during the season.

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