Dish – November/December 2012

Stocking up

If you were wondering what was up with that space next to the Duchess Bake Shop left vacant when they expanded one door south, wonder no more. Check out Provisions (10720 124 Street, 780 705-3344), a sublime cook’s paradise of a shop filled with specialty merch the website describes as ‘dry goods, extracts, compounds and preserves.’ We’ve only had time to do a quick look-through at the unique array, and can’t wait to do some serious shopping there.

Isn’t 124 street grand?

The burgeoning culinary 124 is anchored near Jasper Avenue by the chocolate and gelato shop Cococo, the just-opened Bothy Wine & Whiskey Bar and Cookie Love, along with stalwarts Café de Ville, Col Mustards and Wilau Thai. Opening soon are Canteen, Pure Kitchen and the Mak on 124. Add in the Duchess Bake Shop, Provisions, Café Tiramisu and the right-around-the-corner Blue Pear, The Dish and High Street, and 124 is finally becoming a lively gastronomic hub — the urban food and drink destination everyone had hoped for. We’re excited to watch this baby grow.

West-enders rejoice

The new Italian Centre Shop, number three, will open near West Edmonton Mall in the old Ethan Allan location (90 Avenue and 170 Street) in late spring 2013. But we don’t have to wait that long for Massimo’s Cucina Italiana (Massimo’s Kitchen), the new casual eatery beside the south side Italian Centre Shop (5028 104A Street), headed by Tuscan-based chef Giuseppe Mazzocchi. Chef Mazzocchi, a guest chef at NAIT a few years back, has brought along cooks Alessandro Nassi and Kemal Franceschi to staff the kitchen in the 60-ish seat restaurant. Menus are still in development, but expect a fast lunch/slow dinner style with an emphasis on seasonal cooking. We bet it will be delish!

Williams Sonoma has arrived

Williams Sonoma (8882 170 Street, 780 481-3618) opened mid-September to a flurry of excitement. Devotees of the high-end merchandiser no longer have to troop to San Fransisco, Calgary or Vancouver for full WS immersion shopping therapy. The store is a 7,000 square foot culinary playground, stocked with equipment, bar ware, linens, cookbooks and specialty foods such as the Thomas Keller branded food line. Founder Chuck William’s original premise, to offer fine quality, obscure French cookware such as omelet pans and soufflé molds not available in the United States, lives on in the prestige brands carried by the chain such as Mauviel copper and Le Creuset in custom colours. Casey Bond is the in-house chef and culinary director, organizing guest chef appearances and demonstrations. While you’re there, check out the new Pottery Barn, part of the
same ownership group.

Masakage, sharakumomo, or konosuke?

Super-sharp Japanese knife nerd Kevin Kent is bringing his super-cool knife shop Knifewear to Edmonton. After a successful pop up at the Enjoy Centre in October, Knifewear will open in the Garneau area at 8422 109 Street, right beside Three Boars Eatery. Expect sexy knives, meaty cookbooks, cutting boards and even classic shaving gear. There are always tomatoes and potatoes on hand to test-drive the knives. The shop is open November 20 to December 23 and December 28 to 30 from 10am – 6pm daily; 10am – 2pm December 24 and December 31; and closed December 25, 26 and 27. Don’t delay a visit, as it’s a holiday season location only. December 31 it’s poof! Like Cinderella’s carriage.

A tradition of the season

Inside the Atco Blue Flame Kitchen Holiday Collection Cookbook is 100 useful holiday recipes in an easy to use spiral-bound book design, with one recipe per page, and lots of pictures, cooking tips and recipe hints. Find all your holiday favourites, such as quiche lorraine, sticky toffee pudding and spicy gingerbread men along with appetizers and terrific recipes for easy entertaining, carrot and tarragon bisque and a festive crown roast of pork with pumpernickel sausage. Here’s how to win a copy: visit tomato.ca, and send us a message called Atco Cookbook. Hurry, contest ends November 30! Visit atcoblueflamekitchen.com to buy your very own copy.

So long to the independent bookstore

Greenwood’s Bookshoppe has closed. Gail and her crew carried the best food and wine books; the store was an amazing resource for all. We’ll miss it very much. Goodbye and good luck.

Cook it long and slow

Eight winning teams will compete for bragging rights at the first ever Edmonton Longnslow BBQ Competition Demo. Debra Wong, founder of the very successful BBQ on the Bow in Calgary, is orchestrating the day in conjunction with Northlands and Farmfair International. Sample chicken, pork ribs and beef brisket cooked long and slow, southern-style. Saturday, November 10, Expo Centre.