Kitchen Sink

wine tastings, happenings and events

“Treat mom, give her an Italian,” says chef Brad Smoliak about the upcoming Enjoy the Tuscan Sun dinner at Kitchen by Brad (10130-105 Street, 780-757-7704, kitchenbybrad.ca) on May 9. Special guest is oenologist Dario Faccin, Tenuta Carobbio. Two wines from one of Italy’s young hot shots from Lazio, Lorenzo Constantini, will also be poured. Tickets $125, info@kitchenbybrad.ca.

Love beer? Enjoy the La Cotta Beer Dinner, five-courses with carefully selected La Cotta brews from Italy. Tuesday, June 16, 7 pm, $85 at Pampa Brazilian Steakhouse (9929 109 Street, 780-756-7030 pampasteakhouse.com). Space is limited, call 780-756-7030.

The Common (9910 109 Street, 780-452-7333, thecommon.ca) is offering a tasty three-course dinner for $30 every Tuesday night. Email commonreservations@gmail.com. This is a terrific opportunity to explore the flavours of their top-notch chef Jesse Morrison-Gauthier.

Celebrate Mexico’s greatest export, tequila, in a fun and educational workshop Cinco de Mayo Tequila Tasting at Aligra Wine & Spirits (1423, Entrance 58 West Edmonton Mall, 780-483-1083, aligrawineandspirits.com) May 5, 7pm, tickets, $40. On June 9, Aligra holds a Craft Beer Tasting, 7 pm, $20. Tickets for both events at aligrawineandspirits.com/events

Don’t miss the Rotary Club of Edmonton’s Lobster Feast Downtown with a Purpose, a family-style lobster dinner, live music and auction, Thursday, June 25, at The Chateau Lacombe, 5:30pm-10 pm. Included is an Iron Chef-style appetizer competition; the winner becomes the Rotary Club of Edmonton’s Chef of the Year. The goal is to raise $100,000 for ongoing community initiatives in honour of Rotary’s centennial year. Tickets $125, rotarylobsterfeast.com.

Enjoy Crestwood Fine Wines and Spirits (9658 142 Street, 780-488-7800, crestwoodfinewines.com) Spring and Summer Open House on Saturday, June 6, from 4pm-7pm. Taste over 50 wines along with delicious appetizers.

Upcoming events at Keg ’n Cork (3845 99 Street, 780-461-0191 kegncork.com); May 7, taste eight premium independent bottlings of Scotch with Jonathan Bray at the Secret Spirits Scotch Tasting, 7:30 pm, $45; May 21, Sottano Wine Tasting with Diego Sottano, 7:30pm, $25; May 27, Glenfarclas Tasting with George Grant from Scotland’s last family-owned distillery, 7:30pm, $50. On June 11 is the Taste of Summer Open House, 6:30pm, no charge.

It’s a full roster of events at Hicks Fine Wines (109-150 Bellerose Drive, St. Albert, 780-569-5000). Tastings begin at 7pm and are $25/person unless otherwise noted. May 12, Unusual Grapes, Unusual Places with Michael Fregren, Artisan Wines; May 19, Winetasting 101: Spanish Value Wine with Marcia J Hamm, $40; May 23, That Spring Thing, first Annual Spring Open House, 2pm-5 pm; no charge; May 27, Think Pink with Stacey-Jo Strombecky, Nobilis/Renaissance; June 11, California Dreamin with Jason Sanwell, Evolution Wines; June 16, Patio Sippers & Summer Wines with Valerie Albrecht, Enotri Wine Marketing.

The Accidental Sommelier Series at UnWined: Fine Wines, Spirits & Ales (#2, 512 St. Albert Trail, St. Albert, 780-458-4777 and 203 Edmonton City Centre, 780-421-0015, unwined.biz) featuring the cuisine of Vietnam, May 12, 7:30pm, $25. Enjoy delightful rosé wines at Rosé in May, May 26, 7:30pm, $20. All tastings are at the St. Albert store.

Get Cooking (11050 104 Avenue, 780-934-8058, getcookingedmonton.com) presents Get the Dirt on French Terroir, A Winemakers’ Dinner with Domaine de l’Amauve and Terroirs Originels featuring the wines of Beaujolais and the Rhone Valley with food inspired by Lyon. Meet Christian Voeux (Domaine de l’Amauve) Aurélien Fiardet (Terroirs Originels), Eberhard Tamm (Enotri Wine Marketing) and sommelier William Bincoletto, May 29, 6:30pm, $175. Next up is Discovering Australia with Tony Maynard of Harvest Vintage Imports and William Bincoletto, June 27, 6:30pm, $149. Tickets for both events at getcookingedmonton.com.

The Court of Master Sommeliers offers the two day Introductory Sommelier course and exam in Edmonton on July 18 and 19, $525 USD. Visit mastersommeliers.org/IntroApplication.aspx to register.

This promises to be epic. Mark your calendar for Feast on the Field, Saturday, August 12. Steve Buzak, executive chef, Royal Glenora Club; David Omar, executive chef, Zinc, and Brad Smoliak, Kitchen by Brad are collaborating to create a long table dinner for over 300 people at Commonwealth Stadium. Crazy! Proceeds to the CapitalCare Foundation. Tickets: feastonthefield.com

On Friday June 12, enjoy Salud! A Taste of Chile, at the Old Timers Cabin, 9430 Scona Road, 7pm. Tickets $65, 780-616-9445, or cccs-edmonton@outlook.com

Mark your calendars: RGE RD’s (10643 123 Street, 780-447-4577, rgerd.ca) annual farm dinner at Nature’s Green Acres is Saturday, August 15. Tickets $150, naturesgreenacres.com. Visit prairiegardens.org for Prairie Gardens /RGE RD dinner dates.

Members of Strathcona County Emergency Services Fire Department and the RCMP are ready to battle for chili supremacy during the 3rd Annual Chili Cook Off at The Pan Tree (#550, 220 Lakeland Drive, Sherwood Park, 780-464-4631, thepantree.ca). It’s a fun event for a good cause, and you get to watch firemen cook. Don’t miss it. Proceeds to the Kids with Cancer Society, June 27 from 12-3pm, $8 early bird, $10 at the door.

gastronomic travel
An excellent reason to visit Vancouver: Chef Blair Lebsack and sous Davino Moraiko (RGE RD) join chefs Dave Bohati (Market, Calgary) and Eden Hrabec (Crazyweed, Canmore) to showcase Alberta ingredients during the Coast-to-Coast Market Dinner Series. A peek at the May 4 menu: nouveau beef (Nature’s Green Acres) grilled romaine (Doef’s Greenhouses) rye pecorino streusel (Gold Forest Grains, The Cheesiry). Tickets: ediblecanada.com.

Ready for a little (wine) therapy? The Aligra Wine & Spirits folks have created a unique small group experience with exclusive tastings in the Okanagan Valley, June 18-21 or June 21-24. The tour includes three nights at Therapy Vineyards and Guesthouse. Email alison@aligrawineandspirits.com for details.

Gail Hall of Seasoned Solutions is leading two European tours this fall: Mediterranean Culinary Cruise, September 26-October 3, visiting Spain, Italy and Greece and a tour to Portugal, October 26-November 6 including stops in Lisbon, Obidos, Porto, the Douro Valley and Evora. Visit seasonedsolutions.ca for all the details.

product news
The Italian Centre introduces Piemontese beef to their deli counters in June. The DenOudstons of Peony Farm near Lacombe started breeding Piemontese in the 1980s. The white cattle from northeast Italy carry a gene that creates a higher lean-to-fat ratio, with less connective tissue, but also less marbling. Body builders like the Piemontese not only because of its mild yet beefy flavour, it is also lower in calories, higher in protein, and contains a higher percentage of omega-3 fat. The Italian Centre is working with Messinger Meats in Red Deer to supply all four stores with this unique beef.

The Newget Kompany will be at the Friday Night Market (105 Street & Jasper Avenue) every Friday in May and June and outdoors at the City Market Downtown (104 Street north of Jasper Avenue) every Saturday in May and June. Taste their deliciously chewy delights at Indulgence, a Canadian epic of food and wine, June 8. You can also order on-line at newget.ca

The Fonseca Guimaraens 2013 Vintage Port has been released to celebrate the bicentenary of the firm. Guimaraens vintage ports are made in some years when a classic Fonseca vintage is not declared. The advantage is that they are more approachable when young yet possess the depth of flavour, acidity and tannins needed to reach velvety maturity. Find at better wine shops.

May is Celiac Awareness Month. Want to learn more about gluten-free foods, or how to convert a favourite recipe to one that has no gluten? Visit Kinnikinnick (10940-120 Street, 780-732-7527, getitfresh.ca) 10am-1pm on May 7/8 and May 14/15. A rep from Edmonton’s Celiac chapter will be on hand to answer all your gluten-related questions while chef Lori Grein prepares gluten-free family recipes.

K&K Foodliner (9944-82 Avenue, 780-439-6913 kandkfoodliner.com) carries over 100 types of gluten-free sausage and deli meats ranging from $2.19-3.59 per 100g. Most are pork, but there are chicken, turkey, beef, bison and occasionally elk options as well. They also now stock Stella’s Gluten Free Perogies, $12.99.

The Bella Casa Design Centre (9646 142 Street, 780-437-4190 bellacasadcl.com) has two practical Mother’s Day Specials coming up: April 22-25 spend $200 and receive a $20 gift card. From May 6-9, spend $100 and receive a free apron. Soon you’ll be able to enjoy Bella Casa from your couch; their on-line shopping site will be up and running in early summer.

Hillaby’s Tools for Cooks (101 Riel Drive, St. Albert, 780 651-7373, and 14251-23 Avenue, 587-524-7277, toolsforcooks.ca)) is thrilled about the new Shape & Store Burger or Slider Maker $30, which makes prepping uniformly-shaped burgers and sliders easy peasy. We haven’t been so excited about making burgers since the KTel patty stacker. We are intrigued by three new products using technology from the semi-conductor industry; ThawTHAT! $75, maximizes heat exchange between frozen food and room temperature, resulting in a lightening-quick defrost. The heat conducting metal of SpreadTHAT! $25, and the ScoopTHAT! $25, makes hard butter and ice cream easy to scoop and spread. Available at both Hillaby’s mid-May.

Night Market Edmonton (Jasper Avenue and the corner of 105 Street, Beaver Hills Park) opens May 22, with a mix of vendors including Newget and Kitchen by Brad. This public market runs every Friday night from 7pm-11pm until August 28. Check it out!

The Pan Tree (#550, 220 Lakeland Drive, Sherwood Park, 780 464-4631, thepantree.ca) is excited about the new Wusthof Kitchen Surfer—a hybrid between a cook’s knife and a Japanese-style santoku, with a shorter blade and larger handle, ideal for less experienced cooks. The regular price is $140, on promo now for $79.

restaurant buzz

Food truck impresarios Kara and Nevin Fenske have just opened the lovely Dovetail Deli (10721-124 Street, 780-705-1293, lovethedove.ca). Expect salads, soup, samosas, a daily carve and a cooler stocked with house-made tapenade, dips, pâtés and condiments (we are in love with the fragrant Drift spice rub). Eat in with a glass of wine, or take away. Fans of the Drift can rest easy—the truck will be out once a week for lunch, at the 124 Street Grand Market, and at food events this summer. We’ve been talking about the burgeoning 124 street food scene for a few years now, and it’s great to see it continue to grow in such a tasty and beautiful way.

Corso 32 (10345 Jasper Avenue, 780-421-4622, corso32.com) is now open Monday nights.

Madison’s Grill (10053 Jasper Avenue, 780-401-2222, unionbankinn.com) Come join us Sunday, May 10 for Mother’s Day Brunch with seatings at 10:30am and 12:30pm, $39.95. Call for reservations, 780-401-2222. Madison’s has a new exec chef, Jon Spanton, formerly of The Burg. His new spring menu includes braised beef tongue and Madison’s signature fish and chips lightened up for spring.

Chef Tracy Zizek, current Indulgence co-chair and avid wine and spirit student, joins Brad Smoliak at Kitchen by Brad. Tracy was the chef de cuisine at Café de Ville for several years, and has spent the last year helping colleagues such as Tzin’s Corey McGuire in their kitchens and at events.

The Blue Chair (9624 76 Avenue 780-989-2861, thebluechair.ca) offers 
a wine-tasting with dishes to suit on the third Wednesday of every month. 
Check it out!

Spring Creek Ranch sirloin and New York cuts are now on the menu at Earl’s in Vancouver and Toronto, and the Tin Palace in Edmonton, Calgary and Winnipeg. Coming soon, Earl’s burgers will be made with Spring Creek’s exceptional Alberta natural beef.

The spring menu at X1X Nineteen Restaurant (5940 Mullen Way, 780-395-1119, dinenineteen.com) features bright and fresh flavours — grilled octopus salad salad, lobster ramen, and their delicious Dijon-crusted Halibut in French curry cream. Visit the comfortable sunny patio or lounge between 3-6pm daily for half price appetizers and great deals on draft beer, wine, or the feature cocktail.

Send new and/or interesting food and drink related news for The Kitchen 
Sink to hello@thetomato.ca.