August 10 2016

uccellino nominated for best new resto

The EnRoute best new restaurant nominations were announced August 8 and we’re thrilled to say that uccellino is in the running. Vote for uccellino at http://eatandvote.com/en/#restaurants, and the chance to win dinner and $500. Congratulations Daniel Costa, Christopher Hyde and the entire staff at uccellino.

bar hennessy

The cognac was flowing at the not-quite-open-yet Bar Clementine (11957 Jasper Avenue, http://www.barclementine.ca/)

Monday night for the 2016 Alberta Hennessey Cocktail Competition. In competition for a trip to visit Hennessy Maison in Cognac were James Grant, Woodwork (Duke of Orleans); Julie Gobeille, Yellow Door, Calgary (Spring Sour); Mike Krumins, El Cortez (Summer in Hennessy); Leland Morrison, The Black Pearl (The Wind Cries Mary); Jeff Savage, Proof, Calgary, (Progress of Love); Jordan Watson, Chvrch of John (The Seven Seals), Fern Zevnik, The Bourbon Room, Calgary (Le Terre Vine) and Taylor Zottl, Mercer Tavern (J’aime Apple)

“It was a fantastic event,” says judge Chuck Elves. “I don’t think I’ve have ever seen that many people at a cocktail competition.”

First place (and the trip) went to Fern Zevnik for her savoury blend of Hennessey VS Cognac with shitake honey syrup, fresh mushroom, porcini tincture, Calvados, fresh lemon and salt bitters.Fern is the bar manager of Calgary’s Bourbon Room. “ Hennessey has beautiful fruity notes but also an earthiness. I wanted to celebrate that in my cocktail.”

In second place was Woodwork’s James Grant and third went to another Calgary bartender Jeff Savage.

rge rd + 50th parallel = deliciousness

Enjoy Rge Rd’s impeccable flavours at a winemakers dinner featuring Grant Stanley of 50th Parallel Estate Winery, Thursday, August 25. Tickets, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/50th-parallel-rge-rd-winemakers-dinner-tickets-26929766657

bender week

One of our favourite winemakers, Andreas Bender from the Mosel, is in town for a series of tastings and dinners August 25-30. Joining Bender at a patio party on Friday, August 26 is Jürgen Wagner from the Catalan wine producer Cellier des Capçanes (Montsant, near Tarragona); food by Kitchen by Brad. Tickets: $100/pp http://kitchenbybrad.ca/wordpress/blog/

Meet and taste with Bender, Friday August 26, at Color da Vino, 9606 82 Avenue, from 2pm-5:30pm http://www.colordevino.ca/

Thursday night Jürgen Wagner will be at a tasting at the Wine Gallery, 10930 119 Street. Tickets, $20/pp www.winegalleryedmonton.ca.

alberta open farm days August 20-21

On the third weekend in August farms across the province throw open their gates during Open Farm Days for open houses, tours, events and experiences. Many have a culinary component, ranging from a tasting to a full-on long table dinner or barbecue. You could take a distillery tour in Leduc at Big Rig Distillery, pet some calves at Bles Wold Dairy or have dinner in a rustic barn at Tangle Ridge Ranch. The concept started in the Maritimes a decade ago. Alberta’s event has grown from a dozen or so farms participating to almost 100 today in four years. The full lineup: http://www.albertafarmdays.com/

Highlights:

The Vesta Gardens Farmed and Foraged Tea, Sunday, August 21 features farm-style finger foods and teas grown and foraged on the farm. Dress is garden party. http://www.vestagardens.ca/

Prairie Gardens Fire Roasters Long Table Dinner with Solstice Seasonal Cuisine, Sunday August 21. Enjoy a five-course long-table dinner featuring the farm’s exceptional produce, paired with wines and craft beer. http://www.prairiegardens.org/events/open-farm-days-dinner-solstice-restaruant/

GP Brewing Company Local Brewery Tour & Tasting The craft beer scene is burgeoning and at GP Brewing Company in Grande Prairie you can take yourself on Saturday or enjoy private bus and tasting tours on Sunday, facebook.com/GPBrewingCo.

Babas & Borshch Ukrainian Festival which celebrates the best of Ukrainian culture in food, music and dance in Andrew, the borshch capital of Canada. Enjoy a stupendous Ukrainian banquet, live choral and dance performances and a dance band at the Zabava, Saturday night, $50. Sunday includes lots of great food, tours, performances and speakers. http://www.babasandborshch.ca/.

mark the date

Crestwood Wines (9658 142 Street) presents Ginomania! Thursday September 1, $40/pp with special guest gin importer Manuel Barreira of Global Wine Merchants. Call 780-488-7800 to reserve. More on gin here: https://thetomato.ca/tomatoquarantwo/recipes/the-tao-of-gin.