London calling for lunch
While chatting with chef Lindsay Porter earlier this week she mentioned that her resto, London Local, is now open for lunch Tuesday-Friday from 11:30-2pm. That’s plenty of time to get your pub lunch on — fish and chips; chestnut pasta; beet and kale salad; a really good burger. And don’t forget about Sunday Roast from 12-8pm. Let that be your introduction to the lovely British custom of a weekend roast lunch. Three courses fo $30, including vegetarian options. London Local, 2307 Ellwood Drive SW, 780-752-2244, https://www.london-local.ca.
christmas dinner at zenaris
On Sunday, December 17 enjoy a four-course, Italian-influenced dinner, served family-style, by chef Shelley Rboinson at Zenari’s (main floor Manulife 10180 101 Street). Shelley has signed on with Zenari’s to streamline their kitchen, revamp and update the menu, Zenari’s 2.0 she calls it. This is a great start. The menu, or at least the bits we’ve seen, looks delicious— mouths are watering at the prospect of lasagna bianca (white lasagne) with celery root and truffle. And, they will do a $20 corkage fee for wines you bring (we suggest reds from Piedmont or the Veneto and Vin Santo with dessert). Tix, $75 all in: https://www.eventbrite.com
gifts for the cook on your list
Of course we all want a cool new knife for Christmas. Keep in mind though, Knifewear is also a good spot for gifts other than knives and stocking stuffers, such as Kuhn peelers in assorted colours, $7-8 each; Tojiro kitchen shears (separatable, excellent for cleaning) $29; or a really fine pair of chopsticks. Check out this set — 62 layers of black lacquer with embedded mother of pearl — just lovely, $65. All at Knifewear, 10820 82 Avenue, 587-521-2034, https://knifewear.com
Christmas All-You-Can-Eat Cereal Cartoon Party!
It’s the Annual Christmas edition of the Saturday Morning All-You-Can-Eat Cereal Cartoon Party. It’s that special time when kids and kids-at-heart get to relive the exciting Saturday morning ritual of non-stop cartoons and binge on sugary cereals. The cartoon lineup is always a mystery, but you’ll see both holiday faves and quirky obscurities spanning the ‘40s through the ‘80s, all punctuated with vintage commercials.
At the Metro Cinema in the Garneau Theatre, 150 min, curated by Kier-La Janisse. Adult: $16, Student/senior: $14, Children 12 and under: $12. Admission includes cereal, December 9, 10am, http://www.metrocinema.org.
wine of the week
la gioiosa et amoroso rosea spumante nv
This fun Italian sparkler called joy and love couldn’t be more appropriate for the holidays. It will fill your glass with pink bubbles and your party with lots of merriment. The lively and refreshing blend of Pinot Bianco and Pinot Nero from the Veneto has delicious red fruit flavours (strawberry, tart cranberry) with a splash of citrusy lime — a great start to any evening. At better wine shops, $18.
recipe of the week
chocolate-glazed lebkuchen
Here’s how to make the classic German Christmas-season cookie, chock full of honey, nuts and spices: https://thetomato.ca/tomatoquarantwo/2016-november-december/feeding-people-13
