holiday chocs from violet chocolate company
The Violet Chocolate Company’s delightful Advent Calendar drops today, each morsel created by hand by award-winning chocolatier Rebecca Grant. Expect a delicious mix of bar bites, meltaways and truffles inspired by the current collection and all the holiday classics—flavours like Pumpkin Chai, Gingersnap Cookie, Honey Rosemary, Spiced Orange and Blackberry Sweet Corn. The shimmering design is the perfect complement for the 24 gem-like chocolates that hide behind each window, counting down to Christmas. Order the calendar at thevioletchocolatecompany.com.
gotta have it—knifewear’s garage sale
Twice a year Knifewear’s founder Kevin Kent travels to Japan and picks up random oddities, prototypes and one-of-a-kind knives for the Garage Sale. It’s runs November 4-10, but you can get a peek of what’s on sale during the Facebook Live Preview, Wednesday, October 30, 7:30pm at facebook.com/knifewear/videos.
the versatile stojo cup at heart of the home
Trying to break the take-out coffee cup habit? The Stojo cup may help. When empty it collapses down to 2-inches, making it an easy fit in your messenger bag, handbag, briefcase or suitcase. No more cavernous empty cup hogging space. Find the 12-oz ($20) and the 16-oz ($25) Stojos at Heart of the Home (12539 102 Avenue, 780-705-4928, heartofthehomeyeg.ca.
swine and dine and curling
The next Swine & Dine, featuring Alberta Pork from appetizer to dessert, is with Drift Food Truck at the Shamrock Curling Club (9330 80 Avenue), 6pm, Thursday, November 14. Remember to wear your special socks as curling club etiquette is to leave your boots at the door. Tix: $45/p, info@driftfoodtruck.ca. Curling not included. More on Kara and Nevin of Drift on Tomato Radio.
something spooky
Want to get scared to death? Visit DARK at Fort Edmonton Park for some thrills, chills and snacks and drinks. Dark happens regardless of the weather—wear your puffy parka and remember, no costumes are allowed. Tix: $40-$70/p+, fortedmontonpark.ca.
better prosecco
Fans of Prosecco will be happy to know that the 2019 vintage “took place in ideal conditions for the production of elegant sparkling wines,” according to the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Consorzio. Fans of elegant sparkling wines will also be thrilled to know that new production regulations came into effect this year that allow for sui lieviti (on the yeast) wines that have been refermented in bottle ( like Champagne) and wines that are extra brut, with residual sugar between 0-6g per litre. As well, 2019 brought a region-wide ban on glyphosate, which makes the region the largest wine zone in Europe to curtail its use. The changes are to make the region more sustainable and also to differentiate higher quality wines made in the hilly quality areas such as Valdobbiadene from the higher quantity, lesser quality wines grown at lower altitudes in Veneto.
photo via Harpers Wine & Spirit
ooops!
The Tiny Comedy Show (6:30pm, Sunday, November 3 at the Glass Monkey) poster had an incorrect address for the venue. The correct address is the Glass Monkey, 5842 111 Street (Lendrum Shopping Centre). Tix: $10/p++, eventbrite.ca.