smokey bear opens thursday!
We had a sneak peek at the new Strathcona eatery Smokey Bear (8223 104 Street, 587-759-0209, smokeybearyeg.com) last week. It’s delicious and lovely. The open kitchen houses a giant wood-fired contraption with several levels allowing the cooks to adjust by moving food nearer or further from the flames. The result? Beautifully charred meats and vegetables with varying degrees of smokiness in the flavours. Stand outs: Gruger Family oyster mushrooms in an umami-rich glaze, the shareable Bear and the Flower pork chop and an irresistible flatbread with spicy nduja. (Oh yeah.) There is something atavistic and absolutely compelling about the warmth of that fire on a cold Edmonton night. Smokey Bear has the makings of an Aussie culinary invasion—head chef/owner, Riley Aitken, sous Campbell Evans, chef de partie Denis Martin and sommelier/general manager Ashleigh Smith are all from the land down under. Chef Aitken (originally from Edmonton) spent several years cooking in Denmark, Bali and Australia, most recently at Biota Dining with James Viles where he fell in love with open flame cooking. The plan is to change the menu often depending on what looks good in season. Opening tomorrow night, offering dinner from 4:30pm and lunch on the weekends from 11am. Closed Monday, Tuesday. Check it out!
handicrafts for good at just one world
The Just One World market is this weekend at St. Basil’s Cultural Centre (10819 71 Avenue) with free parking and entry by donation. Find all sort of gifts with a conscience at this market—we love the Rwandan handicrafts and woven baskets. Saturday, 10am-5pm; Sunday 10am-3pm. Proceeds support community-based groups and worker cooperatives in dozens of communities in Africa, Latin America and South America.
holiday shopping and snacking at the heart of the home
Make the shopping fun rather than dreary at Heart of the Home’s (12539 102 Avenue, 780-705-4928, heartofthehomeyeg.ca) Ladies Sip & Shop from 4-8pm on Wednesday, November 27. There will be specials, charcuterie, sweets and wine to enjoy. RSVP by November 27 to receive a swag bag: facebook.com/events.
salgado fenwick + violet chocolate = looks good enough to eat
We love the adorable animals that adorn the Salgado Fenwick holiday collection for the Violet Chocolate Co. The 2019 flavours are butter rum toffee and sea salt almond available online the-violet-chocolate-company.myshopify.com, at Barking Buffalo Café and at Violet Chocolate at upcoming markets.
