downtown dining week is on now!
Here’s a chance to try somewhere new or revisit an old fave until March 22. Menus are two-course lunches and brunches, $20 and multi course dinners, $35 or $50, depending on the location. Along with delish menus at the Marc, Pampa, Madison’s and Filistix, these events look intriguing—Kitchen by Brad lunches March 12, 16, 17, 19 and suppers on March 12, 13, 16, 17 and 19; the Queen’s Brunch at Match Eatery on March 15 and a Craft Cocktail Tour March 16. Find all the deets, menus and prices at edmontondowntown.com
el cortez is back!
A bright and tangy scallop ceviche, savoury lamb tacos, a toothsome burger and a delish poblano popper are just some of the items on chef Lindsay Porter’s creative new menu for el Cortez ( 8230 Gateway Blvd, 780-760-0200, elcortezcantina.com). You may recall Lindsay did this once before, then went off do her own thing at London Local (she’s still there, don’t worry). Along with several TV shows on the go, she is creating menus, training kitchen staff and generally bringing a fresh new vibe to the el Cortez group. Brava! Chef Shane Chartrand first put Lindsay and el Cortez together and it was a reunion of sorts at the new menu launch a few weeks ago. What to drink? The Mezcartel with smoky mezcal, Aperol, passionfruit and citrus. The talented Andre Bober (Team Tiki, Baijiu) is running the drinks program at the atmospheric Mexican cantina. Expect el Cortez to shine again with this kind of talent running the show.
Mary Bailey photo
say happy 585th birthday to riesling
Here is a fine bit of wine trivia—the first Riesling vines in Germany were recorded March 13, 1435. Drink German Riesling this Friday and post the occasion with the hashtag #RieslingBirthday for a chance to win. See all the rules here.
Mary Bailey photo
pie for pi day, 03.14
Celebrate Pi Day with your favourite nerds with, what else? Pie! Delightful Bon Ton Pi pies come in large (nine-inch, $17)—maple apple, sour cherry peach and mixed berry and small (crostata, $5.50)—maple apple, strawberry rhubarb and sour cherry peach. Call to order or take a chance and pop over to the Bon Ton Bakery (8720 149 Street, 780-489-7717, bonton.ca) on Saturday.
basil is the colour of spring
Heart of the Home (12539 102 Avenue, 780-705-4928, heartofthehomeyeg.ca is having a sale on all Staub equipment in basil, a beautiful deep green. Each cocotte, Dutch oven, brazier and roaster is another 15 per cent off the sale price. Pop in for serious savings from March 14-21.
spring bayanihan at filistix—an evening of culinary delight
The spring Bayanihan on Wednesday, March 18 features a terrific group of chefs creating dishes inspired by the streets and drinking houses of Manila. Seatings: 5:30 and 8pm at Filistix Downtown (10621 100 Avenue, 780-716-4708 filistix.ca). Tickets are $103.53/p all in, e-mail filistix@gmail.com to save on Eventbrite fees.
flavours of somalia at nait
What a great idea: taste the Flavours of Somalia, Saturday, March 21, at Ernest’s at NAIT. Jamila Osman, Mulki Ali and Nadiifa Omar are the host cooks and Maryan Hussein is in charge of the desserts. The dinners are organized by Edmonton Eats, a newish social enterprise created to share the skills, passion and knowledge of newcomer home cooks with the rest of the community. The idea? To create economic opportunities for families, build community and help NAIT Culinary Program students learn about Somali cuisine and spices. Tix: $75 eventbrite.
brad’s vad fundraiser
Come to Brad’s VAD Fundraiser in support of the VAD Program at the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, 7pm Saturday, March 21 at the Canadian Brewhouse (9538 Ellerslie Road S, 780-469-2232). Enjoy food and drink special, raffles and a silent auction like no other, with music, sports, food and art items. Tix: $10+ eventbrite, includes one drink.
