what was the best thing you ate last year?
Though we may have spent less time in restaurants this year, there were still stellar dishes to be had all over town, even if they did come in a paper bag. The TomatoTop100 is the place to gather all those good things. Let us know your favourites and why here. Or on Instagram: tag @tomatofooddrink and use the hashtag #tomatotop100. On Facebook, facebook.com/thetomatofooddrink or via email: hello@thetomato.ca by January 31.
ukrainian orthodox christmas is thursday!
The Glass Monkey offers a traditional Ukrainian dinner to order for January 6 and 7—borscht, kutya, two different pyrohy, holubtsy, fried cod, wild mushrooms with garlic, perizhky and nalysnyky, $74/feeds two generously, and there are à la carte options for different Ukrainian dishes, in case you want to freeze some of those tasty cabbage rolls. Order online at theglassmonkey.ca, or by phone, 780-760-2228, after noon today, or by email, rob@theglassmonkey.ca.
tired of turkey leftovers?
Chef Liana Robberecht is back with another delish bison dish: Noble Premium Bison Pomegranate Wonton Kisses with Spiced Honey Drizzle.
noodle lovers! check this out!
Nai Nai Mie noodles are toothsome, perfectly seasoned, with great texture, delicious and savoury as is or with extra veg. They come with precise, easy to follow directions; so handy to have in the freezer for quick-don’t-feel-like-cooking meals. Bonus: the packaging is all recyclable. Nai Nai Mie is the creation of Cat Lee-Hannley. The noodles are made locally by Cat and her father using an old family recipe. It’s a great story and an even better product. But, producing a hand-made artisan food is expensive and time-consuming. “We need better equipment to become more efficient and we don’t want to compromise the quality,” says Cat. “We are updating our packaging and want to do more flavours. And we’d like to be in more retailers.” Help this local company make more of these fantastic noodles—boost it via ATB BoostR. The rewards are delicious! Visit app.atbboostr.ca for all the deets. Nai Nai Mie noodles are available at Uproot Food Collective, Good Goods Co. and through the Organic Box and Spud delivery services.
goodbye 2020: won’t miss you, but will never forget you
Thinking of the restaurateurs, chefs, cooks, wait staff, baristas, bartenders, everyone in hospitality, and food producers—who have had their lives and businesses upended. Thinking of health care workers—nurses, doctors, researchers and all the people who keep hospitals going. You are the heroes. Thinking of staff in homes and seniors not able to see their people; grocery clerks and other people who have to deal with the public, especially those who have had to put up with people who think that not wearing a mask is their right. Thinking of people who are sick and those who have lost people to this scourge. Thinking of those who left us this year and their loved ones not being able to see them or properly say goodbye. We mourn with you.
Thinking of the local distilleries who immediately started making hand sanitizer, of socially distanced porch coffee and drinks, curbside pick-up, walks in the ravine and the joy of a pet. Thinking how quiet it was and how blue the sky last March and April, before we knew what it all meant. Thinking of my friend who is volunteering with the Red Cross and building a field hospital at the Butterdome. Hoping we don’t need it.
Thinking about all the people, especially the restaurant community, who didn’t let this pandemic stop them—their determination, grit and entrepreneurial spirit, their community focus and willingness to work hard and create clever solutions to impossible situations.
The arrival of the vaccine means we’re in the home stretch now. Here’s to hugs and kisses, having dinner in full restaurants; going for a drink, coffee, lunch; going to a play and watching live music shoulder to shoulder with strangers. Travelling! Won’t that be great?
This week’s Q: What are you thinking about? What are you looking forward to? What did 2020 mean to you?