we say goodbye to adriano zenari
Adriano Zenari died in his sleep August 5. I’m old enough to remember when Zenaris opened in the new Manulife Building downtown in 1981. He left academia to build the revolutionary café/gourmet shop with his wife Glenda. For 35 years it was the place to buy Italian culinary tools and house wares such as ceramics and Alessi everything, to have a delicious snack or quick lunch and a glass of Prosecco with Adriano. The Thursday night dinners in the bar outside the shop became legendary. Adriano Zenari was a character—witty, smart, gregarious, irascible. We will miss him. There is a viewing and prayer service at Park Memorial, from 4pm-6pm, Wednesday, August 10.
have a glass of the sask
Epcor wants us to know that Edmonton’s award-winning water is safe and tastes good. They have recruited several local restaurants who pour tap water to take part in the Glass of the Sask program (you may have seen is at K Days too). Edmonton’s drinking water comes from the Rockies via the North Saskatchewan River. The final product is treated for up to 12 hours (clarified, filtered and disinfected) at water treatment plants before being delivered to over one million taps in Edmonton and surrounding communities. Find Glass of the Sask at the District Café, Dogpatch, Fox Burger Bar, The Lingnan, Padmanadi, Partake, Strathcona Spirits Distillery, the Sugarbowl and the Urban Diner.
Partake chef owner Cyrilles Koppert prepares lunch at the tour of the EL Smith water treatment plant.
don’t miss alberta on the plate
Alberta on the Plate is the annual province-wide dine around that celebrates local food. It’s well priced and gives you an opportunity to check out a few places with two or three-course menus featuring local farmers, ranchers, breweries, distillers. Think of this as a snapshot of where we are in local food right now. In Edmonton it’s Three Vikings, Dalla Zenari downtown, the 5th Street Food Hall, High Level Diner and RGE Rd. Or go north to the Twisted Fork in St Paul. In Calgary check out Bridgette or Jin Bar, Blindman Brewing and Cilantro & Chive in central Alberta; Tekarra Lodge and Jasper Park Lodge in Jasper. Find all the spots and menus on the Alberta on the Plate website. albertaontheplate.com.
open farm days is this weekend
Covid was a disaster for the culinary scene in so many ways but it did garner interest in local food. More restos offer seasonal menus and have increased their connections and purchases of local product. And the farms? Several started successful direct marketing operations. Wendell Berry said; “Eating is an agricultural act.” Open Farm days brings that home. It helps us understand we live in an agricultural province. One of my favourite Open Farm Days is Chatsworth Farms east of Edmonton. It’s a beautiful drive, a very nice family, chickens, baby ducks, cattle, horses, grain, huge vegetable garden. They will have tours and their own beef hot dogs. Or, go have a delicious farm supper at the Gathering Place in Waskatenau, Smoky Lake County. This is the 10th anniversary of Alberta Open Farm Days. The first year, 46 farms opened their doors to the public. This year it’s 120. Check out the Alberta Open Farm Days website to figure out where you want to go. AAll the farms and long table dinners and tours and events are listed there. albertaopenfarmdays.ca.
three roses to enjoy this week—easy on the budget too
Think summer flowers and fresh strawberries, beautifully crisp and balanced Vina Real Rosado (Garnacha, Tempranillo and Viura) from Rioja Alavesa. Drink with grilled shrimp or chicken. The Cune Rioja Rosado is a full-bodied Tempranillo rosé you want to enjoy with a charcuterie board on a summer’s night. The Albia Rosé from Tuscan produce Ricasoli is a lovely blend of Sangiovese and Merlot. Very pale, light-bodied with delicious berry notes, ideal with mussels in cream sauce or tacos.
make a pitcher of ice tea and say ahhhh
The wonderful Banff Tea shop Jolene’s offers a selection of excellent iced tea blends. Five flavours—Peach Blossom, Wild Blueberry, Strawberry Green Tea, Summer Nights, Summer Daze. Summer Nights, a black tea blend with calendula, was so refreshing, just the thing for a hot afternoon. Each pouch has five tea bags which brew one litre each, $9.95/per pouch. If you aren’t getting to Banff soon buy online.
tomato top 100: dalla tavola’s patè di noci
This toothsome lentil and walnut pâté is the dish for aperitivo on the patio at Dalla.
recipe of the week: summer potatoes
Got foil? Got new potatoes? So easy. Add some fresh herbs or onions or just salt and pepper. You could do in the oven too if you don’t want to turn on the grill.
