the sixth bodega tapas bar opens in ellerslie
Chef Lino Oliviera at the Ellerslie Bodega opening.
Chris Mena and Lino Oliviera have opened their newest Bodega Tapas Bar in The Village at Blackmud Creek. The food? Their delicious Iberian-style small plates—piri piri shrimp, the bacon-wrapped dates with quince, that delicious Ibercio ham. The space is sweet and cozy, with the relaxed boho vibe we have come to love at the Bodegas. Patio? Coming soon. Bodega Tapas Bar Ellerslie, 916 103A Street SW, bodegayeg.ca.
new wine bar in town
Zulu Wine Bar
Zula Wine Bar is the latest resto to open in the West Block Glenora. It’s by chef Yuksel Gultekin, of Sofra fame; not surprising that the menu has a savoury Turkish Mediterranean feel. The outstanding meats come from Arpa Farm Fresh Butcher’s Shop next door, also by Gultekin. As wine professional Tara Smith is the manager you know you will have a beautiful glass of wine with dinner. Zula Kitchen +Wine Bar,
#120, 14055 West Block Drive, zulakitchenandwinebar.com.
turn up the heat with kaiso pepper sauce
Kaiso’s Paul and Andrea Thorne and their tasty sauces
Paul and Andrea Thorne have created an outstanding Caribbean-style pepper sauce called Kaiso, with scotch bonnet peppers, vinegar and lemon juice and each of the three versions are chock full of robust, long-lasting flavour. Herb, made with parsley, basil and mint; Heat, with turmeric and mustard and Fire, with turmeric, mustard and red bell pepper.
“I have been making hot sauce for years and giving it to friends at Christmas,” says Paul. “Kaiso is not trying to compete for the hottest pepper sauce out there, but we’re tops when it comes to taste and flavour,” he says. Find Kaiso at the Downtown Farmers’ Market against the east wall, Culina to Go in the Oliver Exchange and Uncle Brian’s Speciality Butcher Store. kaisopeppersauce.ca.
central social hall opens ellerslie location
Ellerslie’s new Central Social Hall
The fun and energetic Central Social Halls have a new location in Ellerslie—another great spot for drinks with friends, lunch with clients, brunch with family. “Growing up in Edmonton and being part of the hospitality community for over ten years has been so rewarding. We’re excited to finally bring Central Social Hall to the southside,” says co-founder Jesse Kupina. Central Social Hall Ellerslie, 10014 12 Avenue SW, centralsocialhall.com.
gramma bear hangs up the oven mitts
Harold and Evelyn Dickout
Gramma Bears has been a fixture at the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market for 35 years. Alas, no longer; Harold and Evelyn (the OG gramma bear) Dickout are retiring. We’ll miss their smiling faces and those incredible butter tarts. “Well, you can’t go on forever,” said Evelyn. “The equipment is old now and all needs replacing.” We’re sure these two lovely people will have no trouble filling their days in retirement.
a love letter to Alberta ranchers, farmers and foragers
An homage to Alberta in a cookbook.
Eat Alberta First by Karen Anderson is a hefty tome, filled with cooking tips, a section on Alberta food artisans and 90 recipes, by Karen, her family and friends and professionals such as chefs Brad Smoliak, Michael Allemeier and Cindy Lazarenko (yes, the recipe for Cindy’s toothsome borsch, the one she used to serve at her Highlands restaurant, is here). Not only are the recipes organized seasonally, Karen has created a whole new set of seasons which go a long way in explaining how we eat in Alberta. For example, February/March is cabin fever season (a lot of baking). The Celebrations Season: Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas includes the usual suspects as well as recipes from her friends Noorbanu Nimji for Eid and Richard Seto for Lunar New Year. Everyone should have this book in their kitchen. You will be a better cook for it. Eat Alberta First by Karen Anderson, Touchwood Editions, $40.