it’s downtown dining week!
There are fantastic menus and great deals at over 60 downtown restaurants—ramen shops, pubs, burgers, pasta. Highlights: Bar Bricco is joining the fun for the first time with dinner ($65, and yes it includes the focaccia); Bundok offers a two-course lunch, $25. The Marc’s $25 lunch is also two courses, and dinner is the popular pork schnitzel (two courses, $35). Central Social Hall’s $25 lunch or brunch and $50 dinner includes a welcome drink, and Sabor offers a three-course dinner, $65. This is the time to revisit an old fave or try something new, until March 31. Find all the menus here.
beer school with chef andrew cohen and butcher chris mcnally
Learn to cook with beer with chef Andrew Cowan (Lux Steakhouse) and Chris McNally (NAIT Butcher Program) International BeerFest’s Beer School starting at 6:45pm, Friday, March 22 and Saturday, March 23. Get tix and see the full sched here.
alberta council for the ukrainian arts’ easter market is this saturday!
This long-standing Ukrainian community tradition features delicious food, art, crafts, gifts and clothing by local artisans and home-based shops. Look for Baba’s Fine Bistro, Baltyk Bakery, Prairie Garlic Farm, Pysanka by Paul and Ukraine’s Kitchen, from 11 am – 3 pm, Saturday, March 23 at the ACUA Gallery & Artisan Boutique (10554 110 Street).
two amazing dinners with barbaresco’s guiseppe cortese
Giuseppe Cortese crafts some of Piedmont’s most sought-after wines using their profound respect and knowledge of the Barbaresco terroir and long-held family traditions. The wines are born in the natural amphitheater between the Rabajà hill and the Trifolera hill. Most of the Nebbiolo vineyards are on the Rabajà hill—its calcareous soil and excellent exposure create one of the greatest Barbaresco Nebbiolo Crus. The winegrowing tradition is carried on by Giuseppe’s children, Pier Carlo and Tiziana, and son-in-law Gabriele. Five wines with five courses with special guest Gabriele Occhetti, Saturday, March 23. Tix: $185/p.
the marc sunday supper club
Cortese is a family-run winery, built upon intimate knowledge of the terroir and long-standing tradition. Giuseppe Cortese’s son-in-law, Gabriele, is one of the special guests at Sunday Supper Club this weekend. Wines to be experienced include the 2022 Dolcetto D’Alba, 2022 Cortese Langhe Nebbiolo, and the 2019 Cortese Barbaresco Rabaja. The second guest is cured meat and butchery specialist Will Kotowicz, who has created the menu. Will teaches the Cheese, Charcuterie and Preservation course in the NAIT Culinary Arts program. Tix: $165/p all in. Call 780-429-2828.
yes, you can drink beer with easter candy
Find out how at the Beer & Easter Candy Tasting at Sherbrooke. Is cutting the head off a chocolate bunny and filling it with beer a good idea? Let Dani from Untapped guide you in your beer and candy pairings. Bring your curiosity and sense of whimsy, and hop on down to the Sherbrooke Tasting Room, 6:30 pm, Thursday, March 28. Tix: $35.
you otto be joking!
It’s live comedy night at Otto (11410 95 Street) on Tuesday, April 9. To book a table, call 780-477-6244. For tix: $15/p+ or use the QR code on the poster.
listen: mandy melnyk on the pursuit of relentless podcast
Farmer Mandy Melnyk raises chickens and grows garlic (among other things) on Meadow Creek Farm near Waskatenau. It’s challenging and requires a whole lot of grit and commitment. She joins Alaina Nadig on the Pursuit of Relentless Podcast to talk about what drew her to farming, the importance of babas and why local food grown by local farmers matters. There may be some gardening tips too. Listen here or here.
want to get your hands dirty? no experience necessary!
Curious about a vibrant, land-based learning community that is passionate about growing food? Volunteer at the Green & Gold Community Garden. They welcome folks of all ages and abilities—no gardening experience necessary. The Green & Gold practises sustainable and regenerative organic gardening methods and raises funds for Tubahumurize, which supports marginalized women and children in Rwanda. Email gggarden@ualberta.ca to book a spot at the volunteer orientation sessions, Saturday, April 13 or Saturday, April 20 from 12:30-2pm. For more info, visit here.
recipe of the week: creamy red lentil and sweet potato soup with chard
Still chilly. Still soup season. Try this easy and delicious soup to warm you up during this last blast of winter.
dinn