be all twinkly and sparkly at zocalo this friday
Enjoy a glass of bubbly and do a little Christmas shopping at the Zocalo (10825 95 Street, 780-428-0754, zocalo.ca) holiday party, Twinkly and Sparkly, from 5pm-9pm on Friday, November 25. You heard it here first—chef James Holehouse’s holiday creations are the bomb. If Friday night doesn’t work, buy online.
happy birthday dalla!
Dalla Tavola Zenari (10166 100a Street, 780-540-8920, dalla.ca) opened during the pandemic and we know what that means. So, now, they are having the grand opening they missed out on and a party to celebrate two years in business. Brava! Enjoy delicious snacks, curated cocktails and wine, and dancing, starting at 7pm, Thursday, December 1. Sounds like a great night! Tix: $120 all in
santa at twice cream for edmonton’s food bank
Grab the kids and head on down to the Twice Cream Ice Cream Shop (10983 127 Street) from 3pm-6pm on Saturday, December 3, for sleigh rides and pics with Santa. Don’t forget to bring a donation of Edmonton’s Food Bank (doesn’t have to be food— diapers and toiletries for babies, women and men are all needed, plus socks and underwear and, most of all, $$$$). And, don’t leave without a pint of ice cream—the December flavour, or the delicious lemon curd. Yum.
comfort food cookbook launch
When the pandemic hit, the hardworking volunteers and participants of the Converse and Cook cooking socials were left with nothing to do. Instead, they looked at all the ways people were finding to stay connected via food and what brought them comfort. “Edmontonians redefined comfort through innovation; from virtual dinner dates to drive-by birthday celebrations—we found new ways to stay connected while staying six feet apart. We hope that through cultivating these stories and recipes, we can capture the history of what happened during the pandemic, while also providing a source of comfort and hope to those feeling isolated and disconnected in our city,” Juanita Gnanapragasam, Converse and Cook. Celebrate the launch from noon-3pm, Sunday, December 4, at the Strathcona Community League (10139 87 Avenue). Admission is free but do register so they know how many people to expect. Pre-buy your book as well and pick up at the event. Who is Converse & Cook? Pamela Young profiled the group in The Tomato last year.
chicken for christmas
Can’t recall who said that edible gifts are the best, but they are aren’t they? Here is something a little different. Chickens! Sold frozen and ready to be roasted at your leisure. Give once or do a monthly subscription for whole chickens or chicken pieces. Slowly and responsibly raised, Meadowcreek chickens are delicious and each one feeds many, allowing you to make several meals out of one bird. Order here.
sips of the season at aligra
Get ready for some delicious tastes and samples at Aligra Wine & Spirits (Entrance 56, West Edmonton Mall, 780-483-1083, aligrawineandspirits.com), from 5pm-8pm, Wednesday, December 7. RSVP here https://www.aligrawineandspirits.com/events. Don’t forget to bring something for Edmonton’s Food Bank.
biera holiday market now open
The Biera Holiday Market is now open for the rest of the holiday season (closed Monday-Tuesday). Or, shop online for delicious house-made condiments and breads, special cheeses, holiday baskets and Blind Enthusiasm beers.
tomato top100: lone pine’s earl grey gin
Does it get any more English than a gin that tastes like Earl Grey tea? The martinis are heaven. Also, the Bee Balm cocktail made in their tasting room. Or, maybe your jam is the delightfully spiced Christmas Gin? Either way, find it here.
recipe of the week: chef daniel costa’s tagliolini al sugo d’arrosto
We are thrilled that chef Daniel Costa shared his incredible holiday dishes with us this issue. Make his taglioni this weekend. It will change your life.