December 14 2106

sunday is apertivi day

Bar Bricco (10347 Jasper Avenue, 780-424-5588 http://barbricco.com) starts Sunday aperitivi on December 18 from 3pm. The idea? A relaxed eating and drinking experience with small bites. Order a cocktail or glass of wine while servers walk around with platters of spuntini and explain what delightfully delicious little nibble you are eating. That sounds like the perfect Sunday evening.

just opened

Ed Donszelmann, an experienced hand in the resto biz, (Savoy, Culina Millcreek, Glass Monkey) has just opened a cafe in Norwood. It’s a casual neighbourhood eatery called Otto (11405 95 Street) with seating at the bar, in booths, at a comfortable community table and there is a small patio planned for summer. They are working out the kinks, always a trial with a new resto; don’t expect perfection yet. Do expect a curated beer list and excellent sausages by Fuge Meats. Love this move back into neighbourhoods—being within walking distance for patrons makes for a more vibrant streetscape. Expect to see more of it next year. It’s all good!

Photo credit Christoph Janke

pizza si!

Master pizzaiola Carlo Raillo is the new creative director for all things pizza at the downtown Vivo Ristorante (105Avenue and 106 Street) opening in January. Carlo is the four-time Canadian pizza chef of the year and the Canadian champion of champions.

http://www.canadianpizzamag.com/news/video-2016-canadian-pizza-show-chef-of-the-year-competition-6849

take a break at the union bank inn

Take a holiday mini-break at the Union Bank Inn ((10053 Jasper Avenue, 780-401-2222, unionbankinn.com) using the festive rate (code XMAS), which includes à la carte breakfast, wine and cheese and free Wifi. Enjoy holiday merriment at Madison’s including holiday features until December 23; a five-course Christmas Day Dinner, $99.50/pp, and a five-course dinner on New Year’s Eve, $99.50/pp. Wine pairings are available, menus online soon. Enjoy a sumptuous à la carte New Year’s Day Brunch, four courses at two seatings, 10:30am and 12:30 pm. Contact madisons@unionbankinn.com to book.

happy anniversary to the glass monkey

The Glass Monkey (5842 111 Street, 780-760-2228 http://www.theglassmonkey.ca/) celebrated their third anniversary We love this spot for casual get-togethers; the easy-going share or not menu; the delish burger; the great deals on wine on Monday nights and that they offer Taittinger Brut by the glass at a very good price all the time. They will be closed December 24-27.

the annual turkey round up

Let someone else worry about the bird. Order deadlines are coming up soon for turkey to go. Check these out: The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald offers a menu starting with butternut squash soup turkey with all the trimmings and dessert from $350 (six–eight people). Call the Festive Desk at 780-429-6495 to book.  Sorrentinos offers Christmas packages with various side dishes and their delicious house-made brandied cranberry and orange sauce from $210. To order: http://www.sorrentinos.com/store/#!/Turkey-to-Go/p/57438098The Westin offers a three-course dinner including their delicious Share house salad, starting at $450 for 8-10 people. Email: Share.01079@weston.com or call 780 493-8994. 

Pomegranate Yogurt Dip

A Christmasy tzatziki from The Westin’s exec chef Geoffrey Caswell Murphy.

1 c Greek yogurt
¼ c crumbled feta
sea salt to taste
chili flakes to taste
¼ t ground cumin
¼ t olive oil-preserved anchovy fillets
¼ c chopped garlic
¼ c diced cucumber
¼ c pomegranate arils
1 T olive oil
1 t fresh mint

Combine the yogurt, feta, salt, chili, cumin, and garlic. Whisk till they are well combined. Fold in the cucumber. Transfer mixture to a wide serving bowl. Top with the pomegranate arils and drizzle olive oil on top. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs and thin half-slices of cucumber. Serve with pita.