The long bar rides again
The Hardware Grill’s Larry Stewart has signed on to operate the new/old bar at the Alberta Hotel, CKUA’s new home on Jasper Avenue. The city salvaged many fixtures from the historic bar in the old Alberta Hotel, demolished to make way for Canada Place in 1984. Expect a casual vibe with seating for about 100, and a menu of small plates and sharables taking advantage of the historic long bar design. “We’re creating Edmonton’s first mozzarella bar,” says Larry. Jesse Chalmers heads up the kitchen. The Tavern at the Alberta Hotel opens late July.
It’s a porchetta party!
Italy is known for its porchetta stands selling the most delicious roast pork in a bun. Now Sorrentino’s brings porchetta to its patios this summer; savoury Alberta pork rolled and stuffed with fresh herbs, lemon and toasted fennel seeds, roasted, sliced, plated and served with roasted rosemary garlic potatoes and a glass of wine. And it’s only $20! The Porchetta Parties are at the Sorrentino’s west, south, St. Albert and downtown locations on July 25 and August 29. Bistecca’s (2345 111 street, 780-439-7335) party is three courses including dessert for $39. Want a sneak preview? Visit the Sorrentinos café at 107 Avenue and 109 street on Porchetta Fridays from noon until 2pm, and enjoy a sandwich for $7.50.
The new old world
Browse and brunch
The Edmonton Petroleum Club (11110-108 Street) offers a new brunch for members and non-members alike featuring their new kitchen crew on July 7, August 11 and September 8. It’s quite the spread, three courses or a buffet featuring Alberta cheeses and dishes chef Doreen Prei, Petroleum Club’s head of culinary development, preps according to what’s in season at their new Sunday Artisan Food Market. Have brunch, then browse the market for tasty baked goods from Boulangerie Treestone, fruit from Steve and Dan’s and charcuterie from K&K Foodliner, along with coffee, live entertainment and free parking. As well, the club will stock a booth with signature prepared foods to go. Non-member tickets $35; members $30. Call Jennifer, 780-474-3411 or email reception@edpetroleumclub.com for reservations. The artisan food market runs every Sunday from 10-2 pm. Other vendors include Mojo Jojo Pickles, Rose Ridge Farms, Epicure Selections, Fruits of Sherbrooke, Kettle Corn & Concessions, Choco-licious, Sangudo Growers Association, Cookie Love, Violet Chocolate Company, Ron’s Produce Plus, The Newget Kompany, Lemon Daisy Cupcake Company, Cravings Artisan Gelato, and, in September, lamb from Tangle Ridge Farms in Thorsby. There’s always room for more vendors. If you make a delicious food product, call Charles at 780-474-3411 or visit edmontonpetroleumclub.com.
Going for gold
Former Edmonton champs Jan Trittenbach and Andrew Fung are back, along with newbies Alex Sneazwell, Mike Scorgie, Jesse Morrison-Gauthier, and Doreen Prei (Doreen’s former exec chef Dave Omar competed for Zinc). Jesse knows what it takes to win; he was on chef Trittenbach’s support team in 2011. The lineup this year reflects the increasing importance of smaller independent, non-hotel restaurants in Edmonton’s culinary scene.
Edmonton has a new judge as well, Brad Smoliak of Kitchen by Brad, joining chefs Chris Wood and Clayton Folkers along with Lianne Faulder, Gail Hall, senior judge Mary Bailey and head Gold Medal Plates judge James Chatto. Our 2012 gold medalist Nathin Bye joins the judging panel this year.
Net proceeds from Gold Medal Plates go to the Canadian Olympic Foundation. Over $7.4 million has been raised to date. Contact edmonton@goldmedalplates.com for tickets.