The Dish: March and April 2020

Downtown Dining Week is back, the definitive guide to Canadian distilleries, Edmonton City Club membership drive

A new private club for Edmonton business people
Consider it a rebranding—behind Edmonton City Club is the Petroleum Club which operated for over 70 years, closing its Kingsway location two years ago. The idea is to attract a younger, vibrant clientele centred in downtown, who could benefit from a modern space for working, meeting, events and, especially, dining. Edmonton City Club plans to offer several levels of membership, including age-based and non-resident. As part of the current membership drive, there is a lovely incentive—sign up by April 30 and get 50 per cent off the initial fee. Visit https://edmontoncityclub.com.

Drink up with Davin

Davin de Kergommeaux’s winning new book
Whisky expert Davin de Kergommeaux has just published a new book and it’s a winner. He profiles over 200 historic and modern distilleries, and offers spirit trails, cocktail recipes, tasting notes and features about the unique distillers making waves today. It’s not just about Canadian whisky anymore—witness the explosion of high-quality gins, moonshine and liqueurs made across the country now. Drink up!

The Definitive guide to Canadian Distilleries: The Portable Expert to Over 200 Distilleries and the Spirits they Make (From Absinthe to Whisky, and Everything in Between) by Davin de Kergommeaux and Blair Phillips, Appetite by Random House, $32.

Cibo Bistro’s new spring menu

Cibo Bistro’s cannoli
Cibo Bistro’s cannoli

Pop into Cibo Bistro sometime soon to enjoy new menu items such as the toothsome pappardelle and roast pork cheeks and classics like the house-made mortadella crostini. Don’t miss the sublime pistachio gelato with Sicilian cannoli for dessert.

It’s back! Downtown Dining Week, March 11-22

A Downtown Dining Week option—Revel Bistro & Bar scallops
A Downtown Dining Week option—Revel Bistro & Bar scallops

Here’s a chance to try something new or revisit an old fave during downtown dining week. Menus are two-course lunches and brunches, $20 and multi-courses dinner, $35 or $50, depending on the location. As well as discounted menus at almost 50 restaurants there are events: Lunchbox Shorts with the Edmonton International Film Festival on March 11; Kitchen by Brad lunches and suppers on March 12, 16, 17 and 19; Queen’s Brunch at Match Eatery on March 15 and a Craft Cocktail Tour March 16. Find all the deets, menus and prices at edmontondowntown.com

Flavours of Somalia at Nait

Somali cuisine at NAIT
Somali cuisine at NAIT

What a great idea: Flavours of Somalia, March 21, at Ernest’s at NAIT. Jamila Osman, Mulki Ali and Nadiifa Omar are the host cooks and Maryan Hussein is in charge of the desserts. The dinners are organized by Edmonton Eats, a newish social enterprise created to share the skills, passion and knowledge of newcomer home cooks with the rest of the community. The idea is to create new economic opportunities for families and build community at the same time. Another benefit is that Culinary Program students learn about Somali cuisine and spices. Edmonton Eats is supported by the Edmonton Heritage Council and City of Edmonton, organization sponsors are Bannerman Community League, e4c and Communities United. Event sponsors are NAIT, Bannerman Giant Tiger and Belmont Sobeys. Tix: $75, Evenbrite.