market moves
It appears that the Downtown Market is back on 104 Street on Saturdays, at least for this summer. The brouhaha over the move came to a head when the 104 Street merchant’s group encouraged someone else to set up on Saturdays. (Evidently, the reason for moving, why the city did not renew the Downtown’s Market’s permit in the first place, was LRT construction, which has now been delayed.) We hope the 104 Street merchants are happy again and that we have sunny Saturdays right through to Thanksgiving. Oh, and by the way, you can still check out the new Downtown Market over on 97 Street and 103 Avenue on Sundays.
drink pink
Everything Wine and More (#25-100 Broadview Drive, Sherwood Park, 780-417-3356) is having their fifth annual Rosé Wine Festival on Saturday, June 8, from 2-5pm. Sample over 40 different styles of rosé and there’s no charge.
rosso pizza’s sister bianco
Bianco, (10020 101 Avenue, 780-761-8838 https://www.biancoeats.com) sister restaurant to Rosso Pizza, has opened in the Phipps McKinnon building. It’s a good-looking room with a large-ish menu. (Including outstanding pizza from the wood-burning oven. This gives the crust the most wonderful char and texture.) Bianco is also open for breakfast Monday-Friday and has a take-out coffee/ brioche counter right at the entrance, handy for the tenants of the building. Rosso always has a fun wine list; as is Bianco’s with a large number of Champagnes and other sparkling wines. An inspired idea? The Spritz menu—ideal for enjoying on that expansive patio when it opens in a few weeks. (Yaay!) Want to check out the menu or make a reso? Visit biancoeats.com.
craft brews for firefighters in ukraine
Sherbrooke is presenting the Craft Breweries of Alberta Tasting Experience featuring over a dozen Alberta craft breweries on Saturday, June 15, in an interesting location–the Oliver Mansion, 10205 119 Street (formerly the Beth Israel Synagogue) from either 1pm-5pm or 6pm-10pm. All proceeds to Firefighter Aid Ukraine. Tix: $40; https://www.eventbrite.ca
asian food is a hot topic
Chef Eric Hansen (Prairie Noodle) bring his favourite flavours from south east Asia to his virtual pop-up called Hot Tropics this summer. “To start I’m going to hit comfort foods like green and red coconut Thai curries, Thai larb, Balinese style snapper in banana leaf,” says eric; “then things like laksa, Hainanese chicken rice, babi guling and other personal favourites—all the yummy things I miss most when I think of being in the hot tropics. The food is prepared in the Prairie Noodle kitchen but Hot Tropics is strictly takeaway or ordered online.” Eric expects to be up and running next week. There is an actual pop up planned for early July. More on that later.
douglas cardinal at aga
The Art Gallery of Alberta (AGA) presents Douglas Cardinal: Life Stories, 6pm, Wednesday, June 12. at 6pm. The visionary architect, planner, activist, artist and Anishnaabe Elder will talk about his philosophy and world view and how it informs the design process. Tix: members $10, regular $12, student $6: https://www.youraga.ca.
asparagus recipe number four: radish and asparagus salad with ricotta Salata
Yes, you can eat asparagus for a month! This week try it in a salad with other spring flavours—juicy radishes and fresh peas (probably from BC) highlighted with some sharp and salty ricotta salata. Drink the equally bright Sattlerhof Sauvginon Blanc from Austria— you need high acidity to work with the saltiness of the cheese.
