What’s new and notable: Three Edmonton restos hit the EnRoute Canada’s Best New Restaurant list; three new restaurants open and the holiday frenzy starts soon.
restaurant buzz
Three Edmonton restaurants made Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants Top 10: #5 Bar Clementine, #6 Café Linnea and #10 Alder Room. Congratulations! Thrilled for these chefs and restaurateurs. Happy too for one of our fave Calgary spots, Bar Von Der Fels, chosen #3.
The Glass Monkey (5842 111 Street, 780-760-2228, theglassmonkey.ca) is booking holiday parties. Call Rob or Janine to book tables of eight or up to 80, the entire restaurant. Now, that’s a party.
If you are looking for somewhere to have the holiday office lunch, look no further. Zinc at the AGA (2 Sir Winston Churchill Square, 780-392-2501, zincrestaurant.ca) is offering a three-course festive lunch for under $20/p for groups between two and 20, from November 21 to December 23. Expect traditional holiday offerings such as ham and scalloped potatoes, turkey and mashed, or roast pork with roast potatoes and lovely Erdmann’s Farm roasted vegetables.
Saturday brunch continues at Bündok (10228 104 Street, 780-420-0192, bundokyeg.com). The classic French omelet is a thing of beauty, pale and fluffy; the sea bream crudo; the bacon and eggs don’t disappoint. Also, daytime cocktails, really good house-made bread and biscuits and great coffee, all in a serene atmosphere.
Check out the new menu at the Local Omnivore (Holland Plaza, 10933 120 Street, 780-660-1051, thelocalomnivore.com), with hearty dishes featuring their delish house-made sausage and bacon: the toothsome Curry Fried Schnitzel; or Skip the Bill, confit’d and battered duck leg with pancakes and a truly spicy syrup; or the vegetarian Little Mountain, bean balls in tomato sauce on spaghettini with Grizzly Gouda.
Have a relaxed NYE at the Blue Chair (9624 76 Avenue, 780-989-2861, bluechair.ca) featuring The Rault Brothers and a cocktail party atmosphere with tapas. The resto has a fresh look with upgrades and new windows and doors.
The Holy Roller (8222 Gateway Blvd, 780-540-4659, theholyroller.ca), the new concept from Michael Maxxis, Melanie Swerdan and Bill Graham (of El Cortez and Have Mercy) is now open in Old Strathcona. It’s a fun interior and the food is snacky, with pintxos (Basque-style tapas), skewers and pizza. Chef Rafael D’Alcazar is also a chocolate master who loves working with Mexican chocolate. Can’t wait to try his creations. Check it out!
Chef Lindsay Porter (Mercer’s, El Cortez, Woodwork) and Evonne Li have opened London Local (2307 Ellwood Drive, 780-752-2244, london-local.ca) a casual British-influenced gastro pub in south Edmonton. The fish and chips are a hit, as is their lightened-up version of sticky toffee pudding. And, we hear there will be Sunday roast.
Just opening at our press date is Pip (10403 83 Avenue), the next act of the Next Act and Meat people. We hope it will be the tiny and perfect wine bar the south side needs.
product news
We love this time of year because it’s Knifewear’s (10820 82 Avenue, 587-521-2034, knifewear.com) Garage Sale! Find prototypes, budget knives, one-of-a-kind knives and other unique knives handmade in Japan all at great prices. The sale is from November 6-12 at all locations and on the website.
The Cavern (10169 104 Street, 780-455-1336, thecavern.ca) introduces the VIP Shopping Experience on Sunday, December 3, 10 and 17. Book a time between 10am -5pm for exclusive access to Cavern experts to assist with your cheese and charcuterie board preparation and wine recommendations. Bubbles and snacks included! To book email info@thecavern.ca.
Heart of the Home (12539 102 Avenue, 780-705-4928, heartofthehomeyeg.ca) has the 12 Days of Christmas Sale starting December 1 and check out the Henckels Gourmet Guide on their website for discounts of up to 6o per cent. Holiday hours start December 6: Monday – Wednesday and Saturday from 10am-5:30pm; Thursday and Friday until 8pm; Sundays from noon to 4pm.
Join Kinnikinnick corporate chef Lori Grein to sample Grey Cup-themed appetizers on November 9 and 10. On November 30 and December 1, chef Grien demonstrates and samples holiday appetizers, all gluten-free of course. At Kinnikinnick Get It Fresh (10940-120 Street, 780-732-7527) 10am-1pm.
Lots of new things at The Pan Tree (220 Lakeland Dr #550, Sherwood Park, 780-464-4631, thepantree.ca). The new way to store food is Bee’s Wrap, made with beeswax, washable, reusable and compostable. Daneson are premium toothpicks made from northern birch and infused with pure cinnamon or Meyer lemon. There is even a bourbon and a single malt Scotch-flavoured pick. Fans of Funky Chunky will love the new flavours — dark chocolate mocha, caramel latte and vanilla crème.
at the cooking schools
Kitchen by Brad (10130 105 Street, 780-757-7704) cooking classes: Holiday Baking with chef Tracy Zizek, Saturdays, November 4 and 25; Retro Open House Cooking Class, Saturday, November 11, December 2 and 16. Chef’s Secrets for the Holidays, November 18 and December 9. TIX: $145/p+, includes food and wine pairings and all the recipes. All the details, including booking, at kitchenbybrad.ca.
Want to learn how to make sourdough? The Ruby Apron is your spot. They hold several classes and workshops every month all about sourdough. Highlights: Flavours of the Middle East, November 9; A Day in the Kitchen-Sourdough, November 12; Christmas, December 3; Introduction to Sourdough, November 17, December 3; Canapés and Cocktails, December 8. Find the complete class info at therubyapron.ca.
The ATCO Blue Flame Kitchen, (main level, 10035-105 Street, ATCOblueflamekitchen.com) cooking classes: Cabbage Rolls, Thursday, November 2; Pyrohy, Thursday, November 9; Gifts from the Kitchen (includes a copy of the Holiday Collection cookbook), Thursday, November 16; Freeze-Ahead Entertaining, Thursday, November 23; Quick Christmas Treats, Thursday, December 7. Classes begin at 5pm and cost $65/p. Call 780-420-7282 to book.
The Pan Tree (220 Lakeland Dr #550, Sherwood Park, 780-464-4631) welcomes holistic nutrition practitioner Amanda Cook to their instructor lineup: Weeknight Meals with Amanda Cook, Wednesday, November 8; Guacamole and Dips, chef Israel Alvarez, Tuesday, November 21; Knife Skills, chef Richard Toll, Tuesday, November 28; Vegan-friendly Holiday Treats, Sarah Foster, Tuesday, December 5; Winter Salads and Bowls, Amanda Cook, Wednesday, December 6; Mexican Street Food, chef Israel Alvarez, Wednesday, December 13. Times and prices vary; to book visit thepantree.ca.
wine tastings, happenings and events
Love Port? Don’t miss the Ultimate Port Dinner at Packrat Louie (10335 83 Avenue, 780-433-0123) featuring Taylor Fladgate, Fonseca Guimaraens and special guest Cindy Opsal, Saturday, November 4, 6pm. TIX: $80/p++, email info@packratlouie.com.
Noted South African winery Spier Wine Farm is featured at Wildflower Grill (10009 107 Street), Saturday, November 4, 6:30pm. Meet Lynton Kaiser of the winery and enjoy five courses by Wildflower’s new exec chef, J.P. Dublado. TIX: $125/p all in, visit aligrawineandspirits.com to book.
Meet Arnaud Bergasse of Château Viranel at a winemaker dinner at The Marc (9940 106 Street) on Sunday, November 5, 5:30pm. Six delightful wines from Saint Chinian in the Languedoc will be poured with five courses. TIX: $110/p all in, 780-429-2828 to book.
Meet Aure’lien Fiardet of Terroirs Originels, a group of artisan winemakers from the Beaujolais and Mâconnais for a tasting of exceptional Beaujolais Cru, Tuesday, November 7, 7pm, Hicks Fine Wines (109, 150 Bellerose Drive, St Albert, 780-569-5000, hicksfinewines.com). TIX: $30/p call Hicks to book.
Interested in the future of food? Foodovation, the event for growing companies in the agrifood world is at NAIT November 9 and 10. The keynote speaker is Ali Bouzari, formerly the culinary scientist at Thomas Keller restaurants. He is the co-founder of Bay area foodmeisters Pilot R&D. Register at foodovation17.com.
Explore the brewing heritage of Alberta at Ale-Beer-Ta: A hop back in time, Tuesday, November 7, from 6pm, at the Yellowhead Brewery. Presented by the Friends of Royal Alberta Museum Society curatorial staff of Western Canadian History at the Royal Alberta Museum. Tickets include a tour of Yellowhead and a sleeve of Yellowhead’s Premium Lager. TIX: $20/p, on Eventbrite.ca.
Taste iconic Aussie wines from Henschke, Vasse Felix, Pewsey Vale, Yalumba and Jim Barry at the Premium Australian Wine Dinner at Hardware Grill (9698 Jasper Avenue) on Monday, November 13, 6pm. It’s rare to have wines from such storied producers all at one dinner. Five wines, four courses. TIX, $99/p++, call 780-423-0969 to book.
This sounds like a really great dinner, local Wagyu beef paired with Naramata’s Poplar Grove Winery at La Ronde in the Chateau Lacombe (10111 Bellamy Hill Road), Wednesday, November 15, 6pm. Yum! TIX: $125/p all in, call 780-420-8366 to book.
Bella Casa (9646 142 Street, 780-437-4190, bellacasadcl.com) Christmas Open House is on November 16, 17 and 18. Enjoy appetizers, beverages and a fun shopping atmosphere as well as some special prices. Enter the draw for a prize of discounts up to 25 per cent off.
Meet Jean Francois Hebrard, oenologist of the Spanish house Quinta de la Quietud, at The Marc (9940 106 Street) on Sunday, November 26, 5:30pm. TIX: $95/p all in, call 780-420-8366 to book.
Or, meet Jean Francois Hebrard, Quinta de la Quietud, at Solstice Seasonal Cuisine (10723 124 Street), Tuesday, November 28, 6pm. TIX: $95/p++, call 780-488-4567 to book.
Zocalo (10826 95 Street, 780-428-0754, zocalo.ca) stocks cool-looking leather aprons in red, yellow, grey, black and brown. Handmade in the Netherlands, $195, gift boxed, matching oven gloves too, $95. Zocalo also have handmade ceramics from Portugal in a bright Poppy pattern — mugs, teapots and a jug, from $14-$49.
Join Marcia J. Hamm for Wines to Warm You from the Inside Out, Thursday, November 23, 7pm, at Hicks Fine Wines (109, 150 Bellerose Drive, St Albert). TIX: $40/p, call 780-569-5000 to book.
Learn how to make a great cocktail at the Mad Scientist Christmas Cocktail Class, at Aligra Wine & Spirits (Entrance 58, 8882 170 Street), November 29, 6:30pm. TIX: $40/p, book at aligrawineandspirits.com.
The Heart of the Home (12539 102 Avenue, 780-705-4928, heartofthehomeyeg.ca) will have product demos and mulled wine during All is Bright on November 25, 4-8pm.
Open houses at the wine shops: Christmas Open House at Aligra Wine & Spirits (Entrance 58, 8882 170 Street) is Tuesday, December 5, from 4-8pm. Hicks Fine Wines (109, 150 Bellerose Drive, St Albert) Annual Christmas Open House is Thursday, December 7, from 1-5pm. Color de Vino’s (9606 82 Avenue) Open House is on Saturday, December 9 from 1-5pm.