What’s new and notable
by Mary Bailey
wine dinners, happening and events
Nosh Fest is back! Enjoy over 80 food and beverage vendors, from sauerkraut to gluten-free, dairy-free, plant-based meals and local distilleries, September 16 from 10am-5pm and September 17 from 11am-4pm at the Strathcona County Community Centre. More info, visit whollyhandmade.com.
The Marc’s (9940 106 Street, themarc.ca) Sunday Suppers are back, starting September 24, featuring wines from the exquisite Presqu’ile Vineyard in California. Special guest is Tony Cha, sales director for Presqu’ile. The Santa Maria Valley vineyard is best known for its Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah, to be paired with a multi-course menu by chef Cara. Tix: $165/p all in, call 780-429-2828 to reserve your spot.
Getting married? Don’t miss the Wedding Open House at The Butternut Tree (9707 110 Street, 780-760-2271, thebutternuttree.ca) Sunday, October 15. Meet the event team, chefs, preferred vendors and tour the space. Enjoy canapes and menu samples, with signature cocktails and beverages available for purchase. Event planners, or anyone thinking about an anniversary or corporate event are also welcome. Email Samantha (info@thebutternuttree.ca) or reserve complimentary tickets (and a welcome beverage) online at thebutternuttree.ca/events-weddings.
Want to learn more about Lebanese food? Check out these amazing tutorials taught by passionate residents from their home kitchens in Lebanon. Jorj Sayde organized the Lebanese Food Pilgrimage to increase knowledge and communication and to help support during tough times. The next session is on September 30. Find tix on Eventbrite.
restaurant buzz
The beloved Bar Bricco (10347 Jasper Avenue, 780-424-5588, corso32group.com) is expanding and plans to reopen in early September. We are curious to see the redesign and enjoy the best focaccia (and negronis) in town. Giddy up!
The Butternut Tree (9707 110 Street, 780-760-2271) offers the Halloween High Tea on Sunday, October 29. Tea at the Butternut is legendary, with sweets and savouries and delicious baking. Reservations from 10am-12:45pm, $65/p+, exploretock.com/thebutternuttree.
Francois Lecouvez is the new executive chef at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. Chef was brought on last summer as the executive sous chef, following a career in France and Thailand. He aims to tell the story of Jasper. “When you are in a national park, you have to care about how you treat our nature and it is important to educate more people about food waste and be conscious of how we cook.” We can’t wait to see his sustainable approach in action, from upscale Orso Trattoria to the Alpine-inspired Great Hall. To reserve: jasper-park-lodge.com.
Little Wolf (8424 109 Street), Shaun Hicks’ first personal project, should be open in early September in the old Three Boars space, (which had morphed into High Dough during the pandemic). “It’s kind of a crazy hairbrained idea,” says Shaun, about opening a restaurant now. “But this is controllable. I know this space, I know the cost of operating it.”
Shaun has a long history in the Edmonton food scene. Most recently the general manager at La Petite Iza, Shaun has cooked, consulted on projects, managed restaurants, washed dishes, bussed tables and run bars, helping out where needed, including general manager at Three Boars. He is doing most of the sprucing up himself. Sanding floors, tiling, small renos and improvements. “The big thing now is we have air conditioning.” The footprint is similar, 25 seats or so upstairs, 14 at the bar and 15 on the patio which now has an awning.
“I was missing the spirit of Three Boars. Previous to Covid, it was kind of a late-night salon, where you could have a drink and something to eat. The name ties into the mythology of the space; Farrow (next door) is a litter of little pigs, we’re part of the same fairy tale. The menu is Three Boars adjacent, small plates, lots of vegetables, flexible, not expensive. I can do that in a way that works.” Open 5pm ‘til late for now, with brunches or pop ups eventually.
product news
The next round of Bountiful Farmers’ Market (3696 97 Street, 780-818-3878, bountifulmarkets.com) loyalty program kicks off September 1. Visit every week for fresh local produce and other foods and collect stamps for a chance to win up to $300. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
If you were in love with the cinnamon buns at Chartier or their bread (remember the bread window?) you’ll be happy to know that their production bakery, Mother Bakery, does online pre-orders at motherbakery.ca/preorder. You can pick up your pre-order at Meuwly’s and Modest Meats in Edmonton, Effing Seafood in St Albert, Nisku Business and Entrepreneur Centre and Chartier. The classic white sourdough, donuts, the frozen bake-at-home cinnamon buns, those brioche hamburger buns, only a few clicks away.
Heart of The Home (2539 102 Avenue, 780-705-4928, heartofthehomeyeg.ca) promo in September: Le Creuset coloured and stainless steel classic kettles at 25 per cent off. Zwilling Knife Sharpening Clinic is on September 29. Emile Henry is on promo in October, 20 per cent off in-stock items. Don’t forget that in October $1 from every purchase goes to GEARS (Greater Edmonton Animal Rescue Society). There will also be a donation bin in-store, beds, toys, treats and food. The shop is closed October 9 for Thanksgiving.
Remember Ralph’s fried chicken at the Handi-Mart in Strathearn? The chicken that was out for maybe an hour before it was all gone? It’s back! Ralph’s Fried Chicken is in a strip mall in Castledowns at 10807 Castle Downs Road. Still crunchy and moist, still delicious.