What’s happening in November and December
by Mary Bailey
wine tastings, happenings and events
Don’t miss this: Prairie: A Night with Twyla Campbell at The Gathering Place Co-Op (60120 AB-831, Waskatenau) 6pm, Saturday, November 4. Twyla is the co-author of the excellent Prairie: Seasonal Farm-Fresh Recipes Celebrating the Canadian Prairies. Chef Neil will be preparing several recipes from the book. Tix: $50-$80/p.
Enjoy Wines to Warm from the Inside Out with Marcia J. Hamm at the Canadian Liquor Store (101, 18003 105 Avenue) on Wednesday, November 15, from 7-9pm. Tix: $20/p+, call 780-760-0831, or book at canadianliquorstore.ca. Don’t miss their first annual Christmas Open House Extravaganza on Saturday, December 2.
The Gathering Place Co-Op (60120 AB-831, Waskatenau) features An Evening with Steven Chwok, host of CFCW’s Ukrainian Hour, Saturday, November 18, with a hearty menu—meat choices, assorted salads, roasted carrots and beets, varenyky, cabbage rolls, cornbread and desserts. Tix: $50/p+.
All Is Bright, the 124 Street Community celebration of the season happens Saturday, November 18, from 4-8pm. Come for the great food and drink, music, entertainment and the dramatic light up. Heart of the Home (12539 102 Avenue) will be open ‘til 6pm, with hot chocolate and gift certificates. All the deets at 124street.ca.
Help Edmonton’s Food Bank to continue doing great work. Enjoy dinner, sparkling wine and a silent auction, along with the festive musical stylings of The Melisizwe Brothers at the Magical Christmas Music Gala, 5:30pm, Thursday, November 23 at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 16615-109 Avenue. Tix: $125/p, tables of eight and sponsorships available too, visit edmontonsfoodbank.com.
Heart of the Home’s annual Christmas Open House is December 2-3, with 15 per cent off most purchases. Pop down to finish your Christmas shopping.
The Butternut Tree’s (9707 110 Street) popular Christmas High Tea is Sunday, December 17, 11am-2pm. They are open regular hours for brunch and dinner services up to December 23. After Christmas, December 28-30 for dinner. New Year’s Eve Brunch, is Saturday, December 30, 9:30am-1:30pm. New Year’s Eve Dinner is always a big event at the Butternut. This year it’s New York inspired with a terrific five-course tasting menu with optional wine pairings and luxury additions available, $160/p++ with two seatings. Reservations.
The 124 St area has a new wine boutique. Calgary’s Vine Arts has set up shop at 10961 124 Street. Many of our readers will know the fabulous new manager, wine professional (and great cook) Cheata Nao.
restaurant buzz
Daniel Costa (Corso 32 Group) opens Bar Henry in the new flagship Henry Singer in the Stantec Tower in December. “The food is snacky, light and quick bites, but the pace is leisurely—a place where you will be able to order a great bottle of wine at 3 in the afternoon.” says Daniel. Like all of chef Costa’s restaurants, Bar Henry will focus on quality, with unique spuntini and wines and spirits from small producers in Italy, Spain and France. Expect 30 seats in an Italian-inspired space, in the northwest corner of the store, with its own door. Can’t wait.
The new Firefly (4208 Calgary Trail) opened late October in the old Stanhope space. Didn’t get there before our press date, but Spencer Thompson (formerly of the Marc) is the exec chef, so you know the food will be good. Check it out!
product news
Don’t miss the Knifewear Fall Garage Sale (10816 Whyte Avenue) from November 6-12. Samples, new and rare knives, discounts, all sorts of good stuff. Get there early, people line up!
Heart of the Home’s Black Friday Sale happens November 24-26. Bonus: gift certificate with a purchase of any Le Creuset or Staub cast iron piece over $100. Who hoo! And don’t miss the Christmas Merchandise Sale, December 18-24.
Sherbrooke is bringing back the thirst-quenching 24 Days of Beermas Advent Calendar. Yaay! Order at sherbrookeliquor.com, or find in-store in late November at Sherbrooke Original, 11819 St. Albert Trail and Sherbrooke Ottewell, 9271 50 Street.
Send interesting food and drink news for Kitchen Sink to hello@thetomato.ca.