by Mary Bailey
wine tastings, happenings and events
Chinatown Dining Week is coming soon. This year over 20 Chinatown-area restos are offering special menus from January 18-28, visit over 20 spots offering $10 or $20 deals. Check out the menus and specials at edmontonchinatown.ca.
The second annual Feed the Soul Dining Week happens February 2-11, with over 15 Black-owned restaurants, food retailers and makers taking part. Menus and all the deets at feedthesoulyeg.ca.
XI Nineteen Restaurant’s (150 Bellerose Drive, St. Albert) Tuscan dinner, 6:30pm, Monday, January 29. Enjoy four Tuscan-inspired courses by chef Landen Swick, paired with three beautiful wines from Collazzi. Tix: $149/p+.
Awn Kitchen (5124 122 Street) has a full slate of amazing classes that will satisfy your curiosity, help you be a better cook and manage your food budget, including Pushing your Food Dollar, Monday, February 12, 6:30-9:30, $125/p.
Mark the date for Hot Chefs Cool bEATS: Thursday, May 2 at the Mosaic Centre (2003 91 Street SW). The fun and delicious event supports the High School Culinary Challenge program. Visit edmontonchefs.ca/events.
restaurant buzz
The Columbian has opened a location in Mill Creek, in the old Todd Cleaners space (8905 99 Street, 825-480-1787, thecolombian.ca). It’s bright and airy and serves great coffee. Yaay!
Coterie (10330 80 Avenue, 825-480-1817, coterieyeg.com) is the new wine bar in Old Strathcona. It looks tiny and perfect. We love this recent spate of bijou spots opening, like Little Wolf on 109 Street. Check it out!
Bar Henry is opening soon in the Stantec Tower, inside the new Henry Singer. Expect coffee, spuntini, wine and cocktails in an Italian-inspired space, on the northwest corner of the store, with its own door. Can’t wait.
In The Weeds YEG (intheweedsyeg.com/@intheweedsyeg) is an Edmonton nonprofit that pays for counselling for local hospitality workers in need. They are seeking industry partners and sponsors to help fund programming in 2024. Email help@intheweedsyeg.com to learn more.
The sweet Caffe Sole (9911 72 Avenue, caffesole.ca) has a new location in City Centre Mall East, by Winners.
Coffee Bureau (10505 Jasper Avenue, coffeebureau.square.site) is opening a second location in the Mercury Block (12322 102 Avenue).That’s great news for Oliver residents.
The historic Num-Ti-Jah Lodge has a new life. Bought and refurbished by a group of mountain-savvy investors (including Bruce Millar, the former owner/operator of Lake O’Hara Lodge), The Lodge at Bow Lake promises to be a spot for back country enthusiasts. Winter season is February 1 to April 8, summer season opens June 1. You can enjoy the delish food by head chef Chris Parnell on weekends even if you aren’t staying at the Lodge, lodgeatbowlake.com.
There is a new Thai spot called Bangkok Street Food at the Bountiful Market (3696 97 Street, bountifulmarkets.com). Enjoy dishes like traditional dishes (Pad Se-ew and Kao Soi and unique dishes such as Pineapple or Green Curry Fried Rice. Open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
product news
Check out the after Christmas sale until January 13 at Heart of the Home (12539 102 Avenue, 780-705-4928, heartofthehomeyeg.ca). Le Creuset is on promo for 25 per cent off January 16-23. All sales are in-store only. Look for the Valentine’s Day Gift Guide happening soon.