restaurant buzz
The wonderful Kitchen by Brad closed July 3. Check out Brad and Leanne Smoliak’s new column for The Tomato.
The Blue Plate Diner just off 124 Street has closed its doors as has the Juniper Café in Strathearn. Both victims of future construction, both are not relocating at the moment. We’re sad to see two good community-focused and owner-operated restos close. Heartbroken actually.
The Darling Wine Bar (9612 82 Avenue, darlingrestaurant.ca) opening has been postponed again. No word yet on when it will open, we hope soon.
Lovers of classic rock and roll will feel at home at the new Powerage Wine & Spirits (10643 124 Street, below Irrational Brewing, such a cool building), the only late-night spot in the 124 Street area. Mezcal lovers will also feel right at home, with owner Susan McIntosh not only seeking out family-made and artisan spirits but local Mexican salts too. Expect 40 seats and casual food featuring Meuwly’s, Rge Rd, Sly Fox Vegan Butchery and lots of Alberta-made spirits and beers. Check it out!
Check out Vish (10326 124 Street, 866-573-4326, vish.rest) the new hummus resto, an American franchise, this is the first Canadian location. The menu is ideal for hummus lovers—pita pockets, shakshuka, vegetarian shawarma and a breakfast dish.
Awn Kitchen (5124 122 Street, 587-469-4955, awnkitchen.com) is bringing back Awn at Home, their delicious take-home family dishes. The coffee bar menu is expanding too— breakfast and lunch sandwiches, daily quiche, soup and salads, seasonal yogurt bowls, oats and more of the superb baking you have come to expect at Awn.
Zocalo (10826 95 Street, 780-428-0754, zocalo.ca) is expanding lunch offerings with hearty salads, sandwiches and new baking by James Holehouse, along with their excellent coffee. Check it out!
cooking classes
Get Cooking (MacEwan Residence 104 Avenue, 780-566-2106, getcooking.ca) is adding boot camps and more online classes to their schedule this fall. New to the instructor lineup is Backstairs Burgers’ Levi Biddlecombe, an accomplished chef who keep things fun and interesting.
Awn Kitchen’s (5124 122 Street, 587-469-4955, awnkitchen.com) holiday schedule will be up on the website in mid-September. Learn to make all the holiday baking and festive dishes.
The Kitchen at the Stanley Milner Library offers special cooking classes with Zofia Trebaczkiewicz and guest chefs. The focus is food culture and students learn in a friendly and supportive environment, at well-equipped stations. Find out more here: epl.ca/the-kitchen.
wine tasting, happenings and events
After 15 years in Toronto the excellent Terroir Hospitality Symposium heads west to Calgary, September 19 and 20 at the Central Library. Find education, inspiration and conversation for food people. For details and tix, starting at $299, terroirsymposium.com.
Kitchen Party is back! Edmonton’s regional qualifier, one of eight across the country, is Thursday, October 27 at the Edmonton Convention Centre. The Grande Finale is in Ottawa, February 3-4, 2023. For individual and corporate invites visit greatkitchenparty.com. More info.
Sign up for the Charcuterie Experience at BreadLove Bakery (46C St Michael Street, St, Albert, 780-569-2044, breadlove.ca), September 24, in partnership with the Public Food Hub. Learn about the different types of meats, cheeses and preserves and create your own board. Wine and snacks included throughout the evening. Tix, publicfoodhub.com.
Lots going on at Bountiful Market (3696 97 Street, 780-818-3878, bountifulmarkets.com) this fall. The Scavenger Hunt is on September 18, with a chance to win $50 in market vouchers. On October 7 and 8, talented local artists paint Bountiful’s seventh live mural. Enter Bountiful’s Thanksgiving Gift Basket Giveaway Contest for a chance to win a basket full of amazing market goodies.
product news
Meuwly’s Artisan Food Market (10706 124 street, 587-786-3560, meuwlys.com) is collaborating with two local food businesses. The deliciously chewy, hand-rolled Beb’s Bagels are available at Meuwly’s via a Monday pop-up throughout September. Visit bebsbagels. ca to place a pre-order. Established Downtown Market vendor Big G Foods is moving production to Meuwly’s. “After ten years of doing this out of the house, we’re excited to start smoking jerky and producing sauces and rubs in a beautiful professional kitchen,” says Big G.
Bring your Henckell knives to a sharpening clinic in October at Bella Casa (9646 142 Street, 780-437-4190, bellacasadcl.com). Just in time to get cosy, save 15 per cent on all duvet covers, down and accessories October 1-15. Bella is carrying a fun line of chocolate from Scotland called Coco Chocolatier, in seasonal flavours; Frankincense & Myrrh, Christmas Spice, Passion Fruit, Salted Caramel, Isle of Skye Sea Salt Dark, 80g, $22 and 20g, $4.50. The charming Advent Calendar is $100.
New in the Goldbar neighbourhood is Catch of the Week (5036 106 Avenue, 780-705-8181, catchoftheweekedmonton.com). The family-owned business has been in farmers’ markets for two decades, this is the new storefront shop. Check it out!
Heart of the Home (12539 102 Avenue, 780-705-4928, heartofthehomeyeg.ca). New and just in time for fall decluttering is the Joseph Joseph Cupboard Store organization systems for spices, cookware, cutlery, gadgets and bags. Watch for the Zwilling super sale in September, bring up to three Zwilling knives for a complimentary knife sharpening on September 30. October happenings: Emile Henri is 20 per cent off, and $1 from every purchase is donated to a local animal rescue. Bring in beds, treats, toys and food for the in-store donation bin too. Open daily, closed Labour Day and Thanksgiving Monday.