What’s up on Edmonton’s food scene in July and August
Restaurant buzz
Hurray! Restaurants are open again and ready to resume delighting patrons. Check out new menus at Uccellino, Bar Bricco, Bündok, Canteen and Brew and Bloom. Visit the new or refreshed patios at RGE RD, Dalla Tavola Zenari, The Greenhouse, Workshop Eatery, Tiramisu Bistro, the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald; views from the rooftop at La Petite Iza and Fox Burger and the perennially lovely patios at The Marc, Nineteen, Café Bicyclette and the Glass Monkey.
With a café, minimalist patio and full-on cooking school in the back, Awn Kitchen Café and Workshop (5125 122 Street, awnkitchen.com) is now open. With coffee by Sherwood Park-based Sorellina Coffee, espresso machine by National Cappuccino, beautiful photography by Jessica Musselwhite and Andrea Forstbauer of Grey Arrow Farm on the walls and daily delish baked goods, Awn is bound to become your new fave south side spot. Opens at 7am and closed Mondays and Tuesdays for now.
Brew and Bloom (10550 115 Street, 780-707-0827, brewandbloom.ca) has a new chef, a new menu and new hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10am-6pm; Saturday and Sunday, 9am-6pm, closed Mondays. Evening dining coming soon.
Check out the new summer menu at Tiramisu Bistro (10750 124 Street, 780-452-3393, tiramisubistro.ca). Dine in the summer igloos under nets and in the shade, then check out the Lift Me Up Market inside for baked goods, gourmet foods, housewares and fruit and veg.
Can’t wait to visit this collab—Wilfred’s x Made by Marcus (10429 121 Street, wilfreds.co) is happening. Diner-style fare and ice cream is all we know so far. Sometime this summer, Wilfred the bear lights up to lead us to good food and good times again.
product news
Barb’s Kitchen Centre (9766 51 Avenue, 780-437-3134, barbskitchen.com) now stocks the Spanish OMed Vinegars in rosé, cabernet and muscatel as well as the new Food Crayons ($10.50 each) and Cocktail Bombs ($20/four pack). As well, discover all the freeze-dried fruits and fruits powders you could ever want. New hours are Monday, Tuesday and Friday 9am-5pm, Tuesday, Wednesdays 9am-7pm and Saturdays 10am-5pm.
Mojo Jojo Pickles and sister biz Nosh&Quaff are opening in east Whyte this summer, across the Avenue from Color De Vino. That’s pretty much all we know but we’re excited about the lovely, little, cool retail block this area is becoming. We also heard about a wine bar in the back of Take Care. Stay tuned!
Congratulations to Heart of the Home (12539 102 Avenue, 780-705-4928, heartofthehomeyeg.ca) who is celebrating five years on July 6. Look forward to the Taco’ bout a Party, as well as lots of specials and giveaways that week. The Summer Sidewalk Sale is at the end of July and the Back to School Sale is the last two weeks in August.
at the cooking schools
Get Cooking (getcooking.ca) is keeping their summer session light and breezy. And virtual! Check out the bundles which offer three classes and one additional at half price. Think wraps (including Mai Nguyen’s version of a Halifax donair) salads, street food and grilling. Register online at getcooking.ca.
Awn Kitchen’s (5125 122 Street, awnkitchen.com) in-person cooking classes begin on July 15 in their brand spanking new location in Lansdowne (opposite end of the shopping centre from Find). Many are sold out already (only six people per class, due to current restrictions) but more will open up. Visit awnkitchen.com to find your favourite class.
events and happenings
The largest outdoor food festival in Canada, Taste of Edmonton, is back at Churchill Square this year, July 22-August 1. Buy your tix in advance and save $10/sheet of 40 tickets. There’s more! A 50/50 raffle with an estimated jackpot of $100,000 to benefit local charities. Find them both at tasteofedm.ca/tickets.
Alberta on the Plate is back during Local Food Week, August 6-11. Enjoy the August celebration of great local food and drink where restaurants, farmers, ranchers, food producers, craft breweries and distillers create delicious multi-course, fixed-price menus to showcase Alberta bounty. Check out Alberta on the Plate menus at The Marc, Three Vikings, RGE RD, Say Uncle, The Vermillion Room in Banff, several great spots in Calgary, the Overlander near Jasper and nearby—Tryst in St Albert, HomeRoom Diner in Devon and The Glens Grill near Wetaskiwin. Take advantage of special hotel packages and make it a weekend. Find the full list of participating restaurants, menus and travel packages at albertaontheplate.com
Make August hot dog month—Edmonton and area eateries are participating in the inaugural YEG Hot Dog Fest. Rate signature dogs from spots like Three Vikings, Woodshed, Sandwich and Sons, Say Uncle and The Butchery. There are awards for Relished Dog (topseller), Wackiest Dog and of course, Top Dog. Participate often—$1.50 from every hot dog sold supports Edmonton Meals on Wheels, which provides food security for seniors and homebound folks. Visit yeghotdogfest.org for all the deets.
Gail Hall loved farmers’ markets and the Bountiful Farmers’ Market (3696 97 Street, 780-818-3878, bountifulmarkets.com) is having a contest honouring her right now. Want to play? Visit the website to see the recipes featured weekly. Each recipe highlights ingredients to be purchased from other Bountiful vendors. Choose your favourite recipe and vote online via QR codes available at the info booth, on contest posters and at featured vendor booths. Prizes include Maps, Markets and Matzo Ball Soup: The Inspiring Life of Chef Gail Hall, donated by Jon Hall in memory of Gail. The Grand Prize is $100 in Market Vouchers and a cooking class. Author Twyla Campbell will be at Bountiful on Sunday, August 15, from noon-3pm to sign copies of the book. Visit the website for all the deets. Bountiful is open Fridays and Sundays from 10am-4pm, and Saturdays from 9am-5pm.
Mark your calendar for the Ukrainian Harvest Market, Saturday, September 18, 4pm-8pm. Find art exhibits and food vendors, with frozen and fresh to take home, or eat on site. The event, cancelled last year like so many others, is organized by the wonderful Alberta Council for the Ukrainian Arts, acuarts.ca.