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| “Treat mom, give her an Italian,” says chef Brad Smoliak about the upcoming Enjoy the Tuscan Sun dinner at Kitchen by Brad (10130-105 Street, 780-757-7704, kitchenbybrad.ca) on May 9. Special guest is oenologist Dario Faccin, Tenuta Carobbio. Two wines from one of Italy’s young hot shots from Lazio, Lorenzo Constantini, will also be poured. Tickets $125, info@kitchenbybrad.ca. |
| Love beer? Enjoy the La Cotta Beer Dinner, five-courses with carefully selected La Cotta brews from Italy. Tuesday, June 16, 7 pm, $85 at Pampa Brazilian Steakhouse (9929 109 Street, 780-756-7030 pampasteakhouse.com). Space is limited, call 780-756-7030. |
| The Common (9910 109 Street, 780-452-7333, thecommon.ca) is offering a tasty three-course dinner for $30 every Tuesday night. Email commonreservations@gmail.com. This is a terrific opportunity to explore the flavours of their top-notch chef Jesse Morrison-Gauthier. |
| Celebrate Mexico’s greatest export, tequila, in a fun and educational workshop Cinco de Mayo Tequila Tasting at Aligra Wine & Spirits (1423, Entrance 58 West Edmonton Mall, 780-483-1083, aligrawineandspirits.com) May 5, 7pm, tickets, $40. On June 9, Aligra holds a Craft Beer Tasting, 7 pm, $20. Tickets for both events at aligrawineandspirits.com/events |
| Upcoming events at Keg ’n Cork (3845 99 Street, 780-461-0191 kegncork.com); May 7, taste eight premium independent bottlings of Scotch with Jonathan Bray at the Secret Spirits Scotch Tasting, 7:30 pm, $45; May 21, Sottano Wine Tasting with Diego Sottano, 7:30pm, $25; May 27, Glenfarclas Tasting with George Grant from Scotland’s last family-owned distillery, 7:30pm, $50. On June 11 is the Taste of Summer Open House, 6:30pm, no charge. |
| The Italian Centre introduces Piemontese beef to their deli counters in June. The DenOudstons of Peony Farm near Lacombe started breeding Piemontese in the 1980s. The white cattle from northeast Italy carry a gene that creates a higher lean-to-fat ratio, with less connective tissue, but also less marbling. Body builders like the Piemontese not only because of its mild yet beefy flavour, it is also lower in calories, higher in protein, and contains a higher percentage of omega-3 fat. The Italian Centre is working with Messinger Meats in Red Deer to supply all four stores with this unique beef. |
| The Newget Kompany will be at the Friday Night Market (105 Street & Jasper Avenue) every Friday in May and June and outdoors at the City Market Downtown (104 Street north of Jasper Avenue) every Saturday in May and June. Taste their deliciously chewy delights at Indulgence, a Canadian epic of food and wine, June 8. You can also order on-line at newget.ca |
| The Fonseca Guimaraens 2013 Vintage Port has been released to celebrate the bicentenary of the firm. Guimaraens vintage ports are made in some years when a classic Fonseca vintage is not declared. The advantage is that they are more approachable when young yet possess the depth of flavour, acidity and tannins needed to reach velvety maturity. Find at better wine shops. |
| Food truck impresarios Kara and Nevin Fenske have just opened the lovely Dovetail Deli (10721-124 Street, 780-705-1293, lovethedove.ca). Expect salads, soup, samosas, a daily carve and a cooler stocked with house-made tapenade, dips, pâtés and condiments (we are in love with the fragrant Drift spice rub). Eat in with a glass of wine, or take away. Fans of the Drift can rest easy—the truck will be out once a week for lunch, at the 124 Street Grand Market, and at food events this summer. We’ve been talking about the burgeoning 124 street food scene for a few years now, and it’s great to see it continue to grow in such a tasty and beautiful way. |
| Corso 32 (10345 Jasper Avenue, 780-421-4622, corso32.com) is now open Monday nights. |
| Madison’s Grill (10053 Jasper Avenue, 780-401-2222, unionbankinn.com) Come join us Sunday, May 10 for Mother’s Day Brunch with seatings at 10:30am and 12:30pm, $39.95. Call for reservations, 780-401-2222. Madison’s has a new exec chef, Jon Spanton, formerly of The Burg. His new spring menu includes braised beef tongue and Madison’s signature fish and chips lightened up for spring. |