last call for the tomato top100
What was the best thing you ate or drank last year? Let us know soon! Get your nominations in by February 5 and see all the results in the March/April issue of the Tomato food & drink.
for the love of wine tix!
A few tickets are still available for both the VIP and Main events at the For the Love of Wine fundraiser for Kids Kottage, Saturday, February 9 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. Enjoy hundreds of wines to taste, a silent auction and live jazz by the fabulous Sandro Dominelli. Tix: http://tickets.kidskottage.org
wine lovers dream trip with bill medak
Join the affable and entertaining Bill Medak of Color de Vino on the AMA Waterways River Cruise in Bordeaux, May 9-16. Experience the romance of spring in this fascinating and historic part of the wine world with visits to storied chateaus and vineyards, wine tastings, walking tours, biking and market visits. Call Lissa at 780-486-7327 to book.
don’t miss the masakage sale at knifewear
Knifewear’s (10820 82 Avenue, 587-521-2034) once a year, 15 per cent off sale on Masakage knives starts February 1. Woo hoo! It’s your chance to get that knife you didn’t get for Christmas and at a sale price! What makes Masakage so special? It’s their hard to beat combo of the handmade aesthetic of the Japanese blacksmithing tradition coupled with high performance. Find Masakage knives at every price point and for every level of experience, from the durable Kiri and Yuki, to Mizu and Koishi for experienced chefs and avid home cooks and the top of the line Masakage Zero. Only until February 28.
check out the new pinsa
The Italian Centre bakery is making a flat bread called pinsa, an old-school Roman bread similar to ciabatta, made with extra virgin olive oil, using a pre-ferment (biga) technique. Cover with a few toppings, cheese and herbs and place under the broiler until the cheese bubbles. Very tasty! Available at the south side Italian Centre in 12-packs, suitable for freezing.
a different sort of valentine’s event: bold and ballsy reds at aligra
Aligra Wine & Spirits (8882 170 Street, 780-483-1083) is offering a casual tasting of big reds Wednesday, February 13. There will be at least 20 wines to sample along with some snacks and of course, with it being Valentine’s and all, chocolate. They suggest you don’t wear white. No charge for this tasting, but you do need to RSVP: https://aligrawineandspirits.com
awwww, sweet!
The Violet Chocolate Company has two dozen ways to say I love you. Their 24 Reasons Calendar contains 24 of their delightful locally-made chocs (think lime meltaways, strawberry basil, rose mint, coffee and cocoa nibs) each paired with a message of love. Available only on their web site: https://the-violet-chocolate-company.myshopify.com
recipe of the week: daniel costa’s peposo: red wine and black pepper-braised beef
This hearty Tuscan dish and a bottle of Chianti Classico will banish the winter blues. https://thetomato.ca/tomatoquarantwo
