I spent the weekend in Calgary, visiting with Annie and Andres who moved there over the summer. It’s always nice to get away, especially when it involves catching up with old friends! On to this week’s food notes:
- Have a foodie on your shopping list? 124 Street is hosting a bazaar on November 29, 2012 at The Roxy Theatre which will feature quite a few food vendors with great options for gifting.
- Mark your calendars: the businesses on 104 Street are hosting a Customer Appreciation Day on December 4, 2012. Check out the deals to be had here.
- Chop’s Downtown location in the Sutton Place Hotel (10235 101 Street) opened today.
- Sounds like the Italian Centre’s restaurant venture, Massimo’s Cucina Italiana, will open the first week in December.
- Karlynn reviewed Creole Envie this week – sounds like their muffalatta is a must-try for olive lovers!
- Haven’t been to Knifewear’s Edmonton pop-up shop yet? Cindy gives you a peek of their inventory.
- Vue Weekly profiles Chef Andrew Fung and his newest venture XIX.
- The Shaw Conference Centred hired a new executive pastry chef this month. Welcome, Arthur Chen, to Edmonton!
- A report came out this week criticising the enforcement of Canada’s organic standards.
- I’d been meaning to check out Zocalo’s new glassed-in space, and was finally able to do so on Friday. It feels grand, with high ceilings and bright lights, anchored by their long wooden table (coffee, anyone?). They also had the spaced dressed and ready for the holidays – I know I will be returning for some gift shopping in the coming weeks.
Zocalo
Ready for the holidays!
- While in Calgary, I had the chance to stop by Oliv in Kensington, very similar to Edmonton’s Evoolution. The shop focuses only on olive oils and vinegars (while the scope in Evoolution is a bit broader), and though their olive oil selection was much smaller, they definitely had more vinegars to choose from. The 18 year balsamic was delectable!
O
liv
- Also in Calgary, I was so happy to find a pop-up Phil & Sebastian’s cafe in Holt Renfrew of all places! It turns out it is their second holiday season inside the luxe boutique (Crave also has a small counter on the same floor) – it’d be neat to see more of these kinds of interesting partnerships in Edmonton!
Phil & Sebastian’s pop-up cafe in Holt Renfew
- If you can believe it, we’re already planning for the 2013 What the Truck?! season! Mack and I were able to meet up with a majority of the vendors last week to gather feedback on our 2012 events and start talking about the calendar for next year. Thanks to Terry and Sherry of Smokehouse BBQ for hosting us!
Mack’s pulled pork mac and cheese
- I was lucky enough to be invited to De Dutch’s media event tonight, which showcased some of their signature pannenkoeken and other Dutch treats. The “Abby” Perogie was delicious (how can you go wrong with hash browns, bacon and onions wrapped inside a pancake?), though the fried bitter ballen meatballs stole the show for me. I hope to check out De Dutch this week for lunch, but Phil has reviewed it already.
Bitter ballen
Strawberry cheesecake pannekoeken with cream cheese, strawberry topping and whipped cream
Only Here for the Food 