Loosen Your Belt

Kale

2012-01-20T20:54:00.000-07:00

Just like "whole grains", kale didn't make an appearance in our kitchen until earlier this month. When I was growing up, it was all peas and carrots on that classic dinner plate divided into protein, carb, veg. And I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but Charles is not a cooked vegetable kind of guy. Raw beans or root vegetables, sure, but cook them and it's generally game over.

A few weeks ago, I brought home a bunch of curly leaf kale. Unsure what to do, I made kale chips. The nooks and crannies that make up the leaves' tips make for an excellent crunch, but I think the smooth, sweet Black Kale is better suited to this treatment. The next bunch went into this stew, and I was hooked (happily, so was Charles). Two batches later, with a bunch of Black Kale now in the fridge, it was time for a new recipe. Not surprisingly, I found a suitable treatment on 101 Cookbooks - Winter Pasta. Best of all, we had everything on hand, which meant I didn't have to brave Wednesday's cold... Until we decided to walk over the High Level Bridge to Sugarbowl later that evening. Yeah, I know.

The shallot, garlic and kale go into boiling water for a bit, then everything goes in the food processor, meaning this sauce comes together quickly, with just a few dishes to wash up afterward. Instead of chèvre, I used up some ricotta, and I also broke out the meyer lemon olive oil we brought back from Portland's PSU Market this past fall. That combined with the bright green colour made for a very 'spring' looking dish, which clearly fooled us enough to head out that evening.

I did end up adding some pasta water and parmesan while tossing with the pasta, and as you can see, we switched up the penne for some linguine. Finally, some pine nuts added a contrasting crunch.

More kale currently resides in our fridge, so if you have some good tips or recipe ideas, they would be much appreciated.

PS. Here's what our balcony window looked like this week...

Baking fit for cold weather

2012-01-16T23:05:00.000-07:00

Continuing with the 'breaking in the kitchen' theme, my friend Claire came over Sunday afternoon, just as the chill set in, and we set out to make two recipes - this Six-seed Soda Bread posted on 101 Cookbooks, and Kim Boyce's rye flour Maple Danishes in Good to the Grain.

Six-Seed Soda Bread

This is the kind of bread that deserves a good smear of butter or slice of salty cheese, or a rich, creamy soup (it is, after all, a recipe originally published by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall). All the spelt flour and buttermilk give the loaf a wonderful flavour, but of course it's the seeds that really shine. For the most part we followed Heidi's suggested seed combo, although we ended up adding some hemp seeds as well.

Charles and I consumed much of the loaf throughout Sunday and Monday evening alongside bowls of "Silky Cauliflower Soup".

Maple Danishes

With the bread coming together quickly, we charged right ahead to the danishes, quickly encountering one of those errors that result from (my) recipe skimming - "Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill overnight." We decided straight away that this wasn't in the cards, and just focused on keeping the pastry cold. After a half-hour in the freezer, we began our turns, popping the dough in the freezer again for twenty minutes or so before our third and final turn.

We divided the dough into two sheets, covering each with butter, maple sugar and a bit of dark brown sugar, before rolling each into a spiral and cutting the logs into six danishes. After two hours on the warm stove top, the rolls puffed a bit before heading into the oven.

I think we were both amazed how well these turned out despite our 'short cut'. Our effort to keep the pastry cool earlier in the day paid off, and combined with the cup of rye flour added to the dough, we were left with tender, soft danishes. That said, I wouldn't skip the overnight chill next time in the hope that it would take off some of the yeast's edge.

The maple also seemed to be missing from these as well, but I highly suspect it was lost amongst the yeast. This was remedied by heating up a bit of maple syrup and glazing the danishes.

I wouldn't hesitate to make either of these recipes again. Before Rachel introduced me to Good to the Grain, I can't say any of the whole grain flours featured in the book would have made it into any of my baking. But as I work my way through more of the book and explore similar recipes, I'm particularly appreciating the flavour provided by the flours and grains, in addition to their 'stick-to-the-ribs' nature, especially considering the frigid temperatures that have descended on the city this week.

Stay warm, everyone.

Breaking in the kitchen

2012-01-14T00:20:00.000-07:00

We talked a lot this past fall about which neighbourhood would become home. Garneau is perfect. It makes not owning a car easy, with grocery stores and other amenities easy to access via foot. And just as importantly, there are lots of late night spots... no, not the weird bars along Whyte, but comfy spots like Sugarbowl, DaCapo, Remedy and Next Act.

But when one of Charles' family members offered up there condo in Oliver for rental, we couldn't resist. Although we're missing those "comfy" spots on 109th, they are, thankfully, just a short-jaunt-across-the-High-Level-Bridge away, and there are plenty of grocery options around here, with the City Market close by on Saturdays. Furthermore, downtown is quickly gaining in the types of casual spots we love (Remedy is coming along on 102 Street, there's always Red Star, and yesterday there was word of a new whisky bar opening on 103 Street). A short 10 minute walk puts us in the middle of all of it.

No matter the neighbourhood, moving means a new kitchen. And in our case, a completely different kitchen that we've quickly been breaking in.

Our first real meal was on New Year's eve. Although I planned to attempt Daniel Costa's "Ziti with sugo alla Napoletana," published in the November/December issue of The Tomato, we ended up with something a little more simple. Italian sausage cooked in tomato sauce with linguine, along with one of my favourites, roasted, charred Brussel sprouts (coincidently, I first had them prepared this way at Corso 32.).

We opened this bottle fermented brew from Brooklyn Brewery.

Used up the last couple Christmas napkins.

And not that I have many pictures of anything I've made, but I've been going through recipes in Kim Boyce's Good to the Grain at a good pace. So far we've been enjoyed batches of her whole wheat chocolate chip cookies, barley scones and carrot muffins with spelt flour and streusel topping. By far the favourite around here has been the cookies. I used up some 'old' bars from my eating chocolate box, so these were definitely decadent chocolate wise. But the dough itself is beautiful - the whole wheat flour gives the entire cookie a chewy texture and the most amazing nutty flavour.

On the list this weekend are her buckwheat scones with fig spread, and maple danishes made with rye flour. I'll try to take some pictures as they come together.

Hopefully you all had a wonderful new year. We did end up at Churchill Square for Metropolis and fireworks. I mentioned our disappointment in last year's festivities, and must say that we didn't find this latest effort much better. The structures were packed with so many people that it was difficult to move, and when we visited Metropolis last weekend, the square was empty. I'll save you from what ~~could~~ would be a lengthy rant, and just say that I think Paula Simons really hit the nail on the head with her review of the city's newest winter festival.

We just got back from the leg grounds, where the Alberta-Heilongjiang Winter Festival is taking place. The organizers really did a great job planning this one out. The entertainment schedule looks enjoyable (we managed to catch the last half hour of the excellent Michael Rault this evening) and best of all the High Level street car is running so patrons can travel between the leg and Ice on Whyte festival in Strathcona for free.

I've got lots of posts lined up, so please consider this the end of a very long break, and the beginning of many posts here in 2012. We hope you have an excellent weekend.

We'll be back really soon...

2011-12-28T20:51:00.001-07:00

Wow. It's been really quiet around here, but I promise we'll be back soon.

We successfully moved into East Oliver/Downtown yesterday, and I've got some posts lined up as soon as some boxes are un-packed and we get a solid internet connection. Until then, we wish you a very belated Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

By the way, is anyone else off to check out "Metropolis" on Saturday evening? We're hoping for great things after some disappointment on the square last year...

Around Garneau

2011-12-11T20:55:00.001-07:00

After a busy week at the shop, Charles and I were able to wander around Whyte Ave and 109th Street for the day, taking in the Antique Mall, the 'Return of the Magic' windows and, of course, some beer, coffee and treats. Here's what we discovered:

Firstly, it looks like Cally's Teas is setting up a "pop up shoppe" in their soon to be permanent local (10151 82 Avenue). Apparently her tea will be available this coming Wednesday for Christmas enjoyment.

The new layout

After the Antique Mall, we decided to head over to Sugarbowl. We've been a few times since they released their new menu containing 44 new beer. That's right - 44. In addition to all the feature draught and bottles, there's much to choose from. While Charles went for a brown ale that I can't remember the name of, I went with a current favourite, the London Porter from Saskatoon's Paddock Wood Brewing. Ultra smooth and rich, it's perfect for cool days.

And no, the name of Charles' beer is not the one on the glass... Just in case you were thinking it, like I was.

On the way home we decided to drop into DaCapo to check out some recent renovations. The beer case is gone (don't worry, their excellent selection is lined up on the glass shelf above), and in its place is a new shelf currently holding many tins of panettone. Even more exciting is the recent addition of St-Viateur Bagels to their food line up. Bagels are brought in from Montréal once a week to be enjoyed in house or at home by the dozen. Charles was pretty ecstatic as he walked home munching on a sesame bagel.

So there you have it. A small Garneau update on an otherwise quiet blog. Hopefully we'll be back soon with some new food posts!

Three

2011-11-28T08:04:00.001-07:00

Well, here we are three years later, and this little project is still happening (although posts have been admittedly sparse lately do to a diet consisting mostly of chocolate...). I don't have anything new to add or to reflect on this year vs. last, however, since so many of my posts have been related to school, I thought I'd post this picture:

Photo by Maki B.

Thanks to everyone out there for reading (and for your support through school - this side project made that experience so much better). Here's to another year.

Noorish: Conscious Eatery and Superfood Elixir Bar

2011-11-28T00:37:00.000-07:00

I was pretty skeptical of Noorish - "Really!? Superfood!?" - as we observed their sign going up a few blocks from our apartment earlier this fall. The health claims, marketing strategies and general use of the word "superfood" remain confusing on my end, but who am I to turn down an excellent veggie burger? Twyla over at "It's a Weird, Wild and Wonderful Life" visited the spot earlier in November, and we followed suit the very next week.

Although we were expecting casual, café style service a la DaCapo, when we arrived for a Tuesday evening meal we ran into a sign that said, "Please wait to be seated." A few minutes later we were greeted at the door and led to a table in the middle of the busy restaurant. Water was provided quickly, as was coffee for Charles and a chai tea for me. Food wise, the Bodhi Tree Burger ($17) was undoubtedly coming my way, and eventually Charles decided on the Laughing Buddha's Belly Bowl ($16).

Our food arrived at the table relatively quickly, though I had just enough time to browse their 'grocery' collection of bagged 'superfoods', spreads and gift totes from The Chocolate Doctors and raw-vegan books amongst other health food style items.

The portions at Noorish may appear small, but we struggled to finish our entrees. My burger was packed with chickpeas, walnut-basil pesto, cashew cream and avocado - an entire meal in itself. And it was one impressive veggie burger, with a soft interior and wonderfully crisp exterior. Combined with accompanying salad of kale, sprouts, seeds, beets and carrots, I was plenty full by the end (though not full enough to skip the dessert menu, of course). Charles ended up enjoying his bowl of quinoa and Thai green curry quite a bit, and now that I look at their menu again, it seems that it would be easy enough to re-create at home on a cool winter evening.

Charles had been eyeing the Walnut Brownie ($8) since we arrived, and we ended up sharing one prior to leaving. It was dense and certainly chocolate-y, and the cashew cream and cocoa nibs sprinkled on top provided nicely contrasting textures.

We also picked up four confections from The Chocolate Doctors ($10) to go. Since my current employment situation makes me ~~slightly~~ really biased, I'll just say that their confection style offerings are all available at Noorish.

While I remain skeptical about 'superfoods' and some of the general lifestyle prescriptions Noorish puts forward, their veggie burger is excellent, and if for nothing else, I would certainly return for another.

Noorish: Conscious Eatery and Superfood Elixir Bar
8440 109th Street
780.756.6880
Hours

Leaving the familiar for Padmanadi

2011-11-20T23:53:00.001-07:00

That's what we've been doing a lot of lately - the familiar. Transcend, DaCapo, Sugarbowl, repeat. We're trying to make the most of Garneau, since we'll be moving out of the neighbourhood, across the creek and into downtown/Oliver at the end of the year. Simultaneously sad and exciting.

Tonight, however, we ventured away from our regular hangouts to head to Padmanadi with Tanya after some puppy sitting. Neither Charles or I had visited the spot in sometime (although Charles mentioned just last week that he would like to swing by). The food is as good as ever, and the atmosphere is eternally friendly and welcoming. The three of us indulged in some favourites:

Bean curd "drumsticks"

The famed Curry "chicken"

Ginger "beef"

Shanghai Baby Bok Choy

Creamy rice pudding with coconut milk and cinnamon

We also swooned over their cups. Charles got a heart shaped cup and saucer full of coffee, while Tanya and I received our Jasmine tea in a couple green beauties.

I always forget just how comforting a trip to Padmanadi is. Here's hoping for many more visits throughout the cooler months.

Padmanadi

10740 101 Street

780.428.8899

P.S. Here is said puppy - Willow - who recently came home with Tanya. How could you turn down a request to look after her for a couple hours?

Oodle Noodle: Jasper Avenue

2011-11-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

I remember my first trip to Oodle Noodle - I had stopped at the Whyte Avenue location with my dad after my very first semester at U of A. The noodle boxes were tasty and the crazy strobe lights and singing and dancing employees were even better.

Since then they've expanded incredibly, with four franchised locations throughout the City and a 'Downtown 2' location in the works. Due to a last minute call into work on Sunday, Charles and I found ourselves at the Jasper Ave location for some quick eats.

Generally, I pass straight by a packed Oodle Noodle during weekday lunch hours and head the half block over to Drift for a sandwich (sadly they're now closed for the winter... there's catering, though!). On Sunday though, the place was quiet and our orders came up quickly - two lemongrass boxes, one with tofu for me, and one with beef for Charles.

As in the past, the noodles seemed slightly oily, but in general I found some improvement at this location compared to my last few encounters at their Whyte Ave local. The 'seasonal' vegetables - broccoli, carrot and cabbage - were still crunchy, and although I would have appreciated some more flavour via the sauce, Sriracha livened things up a bit. Charles consumed his noodles in no time, so I'll assume he concurs with most of my thoughts...

Although I can't necessarily see myself waiting in line for one of their boxes at lunch, evening and weekend visits are certainly in the cards. And actually, Rachel and I found ourselves there again on Thursday evening for a quick and in the end, satisfying, pre-chocolate tasting bite. The guy at the wok was even dancing.

Oodle Noodle - Downtown
10842 Jasper Avenue
780.756.6637
Hours: Su - Th 11am-10pm, F-Sa 11am-11pm

Because Smitten Kitchen knows: Pumpkin Cupcakes

2011-10-30T21:56:00.000-06:00

I haven't carved a pumpkin in years, but today, in the spirit of Halloween, my friend Claire invited me to a pumpkin carving party. Whatever my contribution to the event would be, it had to be laced with pumpkin. And thus these Pumpkin Cupcakes with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting (that have been on my list for some time) would do perfectly.

As mentioned a couple posts ago, Deb's recipes are nearly always excellent. My only complaint here would be that the frosting wasn't really maple-y, but that's simply ratios that can be adjusted next time this one comes around. Whatever my thoughts, a dozen of these beauties were consumed by the time I ducked out for the evening, and I'll take that as sign of a successful recipe.

Once again - well done Smitten Kitchen, well done.

Because Smitten Kitchen Knows: Grape Focaccia with Rosemary

2011-10-20T22:39:00.000-06:00

Although there may be countless steps and copious amounts of butter, it's generally easy to follow Deb's instructions with complete trust. She's never steered me wrong - from pumpkin cupcakes, to squash and caramelized onion galette, and now this focaccia.

I must have pulled the ultra tiny seeds from half a pound of Okanagan concord grapes (found at Sunterra) for about an hour. Thankfully this bread is seriously worth it. It's beautifully crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside, and after baking the grapes become incredibly sweet. Some extra sugar and salt on the top provide a lovely sweet-salty contrast.

Best of all, this focaccia seems to freeze well. It's been excellent for quick lunches, along with some chèvre I've been keeping in the fridge at work. Needless to say, once concord grapes appear again next fall, this recipe will be on the list.

The Portland chocolate breakdown

2011-10-16T22:22:00.000-06:00

As you may have noticed a few posts back, a lot of chocolate made it to Edmonton via my suitcase. Well, I've finally managed to sample all the bars made by Portland chocolatiers (with the help of Charles, and some of the staff at the shop). Thoughts and a few more details can be found here.

Symphony Under the Sky and Ochsner's Porter

2011-10-15T22:47:00.000-06:00

*This post got stuck in my drafts back in early September, so please read it with cool-ish evenings and ever so slightly changing leaves in mind.*

Like most September long weekends during the past few years, Charles and I found ourselves at Symphony Under the Sky. This year a weekend pass picked up at the 104th Street 'Al Fresco' block party meant we attended five concerts throughout the four day event.

Charles suggested his favourite concert over the weekend was Sunday afternoon's Rhapsody in Blue, which featured George Gershwin's American in Paris and Rhapsody in Blue, and of course Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture complete with live canon shots. I preferred the Saturday evening concert led by Ian Tyson, which ~~could have~~ definitely has something to do with a Folk Fest related love of Four Strong Winds...

Beyond the music there was the usual food to be enjoyed, namely Fat Franks covered in mustard, pickles and sauerkraut, and warm, cinnamon-y mini donuts. Always the last indulgence of either for the year, I particularly enjoy these treats at Symphony Under the Sky - they signal the end of the best of the summer.

To balance out the Fat Franks...

A much welcome addition to this year's ESO concession was Ochsner's 1905 Alberta Porter, another brew by the Alley Kat/Sherbrooke team. Here's a little bit on the brew from the program:

Ochsner's 1905 Alberta Porter is named after Robert Ochsner, one of the earliest known brewers in Alberta. It was first brewed in 2010 to mark the 105th anniversary of Alberta becoming a Province. It is also the third in a series of beers sponsored by Sherbrooke Liquor Store and Alley Kat Brewing Company to recognize the winning Homebrewer of the Year at the Edmonton Home Brewing Guilds' Aurora Brewing Challenge. In 2010, the winning team of Patrick Doyle and Ray Duperron won gold... in competitions across Canada.

This porter was a treat to sip throughout the weekend. A serious departure from the usual big name lagers and IPAs, it was smooth and rich with a nice bite and a beautiful coffee aroma. With all those rich flavours it was lovely on both the cool, rainy Friday evening and the warm, bright Sunday afternoon.

Can't wait for next year's line up.

Three days in Seattle

2011-10-13T12:33:00.001-06:00

After such an excellent week in Oregon, we found it a little difficult to settle into Seattle. Thankfully, our Capitol Hill apartment rental was well located, with tons of shops, cafés and restaurants nearby, and it was just a short 30 minute walk downtown. We thought we were "food-ed" out, but the eating kept happening in Seattle. Here's what we enjoyed, in no particular order:

Quinn's Pub - This 'pub' was just a few blocks away from our apartment, which made it perfect for dinner on our first day in town. I wasn't as wowed by the beer list as I had hoped, BUT, they made the best burger either Charles or I had ever tasted. Simple toppings gave way to a perfectly cooked, medium rare patty, and we certainly would have returned for another if we had time.

Poppy - Another spot just minutes from our front door. We loved everything about this place - a great cocktail menu, a short, well chosen beer list featuring Washington brews, and the thalis... especially the dessert one. I can definitely see why Sugar put this on her packing list.

Baguette Box - Thanks to Andre who suggested the Baguette Box. It was directly on our way downtown, and their Drunken Chicken sandwich was fantastic - crispy chicken, caramelized onions, cilantro. Need I say more?

Brouwer's - I don't know what to say about this place - it was amazing. 64 brews on tap plus over 300 bottles. And, it was right across the street from Theo Chocolate.

Theo Chocolate - I'm happy we made it out to tour Theo. It was great to see the 'chocolate making' process up close. I posted about it here.

Molly Moon's Ice Cream - Another one from Sugar's Seattle packing list, we enjoyed scoops of maple walnut and earl grey tea on our last night in town.

The Walrus and the Carpenter - I'm glad Charles was willing to make the trek to this place, even though most of the items on the menu weren't really his thing. We happened to step in during their happy hour, which meant $1 oysters and $7 cocktails. I went with one of each of their six oysters and a 'porch swing' which featured gin and Pimm's - two of my favourites. Charles chose a glass of Hale's Kolsch and a dish of serrano ham, cantaloupe, lemon basil and ricotta.

Marie and Frères - It was fantastic meeting Marie. She's incredibly passionate about chocolate, and in particular, chocolate made with Forastero beans right where the beans are grown. We walked away with the most amazing macaron and a bar of her chocolate studded with candied orange.

Lark - This was our final meal in town. Though we were originally hoping for something a little more laid back (and with a beer list), the food at Lark was lovely, and we wouldn't hesitate to return... particularly for the pork belly and salmon...

Café Presse - An excellent magazine collection, well done coffee and a casual menu (baguettes with butter, olives, salads, charcuterie, etc.).

Salumi - This seemed like the perfect way to end out trip. We did start with a porchetta sandwich back at The Peoples' Pig after all. We happened to arrive just when the line shortened a bit, and were out the door with messy, delicious porchetta and meatball sandwiches.

One spot we particularly enjoyed in Seattle was the Olympic Sculpture Park. It was quiet and the views were beautiful.

So there you have it. Our 2011 vacation. That little corner of the NW is really a gem and we certainly recommend checking it out.

Corvallis, the Oregon coast and the Columbia Gorge

2011-10-11T20:11:00.000-06:00

I was glad we got the chance to head out to Corvallis for the weekend to visit relatives, and in retrospect, more time spent in the area would have been a good idea. It's right in the middle of breweries, wineries and farms, and it's just a short 1.5 hour trip to the coast. Furthermore, we left just before their "Beer Week" began.

If you happen to be in the area, there are a couple things not to be missed. Firstly, their farmers' market is beautiful, and full of Oregon specialties like hazelnuts and wine, in addition to all the produce Oregon's rich soil and temperate climate allow for. I picked up some sweet-tart green grapes, in addition to some lovely fresh figs and hazelnuts.

Block 15 Brew Pub - I was in love with this place as soon as we walked in. A giant chalkboard held their regular brews and seasonal varieties, and also tantalized us with up coming brews that we are missing right now. We had to try as many as possible, and thus two tasting boards were ordered. By far the best glass on the tray contained their "Nebula, Naked Oat Stout." It was super smooth and creamy, with all the coffee and chocolate notes that make stouts lovely. I wish I would have picked up a bottle of this to bring home.

On a beer note, the best selection we found at any grocery store was at Corvallis' Market of Choice. A four sided cooler held an unimaginable amount of micro-brews from the area, and we picked up half a dozen different bottles to tote home. Besides the Nebula Stout, we fell hard for many of the brews from Pelican Brewery, particularly their Belgian style ale - Ankle-Buster - and their award winning IPA (India Pelican Ale). Both came home with us.

The Oregon Coast

Our hosts for the weekend - John and Janie - also took us out to the nearby coast for an evening. Though it was pretty cold, I'm incredibly glad we made it out to the water, and that we got to catch this sunset from their friends' beach house balcony...

We also stopped at a crab shack on the way home for fresh crab sandwiches and fish and chips.

The Columbia Gorge

One of our favourite activities in Oregon was biking the Columbia Gorge. We went with Pedal Bike Tours, and our Tuesday morning tour ended up being a private one - just us and the guide. Whilst we biked the gentle slopes of the road, our guide drove the vehicle, meeting us at each waterfall to give us a quick run-down of history, etc. From there we hiked down (or up) to check things out while he stayed with the bikes.

Portland(ia) Part 4 - Downtown/Pearl District

2011-10-06T22:18:00.001-06:00

Portland's downtown and Pearl District were some of our favourite locals. The former houses Powell's Books and great restaurants, while the latter is home to great cafés, shops and breweries. Short blocks make it incredibly easy to walk, and central Portland always seemed busy. No wonder food carts, cafés and restaurants are so successful here.

Cacao Drink Chocolate (414 SW 13th Street) - Some of you may already know that I'm co-managing Kerstin's Chocolates while Kerstin is away for the next eight months or so. That meant some extra "research" was in order. On a day where the temperature was up in the 30s, I still couldn't resist a drinking chocolate flight; the cinnamon was easily my favourite. I also picked up bars from American chocolatiers I was anxious to check out, including Rogue, Xocolatl de David, Potomac, Shagún, Cocanú and The Mast Brothers. In short, the shop is beautiful and their chocolate selection is amazing. Don't miss it.

Food carts on Alder between 9th and 11th, and at 5th and Stark.

Clyde Common (1014 SW Stark Street) - I couldn't wait to head to Clyde Common, another spot found via the Chow Tour of Portland. Although it was lunch, I couldn't leave without trying one of their barrel aged cocktails; I ended up with a smooth, lovely Negroni. Their grilled cheese sandwich with bacon was excellent, but the real star was Charles' all spice braised chicken sandwich with sour pickles. It was easily the best sandwich either of us had ever tried.

Grüner (527 SW 12 Avenue) - An evening meal on Grüner's 'patio' (aka. the sidewalk) ending up being one of our most tasty and aesthetically pleasing in Portland. While I didn't care for the tarte flambée (Charles loved it though), the croquettes stuffed with creamy raclette cheese and the grilled trout with sweet corn and bacon were amazing. The radish salad was a stunner too. To top it off, they had two wonderful chocolate desserts - a milk and dark mousse as well as home made powdered donuts with a rich chocolate sauce to 'dunk'. Everything finished with our bill coming out in the pages of 'Beethoven Studies'.

Coco Donuts (814 SW Yamhill) - After a disappointing trip to Voodoo Doughnut, we ended up bumping into Coco Donuts' downtown location. Charles' old fashioned glazed was lovely, while my glazed buttermilk donut hit the spot perfectly. In short, we would head to Voodoo to take a look next time, but taste wise, Coco Donuts is top of the list.

Pearl Bakery (101 NW 9th Ave.) - The treats at this place served as breakfast a few times throughout our stay in Portland. From crispy baguettes, to wonderful blackberry danishes and savoury, buttery, ham and gruyère croissants, they've got baked goods covered.

Portland Farmers' Market @ Portland State University - We couldn't wait to head to Portland's Saturday Market, with over 200 vendors spread out over the University's quad area. Although it was rainy and cold, we still left with our hands full of California olive oil, Alma Chocolate's toffee and a box of cookies from Two Tarts bakery. Finally, we shared 'The Reggie' from Pine State Biscuits - it was insane.

Portland(ia) Part 3 - SE Portland

2011-10-04T19:28:00.000-06:00

Portland's SE is incredibly beautiful food and drink wise, and once heading down towards Division, everything gets lush, leafy and residential which made for a beautiful bike ride on our rainy Thursday in town. Here's what we loved:

Heart Coffee Roasters (2211 E Burnside) - It was difficult not to fall in love with Heart as soon as we walked in the door. The smell of coffee was immediate and as we looked to the right of the entrance there were two guys tending to beans in their roaster situated in the middle of the room. Our coffee and service was excellent during both visits, and a couple French presses had at restaurants around town were similarly lovely.

Pok Pok (3226 SE Division) - Though Pok Pok has opened Pok Pok Noi in the NE, it was hard to pass up the original. Like the Schnitzelwich at Tábor, I'm not entirely sure all the food here lived up to the hype (how could it possibly?), however, the "Ike's Vietnamese Fish Sauce Wings" were amazing. I also had a pomegranate Drinking Vinegar which was the perfect fizzy accompaniment.

D Street Noshery (3221 SE Division) - I discussed this in the "Food Carts" post earlier, but once again, this place is right across the street from Pok Pok, and they've got some great carts. Including a tapped beer truck.

Le Pigeon (738 E Burnside St.) - It was a big toss up between Little Bird (Le Pigeon's sister restaurant) and St. Jack, which are all doing excellent French style food a la NW, however, we were quite happy with our trip to Le Pigeon. We had crispy octopus with nectarine, porcini and truffle, Rabbit with salami risotto, gouda and fennel and shared the Beef Cheek Bourguignon as a main.

And for dessert we had to do the foie gras profiteroles. Super rich, sweet and salty - is their any food more perfect? We enjoyed everything at the 'chef's counter' around the open kitchen and the sous serving our food was incredibly friendly and helpful. A lovely evening. I just wish we could have made it back for a burger...

Integrity Spirits (909 SE Yamhill St.) - Though we were hoping to check out more of 'Distillery Row', we only had time to stop at Integrity Spirits on our last day in town. Though my intent was simply to purchase a bottle of gin to bring back for afternoon gin and tonics with my grandmother, we ended up staying for tasting at the urge of the friendly man in the shop. Their 12 Bridges Gin is beautiful and more flavourful than any spirit I've ever tried.

We also sampled both a Saffron and Tarragon Vodka and fell in love, especially when the former was mixed with mango purée for a lasee type effect, and the latter with Limoncello for a simple but lovely cocktail. We ended up with a bottle of the Tarragon Vodka in our suitcase next to the gin. Integrity Spirits is also the first distillery to re-introduce Absinthe to the U.S. market. Since it was noon, we passed this one up.

As always, there were places we didn't get to:

Apizza Scholls (4741 SE Hawthorne Blvd.) - We passed this place whilst it was closed and longed to return, but their short 4 hour window and distance from our home base just didn't allow us to sample one of the top five pizza spots in the U.S.

Nostrana (1401 SE Morrison) - Like many of the restaurants we visited, Nostrana uses lots of NW ingredients but with Italian preparation.

Castanga (1752 SE Hawthorne Blvd.) - We didn't do any formal-ish dinners in Portland, but if we did, this would have been the spot. Apparently the food is amazing and it's on the list for next time.

Portland(ia) Part 2 - Northeast Portland

2011-09-26T13:10:00.000-06:00

Northeast Portland served as our home base for the entire week we were in town and we probably could have entertained ourselves in this neighbourhood for our entire stay. Many of the restaurants found in South Portland - like Cha Cha Cha or Pok Pok - have opened locations in the area, plus there are all the originals that call NE home, like Gravy, Tasty n Sons, Ned Ludd and Toro Bravo, just to name a few.

Accommodations

Though we love hotels, we decided to try vacation rentals this trip. Not only were many of the rentals we found nearly 1/3 of the price of hotels, but they were situated in less touristy, residential areas, which we loved. Furthermore, our hosts for the week were able to give us some great tips on shops, restaurants and sites. We never would have seen 'The Swifts' or made it to The Meadow if it weren't for Heather.

The 'Piedmont Cottage' was incredibly well situated - bike routes to and from downtown were just a couple blocks away and downtown itself was a 20 minute ride. It was also an easy 5 minute ride down Albina to get to the shops and restaurants on Mississippi Avenue. As far as getting to and from the airport and Union Station, MAX ran from the airport to the train, and once arriving back from Corvalis we were able to take transit (the MAX or the number 4) up to Piedmont easily. And finally, there was a gigantic rose garden across the street - Portland is, after all, the city of roses.

Food

Ned Ludd (3925 NE MLK Jr. Blvd.) - This was the first restaurant we visited in Portland and it was fantastic. The wood fired oven that served the former pizza restaurant is still being put to good use - all the food is cooked in it. We enjoyed fresh, wood fired flat bread, whole trout stuffed with fennel and dill, smoky, rich ratatouille and finally s'mores made with chocolate from Xocolatl de Davíd.

The Albina Press (4637 N Albina) - A coffee shop perfectly situated on an easy route downtown, they made excellent cappuccinos and lattés utilizing Stumptown Coffee. Wireless, reading material and fresh pastries were also readily available.

Lovely's Fifty Fifty (4039 N Mississippi) - We were directed to this spot by the Pedal Bike Tours people and couldn't be happier with their recommendation. Lovely's features wood fired pizza and homemade hard scoop ice cream, and both were amazing (hence the half hour wait to get in). A pickled beet salad with Oregon hazelnuts and blue cheese as well as a sweet corn pizza with caramelized onions and pancetta made it to our table for dinner. For dessert, Charles went with a scoop of salted caramel, while I decided on the peach buttermilk. We definitely wouldn't hesitate to return.

Tasty n Sons (3808 N Williams) - This was one of those spots I saw on the Chow Tour of Portland, and once we realized it was in the neighbourhood, we decided to head over for breakfast. Toast and jam, the breakfast board, the beautiful potato donut and unlimited coffee came to $20 even, including tip. We were full of food, and amazed.

Gravy (3957 N Mississippi) - After waiting in line for sometime to get into this busy spot, we were served tasty, gigantic plates of food. While Charles did his toast-bacon plate, I went for an omelette filled with mushrooms and peppers and smothered with sausage gravy (how could you not have gravy at a place called 'Gravy'?).

The Meadow (3731 N Mississippi) - I was easily wowed by The Meadow. An entire wall of chocolate, another of 'finishing salts' and another full of bitters. The place was quite dreamy.

For my chocolate stash

Ruby Jewel Scoop Shop (3713 N Mississippi) - We ended up at this spot twice late into the evening, lured by the smell of fresh waffle cones and cookies. There were scoops of caramel with salted chocolate and on our final evening in town, a hazelnut-chocolate ice cream sandwiched between double chocolate cookies.

Saraveza Bottle Shop and Pasty Tavern (1004 N Killingsworth) - If I left my heart anywhere in Portland, it would certainly be here. The walls are lined with bottles of beer to be opened in house or taken home to be enjoyed, and there are eight taps which rotate every few days (mostly with brews from the NW coast) to serve in house patrons and growler fillers alike. And the pasties. While Charles adored the beef, I ended up with a daily special coconut curry pork that was particularly excellent. For dessert, an apple pasty with Carlton Cyder's 'Citizen' apple cider ice cream. It was a beautiful way to end the week in Portland.

Portland(ia) Part 1 - Food Carts

2011-09-23T21:43:00.000-06:00

I wasn't really sure where to start discussing our stops in Portland and Seattle. Between the two cities, Portland was easily our favourite - the food and drink, the affordability and the bike-ability all made the place incredibly loveable. That said, Seattle had its charms... and oysters.

We could have eaten at food carts for our entire stay in Portland - there are over 200 operating at any one time - but with so many great restaurants around the city, we found ourselves at the carts for just about four meals, mostly sharing one item and checking out two or three carts for each meal. Here's who we hit:

The Peoples' Pig (11th and Alder) - After raves on Food Carts Portland, we had to head to this one for a porchetta sandwich ($8). It was amazing - moist, flavourful, and peppery from a nice handful of arugula. This cart also featured a few specials, and we ended up with a cone of refreshing watermelon and arugula salad ($3), that went well with our sandwich.

Just some of the carts on Alder between 9th and 11th

Flogene's Home Cooking (11th and Alder) - About five carts down from our first cart was Flogene's, and we thought it best to follow our sandwich with some fried chicken and a biscuit ($6). The fried chicken was tasty, albeit slightly greasy. The biscuit, however, was perfect in every way; flaky, buttery and tangy from the buttermilk.

Nong's Khao Man Gai (9th and Alder) - Nong's cart has received a ton of press and after we tasted her chicken and rice ($6), we can certainly see why. The garlic-y ginger sauce was beautiful and this $6 dish was easily one of the best things we ate over our entire trip.

Noodle House (10th and Alder) - Whilst we were in Portland we happened upon this review of the Noodle House, that praised hand pulled noodles with squid and shrimp ($7.5). While I had the seafood - which easily lived up to the hype - Charles selected the chicken noodles ($6.5) which he was completely happy with. Though the noodles were lovely, the portions were quite large, and neither of us could finish our dishes.

Tábor Czech Food (5th and Stark) - The Schnitzelwich ($8) from Tábor was certainly on my list even before heading down. Though I don't think it quite lived up to the hype, the pork loin version of this sandwich was certainly tasty.

Boolkogi Taco (5th and Stark) - This cart was irresistible, and we got three tasty 'Boolkogi' beef tacos for just $5.

The Pie Spot (D Street Noshery at 32nd and Division) - After lunch at Pok Pok, we couldn't resist heading across the street to check out the carts at D Street. I only wish our stomachs hadn't been so full. We did, however, find room for maple pecan pie ($3.5). Sadly we had to miss Awesome Cone and Captured by Porches Brewing. D Street is definitely on the list next time we're in town.

Although we were staying in the Mississippi area, we never did make it to Mississippi Marketplace, where I was hoping to get my hands on some of the creations from Garden State. Once again, next time.

Since Portland is "A city of neighbourhoods" (I heard that at least a dozen times and read it in articles and guide books even more), I'm going to split restaurants up by NE, Downtown/Pearl and SE Portland, plus there will be one more post on Corvallis/Oregon coast and some general thoughts on Portland. We're doing some post-holiday catch up right now, but I promise I'll get on it soon!

Ein Prosit! Oktoberfest at Next Act

2011-09-08T23:36:00.000-06:00

On Tuesday I met up with some friends at Next Act for their September edition of Cask Night. This month the cask held Alley Kat's Ein Prosit! Oktoberfest - a fruity, malty beer that's perfect for fall. It was so lovely we even went over to Alley Kat this evening for the official launch of the brew and picked up a six pack. (The Red Dragon Double IPA was also released today. Unlike the above brew, this IPA is incredibly hoppy.)

Besides the beer, Next Act was featuring a slightly strange burger that I couldn't resist - a peanut butter and bacon jam burger. Not surprisingly, the combo was incredibly rich, though it was tasty. Smooth peanut butter covered the bottom half of the bun, while jam and lots of garlic covered the top half. I was a fan at first bite, and I think Brenna was too.

All in all, another excellent cask night in Edmonton.

Let's go for tacos - Tres Carnales

2011-09-04T14:49:00.001-06:00

We've been to Tres Carnales a few times since they opened back in July. I don't think I have much more to add to the many posts out there, but I will add Charles and I to the lengthy list of others who love this spot.

Charles is addicted to the carnitas and pollo asado (as are many of the Folk Fest staff - these and their guac seriously livened up post-teardown) while I have a soft spot for the creamy-sweet rajas con crema with a Negra Modelo on the side. And again, like everyone else, we seriously appreciate the warm decor and well chosen music, especially since we seem to end up at the spot on cool, rainy days.

This past week we ended up stopping by twice - once for lunch with a friend and for dinner prior to Wednesday evening's Ray LaMontagne concert. Although it was a Wednesday, the place was, of course, packed and we got our order of carnitas tacos to go (I realized after ordering that they had the fish tacos! Yet another reason to head back.).

Ultimately we ended up in a cold and deserted Churchill square. But a coffee at Credo afterward was perfect and Ray LaMontagne was amazing. All in all, an excellent evening. And we can't wait for more tacos, whatever the weather.

Tres Carnales

10119 100A Street

780.429.0911

Patio season continues at Sugarbowl

2011-09-01T08:36:00.000-06:00

After a Tuesday evening dinner of grilled chicken, we decided to walk over to Sugarbowl for chocolate mousse and some of the brews currently on the feature board. Although we brought our sweaters in preparation for a cool evening on the patio, upon arrival we found an addition of sleek looking heaters which left us toasty and mostly sweater free throughout the evening.

Heaters in action

During the past year Sugarbowl has done a great job keeping the Feature Board exciting. The 'tap' selection can stay the same for some time (for instance, the creamy Wild Rose stout I enjoyed earlier in the summer is still available), but the 'bottles' below seem to be going through at a nice clip - they stay long enough to enjoy a couple before they leave, yet there is enough new selection each couple weeks that we head back for more. While Charles went to the menu for Yukon Brewing's Lead Dog Ale, I stuck to the board and had the Verdi Imperial Stout from Italy's Birrificio del Ducato.

We've both enjoyed the Lead Dog in the past. It's smooth and malty, with a slight bite to cut through it all. Perfect to enjoy during the summer or winter. Although it doesn't look like it was overly enjoyed on Beer Advocate, Charles and I both loved the Verdi Stout. It was chocolatey and malty, and there was a slight heat running through the entire glass thanks to the addition of some chili. To top things off it was perfect with the chocolate mousse.

I also ended up with a bottle of New Morning, a "Saison" from Birrificio, while Charles decided on the BIA IPA brewed by the same company. These two were both incredibly refreshing, especially after the darker brews we started with. We could definitely detect the ginger, coriander, green pepper and chamomile in the New Morning, and overall it turned out to be a beautiful spiced beer to linger over for the rest of the evening. Unfortunately Charles didn't enjoy his IPA quite as much - too much floral and fruit for his liking.

The one thing that might keep us from continually enjoying the brews from Birrificio is the price. At $10.50 a bottle these multi-beer evenings are certainly limited, although they are, of course, thoroughly enjoyed as summer comes to a close.

Foiled no more - Drift

2011-08-31T00:05:00.000-06:00

As summer comes to a close and we stick our heads out in public again, we've been trying to hit some 'spots' that we've missed in the passed little while. Specifically Nomad, Drift and Battista's Calzone Co. Prior to today's outing, all of our attempts to enjoy any offerings from the above had been foiled.

After riding by around 10:45 this morning and seeing 'closed' written the board in front of the truck, I went home and arranged to reconvene with Charles at Drift's 108th Street local about noon. Finally everything aligned and our sandwich eating was meant to be.

By noon they had already sold out of the Duck Confit (port soaked cranberries and cabbage), and just after we placed our orders, the Pork and Leek Sausage (egg, aged cheddar, fries). In the end Charles decided on the Roast Beef (gherkins, horseradish mayo, mustard and greens) and I went for the Jerk Chicken (grilled pineapple and slaw) with a lychee drink and fennel/cumin fries on the side. The entire order came to $20 even, and five minutes later everything was packaged in a paper bag and we were ready to go.

The chosen eating spot

My Jerk Chicken sandwich was moist and the pineapple provided a lovely sweetness and the slaw a rich base. A bit more flavour from the chicken would have been welcome, but overall it was a thoroughly enjoyable sandwich. Charles noted that the Roast Beef was well rounded flavour wise, and like me he also appreciated the warm, toasty ciabatta bun everything sat on. Along with the sandwiches the shared order of fries was the perfect size. On a bit of a blustery, cool day the warm spices were well placed, and Charles walked back to work happily finishing the last few.

Jerk Chicken

Roast Beef

Although there are plenty of spots offering sandwiches downtown, Drift provides a well thought out selection that will definitely have us heading back to 108th Street.

Drift
108 Street and 100 Avenue
Check out hours and any change in local via Twitter

"Alas, we must once again feed ourselves."

2011-08-23T15:33:00.003-06:00

Those were the words of our administrator last week as site kitchen closed its doors. After being spoiled for such a lengthy period of time - nearly two months of lunches and dinners - the adjustment has been rough. Charles and I have been sustaining ourselves on a mixture of V Sandwiches (thankfully now on Whyte), Fringe concessionaires and various meals at the homes of family.

Yesterday evening we finally sat down at our own kitchen table. We were overwhelmed at the market on Saturday morning and came home with a couple bags of produce. In short, there was lots to work with.

Grilled trout with nectarine, corn and tarragon salad.

We attempted a bit of patio dining, but the wasps decided to join, so inside it was. Hopefully you are enjoying the brilliant weather! I promise some sort of restaurant post soon. We're off to Battista's Calzone Company with a friend tomorrow evening, so here's hoping it's as enjoyable as some of the other experiences documented out there.

The post-Portland stop over

2011-08-14T12:39:00.006-06:00

After some advice from friends, Charles and I decided to add a three day stop over in Seattle post-Portland. Strangely enough, I've had a far more difficult time pinning down things to do in Seattle than Portland. So if you have any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate them left in the comments.

Edited: August 24, 2011

Here's what I've got so far food wise:

Dinner at either Poppy or Sitka and Spruce.
Cocktails and oysters at The Walrus and the Carpenter.
Porchetta at Salumi...
Sunday dinner at Delancey (Isabelle)
Pastries at Café Besalu - We arrive in town Sunday morning, so hopefully we can head over and grab some items to last us a couple days.
Definitely some beer at Brouwer's Café.
A tour of Theo Chocolate (already booked)
Pizza at Serious Pie (Foodie Suz)
Drunken Chicken baguette at the Baguette Box (Andre)
Black pepper crab at Flying Fish (Anon)

Here are some great posts I'm going to keep referring to:

Cream and Sugar's Seattle 'Packing List'
Foodie Suz and Ella's chick weekend in Seattle

EFMF Eats

2011-08-12T19:07:00.003-06:00

All too quickly the Festival has come and gone. This year I had lots of time to enjoy the show, the food, the beer and the people - and it was amazing. Here are some of the highlights music and food wise.

The Music

Without a doubt Brandi Carlile and Matt Anderson were it for me this year. On Saturday evening Brandi Carlile closed the show with lots of Edmonton love and the audience gave it right back. So glad she made it back this year. I saw Matt Anderson in Calgary, but his session with Blackie and the Rodeo Kings on Sunday was fantastic. Some amazing blues along with Sunday dinner.

Friday at Stage 2

Brandi Carlile

Cheers to all the volunteers!

The Food

As per usual the Festival Kitchen provided thousands of excellent plates throughout the weekend. Friday was Thai curry with cod, Saturday Bulgogi Beef and Sunday was salmon or a squash pecan loaf with quinoa (I went for the latter and it was my favourite of the weekend). The salads also shined all weekend - my favourites were a lentil cucumber and a pear salad.

Green Tea ice cream with ginger snaps

Stephane (the kitchen manager) has slowly been trying to introduce more local product into the kitchen where possible. This year Mighty Trio's oil was used in many of the salads, as were Mona's mushrooms.

Concession wise there were a couple newbies including Elm Café, Eva Sweet and the Onigiri Co. I had a couple different options from the Onigiri Co., which made great mid-day or late evening snacks. My favourite was the 'Yam n' Salmon' - baked salmon, caramelized yam, ginger, soy sauce and white rice. Though they weren't wrapped in the exciting packaging shown on their website, they were certainly tasty.

I haven't made it to the market in nearly a month, so a waffle on Saturday morning was a nice treat on the way to stage 2. Saturday's lunch was skipped for a pulled pork sandwich from Elm's schmancy booth. I also tried to stop by for the 'roasted beet' sandwich on Sunday afternoon, but long lines throughout the weekend saw them sold out. However, we did manage to score some Duchess cookies that lasted us through the evening.

And finally, I can't say enough about the chai that comes out of Nomad's Kitchen. Made in a large pot each day, they make it just sweet enough and use whole spices that really shine. I've already been down to the Fringe to satisfy my addiction.

Lining up for chai

Though my weekend wasn't as stressful as years past, late nights prior to the Festival - and during - have left me with a nice post-Fest head cold. Here's hoping it clears up over the weekend.

In the mean time, we're gearing up for Portland - and Seattle for a few days after that - in a month or so. There were some excellent articles on Portland in both the Journal and Avenue recently. Lots of people have been asking us, "Why Portland?" But I think the question should really be, "Why not Portland!?" The place sounds amazing!

The show begins

2011-08-05T07:45:00.000-06:00

Clearly blogging has been put on the back burner the past few weeks after lots of (very) late evenings at work and complimentary site food. I'm going to do my best to document a few of the concessionaires at the Festival this year, along with the amazing food served in the Kitchen, so hopefully a couple detailed posts to come on that.

At any rate, Thursday evening was beautiful. At ~8pm my phone stopped ringing and I got to enjoy Edward Sharpe in peace. It was excellent.

Happy Festival to all those attending and happy weekend to everyone else!

CFMF + Charcut

2011-07-26T00:06:00.000-06:00

Every year some of the Edmonton Folk Festival staff head down to Calgary for one or two days. In the past 'Fence Day' has kept me from this joyful weekend, but my new position with the Festival this year meant I was one of those people that got to head south.

The Festival itself was excellent. We arrived in town Friday evening and I caught the last bit of Patrick Watson's set. On Saturday The Head and the Heart, The Once, David Wax Museum and Matt Anderson wooed crowds at Stage 6 and 4, and at the after party we danced all night to Socalled. On Sunday morning I fell in love with Rev. Peyton's Big Damn Band and the lady rockin' the washboard.

Both Saturday and Sunday morning we stood in long lines for the excellent cappuccinos coming out of the Phil & Sebastian booth. There were also some excellent fish tacos from Dos Gringos and pitchers of Sangria in the beer garden.

In anticipation of k.d. lang at EFMF in a couple weeks, we (Brenna and I) skipped Saturday evening's mainstage, opting for late evening drinks and a charcuterie board at Charcut. All our dishes - beet salad with creamy, house made goat cheese, charcuterie board, warm Raclette and rhubarb cheesecake in a jar - were excellent and service certainly matched. Favourites from the board were the pistachio and truffle mortadella and a lovely lamb sausage. I walked out with a good amount of leftovers, and armed with a ciabatta bun from the Slow Food Calgary tent, I had an excellent sandwich for lunch on Sunday.

A little too short, but in the end a fantastic weekend with excellent music and food.

Ricotta cherry muffins

2011-07-19T22:14:00.000-06:00

Back in January I raved about the daily muffins at Café Leva that became fairly regular breakfasts on my way to class. While the café is on my way to work this summer, I made a batch of Leva-esque muffins recently that had me set for a couple weeks.

I worked from this recipe for ricotta blueberry muffins and ended up swapping out the blueberries for fresh cherries (which someone graciously dropped off at our office) and reduced the sugar by a 1/4 cup. I also made the ricotta in house after being inspired by the DIY post over at Cream and Sugar. They're right - it is a truly easy cheese to prepare. Making it myself also meant I got to choose the type of milk used - a combo of milk and cream from Avalon and D Dutchmen dairies that we already had in the fridge. The two left the cheese with a beautiful creamy-sweet flavour.

The muffin recipe itself was excellent. I forgot the sugar on top, but they were certainly sweet enough without it. While the inside was moist and fluffy, the exteriors became lovely and crisp - so Leva-esque.

Cask Night at Next Act

2011-07-12T09:25:00.000-06:00

The Next Act has been doing Cask Nights with Alley Kat, similar to Sugarbowl's, for several months now. Finally a first Tuesday of the month aligned with my schedule and Brenna and I met after work for a cask aged brew.

I've been shut out of several of Sugarbowl's Cask Nights - stuck at the door without a pint - so was happy to find Next Act fairly full with a couple tables to spare about 30 minutes before the cask would be tapped, with a small lineup forming once 6pm arrived.

After enjoying a pint of Brewberry Blueberry Wheat Ale along with a fish sandwich for me ($14) and a veggie burger (aka. The Drama Queen; $13) for Brenna, the cask was announced. We were looking forward to a pint of the Neopolean Neapolitan Stout but unfortunately found that the cask would be sans the strawberry and vanilla.

In the end the chocolate stout was a little too hoppy for our liking and wasn't as enjoyable as the creamy, slightly sweet Neapolitan Stout released last summer (it has also been re-released this summer and is available at Sherbrooke).

This cask certainly wasn't our favourite, but as we left we realized what we love about cask nights or new bottles of beer is that you never know quite what you're in for. Sometimes it's amazing, and once in awhile not so much. So I'm still hoping many more of my first Tuesdays of the month will include a trip to The Next Act for more cask sampling.

P.S. A couple (semi-sunny) weeks ago we finally got around to opening a lone bottle of the now retired Single Star - Alley Kat's Three Bears Oatmeal Stout aged in a Jack Daniel's barrel - that had been in the fridge since April. I really loved this one - rich with all the caramels from the whisky, and very enjoyable with Sunterra's bison, salsa and cheddar burgers.

A few bottles of Hitachino Nest

2011-07-06T23:22:00.000-06:00

Back in the middle of June Charles and I stopped into Devine Wines to pick up our silent auction item from Al Fresco - two tickets to Symphony Under the Sky - and of course I couldn't resist checking out the selections in their beer fridge. We ended up with a few bottles of Hitachino Nest from Japan's Kiuchi Brewery.

A+ for marketing - love the owl.

Though the brewery started with sake and continues to produce it, their ales are quite lovely. Since these three, we've also tried the Espresso Stout and XH at Sugarbowl. Our favourite by far is the White Ale. It's bubbly, ultra smooth and incredibly refreshing - the perfect patio beer. With some of the selection we tried, particularly the Nipponia (brewed with ancient Japanese barley and hops), we were left wanting a little more crispness, but otherwise the Hitachino Nest brews are truly enjoyable to sit down and sip.

Grilling Pizza

2011-07-01T09:41:00.001-06:00

Awhile ago I bookmarked this grilled pizza dough from Chow and we finally got around to making a batch this past week. We got six discs out of one batch of dough, similar to the Neo-Neapolitan (from The Bread Baker's Apprentice) we usually stick with. Three discs were placed in the fridge overnight while the other three were frozen for a later date.

Round One

This was definitely the test day. I ended up stretching the dough far too thin and it was difficult to get the rounds onto the grill. That said, there was sure some exciting (and possibly dangerous) tossing action...

Success! Dough on the grill.

In the end we didn't find grilling added much flavour. The plus, however, was that we avoided heating up our entire apartment with the 500° oven necessary for pizza stone utilization. Toppings were Prosciutto from Valbella (they have quite the selection at the Lendrum Sunterra), onion, yellow peppers and bocconcini on a tomato base.

Round Two

With a little experience our most recent grilled pizza attempt went much better. The pizzas were smaller and easier to handle, and I made sure to keep the dough at about a 1/2" thickness. A little more thought also went into the topping situation this time round. We rode over to Sunterra Sunday afternoon and ended up with hickory-bourbon BBQ sauce and venison smokies (again from Valbella). I caramelized some onions and after discovering a block of cheddar gone bad, we utilized a wedge of the 'Drunken Goat Cheese' from Smoky Valley Goat Cheese (which is amazing, btw).

The combination of a little more heat control and the use of canola versus olive oil made this version far more enjoyable than our first attempt (and there was no scary throwing of pizza dough). Though I still don't think the grilling adds much flavour versus the pizza stone, we both agreed the chewy texture of the dough was a nice change. And I'll certainly trade the positives of the pizza stone for a cool-ish apartment over the next couple months.

P.S. Happy Canada Day, everyone!

Celebratory beer.

2011-06-23T23:17:00.000-06:00

Well, my degree has actually come to a finish. No more papers, assignments or exams to hinder blogging, even come September. So to celebrate we met up with some friends at Sugarbowl for a beer (or two) this past Monday. We managed to snag a table by the open window and our favourite server took care of us for the evening - excellent.

Milk Stout - Seriously, it had lactose in it. Though it wasn't my favourite (a little 'sour' and not quite smooth enough) it was an interesting way to start the evening.

For Charles - A hoppy IPA.

Also at the table was Half Pints' Little Scrapper IPA and the amazing Alberta Crude Oatmeal Stout from Wild Rose Brewery. The stout is truly lovely - creamy and smooth yet light enough for a warm (or rainy) summer evening. And since it's only been released on tap, I encourage you to head to Sugarbowl for a pint.

Popcorn Adventures

2011-06-16T18:31:00.001-06:00

A few weeks ago Charles and I were wandering through Wild Earth Foods and ran into a shelf housing about seven different types of Fireworks Popcorn. Previously we had been lamenting the lack of kernel options, so this seemed right up our alley. After lingering in front of the jars for some time, we eventually decided on the Autumn Blaze variety - small kernels with a subtle crunch, and a light, crisp texture.

We got rid of our popcorn maker over the winter and I was a little worried about using the stove - my brother and I burnt the bottom of our mom's pot utilizing this method when we were younger. But these kernels worked well on the stove and almost all of them 'popped'. We did ~~2/3~~ 1/3 cup popcorn to 2 tablespoons canola oil.

This variety definitely has a great flavour - movie popcorn-ish without all the salt. Next time though I think something with larger kernels is in order. Maybe the Harvest Blend or High Mountain Midnight... At any rate it was a nice accompaniment to Where the Green Ants Dream.

We spoiled ourselves with a little bit of butter.

A Da Capo breakfast

2011-06-14T23:33:00.000-06:00

On Sunday Charles and I made our way over to Da Capo for a comparatively quiet breakfast, whilst lineups around us at Sugarbowl, High Level Diner and Urban Diner twisted out the door.

This is the second time I've had their goat cheese and vegetable frittata ($12) and it hit the spot once again. The egg was incredibly light with pockets of lovely, tart goat cheese and roasted zucchini and red pepper throughout. Hash-browns are well spiced, though a little more crispness would be welcomed.

Breakfast under the looming clouds.

Compared to other spots in the area, we greatly appreciate that Da Capo makes fresh juice to order. This orange juice was sweet and full of pulp - the perfect breakfast accompaniment. As for Charles latte, it was smooth and rich as per usual.

Da Capo Caffe
8738 109 Street
Breakfast until 11am on weekdays and 12pm on weekends.

*I'll stop posting on Da Capo... one day...

Catfish Tacos

2011-06-10T18:36:00.000-06:00

Catfish tacos made up last Friday's dinner, all enjoyed out on the patio. Hope you're all out savoring the sunny evening!

Andy Warhol with a little Da Capo

2011-06-01T18:46:00.001-06:00

This past Friday evening Charles and I ventured downtown to catch the Andy Warhol Manufactured opening at the AGA. After throwing around dinner suggestions we finally decided it would be easiest to stop off at Da Capo which was en route.

We ordered some favourites. I went for a Rochefort 8 and Charles a Chimay Blue, and food wise we shared the truffle salad and a Di Matteo pizza (tomato, mozzarella, prosciutto cotto, ricotta and black pepper). Everything was enjoyed on the patio - a little mosquito-y and slightly breezy, but pleasant and refreshing nonetheless.

Almost done...

Must have been contemplating the pizza...

There was complimentary bubbly at the opening, and whilst speeches were on we made our way up to the third floor to check things out. This is definitely one to visit with a smaller crowd - it's fairly sizable and includes some of the Edie Sedgwick footage.

*Edit: Charles suggested I mention that I wasn't double fisting, but was holding both of our glasses whilst he took some pictures :-)

My favourite part was the Silver Clouds installation on the fourth floor. It's tons of fun and we can't wait to head back.

The ride home was particularly lovely.

*For some reason Blogger has been reducing the quality of our photos within posts themselves. If you click on the picture everything looks great though...

A post on Elm Café

2011-05-31T08:26:00.000-06:00

I've been to Elm Café quite a few times since they opened last summer. Surprisingly enough I've never really posted on any of their creations. So when a co-worker and I grabbed a sandwich last week I made sure I had the camera ready.

As per most days I've been there was a choice between a cold sandwich and two hot sandwiches. Of the latter, one with bacon, chevre, roasted beets, arugula and pesto sounded amazing, but by the time we arrived (around 1pm) they had sold out. So both of us went for the falafel sandwich with cucumber salsa, tahini, yogurt and greens wrapped in pita.

We took our sandwiches back to the office to continue our computer bound afternoon and later convened to discuss the excellence of Elm's take on falafel. The falafels and tahini combined to make and incredibly creamy, well spiced filling, while radishes and cucumber salsa provided a fresh bite.

In addition to our sandwiches we each grabbed a blondie muffin. Really the fillings (nuts, caramel, white chocolate) led us each to refer to them as dessert (ie. cake), but the batter itself was all muffin - not too sweet, lovely and airy and crisp on the top. Whatever their classification, they were excellent and propelled us through a lengthy Friday afternoon.

I'm looking forward to many more sandwich creations this summer, hopefully followed by more cake-muffins.

Elm Café
#100, 10140 117 Street
780.756.3356
Daily sandwich creations (and muffin flavours) for both breakfast and lunch can be found on Twitter.

Folk Fest 2011 - And it begins...

2011-05-27T17:20:00.025-06:00

On Wednesday we announced the performer lineup and I can't wait. I'm particularly looking forward to some good dancing Thursday whilst Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros take main stage.

You can find the entire lineup here on the new website. Tickets go on sale June 1st at 9am.

We've also got some great food happenings this year. Homefire Grill is back with tasty bison breakfast sandwiches and Numchok Wilai is back with their excellent Thai offerings. As per usual Fat Franks, 'Kettle Korn' and Mini Donuts will be present.

New this year is a pretty exciting little area where stage four was previously located. Filistix, Eva Sweet Waffles and Elm Café sandwiches will all be available here, and a possible vendor with fresh, local produce is also in the works.

Hope to see you there!

Bicycles + Breakfast

2011-05-27T17:10:00.002-06:00

What could be better than bicycles and breakfast at Elm Café? As part of Bike Month, Elm Café will be hosting breakfast next Friday June 3rd from 7-9am for those cycling to work, play, etc.

Paris and I will be there...

This is my amazing commute...

Birthday Brunch + Fort Edmonton Park

2011-05-24T08:18:00.001-06:00

It's my dad's birthday today and in celebration, we decided to vary things up a bit from our usual tea and cake, settling on a long weekend brunch. Charles and I headed over Sunday morning with our panniers full of eggs, asparagus and potato salad.

I used this recipe from Epicurious for the Hollandaise (my first ever), and it turned out well. We took the advice of several reviewers and cut down the butter to 2/3 of a cup. Though I likely will next time, I didn't melt the butter beforehand, and my brother ended up cutting it into tablespoon sized pats adding them one at a time to the egg and cream mixture. Although we thought the eggs had scrambled, the sauce came out lemony, smooth and buttery and there were rave reviews around the table.

For the 'potato salad' I roasted some German Butter Potatoes found at the City Market, as well as some red and yellow peppers, tossed them together with olive oil, salt, pepper and oregano, and voilà, a potato salad fit for brunch.

After gift opening we decided to hop on our bikes and head down to Fort Edmonton Park for opening weekend. Not much has changed since our last visit, save the addition of a theatre (in progress) next to the Selkirk Hotel. But as always, the wander through was enjoyed.

The 'little' brother

We left covered in mosquito bites, and just as we got up the hill into Belgravia the skies opened up, but overall, it was a fantastic way to spend a Sunday.

Hope you had a lovely long weekend!

Brunch at Culina Muttart

2011-05-16T22:28:00.002-06:00

Vowing to return after visiting Culina Muttart back in February, Charles and I finally rode our bikes down for brunch this past Sunday. Aiming to get there right at 11am, we were foiled by an unmarked construction fence that stopped us on the north side of the river. Thus by the time we pedaled back to go around it, our arrival time was pushed to 11:30.

Though the wind was generally aggressive, the concrete walled patio seemed to shelter outdoor diners from most of the heavy gusts. Nevertheless, after being windswept on our way into the valley, we opted for the table for two available indoors.

Lots of natural light

As expected the place was packed, and shortly after our arrival a small lineup began to form, with some people opting for take out items to enjoy outdoors. The rush had the servers seeming slightly ragged, but for the most part the three taking care of both indoor and outdoor tables were friendly and let us take our time in the casual space.

I was hoping the 'bacon and eggs' found at other Culina locations would be available, however the shorter menu offered more casual options, many in sandwich form (maybe they just didn't have bacon and eggs the day we went?). In the end I chose the bacon, egg and cheese panini with the house salad ($11) along with a glass of their lemonade ($3.5), whilst Charles, not into cheese or eggs, went for a bowl of the day's soup - tomato broth with bacon and potato ($7) - and a latte.

I think drinks often go unconsidered at brunch; unenjoyable mimosas, watery glasses of orange juice or bitter coffees are often present. But Culina has the drink situation down, with a wide selection of Cally's Teas (like their other locations), French presses, smooth espresso beverages and a glorious lemonade - sparkly, tart and full of fresh mint. Not surprising, our food took a little time to come out, but happily this gave us time to read over the 'Best of Edmonton' in See and check out the 'winners' of the 2011 Golden Fork Awards in Vue.

Our food arrived at the table in sizeable portions, with a large salad atop my plate alongside a hot sandwich. I had enjoyed the salad at the opening back in February, and it lived up to my memories here with dried cherries, quinoa, chickpeas and gouda mixing well with the spinach and Mighty Trio's canola-tamari dressing. My sandwich also hit the spot. The scrambled eggs were soft and full of green onion and cheese, and the smoky bacon was exactly what I was looking forward to as I hopped on my bike that morning. Charles also reported his soup to be perfect for breakfast, with bits of bacon throughout, and buttery slices of sweet potato bread on the side.

Content but feeling like a dessert, we decided to share a slice of the flourless chocolate cake ($6). A dense slice came out quickly and within minutes we had cleared the plate.

The location and atmosphere at Culina Muttart is incredibly enjoyable, and combined with a solid menu and drink list, and the possibility of a post-brunch stroll through the greenery, we can't wait to head back. In February one of the partners with the restaurant suggested that they are working with the City to get the place open for dinner - that's certainly an evening I look forward to.

Culina Muttart
9626 96A Avenue
780.466.1181
Hours: M-F (10am - 5pm) Sa-Su (11am - 5pm)
Reservations for parties of 12 or more only

Tourist shots!

Plant sale

Wind!

Bistecca for lunch

2011-05-14T19:43:00.001-06:00

As I walked out of class early Wednesday afternoon, my dad called to ask if I wanted to go for lunch. At first he suggested the Brewsters down at Century Park, but upon arrival he decided it would be nice to try Bistecca, and thus we did.

I'd been to Bistecca for dinner once prior for the Kerstin's Chocolates staff party. Though everything wasn't a hit, their steak tartare (aka Carne cruda alla piemontese) was definitely memorable, as were most of the pasta dishes had around the table. Also notable, is that Bistecca, like other Sorrentino's Restaurants, offers half sized options for their pasta dishes at both lunch and dinner, which I generally greatly appreciated. That said pasta didn't seem to be an option for either myself or my father at lunch that day (and sadly there was no "Carne cruda alla piemontese" on the lunch menu).

Ultimately I ended up with the Italian Club Panini - shaved chicken breast, pancetta, fontina, avocado and truffle oil ($12) - along with a 'baby greens salad' (an additional $1). My dad went for the fish special, which, as the server noted, was more 'surf and turf' that day - steak topped with prawns and herb butter, served with potato salad and mushrooms ($20).

Given that we arrived at the very end of the lunch rush - around 1:30pm - our orders didn't take long at all to come out. Though my green salad was a little plain, the dressing was enjoyable as were the sweet-sharp red onion slices. I also liked the combination of avocado, chicken and pancetta in the panini, though ultimately, I wouldn't trek all the way down to Century Park for it. My dad seemed to enjoy his steak and shrimp, and luckily for me, he wasn't enjoying the potato salad that I thought was incredible - the potatoes were still warm with lots of olive oil, roasted pepper, broccolini and parsley.

Overall we had a solid lunch at Bistecca, though I think the room itself as well as the location lend the restaurant more to dinner than anything else. While Bistecca certainly won't be a regular spot for us, here's hoping dinner complete with Carne cruda alla piemontese is in the cards soon.

Bistecca
2345 111 Street
780.439.7335
Reservations recommended

As we left I noticed this place in progress... anyone know anything about it?

V Sandwiches

2011-05-10T16:50:00.000-06:00

A few months ago Cathy posted on V Sandwiches, and more specifically on their Signature Sandwiches - 9" toasty baguettes topped with pickled carrots, lettuce, cucumber, onion, cilantro, house mayo and your choice of various preparations of chicken, beef or pork. I made a mental note to check the place out and proceeded to forget about it.

Last Wednesday though, things fell into place. I neglected to pack a lunch and decided to take the walk up Bellamy Hill from the office to grab a cup of Soul Soup. On the way I (re)found V Sandwiches.

By the time I arrived last Wednesday around 1pm they were sold out of chicken and beef options, so I went for the BBQ Pork. A few minutes after ordering the warm sandwich was wrapped in parchment, an elastic was placed around it and I was off.

Without a doubt the walk up the hill was worth it. As Cathy noted the balance of flavours and textures is incredibly satisfying - rich pork, toasty bread, tangy carrots, savory mayo and the perfect amount of cilantro. I raved about the sandwich to Charles that evening and we decided a dinner stop at some point this week was necessary.

So last night I pre-ordered a half-dozen sandwiches for Charles, myself and some of the other office staff, and we indulged before a box office crew meeting. When I called around 2pm yesterday we had our choice of the entire menu, nevertheless there ended up being four Lemongrass Chicken and two Sate Beef.

Once again the subs hit the spot. There were many raves about the crusty bread, the mayo and the overall enjoyment of the sandwich. The price was also very agreeable, with Signature Sandwiches ranging from $6.75 (chicken and pork) to $6.95 (beef). Though I ordered a Lemongrass Chicken last night, I think my go-to will definitely be the Sate Beef - the slight spiciness is excellent with the cooling cucumber, cilantro and tangy carrots.

With a sandwich like that at the end, the trudge up Bellamy Hill or even the stair climb is made much more enjoyable. And there will surely be more of these enjoyed around the office as the summer progresses.

V Sandwiches
10135 100A Street
780.426.1888
Hours: M-F (11am - 6pm), Sa (11am - 5pm), Closed Sundays

*If you can't eat your sandwich straight away, have no fear. Just unwrap and place in the oven/toaster oven for a few minutes and you're good to go. The office toaster oven allowed for some much enjoyed leftovers for lunch today.

The view on the way back down to the office. Just two and a half months and there will be a Festival where that snow is!

Beer + Coffee

2011-05-03T16:58:00.000-06:00

During the past few weeks Charles and I have found ourselves at Sugarbowl, Transcend and Da Capo more often than we'd like to admit. While the latter two both provide great spaces for studying or writing, Sugarbowl is the answer when these aspects of my life need to be left behind for an evening. Either way, here are a few shots from our more recent stopovers.

Transcend

Da Capo

Sugarbowl

These shots come from two evenings at Sugarbowl a couple weeks ago. During one we were lucky enough to find Jason Foster present with samples from Half Pints Brewing Co. Of the IPA, stout and amber ale we tried, the latter was definitely the favourite. It was caramel-y, sort of nutty and for some reason I kept smelling buttermilk. I had a full glass a couple evenings ago and it really is a great one, especially alongside a plate of warm cookies...

The very next evening happened to be cask night. I made it to one cask night back in October and since then have been foiled by assignments due the next morning or by the large line that forms around 5pm just as the keg is about to be tapped. This time though, Brenna finished her last exam (congrats, lady!) and got there just in time to snag us a window seat. Thus a few pints of the Maibock were ours!

Maibock

Me and Rachel

La Poutine - Open!

2011-05-02T16:05:00.001-06:00

On the way to Sugarbowl to meet up with a friend yesterday evening, Charles and I encountered an 'open' sign at La Poutine. We stopped in to grab a 'Traditional' ($5.95 for a regular) and ate it outside on the sidewalk, watching poutine lovers go in and out of the small space.

Though only water, diet coke and orange juice were available yesterday - their first day of business - it looks like they will have several exciting soda options ready to go soon (Stewart's, Boylan's and the like). Poutine wise, other options include The Quebecois (traditional + Montreal smoked meat), Granny's Poutine (Traditional + peas + chicken) and a Vegan Poutine.

There will definitely be a return visit and more thoughts as they settle in. Right now hours are limited, but nevertheless La Poutine is open!

Alley Kat Loaded Goat Maibock Launch + U of A Design Grad Show

2011-04-27T15:22:00.001-06:00

Just a quick note that Alley Kat is launching the second beer in its Big Bottle Series tomorrow evening (April 28th from 5-8pm at the brewery): the Loaded Goat Maibock.

A couple friends and I managed to grab a table at Sugarbowl's cask night last Thursday and each got a pint of the cask aged version of this beer. It was incredible and none of us could quite place a finger on the flavours, but it was beautifully smooth and perfect for spring patio enjoyment.

And if you're looking for something to check out afterward, the U of A Bachelor of Design grad show opens tomorrow evening at 7pm at the FAB gallery on campus. Entrance is free but the purchase of a program is appreciated. And Da Capo will be catering...

Alley Kat Brewery
9929 60 Avenue
780.436.8922

FAB Gallery
1-1 Fine Arts Building
780.492.2081

Portland on the horizon

2011-04-21T13:35:00.005-06:00

I know it's awhile away, but Charles and I booked a trip to Portland, OR for mid-September that we're really looking forward to. We're still not completely sure how we ended up with Portland as our destination (to be perfectly honest I'm blaming the Chow Tour of Portland), but the ~~seat sale~~ incredible seat price and killer deal on a vacation rental sure helped out. Here are some things we're looking forward to post Folk Fest craziness...

*Edited: April 23, 2011

Food Possibilities

Dinner at Le Pigeon and Toro Bravo
Lunch or dinner or a trip to the butcher shop at Laurelhurst Market
Something at Clyde Common
A Reuben at Kenny & Zuke's (Anonymous)
Brunch at Beast, if we can swing it our last Sunday there (Anonymous)
Breakfast at Mother's Bistro and lunch at Gravy (Foodie Suz Travels)
Stumptown Coffee and dessert at Papa Haydn's (bluebutterflyblissfulbites)
Food carts!!! Apparently Schnitzelwich is 'a must' so it's on the list.
Portland Farmers' Markets - it looks like they have several operating throughout the week, so we should be able to access some great food and utilize the kitchen in our 'cottage'
Food and drink 'Happy Hours'
Maybe a Forktown Tour
And maybe even the Scappoose Sauerkraut Festival

Drink

Incredible cocktail culture...
Same with the microbrewery situation
Brew 'n' Views - theaters + beer on tap. Wow.
Happy hour at Portland City Grill's 30th floor lounge (bluebutterflyblissfulbites)

Transit

A bicycle friendly city which means we can rent bikes for the week and explore
Street car + the MAX Light Rail and free rides downtown- so many transit options

Other things we hope to check out

Pink Martini at the Arlene Schnitzer
Portland Japanese Garden - the tranquility we need at the end of the summer
The Grotto
A day in Newport + a couple pre-Portland days in Corvallis with my (great) uncle
Columbia Gorge by bike
The Portland Saturday Market - crafters, art, food, etc. etc.
Powell's City of Books
Lan Su Garden

I'm clearly one of those crazy itinerary people, though we've got a week so I'm going to leave some 'random' time and meals in there as well. That said, if anyone has further suggestions (and anything is very much appreciated!), please let me know and I shall add them to the list.

Continental Treat

2011-04-18T19:33:00.001-06:00

I've lost count of the number of times we've walked past Continental Treat. Though I had been for lunch about four years ago - and have always had fond memories of their Dill Pickle Soup - we always discounted the place for some reason. When Jason Foster mentioned the restaurant a couple weeks ago, we decided to grab a reservation for this past Friday evening in celebration of the end of essay season.

We arrived a little late for our 8:30pm reservation, but were greeted right away, told not to worry and our coats were hung by the front door. Happily we were led to the window seat on the 'lounge' side of things, as requested when we made our Open Table reservation.

As water, a half loaf of rye bread and butter were set in front of us, we contemplated the lengthy beer list. Our server told us they had about 60 on the list currently (heavy on European and Trappist), but the next goal is to get to 100. They are also getting a Trappist on tap at the end of the month and are the first in Edmonton to do so. As Jason reported, the restaurant is also focusing on beer and food pairings (Yay!), and they are slowly re-working the beer list to make it more presentable. In the end, Charles chose a Zywiec while I went for my beloved Rochefort 8 which I hadn't had in some time.

Rochefort 8 in appropriate glassware

Food wise I decided on a cup of Dill Pick Soup ($4.95) along with the Lamb Chops ($30.95), and Charles couldn't resist a bowl of French Onion Soup ($8.95) with the Polish Cutlet ($23.95) as his main.

Though service was friendly throughout, this place definitely doesn't focus on speed. Ultimately this allowed us to have a long, lingering evening (we were the last to leave the restaurant), but we were also happy to see each course on its way to our table.

The soup: the Dill Pickle soup was as remembered - creamy with chunks of potato and pickle throughout, and the perfect vinegar dill combo that sets the entire bowl off so nicely. I think many people have experienced a sad French Onion soup in a restaurant before, but thankfully this version was incredibly well done. A rich, earthy mushroom broth was filled with caramelized onions and topped with cheese and bread.

The Dill Pickle

French Onion

Mains: Charles really enjoyed his main - breaded veal with dill cream sauce. It was rich and comforting and I think there was little nostalgia happening. The lamb was admittedly a let down. Though parts were tender, I also hit quite a few tough spots, and considering the cost of the dish more consistency would have been appreciated. The burgundy sauce served alongside was too peppery, though eating it with a forkful of spaetzle certainly toned things down a bit. The pickled beets, carrots and cabbage (aka the 'vegetable medley') that came with the plate were great, and ultimately I enjoyed them more than anything else.

Polish Cutlet with pan-fried potatoes and vegetable 'medley'

Lamb Chops with burgundy sauce, spaetzle and vegetable 'medley'

By the time we finished our mains the space had begun to clear out. After waiting for a bit, we were offered dessert and in the end decided to share the Napoleon ($9.95) - the flavours were enjoyed here but we both agreed flakier pastry would have been ideal.

Though my main was a let down, I would certainly return to Continental Treat. The soup was great, Charles enjoyed his main and there is no denying that their beer list is amazing. We also quite enjoyed the space - it, along with the menu, decidedly characterized classic 80s Edmonton. And though the service came with positives and negatives, we had an enjoyable, relaxing evening overall. Ultimately, I think our next visit will be for lunch - a Ruben and a bowl of Dill Pickle soup with a glass of the Trappist on tap alongside sounds like an excellent way to enjoy an afternoon.

Continental Treat Fine Bistro
10560 82 Avenue
780.433.7432
Hours: Every day of the week from 11am to 10pm

Pizza + Tosca

2011-04-14T12:12:00.001-06:00

As I mentioned in the latest Meal Planning Saga post, this week has been disastrous plan wise. But on Tuesday evening we had to pull things together. For Christmas we had invited Charles' mom to come for dinner and to the final opera of the season - Tosca.

Charles managed to pull Peter Reinhart's pizza dough together on Monday evening and grabbed some topping on his way home from work Tuesday. Maybe I've forgotten other pizzas, but right now I'm going to venture out there and say that this version had the most glorious topping combo ever - tomato sauce, mushrooms, marinated artichoke hearts, ricotta cheese and plenty of black pepper. Thankfully I have a few jars of artichokes in the pantry - this one will make its way around again soon.

We certainly enjoyed each opera of our first ever season, but of course we each had our favourites. While Charles went for the humorous Abduction from the Seraglio, I was all about Tosca - dramatic, emotional and completely capable of transporting me out of paper writing mode for a few hours. As the Journal mentioned, the costumes were beautiful, as was the set, and Yannick-Muriel Noah brought the house down. The Edmonton Opera has already released their 2011/2012 season, and we can't wait to head out.

Winter 2011 'Brain Food' Potluck

2011-04-11T16:40:00.000-06:00

So, we've set a date for the exam version of our study potluck. Details can be found here for any of you students that need an evening of good food and good study.

Hope to see you there!

Meal Planning Saga: Week Thirteen

2011-04-11T16:30:00.000-06:00

Well, I'm not sure what to say. The meal planning isn't really lasting through 'essay season'. Though we managed to get a few recipes in last week, this week has started badly - we're both tired, my nose is permanently in a book or in front of the computer and Charles' boss is away this week making for long days.

At any rate, I'm hoping to get things back on track as I enter exams, which I don't find nearly as involved time wise as papers. Fingers crossed of course...

On to the previous week (aka. Week Thirteen)!

Sunday - After spending the day in the library, I met Charles at Sugarbowl. I did the jerk chicken and avocado burger with Edelweiss whilst Charles did steak frites and Anchor Steam.

Sugarbowl on a Sunday with a tired Charles

Monday - Charles made mushroom soup from Mark Bittman's How To Cook Everything. This was a great way to utilize the pound of mushrooms Charles grabbed at the market Saturday, though we both agreed it would have been extra great as a cream soup, which Bittman notes just below is easy enough to create.

Tuesday - Pulled Pork Sandwiches. We put a pork shoulder in the crock pot Monday night and let it go for about 8 hours. Charles stopped on the way home from work and grabbed some bbq sauce to throw in, along with buns and a few salads from the PO deli.

This sauce had a great salty-sweet flavour, though it wasn't nearly thick enough for pulled pork. Next time, molasses based, and hopefully, made at home.

Planet Organic deli salads - the yam salad was by far the best, with pecans throughout.

Charles also stopped and grabbed four cupcakes from Crave. The red velvet versions had cream cheese icing on them, which for some reason wasn't working for me. The chocolate, however, was excellent.

Wednesday - Leftover pulled pork sandwiches.

Thursday - Charles had grabbed some cod from Ocean Odyssey on Saturday, and pan fried it along with some steamed spinach for a late evening meal.

Friday - Steak with caramelized mushrooms and onions and leftover PO salads. I think I've sort-of mastered the steak grilling situation, which is great news for this summer!

Saturday - Charles was off to do some volunteering for a friend's work benefit, while I went to my parents, munched on a couple pieces of their Royal Pizza and worked on a paper.

As a small note, my application for graduation was approved today! Just nine more weeks and goodbye undergrad!

Enjoy the week everyone!

Meal Planning Saga: Week Twelve

2011-04-04T17:38:00.002-06:00

Last week Kasia asked me how long the 'saga' will go on for. I realized I hadn't even considered the length of this project. Perusing meal planning sites, the goal usually seems to be 6 months, a year, etc. On Saturday morning Charles and I chatted and decided we will absolutely continue 'planning' until June 17th - the day I finish school (can you tell I'm counting the days?) - and after that we'll see what we think. I imagine myself having more time to cook this summer, and with all the unexpected items to be found at the market each week, I'm not sure planning before we shop will be as useful. I see more experimentation with this in our immediate future.

We ended up going to 'Beyond the Supermarket' a few weeks ago on Alberta Ave. Though a friend is urging me to grab a community garden plot (I am very jealous of his $28 seeds and the vegetables to come), it's not that easy. Like many people around town we are currently ~~trying to get~~ on a lengthy waiting list for the garden in our own neighbourhood, and a plot will likely not be available until the 2012 season (small update: I got an e-mail from the garden saying there may be a plot available for this season. At any rate we are on the waiting list). There are gardens further from our apartment, but with ETS or bicycle as our transport choices, we know we need (and would like) a local closer to home to make it functional. This is a long way of saying that we are leaning strongly towards the Green Eggs and Ham 'Futures' plan this year. So updates on that as the spring/summer moves along.

On to this past week's dishes!

Sunday - As per other weeks a roast chicken. This time though, I used some of the caramelized goodness at the bottom of the pan and made a quick gravy. It took our Sunday evening chicken to a whole new level.

Monday - Another familiar - risotto with mushrooms. The creaminess was right on that day, I have to say.

Tuesday - Charles was off to his mom's for dinner whilst I snack and worked on a book review.

Wednesday - We met up with Charles' mom, sister and nieces at Da Capo for pizza, salad and gelato (they've increased the number of flavours again for spring!). Excellent as usual.

A scoop of cinnamon

Thursday - Cold noodles with peanut sauce from David Lebovitz. Along with some roasted vegetables and leftover roast chicken, this was a quick, flavourful meal to throw together. Plus we've got some extra peanut sauce in the freezer for later days.

Jill (aka Sugar of Cream and Sugar) and I must be thinking on some similar wave length. Right after I scheduled this recipe I found she had posted on it. And yesterday she posted on the slow cooker butter chicken too. Their new website looks fantastic as well - good job ladies!

Friday - Lentil Loaf from We Eat Together. I really enjoyed the flavour here, but I think the lentils need to be broken down a bit more, which would hopefully keep the crumbly slices together as well. Next time I'll try to purée some of the lentils and see where we end up.

Sobey's College Plaza has a nice array of Willow Creek products from Saskatchewan

Saturday - Lamb meatballs inspired by the Frankies'. We didn't have pine nuts this time (and Charles has a strong aversion to raisins so those will never make it in), but we did add sunflower seeds here which provided a similar softened crunch. Everything else was the same and these came out incredibly moist and flavourful. I made some tomato sauce while they were in the oven and steamed some spinach and we were good to go.

Action shot! Look at the grip.

Also, I was quite proud of my lunch on Saturday afternoon. Charles had brought home bagels and eggs from the market, and I used some frozen spinach up as well.

That was number twelve. I hope everyone is enjoying the warm weather! We took our bicycles in on Saturday for tune ups, and as soon as essays are through in a couple weeks I'm planning to break free from the library and live some sort of romantic lifestyle on my bicycle in between exams. Any similar plans?

Meal Planning Saga: Week Eleven

2011-03-29T14:23:00.000-06:00

We are creatures of habit...

Sunday - We began the week with a brand new recipe - a Vegetable Tagine from Chow. This was certainly easy to prepare and the smell was incredible. That said it seemed to be missing something when we finally sat down to it, even with the addition of almonds, green olives and currants. I've bookmarked a few more veggie tagines that we can hopefully try later on.

Monday - More pizza. This time it was tomato sauce, leftover feta, Gruyère, cardamom salami, mushrooms and green pepper (the last on Charles' side only). We also munched on some very peppery arugula.

Earlier in the day I met Charles downtown at Transcend. He's been stopping there on his way to work for coffee and apparently needed more than one latte that day. Though I've been enjoying their cappuccinos lately, I'm excited for the increasing tea additions (I had 'mountain dragon' at the Garneau location today - alongside a waffle - and it was a great way to start the morning - can't wait for more).

Tuesday - Once again, Kindra's slow cooker butter chicken. I think we had a better handle on the spicing this time and this version was far better than the first alongside some whole wheat rice. Charles stopped for naan and must have had some extra time on his hands. He did coconut, garlic and plain naan from Daawat, then walked down the ave. and picked up plain from Origin India.

I quite enjoyed the sweetness of the coconut version, but for both of us it was Origin India's version hands down (crispy exterior, with a far softer, less chewy texture overall). At any rate we have a nice bag of naan sitting in the freezer for next time.

Wednesday - Study Potluck Two. Once again a few of us met up with food at Rutherford South to simultaneously study and do some end of term de-stressing. There was Academy Pizza, Ho-Ho's, and I brought fruit salad and chicken salad sandwiches from Upper Crust.

We're planning on doing another one in the midst of exams and are attempting to make it a 'healthy' potluck (everyone's eating habits seem to tank during exams). If we organize things soon enough, I'll be sure to post the time and date (and rules like no laptops unless your notes are there or you're working on an essay) here for any of you students out there. Alternatively, feel free to e-mail me if you'd like details.

Thursday - Birthday dinner/Anthro 'field work' at Corso 32.

Birthday cake

Friday - What turned into a post-birthday beer at Sugarbowl with Brenna and Charles quickly became dinner. Charles simply went for some home-made spring rolls, while Brenna and I both did the lamb burger, recently made extra-famous in Avenue's Top 25 Things to Eat. Beer wise, I've been enjoying Nelson Brewing's After Dark recently - smooth, chocolate-y and a little hoppy (and only $5.50 per bottle).

Saturday - We spent some time at Charles' mom's Saturday afternoon and as we were about to leave we remembered we had left our second fillet of white fish in her freezer. It began to soften a bit on the bus ride home, so dinner was basically planned for us. Once again, the fish in parchment. Alongside this time was wild rice and the rest of the green beans picked up the Saturday prior at the market. The beans were sautéed with some chili flakes, salt, pepper and lemon juice, and were a nice crispy contrast aside the fish.

Charles and I tried to work a few new recipes into week twelve, though we admittedly kicked things off with a roast chicken and mushroom risotto, and Tuesday and Wednesday have been left open since Charles' sister is coming to town.

I'm quite excited for Thursday and Friday - noodle salad with peanut sauce and the lentil loaf from We Eat Together (Somehow I've never noticed the lentil loaf in We Eat Together before. It must be because it's tucked in just before the dessert section). On Saturday we're going to re-try the Frankies' meatballs, this time with some of the ground lamb tucked away in the freezer.

Enjoy the remainder of the week everyone!

Birthday Anthropology: Corso 32

2011-03-25T14:50:00.000-06:00

Charles asked me a few weeks ago where I would like to go for my birthday, and I had a great list - Wildflower Grill, Bistro La Persaud and Madison's were top candidates. But then I decided on my research project for Anthro of the Senses - the sensuality of the restaurant experience.

Not that the three spots above wouldn't provide sensual experiences, but Corso 32 seems perfect for this project. Corso 32 seems to take on both 'local' and 'Italian' identities, and my aim is to explore how these two aspects are emphasized via décor, sound design, seating layout, structural design (ie. the role of the 'half-open' kitchen), lighting, etc. Ultimately, I want to illustrate the ways in which these considerations shape the sensual aspects of our dining experience, and possibly change the way we interact with and taste our food.

So far I have found one ethnographic record of a 'local' restaurant in Wisconsin that attempts to showcase regional food and provide a space where people can gather, eat and discuss the food, and ultimately learn new ways of preparing local ingredients. This particular essay suggests that the restaurant plays an essential role in developing healthy local food systems. However there is little discussion of 'how' this is accomplished beyond the food itself. On the other side of things, there are many studies of 'Italianicity' and how it is created in the American restaurant via design (esp. photographs), but the focus has been on 'casual-family-dining' spots (ie. restaurants such as the Olive Garden).

The best resource so far is a design book called "Eat Out". It covers various types of restaurant design and briefly (and I mean briefly) discusses the aims of each. I think the 'rustic chic' and 'straight forward' sections will be most helpful in this particular context. So after perusing previous anthropological research to do with restaurants, Corso 32 seems to present a new scenario - local food is showcased and they simultaneously present a new type of 'Italianicity' than has not previously been researched. So I'm going to try to navigate this representation whilst incorporating the senses, and a focus on an Edmonton context allows me to reflect on my own experiences, background, etc. (ie. It allows me to be 'self-reflexive' - something much loved by socio-cultural anthropologists right now).

With all this in mind, Charles stopped at Corso 32 a couple weeks ago, snagged a reservation for 8pm, and we were off last night for a birthday/anthropology project dinner. The place was full when we arrived, and after a few minutes we were led to what I think is the best seat in the house - the window end of the communal table.

Drinks were easy - it's got to be prosecco, especially on birthday occasions. Food was another matter, and it took us awhile to settle on options.

First up was the starter on special - a crostini with Swiss chard, crispy pork and braised pork belly, a fried egg and parmigiano ($11). Wow. This wasn't easy to share but it was an incredible way to begin the evening. The crunchy crostini and pork were mellowed by the soft egg and pork belly, and there was a lovely sweet-peppery-vinegary situation happening that I'm obviously unable to articulate. If only they served breakfast.

Window seat (sorrow, I forgot to get the camera out for the 'starter')

Next we opted to share the arugula and fennel salad with roasted hazelnuts and parmigiano ($13). This one was peppery, fresh and the roasted nuts provided both crunch and a pleasant smokiness. The perfect 'in-between' item.

Moving quickly on to mains (and receiving questions from the gentlemen seated next to us - "What are you guys doing a tasting menu or something?") I decided on the polpette (aka. meatballs; $22) whilst Charles went for the 48hr. chuck flat steak ($26). The meatballs were as remembered from our last visit - rich, peppery and fragrant. And I'm sorry to keep bringing this up, but I was once again reminded of the Frankies' Meatballs, with the addition of raisins and pine nuts here as well. And the flat steak. Soft and tender, it had the very enjoyable peppery-vinegary thing going on as well.

We also did the side on special - brussel sprouts with pork (~$7). I loved these and Charles was swooning. The leaves of the sprouts were charred and peppery while the bits of pork were salty and fatty. Watching us dive into the sprouts, the group at the end of the table ordered a dish of their own halfway through their mains.

And dessert. I was really counting on the zeppole (aka. donuts) and limoncello, but by the time we made all the way through the savoury items, they were out. So it was an order of the torta ($9) we fell in love with last time along with a slice of the blood orange and olive oil cake with mascarpone ($8). The torta is still loved - the warm, crunchy roasted hazelnuts, the fleur de sel, the chocolate - it's a tough one to beat. As such the olive oil cake came in second, but it was still excellent. The citrus cut through the richness of the cake and mascarpone well, as did some black pepper. I think the best thing about this cake though is the crispy, chewy edges.

After a Macallan 12 for me and a Brooklyn Lager for Charles (I'm very excited to see the addition of beer and a short but incredible looking cocktail lineup... next time!) it was time to head out. I should mention that service throughout the evening was prompt, and we were checked on during each course to see how things were tasting.

Though it would have been nice to head to a 'new' spot for my birthday, I'm glad my anthro project led us back to Corso 32 - the meal was enjoyed, as was the atmosphere and service. I have much to write on for my anthro paper, but as we left we both agreed we can't wait for a reason to head back.

Corso 32
10345 Jasper Avenue
780.421.4622
Reservations via phone or in person only.

Thoughts on our initial visit here.

A Next Act brunch

2011-03-23T22:17:00.000-06:00

This past Saturday morning began perfectly as we stepped into Strathcona market and saw some green things at Morinville and Gull Valley Greenhouses. Completely unexpected, we've been eating green beans and arugula this week. So it's spring to me... for a couple moments anyhow.

As we left the market we decided it was finally time to head back to Next Act to check out the brunch situation, something we had been meaning to do for awhile now. The place was about half full with families and friends (ie. many post market shoppers) as we arrived around 11:30. We settled into a mimosa and a pint of Full Moon ($4 for the new moon!) and looked over the menus - both lunch and brunch are on starting at 11am.

Charles didn't waver from our last visit, again going with the pulled pork sandwich ($12) from the lunch menu. I was torn between the 'Pulled Pork Melt' (hashbrowns, pulled pork, poached egg, cheese, pea shoots and house salsa; $12) and the breakfast burrito ($10). I eventually decided on the latter, easily swayed by the thought of avocado and black beans.

Our food came out in no time, and as I cut into my crispy burrito, I was happy to find it full of soft scrambled eggs, plenty of avocado, green peppers, cheese and black beans. Though a little 'heat' would have been welcome, the salsa definitely added a bright freshness to the mix, and the crispy potatoes were a nice addition on the side - a little smoky and slightly spicy. My favourite thing on the plate was the smoothie shot - fresh and hinting at a blender full of banana, it was a great finish to the dish. Charles seemed to enjoy his pulled pork sandwich even more than our initial visit - a little more smoky, sticky and flavourful this time, I was working on the burrito long after the sandwich disappeared.

After our successful dinner stop last October, we were happy to find the same comfortable, friendly space and service, along with a small but well rounded brunch menu that added even more to Next Act's appeal. While we love venturing outside Old Strathcona, it's always nice to re-discover great spots in your own neighbourhood.

Next Act Pub
8224 104 Street
780.433.9345
Hours: M-Th (11am - 1am); F-Sa (11am - 2am); Su (11am - 2pm)

This past Sunday Next Act began the first of a series of Family Dinner Nights. Keep an eye on their website for details on the next one. Reservations required.

Meal Planning Saga: Week Ten

2011-03-22T14:34:00.000-06:00

Week ten went well. Relatively stress free, we returned to some favourites from earlier in the 'saga'. I'm excited to see how things go as I head into 'essay season', which has officially begun. As others have mentioned, the planning is the easy part; the execution is a whole other beast.

Sunday - Bison and mushroom burgers. These were excellent, with mushrooms, an egg, oats, cumin, salt and pepper being our chosen additions. Best of all, our balcony door was ice free and thus we were able to grill!

Monday - Continuing with the mushroom theme, we did mushroom risotto. Luckily Mona Foods was at the City Market on Saturday and we picked up a half pound of mixed mushrooms for the dish. We also gave in and dug into the saffron jar, which made for an ultra rich and flavourful start to the 'work week'.

Tuesday - Kindra's Thai Green Curry, the same one from Week six. We used a different brand of coconut milk and weren't so successful this time. The sauce was a little watery. However, we made coconut rice from Moosewood's Simple Suppers which was a quick, easy and flavourful base. As a note, we skipped the chile and currants.

Wednesday - Another recycled recipe, this time from Week three - the steak and mushroom salad from Epicurious. We did shiitake mushrooms instead of crimini, and forgot the cilantro, but this was still a great mid-week meal. Since the patio door remained unfrozen, we opted to grill the steaks minus the sesame coating.

Thursday - St. Paddy's Day. Charles was off to pilates while I went to have a beer. Unfair, I know. It was a bit of a debate where to go. I've avoided all St. Patrick's Day celebrations at bars in the past, and with a friend informing us that one needs to arrive at an "Irish" bar around noon for a table, we eventually decided on Sherlock Holmes downtown, which was central to everyone in the group.

Friday - With Charles mom settling in, we offered to cook dinner at her place. We started downtown, grabbing a baguette and dessert from Queen of Tarts, then it was off to Ocean Odyssey Inland (thankfully within walking distance of his mom's) for some fresh fish. The final delivery of Slave Lake fish for the next little while (due to unsafe ice conditions) was in, so we picked up two large fillets - one for that evening, and one to bring home. Pat vacuum packed everything for us and we were off.

Once again we opted to use the fish-in-parchment method. The fattiness of the winter fish along with the herbs, lemon and butter made this my favourite meal of the week. And the carrot cake 'tulip' afterward didn't hurt either.

Saturday - As I mentioned above, essay season has begun. So while Charles went back to his mom's for meatballs, I stayed home to get some research done and had a bowl of the turkey soup she had given us the evening prior.

I'm both happy and sad to see repeat recipes surfacing. The fish in parchment, butter chicken, Thai curry and steak salad are certainly great, and I'm happy to have them in our repertoire; however I'm hoping we can make a conscious effort to incorporate more new recipes as we move into April.

Have a great week everyone! And watch out for that wind!

Little Whyte Avenue Update

2011-03-22T12:00:00.001-06:00

Walking home last week I noticed this sign on the space that was Press Café (10846 Whyte Ave). Peering through the door's window, it looks like the 'renos' are definitely still in progress...

Meal Planning Saga: Week Nine

2011-03-15T07:48:00.003-06:00

Wow. This past week was a little hectic and not nearly as well planned as I would have liked it to be. With Charles mom moving to town Monday, we just couldn't anticipate where we would be each evening, which was completely fine... it just meant reverting to some old (incredibly tasty) 'habits'.

Sunday - Things started off rather well with this butternut squash and caramelized onion galette from Smitten Kitchen. Some leftover roasted squash from Saturday's pizzas, caramelized onions and Fontina were great for my first galette ever. As Deb says, the dough is flawless. I even substituted some Greek yogurt in the absence of sour cream and it still turned out well. I can't wait to make some other fillings, especially as summer berries begin to arrive. This was great the next day for lunch at room temperature alongside some salad, and it even held up well in my backpack throughout the morning.

The onions are starting...

Monday - With a delayed flight and a paper due Tuesday morning, we found ourselves at Dadeo for the $8 Po-boy special. One catfish, one Philly cheese steak and two chili lagers.

Tuesday - A Zed family dinner of pancakes and sausages.

Wednesday - Salmon and braised lentils from America's Test Kitchen Cooking for Two 2010. We certainly enjoyed this salmon prep, which was quick and easy, and the lentils turned out to be a filling, creamy base. Though this fish dish had nothing on the 'fish in parchment'.

Thursday - A little while ago Sharon posted on Mario Batali's Roman Egg Drop soup, so we thought we'd give it a try. Wow, she wasn't kidding - creamy and rich, the eggs did wonders here to turn chicken broth into a hearty winter soup. Charles stopped on the way to the LRT station and grabbed a loaf of bread from Queen of Tarts just as they were closing, along with a cinnamon-orange treat for dessert. We are realizing the positives of him working just a couple blocks away and a transit route back to Garneau that carries him near the spot.

A seedy bread

The soup

Amazing cinnamon 'tulip' with pecans and orange-caramel

I also broke out this banana bread recipe again, though this time it was destined for muffins. I filled the tin to the top and as I looked in the oven about half way through I was sure everything was about to overflow. Thankfully it never did and I ended up with some excellent crispy muffin tops after about 45-50 minutes of baking... nearly Leva worthy, especially just out of the oven.

Friday - Urban Diner, Garneau. We had burgers planned, but getting home a little late in the evening after kitchen unpacking, we gave in and took a walk over to 109th. As we approached I was happy to see Friday was the first night Urban Diner would have Yukon Brewing's Porter on tap. I love this beer - it's incredibly creamy, comforting and easy drinking. As we arrived we found the place packed with porter lovers and I couldn't believe we were seated right away. We waited a little while for our food, but it was well worth it.

...worth freezin' for...

Steak sandwich

Reuben with caramelized onions and amazing cumin-curry-dijon

Saturday - This was the first snack based evening we've had in awhile, but it was leftover bread, cheese, salad, etc. from the week.

Earlier in the day though, we went to the City Market. We got there just as vendors were finishing set up and, finally, for the ringing of the bell!

The bell!

'Eat Alberta 2011'

2011-03-14T02:12:00.000-06:00

Got April 30th open this year? Check out Eat Alberta, a conference that will highlight some of the talented people within Edmonton's food community. Throughout the day there will be coffee, wine and goat cheese tastings and pasta, pie and pizza dough making (amongst other sessions)... in short, be prepared to get your hands dirty! You can register and/or find full details on sessions, pricing and goals of the conference here.

I'll be volunteering for the day, so if you have a chance to make it out, please stop by and say 'Hi'!

Meal Planning Saga: Week Eight

2011-03-07T17:28:00.002-07:00

Last week was certainly highlighted by adventures around town more than our 'home cooking', though the butter chicken was pretty incredible...

Sunday - Once again, a roast chicken. There's just something about it that works well on a Sunday evening.

Monday - Braised beef with mashed potatoes. Inspired by our visit to Somerville Wine and Cheese we placed this roast in the slow cooker for about four hours with red wine and tomatoes. Next time a fattier cut of beef is certainly in order, but the flavours here were great all the same.

Tuesday - Chicken and vegetable soup.

Wednesday - Italian sausages with salad and roasted veggies. Digging through (I mean... 'organizing') our freezer a couple weekends ago, we found a neglected package of sausages that we were excited to barbecue. No go - the door to our balcony was frozen solid, and this time no hair dryer could fix it. So we simply poached and pan cooked them instead.

Thursday - Alley Kat was certainly the highlight of the evening here, and afterward a stop at Langano Skies finished things off nicely.

Friday - Slow Cooker Butter Chicken from Meal Planning 101. This was the most viewed recipe on Kindra's site in 2010, and for good reason - it was simple to prepare and incredibly flavourful. There's no doubt we'll be doing this one again. We grabbed some naan from the E-Zee Market on 109th to round the meal out. (We've walked passed this place hundreds of times but only recently went in to find an incredible selection of spices, curries and other dishes made fresh daily.)

Saturday - A few things were on our minds Saturday, namely heading to Queen of Tarts to check things out, and later in the evening to Refinery at the AGA. First though, I was distracted by the excellent snowflakes falling on Saturday morning.

Leaving the snowflakes outside, we were stunned as we entered the Queen of Tarts' space. It's both beautiful and well stocked, with products from The Jam Lady, Mighty Trio and others available amongst their desserts, breads and lunch items. I urge you to check out Sharon's pictures and thoughts here. We actually ran into Sharon and Mack while there, along with Valerie, which was great. I also ran into Liz, an amazing lady who I took both baking and chocolate classes with at NAIT last year.

Before getting into the tarts themselves though, Brenna and Catherine came over for some pre-Refinery pizza. A veggie for Catherine consisted of roasted red peppers, feta, bocconcini and tomato sauce, while the rest of the discs were made into white pizzas with roasted butternut squash, sage, prosciutto, bocconcini and Gruyère (that last one was the perfect sweet salty combo and a reminder of warmer fall days). We also drank a couple beers that I intend to post on a little later.

And for dessert - the Queen of Tarts' tarts. As expected they were lovely. The lime was rich while tangy (Brenna and Catherine both swooned) and the chocolate hazelnut tart was dense and chocolate-y, with an amazing sandy, hazelnut crust. Post dessert we ventured back downtown for a couple drinks, some new exhibits and an attempt at dancing in public.

And hello week nine.

Alley Kat and the Three Bears Oatmeal Stout

2011-03-04T16:30:00.003-07:00

Alley Kat posted an invite on Facebook Wednesday asking everyone to come check out their newest (and first for 2011) in the 'Big Bottle Series' - Three Bears Oatmeal Stout. A couple friends and I arrived around 7pm for the last hour of the launch party.

The tap

Brenna and I grabbed a couple glasses of the stout, while Catherine, not a stout fan, went for the classic Full Moon. The stout is rich and smooth with a pleasant level of bitterness throughout, and I think it will be perfect drinking for what is supposed to be a cool-ish spring. In other words, "It's just right." (Sorry about that... I couldn't resist). We also grabbed a few sips of the Apple Wit, which has quickly become a favourite of Brenna's, and the coffee porter which none of us had tried previously. The coffee aroma and flavour in the porter is intense (enjoyably so), and as someone next to us said, it's just like drinking a cold coffee - perfect for breakfast.

A couple mini chocolate cupcakes went with the stout nicely, as did bread from Tree Stone made with some of the malt mixture leftover from the brews. As we sipped our beer we went on a tour of the brewery, something I'd been meaning to do for some time. Informative and fun, this was a great way to spend a Thursday evening after a long week.

Whisky barrels, mostly for the Sherbrooke brews. One is full of Olde Deuteronomy but its release is being delayed by the AGLC. Unfortunately it seems they're not over that whole 11.9% thing... strange since they had reversed the three week law.

Recycled bottles on their way to be filled.

Alley Kat Brewery
9929 66th Ave
780.436.8922
Hours: M-W (10:30-4:30) Th-F (10:30-5:30) Sa-Su (Closed)
Alley Kat has great prices on all their brews in store and you can create your own six pack if you're so inclined.

Niche

2011-03-03T14:56:00.001-07:00

Charles and I ventured to Niche a couple Saturdays ago, grabbing a reservation for 7:30 the evening prior. In what has become annoyingly regular form, we stepped through the door a little after our reservation.

The space is certainly tight, with a couple high tables nearest the bar and about half a dozen tables lined up along a banquet (plus some seating along the bar itself). We squeezed into one of the tables for two along the wall amongst a fairly packed house. Finding that Niche did indeed feature a comparatively lengthy cocktail list (though I'm really waiting for a list like the one we encountered at Ferris' Upstairs in Victoria), I happily selected something fizzy and gingery, while Charles went for a pint of Yellowhead lager. Food wise, we opted to share the Bison Meat Balls ($10), and order mains of Duck Confit ($20) and Beef Cheeks ($20).

Settling into our drinks we saw the meatballs coming our way after a short wait. With a sharp tomato sauce and the addition of pine nuts, these reminded us a little of our recent adventure with the Frankies' meatballs, though without the overpowering garlic. We wasted no time clearing the plate here.

Alberta bison meatballs with toasted pine nuts, swiss chard simmered in garlic tomato sauce topped with Pecorino cheese.

Mains were out soon after. Charles' dish of braised beef cheeks, 'wild' mushroom cream sauce and egg noodles was decidedly the favourite. The meat was soft and tender, while the mushrooms and noodles provided a richness that would prepare him well to brave the cold again. I enjoyed my duck confit, though the savoury lemon thyme gravy was the hit for me.

'Spring Creek braised beef cheeks in a wild mushroom cream tossed with broad egg noodles.'

'Confit of Brome Lake duck paired with golden mashed potatoes and lemon thyme gravy.'

Dessert wise we decided to check out two options. The 'featured dessert' - a salted chocolate brownie ($5) - and the candied pear tart with brandy cream ($5). As Sharon noted, the brownie lacked a necessary richness and seemed a little dry and crumbly. That said, the salt was certainly present. The sweet, soft textured pears in the tart were certainly enjoyed, and of course you can't go wrong with brandy cream.

Service was a little rocky, though certainly friendly. Only open for a couple months now, I'm sure this is something that will improve over time as they hit their stride with the space and clientele. We did have a funny experience with photo taking that evening. One of the servers grabbed a flashlight and held it over our plates for some better lighting. Though admittedly a little embarrassing at the time, it was an interesting and likely singular experience nonetheless.

Open late, Niche is yet another option to check out downtown for dinner, drinks and plates to share. Chef Nathan Saurette hinted in the Journal recently that he's exploring other dishes for the menu (currently on the short side); with that in mind, this will certainly be a spot we'll have to check out again soon.

Niche
11011 Jasper Ave.
780.761.1011
Hours: M-W (4pm - midnight) Th-Sa (4pm - 2am) Su (Closed)

Check out Sharon's review here, the Journal's interview with Nathan Saurette here, and some really great photos from 1hundo here.

Meal Planning Saga: Week Seven

2011-03-01T07:34:00.001-07:00

Continuing with the 'saga', here's what we did for week seven.

Sunday - 'Basic Fish (halibut for us) Baked in Parchment' from Chow. This recipe was flavourful and incredibly simple. The fish stayed moist, clean up was easy and the citrus and herbs were bright and fresh on a cold day.

Monday - 'Pulled Jerk Chicken Sandwiches', also from Chow. Another slow cooker recipe that we will definitely use again. The chicken was slightly spicy, and the cinnamon and nutmeg filled our apartment with a pretty fantastic aroma. We added some roasted red peppers to the sandwiches as well.

Earlier in the day we had gone to my Nanny's for a 'family day' lunch. We did grilled sandwiches of various sorts, and for dessert, I made cheesecake brownies using David Lebovitz' recipe from Ready for Dessert (you can also find it on his blog here). I think I 'over swirled' the cheesecake, but these were still incredibly moist, dense and rich (and really good cold from the fridge).

Tuesday - The rest of the Frankies' Meatballs. We let these sit in the slow cooker with some tomato sauce for a few hours to take away some of the strength of the raw garlic, and they were incredible. Still with that incredibly light texture, we loved the addition of pine nuts in these. Along with some linguine and spinach, this was a satisfying meal early in the week.

Wednesday - Mushroom risotto from The Italian Slow Cooker. Maybe we weren't positive enough going into this recipe, but it just didn't work. Neither of us understood how the rice would become creamy and rich without stirring it over the stove, and in the end, it was just like eating a bowl of sticky, starchy rice. I just don't think risotto is meant for the slow cooker.

Thursday - With some leftover chicken in the freezer, we decided to throw together some tacos, which turned into 'wraps' after I couldn't find any taco shells in our area. We need to get down to Tienda Latina and stock up one of these days! Anyhow, we warmed the chicken with some sesame seeds, coriander, cumin and cilantro and wrapped it up with goat cheese and 'Sweet and Spicy Pickled Onion' from America's Test Kitchen. I can't say enough about the latter condiment. Throw everything together and it's good in the fridge for a week. Here's the recipe:

Sweet and Spicy Pickled Onion
from America's Test Kitchen (Cooking for Two 2010); this condiment is intended for their Steak Tacos recipe

1 small red onion, halved and sliced thin
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
2 1/2 tablespoons sugar (we usually use brown sugar)
1 jalapeño pepper, stemmed, seeded (we like to leave the seeds in), and sliced into thin rings
1/8 teaspoon salt

Place the onion in a medium heat-resistant bowl. Bring the venegar, sugar, jalapeño and salt to a simmer in a sauce pan over medium high heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar disolves. Pour mixture over the onion and cover loosely. Let cool to room temperature (about 30 minutes). Drain the onion, discarding the liquid, and serve. This is good in an airtight container for up to one week in the fridge.

Friday - We were off to check out Somerville Wine and Cheese. Here's the post.

Saturday - Veggie lasagna. Our lasagna's are always a mixture of whatever we've got around. Yesterday we did a tomato sauce with crimini mushrooms, green and yellow peppers, carrots, zucchini, goat cheese, Pecorino and feta. Charles made the noodles during the afternoon and we let things bubble away in the oven for a bit.

And that was week seven.

Friday evening at Somerville Wine and Cheese

2011-02-27T00:21:00.001-07:00

On Friday evening Charles and I made plans to meet up with our friend Brenna at Somerville Wine and Cheese on 107th and 124th Street. Calling earlier in the day we secured a reservation for 6:30pm and arrived (a little late) to a bright, open space and a friendly greeting at the door.

Seated at one of the tables for four lining the north side of the room, we decided on four dishes that would be shared tapas style and asked that they recommend a bottle of red to compliment our selections. They came through with a spicy bottle of Dehesa Gago Cosecha from Spain (~$42) that went really well with all our dishes, especially the Spanish inspired 'grilled cheese' and the red wine and tomato braised bison short ribs.

Our server explained that each option on the menu could be ordered as an entree or as an item to be shared. We selected the latter option and everything came out together after a few sips of wine and a short wait.

Lox in the front and the Spanish Manchego 'grilled cheese' ($14) served open-faced in the back. With Charles out of the grilled cheese situation, it was left for Brenna and I. We both enjoyed this take on the sandwich, especially the bites containing spicy, smoky chorizo.

The Lox (~$17). This was a welcome classic, and in comparison to our other dishes, was certainly the lightest thing to grace the table.

Red wine and tomato braised bison short ribs (~$22). Along with the pork belly, this dish was the hit of the table. The meat was tender, slightly spicy and smoky.

Cider braised pork belly with caramelized onions and apples and fennel cream (~$15). This dish was rich but incredibly flavourful. The pork was soft and tender, the fennel cream was rich yet bright and fresh, which worked well with the pork, and the apples and onions provided a satisfying level of sweetness.

After indulging in the savory side of the menu we opted to share the restaurant's single dessert offering between the three of us - a goat cheese and blackberry blancmange prepared by Duchess ($9). The blancmange was creamy and tangy and the blackberry compote provided a rich, sweet contrast. My favourite part of this dessert was the spicy (ie. cinnamon, nutmeg, etc.) poached pear.

Service throughout the evening was attentive and friendly, with water glasses topped up regularly and dishes promptly cleared. Lingering for awhile, the space was certainly comfortable. And despite the large birthday party happening on the banquette side of the room, we had no problem carrying on our conversation. At one point a party guest stood up and sang a great rendition of 'What a Wonderful World' to the birthday girl, and it turned out to be a real treat for us too (we weren't too fond of the restaurant's music selection throughout the evening, which seemed a little heavy on the classical side of things, and thus a little too formal for the space and atmosphere).

At the end of the evening the three of us agreed that our visit to Somerville Wine and Cheese was certainly successful. With a comfortable space, friendly staff, knowledgeable wine pairings and well executed dishes, we are definitely looking forward to our next visit.

Somerville Wine and Cheese
10723 124 Street
780.454.9463
Hours: T-W (4:30-11PM) Th-Sa (4:30PM - 1AM) Su-M (Closed)

A blurry picture from the end of the evening.

Meal Planning Saga: Week Six

2011-02-22T13:01:00.001-07:00

With a couple of assignments and a mid-term during week six, we had a few ups and downs. Though once again, there were a couple favourites and a brand new keeper.

Sunday - Frankies' Meatballs - Perusing videos and recipes on Chow a couple weeks ago (a great way to procrastinate and make yourself hungry), we stumbled on a recipe for meatballs from the Frankies of Frankies Sputino in New York. The raw garlic in these was incredibly overpowering, though the rich yet light texture was incredible. In the end, we ate what we could, froze the rest, and they are now slated to be 'slow cooked' in tomato sauce for a few hours this week to slay some of the raw garlic stuff going on.

Monday - Pulled Pork with Maudite 'Spare Rib' Sauce - Though the pulled pork here was excellent, the sauce we'd loved so much for our New Year's meal didn't quite work here for some reason. The mystery continues.

Tuesday - Thai Green Curry from Meal Planning 101 - Finally a recipe from Kindra's blog, the first one I perused before beginning the meal planning adventure. This is an incredibly flavourful and quick recipe and we'll be making it again soon. Next time with a red pepper, as listed, for a little more colour.

Wednesday - Pizza - Pulling out the last of our latest batch of Peter Reinhart's Neo-Neapolitan pizza dough, we ended up with two pretty excellent pizzas topped with tomato sauce, hot soppressata, hedgehog mushrooms, bocconcini and basil.

Thursday - Carrot-Ginger Soup - Using this recipe from Chatelaine as a guide, this soup turned out pretty well. Best of all, I managed to use up the large amount of carrots that had been sitting idle in our veggie drawer. Kicking up the ginger (by that I mean doubling it), this was almost as good as the bowl I grabbed a couple weeks ago for lunch at Leva.

Friday - With a last minute change of plans I ended up hosting a couple girlfriends for dinner Friday evening while Charles was off to a hockey game. Dropping into the Italian Centre, we grabbed a jar of roasted red peppers and eggplant pâté, a couple loaves of sun dried tomato bread, a round of chèvre and some smoked ghouda, "dolmades" (I'm really addicted to the Zanae version) and artichoke and mozzarella ravioli for what turned out to be a casual, tapas style evening. We also stopped at Bin 104 adding a bottle of Alley Kat's Apple Wit to our food lineup, along with Rogue's Chipotle Ale and their Chocolate Stout for dessert. My favourite was the the creamy, bitter-sweet chocolate stout, though the hit around the table was the Apple Wit.

Saturday evening we found ourselves at Niche... of course a post will follow soon. Enjoy the rest of your week!

Meal Planning Saga: Week Five

2011-02-17T14:11:00.000-07:00

Clearly I'm a few days behind here, but the good news is, I've successfully made it to reading week. As I head into the final reading week of my undergrad career, I've realized I now fully understand the 'reading' portion of reading week. I remember when I had time to take a vacation, a break, whatever, but the next week will be spent in the library, doing research and writing essays, and yes, reading. But however much of that I do, there will be cooking (and hopefully neglected baking)!

Sunday - Roast chicken, spinach and roasted yam. Simple and covered us for meals for both Monday and Tuesday.

We just cannot carve a chicken... it's on the list.

Monday - Chicken and mushroom risotto, of course using some of the leftover chicken and stock.

Tuesday - Chicken and vegetable soup. This was quick and comforting, which was great since we were off to Edmonton Opera's second performance of the season, The Abduction from the Seraglio. We enjoyed this one immensely, and I should have posted on it the night of. It was hilarious! And references to Canadian politics, Facebook, You Tube, and the use of video in the performance kept everyone on their toes and laughing.

Wednesday - Things switched up a bit, and we ended up at Sugarbowl that evening with a friend. We both did the evening special - a meatloaf sandwich - which didn't really impress either of us. Now the beer, that was good. Charles did his current favourite - Chimay Red - while I was off to their 'Features/Staff Picks' board for an Anchor Brewing Porter, which was creamy and rich - perfect for a cool-ish evening.

Thursday - Slow cooker 'Bison' Goulash. This one was adapted from The Gourmet Slow Cooker, where the original protein called for was beef. We had some bison in the freezer so we thought we'd give it a try, and thankfully, it worked. We also had some leftover mushrooms in the fridge, and added those to the mix as well for a rich, flavourful Thursday meal (this one also made for a great lunch on day two).

Friday - Louisiana Trout, with more spinach and roasted yam. This recipe from Moosewood Simple Suppers was originally listed for our first week of the 'saga'. Though Charles preferred the Moroccan spiced fish, I was quite taken by the slight spiciness of this one along with the rich paprika. And more yam here. I found what I felt was a gigantic yam (you know, in a 'for two people' sort of way) at the Italian Centre a couple weeks ago, and I finally got around to chopping it up. Some of it got roasted as you see below, and some of it was roasted, mashed then frozen in anticipation of making this loaf over the 'break'.

The yam!

Saturday - Slow Cooker Dal, another one from The Gourmet Slow Cooker. I added a bit of curry powder to the garlic and ginger mix here and I still think it was good move. This recipe was fantastic, and the flavour certainly improved the next day, and even Monday for a tasty lunch. The yogurt provided a tangy creaminess and the cilantro a very necessary brightness and hint of green.

And there's week five.

Meal Planning Saga: Week Four

2011-02-08T23:20:00.002-07:00

I can't believe we've made it a month. Though the whole meal planning process was a bit daunting, we're noticing the benefits - simpler grocery shopping, less stress around meal times, more 'rounded' plates on the table, better lunches via leftovers and, best of all, we're cooking together then sitting down for 45 minutes or so (depending on the meal) each evening. A big plus after busy winter days.

After last week's 'hiccups' we got back on track this week with some pretty enjoyable recipes. As per usual, we kicked the meal planning week off with Sunday dinner.

Sunday - Oven-roasted miso sesame salmon from Moosewood's Simple Suppers. The flavours here were great and I think we'll certainly be oven roasting more fish. But the texture of the 'glaze' was sort of 'starchy', and both Charles and I couldn't help but compare it to the dijon-maple marinade we usually love with salmon - I think we'll stick to the latter in the future. We served this with the 'Pan-Asian slaw,' also from Simple Suppers, and some of those soba noodles still kicking around the pantry.

Monday - was a visit to the Muttart for details on the newest Culina Family addition.

Tuesday - 'Greek' lamb burgers from Epicurious. These were really great, though I think a little less paprika would have been a good idea. We swapped the spinach for the arugula we had in the fridge and made a quick salad on the side. These were also great for lunch the next day with some pita and hummus.

Wednesday - Moroccan spiced 'fish' (trout, in our case), again from Simple Suppers. With a little less heat, and a little less of the spice mixture on the fish itself, this would have been great. Never the less we enjoyed it alongside salad and wild rice for a rounded mid-week dinner.

Thursday - 'Shortcut Chili' from what I'm now realizing is our fall-back cookbook. We were running around a bit this evening, and although this veggie chili from Simple Suppers only required a bit of heating, I put everything in the slow cooker so we could eat when convenient. This recipe called for an entire can of chipotles in adobo; I added four, freezing the rest, and there was a pleasant heat level. In short: don't use the entire can.

Friday - Pizza. Charles made dough from the Bread Baker's Apprentice on Thursday evening, froze four of the six pieces and we had two nice pizzas for a casual Friday evening dinner. One pizza contained tomato sauce, hot mortadella, artichoke hearts, mushrooms and bocconcini, while the other had tomato sauce, mushrooms, bocconcini, smoked bison and fresh basil. While we loved both, the latter was the clear winner - crispy, slightly smoky bison, soft cheese... we'll be combining these ingredients again.

Charles stopped on the way home from work to grab a couple items for dinner and found Crave Cupcakes (7929 104 Street) open, so he grabbed a dozen mini cupcakes ($16.95) for dessert (okay, dessert and snacking over the weekend).

Saturday - Goat cheese and squash ravioli with mushrooms and arugula. Four weeks ago when school was not yet taking up so much brain space, Charles made some pasta dough while I filled it with the squash-goat cheese mixture, freezing it for later days. We broke it out Saturday night, cooking down a mixture of mushrooms we'd picked up at the Italian Centre with some sage, onions, garlic and vegetable broth. Topped with more of that arugula that won't leave the fridge, this meal was one of the more nicely balanced ones we've created, with tangy goat cheese, silky pasta, rich mushroom 'sauce' and peppery arugula mixing well.

This week has been chicken, risotto, and soup so far. Tomorrow night is slow cooker goulash which we're looking forward to. Enjoy the rest of your week everyone!