Salutes and Shout Outs

Outdoor summer markets are now open across the province. Do check their websites for hours, and let’s all enjoy local produce from our growers and crafted artisanal products!

Our restaurants need our support more than ever right now, and as ex-chefs/ cooks themselves, Knifewear know it only too well and are offering free knife sharpening to all Calgary and Edmonton restaurants whose dining rooms have temporarily closed. We love this, way to go Knifewear!

So many restaurants are offering takeout picnic items and baskets for you to enjoy in our parks, it’s impossible to mention them all here, so we hope you’ll try several this month. Please remember to take your leftovers and garbage home with you though…

Both Calgary and Edmonton city councils are piloting test programs allowing alcohol to be consumed outdoors this summer. Until October 11 those 18+ can responsibly sip at 47 designated Edmonton picnic sites, and until September 7 at select picnic tables in Calgary. Check the cities’ websites for details.

We’re impressed with Empire Provisions’ Restaurant Bingo in Calgary and we’re not alone - Meuwly’s and 124 Street Grand Market are too, and have now launched their own for Edmonton - Eat 124 Street Bingo! You’ll not only feel good for supporting the restaurants, there’s a fabulous prize up for grabs! See @meuwlys and @124grandmarket on Instagram.

Chef Daniel Costa’s Zio's by Bricco is offering fried chicken and fried eggplant sandwiches, baked pasta, desserts, and beverages for pick up at Corso 32, 10345 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, 4-9 pm, Friday-Sunday. Order online at bricco-to-go.corso32group.com.

Brothers Lutz and Nils Kuenz, of Calgary’s Great Events Group, have gone back to their first love – baking, and opened Cravings Bakery at Granary Road Farmers’ Market. Their breads are an old-world, artisan style from their German roots, with locally sourced traditional grains, and uncommon ones like triticale and einkorn. We loved the focaccia with its flavourful toppings, the baguettes, and the spelt muesli loaf - the chive savoury scones didn’t even make it home! It’s pure comfort food, but with brown sugar and wholegrain flour in the sweet bakes. Those, like us, that love seeded breads will be overjoyed. Pastries Monday-Thursday, breads and pastries Friday-Sunday 9-5 pm.

Edmonton’s Longroof Brewing Co. has opened its taproom doors at 9916 72 Avenue for howler and growler fills of their first five beers – for now, until we can sip our suds on their spacious patio! Thursday-Sunday, longroofbrewing.ca for hours.

Also in Edmonton, Hoang Long Casual Fare has opened a sister restaurant,

Hoang Long Rice & Noodle Shop

- and conveniently for noodle lovers, it’s in the old Prairie Noodle Shop space at 10350 124 Street.

Congratulations to Laine Fedrau and Darian Gustufson on their second Vegan Street location in Inglewood’s refurbished Salt & Pepper spot. Vegan Street Taco Bar is still vegan but with a completely different vibe – fresh and bright (with a terrific wall mural from Rachel Lyon), and taco-focused! No Fish Tacos are their #1 seller, and now they’ve added another five flavours (like the popular mushroom crumbled 'beaf') with more to come, as well as superb Poké Tostadas and yucca fries, and more. We’re excited for the 150-seat patio, where you’ll find us sipping local beers and margaritas when we can. Seven days, 12-8 pm.

Pablo Cheese Tart is expanding outside Japan, and has now opened an Edmonton location at 10163 81 Avenue. Expect to queue for your freshly baked, matcha, chocolate, and premium, family-size cheese tarts and fruit-topped minis, along with specialty smoothies and sundaes – the Calgary location is opening soon! pablocanada.com.

We’re extending a warm welcome to Executive Chef Nicholas Issel, who has taken over the reins and will oversee all seven restaurants as well as events at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. With 25 years of global experience under his belt, we can’t wait for the return of dining-in to enjoy his menus!

Try as we might to be accurate in bringing you the latest news, the regulations are changing every few weeks for restaurants, so they may have changed again when you read this page. Pease do check with the restaurants - we’d hate to see you disappointed!