SA LUTE S & S H O UT O UT S Many of the restaurants and bars we’re featuring here may be facing considerable service interruptions, and even temporary closure in the next little while. We have done our best to make sure that the information in this issue is current, but because the situation is changing by the minute, be sure to check before you visit these new openings. Please remember to wash your hands frequently, and stay home if you get sick. Stay safe and healthy! In light of the ever-changing situation, Taste of Bragg Creek has been postponed until September 25. This always-delicious, annual event at the Bragg Creek Community Centre showcases dishes and drinks from Bragg Creek’s local restaurants and vendors, who are offering specials and discounts throughout April instead. Visit tasteofbraggcreek.ca for details. Shhh…. at the back of Sho Sushi, on Calgary’s Macleod Trail, there is a Coca-Cola machine door that leads to the new speakeasy bar, Ajito (secret base of operations in Japanese), a hidden Japanese Izakaya. Don’t tell everyone! Monday–Saturday from 5:30 pm. Rain Dog Bar has opened its doors on 9th Avenue SE in Inglewood. A woodcarved terrier marks the entrance to this unassuming, cozy bar-restaurant with a wonderful feel that perfectly bridges the gap between upscale and casual. We love Chef Chris Lorenz’s fine dining menu, with its little comments and drawings that we can all relate to—those deviled duck eggs and braised onions are crazy good! And there’s an impressive beer list with ever-changing cheese and charcuterie choices too for a max of 50 lucky diners. Open 4 pm, Monday–Saturday. The Uproot Food Collective was started with a singular goal, to offer their customers high-quality food that doesn’t break the bank. Their store at 10552 114 St NW in Edmonton, does just that by promoting local businesses such as South Island Pie, Honest Dumplings, Irvings Farm Fresh, and MoJoJo Pickles— definitely worth a visit! 6 Culinaire | April 2020
Congratulations to Sunterra Market on celebrating 50 years in farming, and the 30th anniversary of their Banker’s Hall location, which has just re-opened after a major renovation. It’s doubled in size, with an expanded salad bar, Italian forno oven pizzas, pasta made from scratch, rotisserie meats, and a lot more! There’s now extra seating, wine and beer too, and still an ongoing emphasis on locally sourced food. Open Monday–Friday from 6:30 am, 9 am on Saturday. More congrats go to the winners of YYC Hot Chocolate Fest. Odyssey Coffeehouse won the ‘best hot chocolate’ award, Flower & Wolf won the ‘best spirited hot chocolate’ award, and Alforno Bakery and Café took home the ‘cup that runneth over’ award. Great job all! Congrats too to Edmonton-based cook and founder of Tomato Wheels, Moirae Choquette, who has won the Airbnb Scholarship, and the opportunity to work alongside renowned chef and owner of the Momofuku Group, David Chang, at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, Italy. We can’t wait for the launch of her products later this year!
Calgary’s Carmine’s Pizzeria has opened a new location on Palliser Drive SW. Serving up a wide variety of authentic New York Style pizzas as well as cheesy baked lasagna, juicy meatballs, mouth-watering jalapeno poppers and more. Decadent desserts await too. Open 7 days, 4–10 pm. Catering is available daily from 11 am. St. Albert is welcoming Link’s Woodfire Sausage Co. on Carnegie Drive, with its focus on high-quality, locally produced, and made-from-scratch sausages, all grilled over a wood fire. Yum! From 11 am, closed Sundays. American-based wing chain, Wing Snob, has opened their first Canadian location in Edmonton’s Brewery District, serving up chicken wings tossed in a lip-smacking choice of house-made signature sauces. Open every day 11 am to midnight, at 11988-104 Avenue. South African style curry restaurant, The Curry Bowl, has opened in Edmonton too, offering up big portions of delicious dishes such as chicken bunny chow, fish biryani, and peri-peri chicken livers. Open seven days from 11 am, at 3311 34 St NW.
