Salutes and Shout Outs

Snippets of good news from our everchanging food and beverage scene!

Tre Stelle is celebrating its 60th anniversary with a free commemorative cookbook, “Say Cheese”. Of 3,000 recipes from across Canada, our recipe for Spinach, Bacon, and Feta Salad is one of 60 featured! Download free in English or French at trestelle.ca/cookbook, or snag a limited edition copy for $39.95 with all profits to Canada’s frontline workers.

Alberta’s love of pizza knows no bounds!

Cochrane’s Half Hitch Brewing’s sister company, The Mash, has been so successful in Airdrie, selling out of their 400, 10-inch pizzas every day, that they’ve opened in Kensington too! Using spent grain from their Papa Bear Prairie Ale for their dough is not only environmentally friendly, it’s nutritious and delicious! Enjoy best-selling Dill Pickle and Bacon, and Wild Mushroom pizzas on the beautiful hidden patio. 7 days from 11 am with free private parking after 5:30 pm.

Joe West Pizza is the latest venture from the team behind Edmonton’s Vintage Fork, and Chef Salar Melli is proud of the organic flour he uses for his hearty, cheese-baked pan crusts. There’s a pizza for everyone from Meat Lovers, topped with four types of sausage, to Vegetarian Ratatouille loaded with veggies! Closed Mondays.

Now Brett McDermott’s Our Daily Brett has moved to a larger space on Calgary’s 14 Street SW, he’s opened a new dine-in/ take out pizza spot, Actually Pretty Good in the original location. With partner, Chris Gale, of Fairmont Banff Springs’ Castello Ristorante, they’re serving up both classic and creative, thin crust, “California-style” pizzas, with house-made, gluten-friendly crust and plant-based mozza options. A choice of starters, salads and pastas too. Open seven days.

There’s a new restaurant at River Cree Casino, Italia, with a mouth-watering menu. We’re drooling for Alaskan scallops

with charred cauliflower risotto and double-smoked bacon; their roasted lingcod cioppino with many goodies from the sea; wild mushroom gnocchi with arugula and oven-dried tomatoes; beef tip and wild mushroom pappardelle; grainfed veal chop; and game hen Parmesan. Mmm mmm! Wednesday–Sunday, 5 pm-10 pm.

In Calgary, Blink has been revamped from the more corporate, upscale restaurant to a second Annabelle’s Kitchen, after the success of the Marda Loop location. Executive Chef, Chris Dewling, is still heading up the kitchen of this casual Italian eatery, with a menu of antipasti, pizzas and pastas, as well as favourites from Blink’s lunch menu. Open TuesdaySaturday. Not stopping there, they’ve also launched Annabelle’s Kitchen catering division, for social gatherings at home!

On the Move! Doughnut Party has a new home in Edmonton’s Brewery District, at 11980 104 Avenue, next door to Tokiwa Ramen. Open for walk-ins, or order at doughnutparty.ca for delivery and pickup! Wednesday-Sunday.

From lobster gnocchi to Tuscan baked cheese dip with flatbread chips, and plenty more high-end comfort food in between, Edmonton’s Villa Bistro has moved from 104 Street to the former Nello’s spot at 11520 100 Avenue.

Not only can you eat well at some of our new restaurants, but now you can also pick up curated grocery items. A1 Bodega has opened in Calgary’s Two Penny space, and it’s fabulous. The aim is zero food waste, and you’ll find products from other restaurants in the group - Calcutta Cricket Club, and Native Tongues, A1’s housebaked breads and sauces, as well local

artisan products like Empire Provisions sausage, Salt Craft salamis, dried goods, fruit, veg, cleaners, ice cream, ice, seafood and socks! And to the left is the Café – with stunning dishes for every meal of the day from Chef Mharlon Atienza. Aperitivo hour is from 3-5 pm and includes free tapas with your drink. A snack bar, stone deck pizza oven for pides, beautiful west-facing secret patio, and the most delicious veggie, seafood, pasta and meat dishes, make A1 a must-visit. Open every day from 9 am.

And in Edmonton, next to the always excellent Sabor Restaurant, Bodega Pantry is now open for you to take home Spanish and Portuguese pantry staples, as well as made-to-order sandwiches, meats, cheese, salads, fresh seafood, signature sauces and dressings, and desserts. 11:30 am-8:30 pm, closed Sundays.

Staying in Edmonton, Taste Of Shangri-La has made 9563 118 Avenue its home, in the ex-Sloppy Hoggs

location. There’s a huge menu of

Indian, Chinese,

Hakka, and Nepali dishes with many veggie options, as well as classic cocktails and mocktails. Open every day from 11 am to late.

Soleil Bistro is the new sibling to Calgary’s Patisserie Du Soleil – pastry chefs to the stars and famous, who’ve spent 21 years under the radar. It’s long overdue for the spotlight to shine on Ala Nahal and his daughter Zoe - they strongly believe everyone should have access to affordable good food. Featuring produce from local farmers, you’ll love the lamb skewers with smoked garlic yogurt, the most tender octopus skewers with tomatoes and olives, and be head over heels about the beignet bombs filled with cream cheese, goat cheese and chives. Michelin Star Chef Zoltan Csiki’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu of small and large plates is phenomenal value. Opens 8 am, closed Mondays.

There’s no stopping Zee Zaidi, who has opened his 9th Remedy Café in Edmonton’s Bell Tower at 10104 103 Avenue. 11 rule-breaking chicken and veggie wraps, as well as samosas and dhosas, are hugely popular, and his chai recipe is making rounds of its own with seven flavours to choose from! Monday–Friday, 8 am–4 pm.

Tommy Mac likes to enjoy his work, and believes that food should make people smile. He super-sources the ingredients for his burger joint in Calgary’s Chinatown, Phat-Tee Foods, and serves blended in-house, AAA Angus patties with an Asian twist. Try the Phat-Tee burger with egg and bacon, or creamy, scrambled egg and spam. Next door is Mac’s fully remodeled, Uzu Taiyeki ice cream parlour, now expanded to offer soft-serve, roll, scoop, and vegan ice cream in a variety of flavours, like pandan and ube, and cereal and milk! 12-8 pm, closed Mondays.

Across the street is the new tropical Vietnamese bar, Paper Lantern. Nhi Tran and brother-in-law, Tanner, are passionate about cocktails, and it shows. Mom, Nguyen, is in the kitchen creating amazing flavours and textures for snacks, rolls, subs and bowls – you’d swear the marinaded tofu was meat! No signs, no reservations necessary, but available. Thursday-Saturday, 5 pm-close.

Calgary’s first fast food, vegan burger joint, VBurger, has opened on 17 Avenue SW. Chef Andrea Harling has developed recipes for chickpea patties, Chick’n Bites, cheese sauce and gravy, dips and desserts, and Chef Logan Hamilton, latterly of Made Foods and Bravo Bistro, is heading up the kitchen to deliver some astonishingly deceptive and tasty dishes – we’re still scratching our heads over the most amazing chickpea ice cream and vegan shakes in a wide variety of flavours! 7 days 11 am – 10 pm.

Fairmont Banff Springs has reopened the classic, yet contemporary, Rundle Bar after a beautiful refurbishment. Afternoon tea has been elegantly served here since 1888, and is still yours to enjoy from 11:30 am-3 pm, with an Asian-inspired menu of snacks, small and large plates for lunch and dinner. Rundle Rush Hour is 4-6 pm when you can enjoy a signature cocktail from $10, with live music from local artists 5-7 pm, and 9 pm-midnight.

Masters of build your box, Basil Box, have opened their bright and modern, fourth Alberta location in CrossIron Mills. Go for a keto, low fat, low calorie, or high fibre signature box or choose your base, veggies, protein, sauces, and toppings to build your own, and wash it all down with a tropical green tea or soda. Healthy, fast, satisfying, and delicious!

Calgary’s community-spirited, The Beltliner has joined the Starbelly Group, securing its future as an all-day diner serving next-level, organic comfort food, an upgraded cocktail menu, and Coffeeland takeaway program with from-scratch pastries and sandwiches. We loved Executive Chef Justin Lall and Head Chef Jason Paulhus’ tomato saffron bouillabaisse and we’re coming back for their black truffle chicken pot pie and chana masala rice bowl. A new puppy menu is planned for the dogfriendly patio too! 7 days, early-late.

Kensington’s much-loved Vendome Café has reopened its doors after a beautiful refresh – with a new upstairs kitchen, and new, very well-priced, flavourful menu from ex-Yardarm Chef Alejandro Buzzalino. Light and bright, with a relaxing ambiance, Vendome is now open all day and for dinner too! We’re still dreaming about those smoked salmon potato donuts with a creamy garlic dip, Chimichurri Carbonara and Broccoli & Halloumi ‘Caesar’!