Taste of Edmonton 2014

Taste of Edmonton is a local food lover's paradise. There are a number of new restaurants and dishes in the festival this year. One of the tried and true is the Beijing Style Kung Pow Chicken from The Lingnan. I only had a spoonful of this as it was for someone else, but it was full of spicy flavour and chicken, on top of a bed of rice. Really intense.

For me, the only menu item I chose to get again from previous years was the dry spicy chicken from The Lingnan. I can only eat a few pieces but it is worth the lingering burning on my lips.

The Fried Green Tomatoes from Creole Envie was my absolute must-try for this year, probably for the same reason as many others: the movie of the same name. That being said, for only two tickets I got at least six slices of lightly breaded and fried green tomatoes, which tasted slightly acidic with a nice crunch, accented by the creole aioli.

I was really happy to see Aboriginal food being represented this year by the inclusion of Native Delights. The bannock fry bread, made with non-GMO ingredients, was absolutely delightful: not greasy but crispy on the outside, with a chewy inside and slight sweetness.

I have not had the courage to visit Pampa Brazilian Steakhouse as I do not think I have the fortitude to withstand such a meat overload, but the Beef Garlic Rump Steak satisfied my curiosity. Rump can be a very tough cut, but this was marinated to perfection and the garlic was not overpowering. Although I had one bite that was practically all fat, overall I enjoyed the skewer.

I love lentils so was overjoyed to discover the yellow lentil dish Ater Kik Alecha Wok from Langano Skies, another restaurant that I have heard many good things about but have never ventured within. Served with a small piece of sour injera bread, this was a great dish for vegetarians and a gentle introduction to Ethiopian food.

The Beef Short Rib and Mash from Normand's Bistro was one of my favourite dishes of the afternoon. The meat was practically melting in my mouth, the mashed potatoes were creamy, and the sauce was at once sweet and savoury.

I had to wait a while to get a Jamaican Beef Patty from Irie Foods (2807 Millwoods Road), because they were sold out. Once I finally got my hands on one, I could see why. The size is fairly substantial, with a light, flaky pastry filled with spicy beef. Served in a paper bag, it was slightly awkward to eat, but really good value and ideal for people who like it hot.

The Pineapple Chicken from Blue Willow was for someone else, but I managed to sneak a bite of the lightly breaded chicken in a sweet pineapple sauce.

By this point I was winding down and desiring dessert. The Black Forest Whoopie Pie from the Edmonton Petroleum Club was my choice. The whipped cream and cherry filling between two chocolate cake wafers was certainly good satisfaction for my sweet tooth, although I would have enjoyed more of the cherry.

I was out of tickets by now but retrieved dessert for someone else, and how I wish this Jack Daniels Apple Crumble with Ice Cream from On The Rocks was mine!

Taste of Edmonton 2013

Taste of Edmonton is one of the city's best events if you are a food blogger. Dozens of restaurants set up in Churchill Square to offer small samples of their menus items. This year, several restaurants are new to the festival, while yearly regulars are offering new menu items.

Today was the first day of version 2013, and I headed to Churchill Square for lunch. Myself and a friend pitched in and bought 60 tickets - enough for quite the sampling. And then, the fun began.

I had to start things off with the green onion cake from Hong King Bakery. It's crispy outside, soft inside, and generally wonderful texture makes it my favourite onion cake in the city and I look forward to it every year.

My friend adores the pineapple chicken from Blue Willow, and it is something he returns to every year as well. The large portion did not seem much bigger than the regular one though. That was one of the major changes this year - some menu items had regular and small options for different ticket values.

I did not get a chance to sample this hand crafted orange and tangerine ice cream sandwich from Blue Willow, but my friend said it was worth the awkward effort eating it. I think the crispy sandwich part and cold filling would make a delicious contrast in texture.

The chicken tikka and garlic naan from New Asian Village was full of flavour. I found the regular serving more than adequate, with its plentiful vegetables and chicken chunks.

Padmanadi is one of my favourite restaurants and their menu items this year are excellent choices for people wishing to sample vegan goodness. The chicken drumsticks have a great texture: crisp on the outside and stringy on the inside, with a flavour that does resemble the carnivore version.

The chili chicken also had a realistic texture and a sauce with sweetness and a kick. Definitely a winner when it comes to "fake meat." And, at only three tickets an item, Padmanadi has great value also.

The dry, spicy chicken from Lingnan is another annual favourite and we each had to have our own portion. Another great value at three tickets (but noticeably smaller than last year's portion) the pieces of chicken are breaded and fried to perfection. The hot pepper flakes abound - be sure to have something on hand to drink!

The chicken penne from Old Spaghetti Factory was hands down, my friend's favourite and he ended up having another portion! I took a quick taste. While the penne was a perfect al dente, the chicken felt rubbery to me.

This was on our "must try" list. The s'more fritters from Mercer Tavern are a deep fried, hot, sticky, fun dessert. Very very rich - it was perfect for sharing. I didn't really taste any marshmallow as the chocolate dominated (not a bad thing necessarily).

The avocado roll from Zinc packed a huge flavour punch into one little spring roll. The middle is a puree of avocado, tomatoes, and various seasonings. I was detecting that the avocado was a touch over-ripe. The cilantro honey pesto was the star - sweet with cilantro highlights. At three tickets for only one roll it is a bit on the pricey side, but it was one of the most memorable Taste of Edmonton items I have ever sampled.

I had a few forkfuls of the Pad Thai from Numchok Wilai - one of the dishes I enjoyed last year and my friend requested. Just as I recalled, the noodles were firm and flavourful - and the dish is vegetarian to boot!

I found the steak bites from Canadian Brewhouse a little too chewy for my taste, although my friend loved them and the sesame steak sauce.

The tandoori chicken samosa from Guru was another favourite from last year that I had to try again. Once again, it was packed full of minced tandoori chicken in a coating that was soft enough to manipulate with a fork (without things getting too awkward) but still had some crunch to it.

When you are eating lots of great food in the hot sun, you need something to wash it down with. I decided to sacrifice four tickets for 24 ounces of Lemon Heaven. It got very hot this afternoon and this tasted so good.

Then, I had to jump into the City Hall wading pool to cool off! I had a wonderful afternoon at Taste of Edmonton and still have a few tickets left over. A return visit is planned for next week.

Taste of Edmonton 2012: Cappuccino Chocolate Shooter Cup from Sutton Place Hotel

Taste of Edmonton 2012, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

What do you do at Taste of Edmonton when you only have one food ticket left? You head to the Sutton Place Hotel booth and have a Cappuccino Chocolate Shooter Cup!

This confection is a one-bite wonder, with a solid chocolate bottom, filled with mousse delicately flavoured with coffee, and topped with a chocolate straw. No chocolate lover can go wrong with this!

Taste of Edmonton 2012: Channa Masala and Saffron Rice from New Asian Village

Taste of Edmonton 2012, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I hadn't really had an Indian food at Taste of Edmonton this year, so I decided to spend three tickets at New Asian Village and have their Channa Masala and Saffron Rice. Channa Masala is one of my favourite Indian dishes, and New Asian Village's interpretation is divine. The chickpeas were cooked to perfection, and the sauce had the right mix of sweet and savoury. And for only three tickets, the portion was huge.

Taste of Edmonton 2012: Pepper Steak on Rice from L'Espresso

Taste of Edmonton 2012, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I've always thought of L'Espresso Cafe as more of a coffee shop than eatery. Their Pepper Steak on Rice is one of the dishes I came back to try.

The combination of sauteed beef, bell peppers, and onions were delectable. The peppers in particular were thoroughly cooked and soft, while retaining their natural flavours. I would have wishes for more beef, but the portion size was decent.

Taste of Edmonton 2012: Jack Daniels Apple Crumble from On The Rocks

Taste of Edmonton 2012, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

He regretted not having any dessert when we visited Taste of Edmonton last week, and vowed to make up for it now. I also managed to sneak a taste when I brought him his requested Jack Daniels Apple Crumble with Ice Cream from On The Rocks. I could not really taste the Jack Daniels - I may have detected a bit of it in the crust - but otherwise this is apple crumble in its finest. Of course, you have to have vanilla ice cream with it. You just do.

Taste of Edmonton 2012: Angus Gold Steak Bites from Canadian Brewhouse

Taste of Edmonton 2012, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I headed back to Taste of Edmonton one more time this afternoon. It was quite crowded considering it was only the middle of the day.

My first "taste" was from The Canadian Brewhouse. I only had a couple of the Angus Gold Steak Bites with Steak Sauce, but they were lean, soft, and delicious. The steak sauce was sesame-based, and almost superfluous - the flavour of the beef here really stood on its own.

Taste of Edmonton 2012: Chocolate Lava Cake with Raspberry Sorbet from Hong Kong Bakery

Taste of Edmonton 2012, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

No visit to Taste of Edmonton would be complete without dessert. This one was almost too cute to eat! Hong Kong Bakery's Chocolate Lava Cake was made in the shape of a mouse, the raspberry sorbet being the head, chocolate discs and pieces being the eyes and ears, and a cookie stick as a tail. The chocolate, pudding-filled cake was heated in a microwave before being plated and dusted lightly with icing sugar. Very decadent and delicious.

Taste of Edmonton 2012: Beijing Style Kung Pow Chicken from The Lingnan

Taste of Edmonton 2012, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

Later in the day, I headed back to The Lingnan's booth and tried out the Beijing Style Kung Pow Chicken. It is like a chicken stew in a sweet and spicy sauce, over white rice. Very hot and fresh, I am impressed with the quality of The Lingnan's product. I also found it was more spicy than the Dry Spicy Chicken I had earlier - way more spicy. I was unfortunately not able to finish my portion, as by this time I had no one to share it with.

Taste of Edmonton 2012: Dry Spicy Chicken From The Lingnan

Taste of Edmonton 2012, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I have to admit it: I have never eaten at The Lingnan (nor its counterpart Chicken for Lunch). Every time I go, there is a sign on the door warning of a possible two hour wait for food. At Chicken for Lunch, the line ups are daunting, and I have never been able to figure out exactly how to order (though I am getting tutorials from friends!).

I decided it was time to take the leap and try some Lingnan food. The Dry and Spicy Chicken is a popular dish, and I found it delicious. The chicken was fresh and tender, the batter flavourful, and it wasn't even overwhelmingly spicy. It was simply addictive.

Taste of Edmonton 2012: Prime Rib Stuffed Mini Yorkshire Puddings from On The Rocks

Taste of Edmonton 2012, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

Last year, On The Rocks had one of my facourite Taste of Edmonton menu items, with their Mini Steak Sandwiches. I was sad they were not on the menu again this year, but was looking forward to trying the Prime Rib Stuffed Mini Yorkshire Puddings.

What a let down. The shaved prime rib was fatty, had hard parts that were impossible to chew, and wasn't even all that hot. The horseradish sauce underneath tasted like it had merely been purchased off the shelf in a grocery, and the puddings themselves were just bland. The poor quality of the meat made it nearly impossible to eat all three components together, which may have made some difference, but overall this dish was a disappointment.

Taste of Edmonton 2012: Falafel from Drift

Taste of Edmonton 2012, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

The woman in line next to me struck up a conversation, saying that her checking out the falafel from Drift was an experiment, as she was having trouble finding good falafel in Edmonton. I agreed, stating that many falafel I have had, have indeed been "awful."

I certainly hope she found the experiment a success, because I was definitely impressed with the fried chick pea patties. They were fresh and crispy, but what made this dish unique were the pickled red onions and house made tzatziki sauce. Honestly, I could have downed a shooter of that creamy tzatziki. Total win - I want a full sized one soon!

Taste of Edmonton 2012: Potato Fritters from Guru

Taste of Edmonton 2012, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

After my excellent experience with Guru's Tandoori Chicken Samosa, later in the day I tried the Potato Fritters.

The fritters are thin slices of potato that have been saturated with curry, then breaded, deep fried, and seasoned. They certainly pack a flavour punch, but be sure to use plenty of the sweet tamarind sauce, as they are also somewhat dry. The portion size is shareable as well.

Taste of Edmonton 2012: Tandoori Chicken Samosa from Guru

Taste of Edmonton 2012, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

At first, I thought four tickets was a bit of a steep price for one Tandoori Chicken Samosa from Guru. However, as soon as I opened up the crispy outer shell, I was overwhelmed with just how much chicken was packed in there. I have had samosas with beef and vegetables before, but never tandoori chicken. This is a unique item that I highly recommend.

Taste of Edmonton 2012: Pad Thai at Numchok Wilai

Taste of Edmonton 2012, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

Thai eatery Numchok Wilai was recently listed in the latest edition of Where to Eat in Canada.

The version of their Pad Thai being served up this year is vegetarian, with tofu as the protein. The noodles are springy and coated in the delicious sauce. I would definitely want to try out a full portion based on this sample.

Taste of Edmonton 2012: Green Onion Cakes from Hong Kong Bakery

Taste of Edmonton 2012, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

It's Taste of Edmonton time again! This year, there are quite a few new menu items, but one that I go for no matter what is the Green Onion Cakes from Hong Kong Bakery. There is none other with the same flavour, texture, and consistency. Total win.

Taste of Edmonton 2011 #9 - Lucky Pockets

Taste of Edmonton 2011, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I have a real sweet tooth, and it is hard to show me something I have never heard of before when it comes to desserts. Lucky Pockets was a new to me dessert courtesy of Blue Willow. Fried, wonton-like pastries were filled with red beans and banana. Red beans are sweet and have a unique flavour. The bananas tended to dominate, however (which is fine by me, as I like bananas). The pockets were a bit hard to chew and did not make for an elegant experience in public. However, I would try these again some time - in private.

Taste of Edmonton 2011 #8 - Tiramisu

Taste of Edmonton 2011, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

Tiramisu is one of my favourite Italian desserts. This version from Pazzo Pazzo was a bit more dry than others I have had, but was bursting with amaretto and chocolate flavours. Several passers-by asked me what it was and where I got it.

Taste of Edmonton 2011 #7 - Sirloin Beef Bowl w/Sesame Sauce

Taste of Edmonton 2011, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

Japanese Village obviously could not bring out an entire teppan grill for their booth, but the beef for their sirloin rice bowl was perfectly thin and cooked. The rice was plain and white, and the sesame sauce like any other I have had on similar dishes. It was a nice combination of flavours and textures, but nothing out of the ordinary.

Taste of Edmonton 2011 #6 - Chicken Souvlaki

Taste of Edmonton 2011, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

Hot, simple, and delicious, this chicken souvlaki from It's All Greek to Me was quite memorable. The spices were perfect, giving the chicken flavour without being overpowering. The buttered crusty bread on the side was a nice touch. I definitely wanted another skewer when I was done - but I controlled myself.