By Joel Dryden
If you couldn’t tell by the beautiful greens and yellows now colouring Edmonton’s river valley, fall has officially settled in – but there’s not much time before those leaves are covered in snow. With that in mind, November might be your last chance this year to check out some new restaurants and local events in (relatively) pleasant weather. Here’s the best of our city this month. [Photo credit: flickr.com/photos/iqremix]
Open since Oct. 20, London Local is the brainchild of Gold Medal Plates award-winning chef Lindsay Porter, previously of Woodwork Restaurant. The English-inspired restaurant serves up high-quality dishes you might find on a trip across the pond, including mussels and clams, Scotch eggs and (of course!) fish ‘n chips.
One of the most popular eateries a stone’s throw away from Edmonton has to be Privada Wine and Tapas, located in St. Albert. Edmontonians who have long made the short trek out to Privada will be thrilled to know that the owners of that establishment have opened a new eatery in the historic Alberta Hotel location on Jasper Avenue. Previously the home of multiple shuttered restaurants, the new Revel Bistro and Bar is a natural fit in the old space, with a modern menu of chicken, beef, oysters and more.
We track new restaurant openings in this space each month, but we’ve also noticed certain food trends developing across Edmonton as it becomes more and more of a culinary destination. From “bingsu” to plant-based junk food, a number of local eateries have been offering up adventurous fare on a more regular basis. Thankfully, Sarah Sussman has tracked down just a few of those recent Edmonton trends in this Smart Tip.
Since 1957, The Yardbird Suite has been Edmonton’s jazz institution, serving as a venue for up-and-coming musicians but also hosting international players like Sheila Jordan, Wynton Marsalis and Woody Shaw. The tradition will continue during the annual Yardbird Festival of Canadian Jazz, running Nov. 3 to 11 and featuring performers like Peter Belec, Cara Matthew and the Thom Bennett Quartet.
The temperature is almost certain to drop significantly in our city this month, so why not warm up with some delicious food and drink? The Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival is turning 20 this year, so head down to the Shaw Conference Centre Nov. 10 and 11 to try some of the best in local cuisine, along with wine, scotch and beer samples.
Rodeo season doesn’t end just because it’s a bit chilly outside! One of the biggest events on the rodeo circuit, the Canadian Finals Rodeo, will kick off Nov. 8 at Northlands. Get your fill of saddle bronc, steer wrestling and other rodeo action as the country’s top competitors converge to claim the ultimate prize in Canadian rodeo.
They don’t call Edmonton the “winter city” for nothing – it gets cold in northern Alberta quick (and for long stretches of time). November can really go either way in our city, but make sure you’re prepared by stocking up on toques and scarves and various cocooning essentials.
Christmas still seems like it’s ages away, but it’s approaching faster than you think! It’ll be even more obvious as Edmonton gets into the festive spirit early, with events like Christmas on the Square Holiday Light Up and the Edmonton Santa Claus Parade scheduled in November. Why not get some of the Christmas shopping done early? We’ve got tips on where to find just the right thing for Mom and for the little ones in your life, as well the best spots for trees and wreaths.
That’s just a few of the events scheduled in Edmonton this November. Fall is fleeting in Alberta, with long stretches of winter taking over quickly – so make the most of this month before the temperature dips!
