Chef moves from Murietta’s to Vons
The Mac is also getting a new top cook
Chef Shane Chartrand has left Murrieta’s on Whyte Avenue and moved a few blocks east to Vons Steak House and Oyster Bar to run the kitchen. He’s reworking the menu, too. Watch for baby Yorkshire puddings stuffed with Irving’s pork, bone marrow and bacon jelly. I’ll be at Vons for a kickoff dinner in May as part of my upcoming food tour to Italy, so will be anxious to see what chef has up his (white) sleeve. Vons is at 10309 81st Ave. (780439-0041).
In other chef travels, Andrew Ihasz, who has been executive chef at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald, 10065 100th St., for five years, is moving to the new Renaissance Hotel at the Edmonton International Airport. The Renaissance, part of The Marriott brand, will have 213 rooms and is scheduled to open in July. No word yet on a new executive chef at the Mac.
Enjoy a Tuscan meal without the jet lag on Wednesday, April 17, at Massimo’s Italian Kitchen, 5012 104A St. Prepared by sous chef Koema Francheschi, the meal is $35 (without tip and liquor) and might be a good way to check out the new restaurant, located right beside the Italian Centre on the south side. There will be an antipasti of marinated vegetables with polenta crostini, followed by pappardelle with Alberta beef ragout, and pork tenderloin wrapped in guanciale (pork jowl, for those unfamiliar with Italian pigs). Call 780-439-4869 for details.
Simply Supper is a meal preparation studio in the city’s southwest that has put together a fondue package, complete with instructions, to make this choice an easy and elegant entertaining option. The $120 package comes frozen, must be ordered three days in advance, and serves six to eight people. It includes a selection of marinated meats, plus shrimp and scallops, dips and beef broth for the cooking process. A spinach and artichoke cheese fondue, plus a brownie for dessert, complete the package. Simply Supper is at #1, 2305 Rabbit Hill Road (780-4336958).
Fans of Cafe Amore, formerly located near Alberta Avenue, will be keen to hear that the restaurant is poised to open its new location at 10807 106th Ave. Co-owner Cristo Crudo expects to have the restaurant’s signature Pasta Pescatore on the table by April 22, but call first to check at 780477-7896.
The Arbour Room in Rutherford House, the Edwardianera home located on the University of Alberta campus, has buffed up its menu with fresh items crafted by chef Brett Monaghan.
Highlights include a housemade Lorne Sausage — a traditional Scottish meat loaf good for the bracing spring days ahead — as well as Croque Monsieur and a couple of new brunch dishes for Sundays. Sampling the Sticky Toffee Pudding (dense and brown, with a saucy top) reinforced my core belief: life is too short to share dessert.
Executive director Michaëlle Haughian notes that Mother’s Day is the biggest event of the year in the Arbour Room. In fact, Mother’s Day is already fully booked, but the day before, Saturday, May 11, is also deemed Mother’s Day at Rutherford House, and there will be three high-tea seatings at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Call 780-422-2697 (11153 Saskatchewan Dr.).
I am thinking of pitching a tent on 104th Street and moving in. That’s because the street — already home to Evoolution, the Blue Plate Diner, Tzin and DeVine Wines — gets cooler by the day. Now, a new wine, cheese and coffee spot called The Cavern has opened. Its proprietor, Tricia Bell, is obsessed with the care and nurturing of cheese, and has also brought in Coava coffee from Portland. Watch this space for more on The Cavern, located downstairs at 10169 104th St. (780-716-6839).
Hans Kuhnel, longtime owner of the Creperie, is celebrating 37 years in business with a lunch and dinner special from Sunday to Friday throughout the month of April. Guests can enjoy twoor three-course dinners for $37 for a party of two. If you go at lunch, the price is $30 for two. Call 780-420-6656. The Creperie is downstairs in the Boardwalk building, 10220 103rd St.
Cooking instructor and culinary tour leader Gail Hall is taking registration for her annual market-based cooking classes.
The classes see the chef take students to the City Market (right outside her front door at the Cobogo Lofts, 10249 104th St.) to stroll the stalls, picking up lots of fresh food along the way. Then everybody goes back to Gail’s place and cooks together, creating a lovely meal and a memorable experience.
The $175 classes are limited to 10 people and run throughout the summer, starting on May 25. Call 780-437-0761 or email gail@seasonedsolutions.ca.