HAPPY GARDEN THROWS FAREWELL BASH
For more than 30 years, residents of Park Allen have enjoyed a fabulous Chinese restaurant by the name of Happy Garden (6525 111th St.) nestled in their midst.
On Sunday, the family-owned restaurant threw a party for regular customers to say thank you, and goodbye. The restaurant has now closed, leaving behind bittersweet memories of its beloved green onion cakes, Szechuan beef and lemon chicken.
Susan Tang, speaking on behalf of her parents, chef Ellen Luc and Thai Tang, says the family will take a much-deserved rest before deciding what to do next. There are no plans, however, to open another incarnation of the popular eatery, which the Tang family purchased from the original owner in 1986.
“There are lots of variables to weigh,” Susan says, noting her parents are approaching retirement age and there are many challenges, from finding staff to increasing food and wage costs, in running a restaurant.
The landlord gave Happy Garden three months’ notice to vacate in July, but the family decided to leave before the end of the three months because they were so overwhelmed by the crowds wanting to visit the restaurant one final time, or even for the first time, once learning it was closing.
Susan says “every day has been like Mother’s Day,” and the family shuttered the restaurant for several days in August to catch their breath.
Susan says her parents have enjoyed getting to know customers over the years and are sad to lose that link. Some regulars had their first dates at Happy Garden, then returned over the years with children in tow — some now university students.
Customers hearing of the closure reacted with “outright anger, sadness and a general sense of loss,” she says.
“Over this past month or so I’ve been asked numerous times: ‘Where am I supposed to eat now?’ and a look of disbelief as they walk out the door,” Susan says.
“Over the years we have got to know all our customers and have had the pleasure to be a part of their milestones.”
I am certain readers will join me in wishing the best of luck to the whole Tang family, and in
thanking them for their years of service to Edmonton diners.
I recently caught a lovely, intimate show by a big local talent, Colleen Brown, at the Mercury Room (10575 114th St.) and was surprised, albeit in a good way, to see an unusual item on the merchandise table. Right there beside the T-shirts and CDs were tidy little brown bags of granola — made by Brown herself.
Who knew? Brown bases her recipe on the one she grew up with, except this granola is gluten-free and vegan. Containing oats, gluten-free flour mix (including brown rice and amaranth), along with almonds, pecans, flax seeds and vanilla bourbon extra, Brown says the mixture benefits from a solid four hours of her attention (and a good deal of CBC radio listening time).
Watch for the granola at her next concert. Details of Brown’s schedule are on her website, colleenbrownmusic.com.
The Marc is celebrating its fifth anniversary Oct. 5 with a classic touch — that is, offering one of its favourite combinations at a very good price. Yes, Patrick and Doris Saurette are serving Champagne and Frites for $50 in a special that runs between Oct. 1 and Oct. 10.
The champagne is a Brut Rose from Austria by Brundlmayer. The Marc is at 9940 106 St. 780-429-2828, themarc.ca.
In other anniversary news, The Sherlock Holmes Pub on Bourbon Street at West Edmonton Mall celebrates 30 years in business Sept. 30. To mark the occasion, the pub (with three locations in Edmonton) will send two lucky customers to London, England for a week.
Managing partner Gary Tomchuk notes Sherlock Holmes Hospitality is proud of its community involvement, and will make a donation of nearly $40,000 to the Alberta Cancer Foundation to mark the anniversary.
Furthermore, the pub is launching a mentorship program with the Youth Empowerment and Support Services (YESS) to assist youth in getting employment at Sherlock Holmes pubs. sherlockholmeshospitality.com
The Little Potato Company, which recently kicked off a Little Chef program to help children learn about cooking and nutrition, wants families to know there is a great contest for those involved with the program.
A lucky family could win a grand prize of a trip to Paris, and finalists will have a chance to cook their potato recipe on CTV’s The Marilyn Denis show. For more details, visit the Little Potato website at littlepotatoes.com.