Author: Rebecca

Edmonton and Area Halloween Haunts 2014

Edmonton and Area Halloween Haunts 2014

 Happy Halloween 2014!

Welcome to my favourite time of the year!  I have been fortunate enough to be volunteering for the entire month of October, as I am sure you have seen from my social media feeds.  Things will get back to normal shortly around here.

Edmonton has a great community of creative and artistic people that go all out at this time of year.  We are lucky enough to have a lot of options each year to get us into the Halloween spirit.  Please support your local haunters so we can bring you even better events next year!

Professional Haunts

Deadmonton House is open for their first year here in Edmonton.  The whole thing was put together by Edmonton Firefighter, Ryan Kozar.  He had been working on the haunt since February to open for the month of October.  The level of detail is amazing and the live actors are guaranteed to get a scare out of the bravest souls! Donations are being collected for the Edmonton Firefighter’s Burn Treatment Unit.

Tickets are available at a discounted rate on the website.  Please remember to come early, the lineups can be quite long, but are entirely worth the wait!

**Tip: Bring clean underwear!

Please find more information on their website: Deadmonton House

Prairie Gardens has a wonderful weekend event going on this Halloween.  “Day of the Dead” weekend takes place November 1 and 2 out at the farm.   I love their “Haunted Pumpkin Festival”!  There is lots to see and do for the whole family.

Please find more information on their website: Prairie Gardens

The Edmonton Corn Maze does an annual event called the “Farm of Fear”.  The farm yard, a spooky old barn and part of the corn maze get transformed into a spooky Halloween event every year.  This is an outdoor event, so please dress for the weather!

Please find more information on their website: Farm of Fear

ZED has been going for many years now.  All of the proceeds go to the Red Deer Boys and Girls Club.  This is NOT your average haunt, it is professionally run and combines animatronics with live actors.  They rely on their team of dedicated volunteers to staff and scare the patrons.  I HIGHLY recommend the trip out to Red Deer – it will not disappoint!

Please find more information on their website: ZED Haunted House

The Shock House is new to Edmonton this year.  The team is from Saskatchewan, so do be aware that you are not supporting local when you give them your money.   They have five trailers full of scares to thrill you.  3110 Calgary trail, right near Spirit Halloween.

Please find more information on their website: The Shock House

Community Leagues

Please be sure to check with your local Community Halls, I know a lot of them are putting on events for their neighborhoods.

Please find more information on their website: Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues

Private Yard Haunts

The “Tunnel of Terror” is a garage haunt located at 12703-68 Street.  It is a haunt that is the brainchild of Duane and Brandy-Jo.  I have had the pleasure of running through their haunt and hiding in a dark corner.  Great treats at the end too!  Open from 6pm to midnight on Halloween night!

The Plunkie family haunts their garage annually.  An excellent stop on your trick or treating journey!
2706 124 Street in Edmonton.

The MacDonald family has downsized this year, they normally do a back yard walk through haunt.  I highly recommend putting this address on your trick or treating map, Grant’s props are all handmade and they are simply AMAZING!  Accepting donations for the Edmonton Food Bank.
57 Henry Avenue in Edmonton.

The Tobin family has been doing garage haunts for a couple of years now.  They used to be the driving force behind “The Tour of Terror” where my husband and I met.  Great candy and a mix of live actors and props. They will be running from 5:30pm to 9pm on Halloween.
11241 167A Avenue in Edmonton

The Carli family’s haunt is always phenomenal.  They have thousands of guests sign the guest book yearly.  We worked this haunt as live actors one year.  They are accepting donations for the St. Albert Food Bank.
64 Embassy Place in St. Albert

And last, but not least, the Pettigrew family haunt.   Doug and his family put a lot of effort into this haunt every year.  They have wonderful imaginations! The haunt opens at 5:30pm.
29 Michagan Street in Devon

There is so much to see and do in and around Edmonton on Halloween.  Be safe and enjoy some good scares!

Edmonton and Area Halloween Haunts 2014

Edmonton and Area Halloween Haunts 2014

 Happy Halloween 2014!

Welcome to my favourite time of the year!  I have been fortunate enough to be volunteering for the entire month of October, as I am sure you have seen from my social media feeds.  Things will get back to normal shortly around here.

Edmonton has a great community of creative and artistic people that go all out at this time of year.  We are lucky enough to have a lot of options each year to get us into the Halloween spirit.  Please support your local haunters so we can bring you even better events next year!

Professional Haunts

Deadmonton House is open for their first year here in Edmonton.  The whole thing was put together by Edmonton Firefighter, Ryan Kozar.  He had been working on the haunt since February to open for the month of October.  The level of detail is amazing and the live actors are guaranteed to get a scare out of the bravest souls! Donations are being collected for the Edmonton Firefighter’s Burn Treatment Unit.

Tickets are available at a discounted rate on the website.  Please remember to come early, the lineups can be quite long, but are entirely worth the wait!

**Tip: Bring clean underwear!

Please find more information on their website: Deadmonton House

Prairie Gardens has a wonderful weekend event going on this Halloween.  “Day of the Dead” weekend takes place November 1 and 2 out at the farm.   I love their “Haunted Pumpkin Festival”!  There is lots to see and do for the whole family.

Please find more information on their website: Prairie Gardens

The Edmonton Corn Maze does an annual event called the “Farm of Fear”.  The farm yard, a spooky old barn and part of the corn maze get transformed into a spooky Halloween event every year.  This is an outdoor event, so please dress for the weather!

Please find more information on their website: Farm of Fear

ZED has been going for many years now.  All of the proceeds go to the Red Deer Boys and Girls Club.  This is NOT your average haunt, it is professionally run and combines animatronics with live actors.  They rely on their team of dedicated volunteers to staff and scare the patrons.  I HIGHLY recommend the trip out to Red Deer – it will not disappoint!

Please find more information on their website: ZED Haunted House

The Shock House is new to Edmonton this year.  The team is from Saskatchewan, so do be aware that you are not supporting local when you give them your money.   They have five trailers full of scares to thrill you.  3110 Calgary trail, right near Spirit Halloween.

Please find more information on their website: The Shock House

Community Leagues

Please be sure to check with your local Community Halls, I know a lot of them are putting on events for their neighborhoods.

Please find more information on their website: Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues

Private Yard Haunts

The “Tunnel of Terror” is a garage haunt located at 12703-68 Street.  It is a haunt that is the brainchild of Duane and Brandy-Jo.  I have had the pleasure of running through their haunt and hiding in a dark corner.  Great treats at the end too!  Open from 6pm to midnight on Halloween night!

The Plunkie family haunts their garage annually.  An excellent stop on your trick or treating journey!
2706 124 Street in Edmonton.

The MacDonald family has downsized this year, they normally do a back yard walk through haunt.  I highly recommend putting this address on your trick or treating map, Grant’s props are all handmade and they are simply AMAZING!  Accepting donations for the Edmonton Food Bank.
57 Henry Avenue in Edmonton.

The Tobin family has been doing garage haunts for a couple of years now.  They used to be the driving force behind “The Tour of Terror” where my husband and I met.  Great candy and a mix of live actors and props. They will be running from 5:30pm to 9pm on Halloween.
11241 167A Avenue in Edmonton

The Carli family’s haunt is always phenomenal.  They have thousands of guests sign the guest book yearly.  We worked this haunt as live actors one year.  They are accepting donations for the St. Albert Food Bank.
64 Embassy Place in St. Albert

And last, but not least, the Pettigrew family haunt.   Doug and his family put a lot of effort into this haunt every year.  They have wonderful imaginations! The haunt opens at 5:30pm.
29 Michagan Street in Devon

There is so much to see and do in and around Edmonton on Halloween.  Be safe and enjoy some good scares!

Pourhouse Bier Bistro Has Ramen Burgers!

Pourhouse Bier Bistro Has Ramen Burgers!

As I am sure you can tell, “Gastro Pubs” are one of my favourite places to visit.   I am a bit of a beer snob, I would like to be MORE of a beer snob someday. (Of the non-pretentious variety) Beer goes great with food, just the same as wine, only you don’t need a sommelier to pour it for you.  The Pourhouse always has a rotating selection of taps and bottles as well as a regular selection.  The beer are all listed by flavour profile, which makes it easier for the non beer drinkers.

Ok, now that you know you can go to Pourhouse for a great brew, let’s talk about BurlyChef Lager… Pourhouse’s heart belongs to Chef Daniel Huber.  No, he isn’t the only one that brings the Pourhouse to YEG, but he is the flavour creator.  He wanted to bring a “normal” beer to Pourhouse, like the one Dad used to drink when they were BBQ’ing.  Before your start grumbling and complaining about the brewery he chose, please note that he did try the “local” breweries and they were not able to give him the flavour profile that he was looking for.  Labbatt’s brews “Burly Chef Lager” for the Pourhouse.  It is a nice, light lager that goes with anything that the menu has to offer for food.  For the entire month of August, $1 per pint will be donated to the Bissell Centre to help them with the rebuilding of the “Thrift Shoppe” after the two devastating fires.

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Pourhouse Bier Bistro Has Ramen Burgers!

Pourhouse Bier Bistro Has Ramen Burgers!

As I am sure you can tell, “Gastro Pubs” are one of my favourite places to visit.   I am a bit of a beer snob, I would like to be MORE of a beer snob someday. (Of the non-pretentious variety) Beer goes great with food, just the same as wine, only you don’t need a sommelier to pour it for you.  The Pourhouse always has a rotating selection of taps and bottles as well as a regular selection.  The beer are all listed by flavour profile, which makes it easier for the non beer drinkers.

Ok, now that you know you can go to Pourhouse for a great brew, let’s talk about BurlyChef Lager… Pourhouse’s heart belongs to Chef Daniel Huber.  No, he isn’t the only one that brings the Pourhouse to YEG, but he is the flavour creator.  He wanted to bring a “normal” beer to Pourhouse, like the one Dad used to drink when they were BBQ’ing.  Before your start grumbling and complaining about the brewery he chose, please note that he did try the “local” breweries and they were not able to give him the flavour profile that he was looking for.  Labbatt’s brews “Burly Chef Lager” for the Pourhouse.  It is a nice, light lager that goes with anything that the menu has to offer for food.  For the entire month of August, $1 per pint will be donated to the Bissell Centre to help them with the rebuilding of the “Thrift Shoppe” after the two devastating fires.

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Kdays 2014 – The YEGfoodie Taste Experience!

Kdays 2014 – The YEGfoodie Taste Experience!

Another summer and another 10 days filled with food, food, and more food!

If you are planning on going to Kdays in Edmonton this year, you had better bring your appetite!  There is plenty to choose from for all kinds of appetites.

Personally, I like the carnival food.  There is no other time of year that I can indulge in the “deep fried flavour of the year”, elephant ears, cotton candy, candy apples and stuff “onna stick”!

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Kdays 2014 – The YEGfoodie Taste Experience!

Kdays 2014 – The YEGfoodie Taste Experience!

Another summer and another 10 days filled with food, food, and more food!

If you are planning on going to Kdays in Edmonton this year, you had better bring your appetite!  There is plenty to choose from for all kinds of appetites.

Personally, I like the carnival food.  There is no other time of year that I can indulge in the “deep fried flavour of the year”, elephant ears, cotton candy, candy apples and stuff “onna stick”!

Read More Read More

Krush Ultralounge – There’s A New Chef In Town!

Krush Ultralounge – There’s A New Chef In Town!

Krush Ultralounge located at 16648 109 Avenue in Edmonton, has a bit of a stigma attached to it.  It has been through many incarnations.  Most recently a “stripper bar”.   The lovely ladies are no more….  Now you have a posh space with two large, beautifully finished lounging areas, several televisions and a great sound system.

They have also found themselves a new Chef.  Chef Kelly hails from “Kids in the Hall Bistro” which offers on the job training, life skills, connection to school and outreach support for youth.  Kelly left Kids in the Hall to pursue the next chapter in life and ended up being the new gem at Krush.

Kelly also happens to be a friend and he had a little convincing to do to get a bunch of us out for some Tuesday Shenanigans at his new venue.  Previous to this, I had never had the chance to experience Kelly’s cuisine.  The following review is in no way colored by the fact that Kelly is a friend.

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#FoodTruckFriday Feature – Paradise Grill

#FoodTruckFriday Feature – Paradise Grill

Originally founded as “Pub Paradise” in 1999.  The Chef’s name is Owen.  He has 20 plus years of cooking under his belt.  Owen wanted to share his Jamaican culinary skills with Edmonton by giving us a taste of his irresistible Jerk Chicken made with his own secret blend of spices.  Hence the food truck “Paradise Grill” was born.

Paradise Grill

These guys are hard to find.  They aren’t on the Streetfood App and they don’t use their social media very often.  I was lucky enough to catch them at the Canada Day Celebrations at the Alberta Legislature grounds.

Chef Owen - Paradise Grill

As you can see, the Jerk Chicken is grilled on charcoal with a smile!  There were several food trucks gathered, but this one’s aroma was just too good to walk by.  They smelled divine!

There wasn’t much for choices on the menu for the night.  You had Jerk Chicken, assorted wings or Jamaican Patties.  After getting a nostril full of the Jerk Chicken, there was no other choice.

Paradise Grill Jerk Chicken

You pay $10 for your chicken and above is what you get. I should have taken a comparison photo to show you the portion size.  I was still hungry when I was finished.  The Jerk Chicken tastes as good as it smells.  Your mouth has some pleasant heat in it during the whole experience. The spice blend is amazing.

Hand cut fries would have been really good. Steak fries are not my favourite. Hot sauce is available for your meal if you need more heat.

Paradise grill will cater your event. They need a bit more room to set up – there is the mobile kitchen and the grills.

Paradise Grill is on Facebook and you can also find them on Twitter as @paradisegrill4u

Paradise Grill Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Savour Strathcona Coming July 6th

Savour Strathcona Coming July 6th

Do you like “Taste of Edmonton”? Then get your tickets for “Savour Strathcona“!

Originally when I heard about this event, I thought of Old Strathcona. This is actually in Sherwood Park.

Like “Taste of Edmonton”, you purchase tickets to taste your food items. They will generally cost you 3 to 5 tickets each.

 

Savour Strathcona County will be back this summer to delight arts, culinary and culture enthusiasts.

Now in its third year, Savour Strathcona County is a celebration of local cuisine, arts and heritage. The event brings together chefs from local, independent restaurants, creating culinary dishes from fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.

“Savour Strathcona County is a wonderful way for the community to show their support for our local artists and restaurants, while spending an enjoyable Sunday afternoon at the Community Centre with family and friends,” says Mayor Roxanne Carr.

New activities are planned for 2014:

  • Food trucks will join the numerous local artists and restaurants setting up on the east plaza.
  • Free cooking demonstrations will be held in the Agora.
  • Unique family and heritage activities will be provided by the Strathcona County library.

Savour Strathcona County is an opportunity for local restaurants to showcase unique dishes,” says Gerry Gabinet, Director of Economic Development and Tourism. “The popularity of the event has grown, and we are pleased that food trucks are joining the event.”

Admission is free for all activities on-site. Taste tickets cost $5 for a set of five. Artwork will also be available for sale.

The event will be held in the Community Centre (Agora) from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 6.

Savour Strathcona

Participating restaurants:

  • Auntie Jean’s Fudge
  • Choclination
  • Common Ground Cafe
  • Country Road Greenhouses
  • Enzo’s To Go
  • Glow Juicery
  • Jepama’s Pizza Inc.
  • LINGSA Sri Lankan & South Indian Cuisine
  • Mongolian Indulgence
  • New Asian Village
  • One Cool Cookie
  • Square One Wye Road
  • Vicky’s Bistro / Wine Bar
  • Yoshi Japanese Restaurant

Participating food trucks:

  • casa12doce
  • Smoke Show – Very Mobile Catering
  • Truckin Good Eatz
#FoodTruckFriday Feature – Dolce and Banana

#FoodTruckFriday Feature – Dolce and Banana

Dolce and Banana is new to the streets of Edmonton this year:

Edmonton’s only ITALIAN FOOD TRUCK specializing in fresh pasta, grilled panini, Italian pastries & dessert, homemade Italian soda’s and specialty coffees.

Ernesto Rizzi has been part of a family run pasta business for a few years now.  Pasta by Caterina is available at some of the Markets around Edmonton.

Now Ernesto has branched off and started his own venture with his brand new foodtruck.  He is one of the “Trucks with heart” that you will see at Eden’s Market for YESS every Sunday.

There is not pasta on the truck yet, but I hear a rumor that it may be coming soon!

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